Hero Restoration, Anyone know the latest? 27 27

[DR.X]

On 12/28/2023 at 12:09 PM, Dave2739 said:

I thought he was on death's doorstep while also in jail. Did he escape both or either?

I miracle recovery?

[namisgr]

On 12/28/2023 at 1:09 PM, Dave2739 said:

I thought he was on death's doorstep while also in jail. Did he escape both or either?

Switch outs are all the rage.  He probably faked dying while in prison, then walked away at the morgue, escaping both.  

[Chip Cataldo]

On 12/28/2023 at 4:20 PM, namisgr said:

Switch outs are all the rage.  He probably faked dying while in prison, then walked away at the morgue, escaping both.  

Sooooooo...he "restored" himself?

[brute_nm]

[phretbored]

Fraud, negligence, misappropriation of property, theft.

That's quite a collection.

I am not a lawyer so idk if these specific crimes were committed so I am only speculating.

He was working hard at not working on books though that does seem to be apparent.

Do we have a new total on how many people were victimized?

 

 

 

[L'Angelo Misterioso]

Here's my rapid fire analysis. The deposits customers gave to Mike are basically gone, he's probably been selling the comics over time and they seem to not be all in the same location, and no law enforcement is going to take this case completely seriously because 1) customers willingly paid Mike (obviously hes been doing theft, but not in the more traditional sense of snatching property) and 2) the assets of concern aren't fine art, but comics, a collectible that's barely taken seriously by the general public and is relatively ambiguous with respect to monetary value. I doubt any more people will be made whole here, but Mike getting locked up would be a sweet outcome. Him being gravely sick recently has to be bullshi as well.

Also, as a young guy (20s) who's green in this hobby, I'm shocked at how charitable (and dare I say passive) some people here have been along the way, even in the formative stages when it was already evident the guy is a crook and had no intention of completing the restoration jobs and returning books and cash 

Edited December 30, 2023 by L'Angelo Misterioso

[Dr. Balls]

On 12/29/2023 at 10:39 PM, L'Angelo Misterioso said:

Also, as a young guy (20s) who's green in this hobby, I'm shocked at how charitable (and dare I say passive) some people here have been along the way, even in the formative stages when it was already evident the guy is a crook and had no intention of completing the restoration jobs and returning books and cash 

Many of those people who showed sympathy or tolerance are the ones who are out serious cash and comics. They probably did not want to rock the boat as Mike has proven himself to be completely unstable - one might think that supporting him, or not vilifying him here on the Boards might curry favor resulting in the return of their books. In a few cases, it worked - even with the writing on the wall of what he was doing.

A person can feel all hope is lost, but still be supportive - after all, there really is no other alternative than to wait and see what happens. Some people choose to yell at the guy, some choose to quietly or encouragingly hope for the best.

I'm more of a "yell at the guy" type of person.

[Mr. Zipper]

On 12/30/2023 at 12:39 AM, L'Angelo Misterioso said:

Also, as a young guy (20s) who's green in this hobby, I'm shocked at how charitable (and dare I say passive) some people here have been along the way, even in the formative stages when it was already evident the guy is a crook and had no intention of completing the restoration jobs and returning books and cash 

There are also the people who have long-term perspective and know that Mike has been a part of this community for a long time, and ran his business for nearly a decade without any impropriety. Most people don’t turn into criminals at age 55.

Those people were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, thinking he made some bad decisions and had some health problems, but would turn things around.

When I was in my 20s, I was probably more of a “hang em at dawn mob” guy too. When you’re in your 50s, hopefully you have a little more empathy, wisdom and emotional intelligence.

i’m still hoping against hope that everyone gets their books back and this matter can be resolved sooner rather than later. I would be shocked if Mike was actually selling peoples books. If he was doing that, he wouldn’t be in the financial trouble that he’s in.

He needs to be held accountable, and people need their possessions back. After that, I hope he can recover and live a long healthy life. That said, I’m sure there are some who read this and interpret it as being weak and soft and making excuses for him. Whatever. 

[MatterEaterLad]

On 12/30/2023 at 9:20 AM, Mr. Zipper said:

When you’re in your 50s, hopefully you have a little more empathy, wisdom and emotional intelligence.

I had a lot of sympathy for the guy at first. Partly because I've talked to him and he's clearly a comics super-fan. But mainly because so few people do restoration at his level. I'd hoped he'd somehow manage to get his life back on track and return books and finish the work. The community needs people who do this, especially conservation. We're losing so much know-how with Susan C. retiring and now Mike imploding so spectacularly. But, it's hard to have much sympathy for the guy at this point. 

[Sauce Dog]

On 12/30/2023 at 11:20 AM, Mr. Zipper said:

There are also the people who have long-term perspective and know that Mike has been a part of this community for a long time, and ran his business for nearly a decade without any impropriety. Most people don’t turn into criminals at age 55.

Those people were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, thinking he made some bad decisions and had some health problems, but would turn things around.

 

That is the main thing, this wasn't some fly-by-night pop up operation and Mike has been active in the community for much longer than the actual Hero Restoration business was running. 

Most of us who do have books with would be very happy for him to turn things around (not necessarily possible with the restoration business at this point, but he can still salvage some of his reputation by doing the right thing and maybe still continue pressing as a source of income). While we all fully understand any money paid is gone (and not necessarily due to explicit criminal activity, rather very poor business spending and accounting decisions) he can still mail books back to appease the most vocal of customers that are just wanting their property back regardless of the state they are in. 

[Dark Knight]

Even if Mike does the right thing (I mean how long have these shenanigans been going on for now?), I would not trust sending my books and money to him. In my opinion, his reputation as a comic book restoration/pressing expert has diminished with no recourse.  I mean there is one client of his who has been waiting about 10 years to get his high valued book back!? That's insane!! 

There are a few other guys I trust sending my books to who have done a fantastic job.

[Number 6]

Good lord.

Only Mike could to take the golden distraction that is the Label Swap Scandal and manage to surpass it with sheer drama.  

[CJ Design]

My always apprehensive WIFE was correct...about selling the books...so damn horrible.

[CJ Design]

looks like it's  https://www.ebay.com/usr/geekbay_since_2003

[bc]

-bc

[mattn792]

@KindaMistyish - turn this over the sheriff’s department immediately as he’s committing new crimes while out on bond.

[Sauce Dog]

I've been speaking with Mike since his release from jail, explaining the priority of him addressing customer complaints, and he actually made a plan to return customer books. My books and one other board member here (with around $60k worth of comics) were part of the first batch and they have been successfully delivered back to us. I sent him a few more of the people who filled out the survey as he agreed to make those customers the priority, several of which have been packed up and should have been shipped out today last I was told. I wanted to wait on posting updates on this until all books were marked as delivered to customers, and I could confirm Mike was seriously taking action in addressing the return of customer property before possibly riling up the boards again.

So on my end it sounded like things were moving in a positive direction, and actual action was happening regarding returning customer books.

Since I have been the one many people have been reaching out to with information, and the boards here have come to expect me sharing such info let me chime in about the above post: Everything posted above is news to me; especially the meth thing...my main contacts (the above user not being one of them) who were very forthcoming with such things never once mentioned it, so I don't know what to think about all that - be it the drug use, selling of books on ebay, or bail money; I can neither confirm nor deny the veracity of anything claimed. I literally don't know what to think about all that and am as taken aback as the rest of you. 

Me returning to this thread thinking I was bringing good news back, but finding that post above...

Edited January 15 by Sauce Dog

[brute_nm]

On 1/15/2024 at 11:24 AM, CJ Design said:

looks like it's  https://www.ebay.com/usr/geekbay_since_2003

Here are the recent sales.  Anyone recognize their book(s)?

[Dark Knight]

Geeze, things went from bad to worst. Not only is he selling client's books and stealing money, but he seems to have an alcohol and drug  problem and now a sex predator?  

[brute_nm]

On 1/15/2024 at 12:21 PM, Dark Knight said:

Geeze, things went from bad to worst. Not only is he selling client's books and stealing money, but he seems to have an alcohol and drug  problem and now a sex predator?  

He's doing the speedrun life any%