Here are a selection of comments posted on My website by people around the world who have also been conned:
I Was Scammed Hard By That Cocksucker
Date: February 30, 2003
I was scammed HARD by that cocksucker Carralero. I am so glad to see someone else validating my feelings about him in such a public way. In October of 2000 I contacted Jerk-Off Carralero through his website about purchasing an original Armando Huerta drawing (see below). We arranged the deal and I sent him a money order.
For some time, I did not receive the artwork. Then I began emailing him. This guy who was so good at returning my emails when those emails were about setting up a deal was apparently unable to return any emails when the topic turned to following through with his end of the deal. I began to get pretty mad. Then, I got a hold of his cell phone number through Village Comics in NYC. The first time I called him, he answered the call and told me a bunch of stuff about moving his studio, etc and that he’d send me the art very soon, along with “something extra” for my trouble. Well, that was the last time he answered any call from me.
I wrote the whole thing off for about a year and a half, but then I got mad again. I fired off a new round of emails in which I accused him of trying to rip me off. Again, he answered the first one, and only the first one. He assured me it was a big mix up and I would receive the artwork “very soon!” It doesn’t take a genius to guess what happened. Of course I have never seen the piece. It was probably sold long before I paid him for it! It was a real revelation to see and read your page about this low-life. I only hope that, as you say, what goes around comes around. Let’s just say that if I’m ever at a convention and I see him pick a fight with you, or anyone else, I’ll jump right in and do my part for the good of humanity by kicking his ass, and then I’ll take his wallet and get my goddamn money back.
Thanks for putting up the site and showing the world what a loser this guy is.
Thanks,
Christian Ristow
Ricky Owes Me
Date: March 2, 2003
I had a friend who sent me the link to this site of Ricky/Huerta. I am GREG NARVASA the computer colorist/letterer of Ricky from 1997-1999 and I know for sure and would go on the record that I know Ricky took credit after the fact of printing works of Armando. I saw the originals come in from Mexico and Ricky say they were awesome. He worked him like a dog. I even saw at the Chicago Comic Con last year a piece first hand whited out with his signature. Ricky owes me like $3000 from the 3 years I worked for him and then again after I set up that art book he published and he owes me $300 from that too. I TRULY HATE HIM, well if you want to know anything else I can help sue his ass.
Greg Narvasa
Ricky Needs Help
Date: May 22, 2003
I didn’t know that there can be such a sick guy on the world, before I knew Armando I trusted the guy, but after knowing Armando a few months ago, I already had my doubts about Ricky, when I read this and when I hear of the treat he do, I really think he is very sick and needs to go to a psychiatric or so, it’s time that he disappear from the art and pinup art world and I sincerely hope that this bad thing ends very soon, so that we all can enjoy Armando’s fantastic work.
What A Joke
Date: May 22, 2003
An artist friend told me about this …when is court … Should be able to use all to the benefit of Armando Huerta .. I can even see a Saturday night movie .. Get an agent .. The painting of Marilyn what a joke … I know high school, first year students that can do better … Personally I think Ricky is employing yet another artist to do new paintings if he wants to beep the scam going … And you are right Armando Huerta is a fantastic artist.
I Am Fucking Shocked!
Date: May 22, 2003
I am fucking shocked! I’ve been a regular to the site over the years, but recently returned. I had no idea this crap was going on. And while I hate to admit it, what I’ve done at home isn’t even close in comparison to what Ricky is pulling, but not really “kosher” either.
The difference in the art styles is night and day. Art vs. Cartoon. Now I’m pissed! I’ve got friends and cohorts that do the e-bay and art in general thing regularly. I’m passing out the word. To do what I’ve done because of the appreciation of the art is one thing, to make a buck at it? Inexcusable!
Mark
Deceived
Date: May 22, 2003
Two days ago I found out through Armando’s web site that Carralero has been putting his signature on art that is not his. This has greatly upset me as I own three original artworks that I thought were by him namely Cha Cha and the paintings identified in the photos section as Sluts (of Betty Page & Julie Strain – who has incidently co-signed the picture) and Betty Mix (which is the art on the home page of this group).
I have examined my paintings more closely now and underneath the Carralero signature there is white paint that stands proud of the rest of the canvas – so it is pretty clear that it is an over-painting.
I feel defrauded as much as I assume Armando does.
Luckily I own a fourth original that is properly signed by Armando which has hung for the past 2 years in my bedroom and is the first thing I see every morning when I wake up – it is the Two Girls Mad Nude (as named in the photo section).
Armando – I have long thought that the artist of these lovely paintings is a major talent and I am glad that at long last (unfortunately too long concealed by deceit) it will now be recognised worldwide with its proper author acknowledged.
Please paint more lovely art for me and the rest of the world to admire.
Craig
Dear Armando
Date: May 22, 2003
Armando, your art is incredible. Ricky will surely pay for what he has done. Just know and believe that every dog had his day, my friend !! Rest assured you have many admirers out there and the word is being spread around fast to lists, groups .. all over ! Myself, and many of my friends, are all doing what we can to spread the word. Our file names and folders now hold your name, my friend!!
So if this means anything .. you may not know us all personally, so you have many unseen friends and admirers. Being lovers of great art, you have our support. You have just gained yourself more friends and admirers than you know.
~ Carol Roth, New York
Asshole
Date: May 22, 2003
when i read the story about armando and ricky i was outraged,….
so i looked up some of their respective art on the internet,…..
these two supposed carralero pieces have some interesting shadows in the background,….
almost looks like he tried to white over the parts of another painting that he didn’t want to use and then painted over the parts he did!!!…..
what an asshole!!!….
intercaust, out.
Re: Asshole
Date: August 15, 2003
I’m happy to notice other persons have also been made aware of the fluke. I happen to have a lot of “Double Impact” comics, from High Impact (pre-Huerta) & ABC (Huerta era) & there’s absolutely no denying that Carralero is at best a mediocre/lackluster comic artist. Huerta’s amazing artwork was what drawn me to China & Jazz in the 1st place and when he left, the series simply discontinued, as Carralero couldn’t follow in his footsteps. Carralero impersonating Huerta’s work is a sick scam & when he finally runs out of original material to copy, we’ll see who has the last laugh. Huerta, wherever you are, you’re sensational.
Thomas, France
Ricky
Date: May 22, 2003
Many years ago I had the great honor to see a few of your original artworks up close… and I have to say magnificent work! Truly amazing. Unfortunately at the time I was in a very unfavorable situation, not unlike what you have gone thru by what I was reading online. Needless to say, I too know Ricky and had the misfortune of doing artwork for him (High Impact) when I was living in Miami, work for which I have yet to see a dime for, haha, no big surprise there. I can say this though, I saw YOUR work at his house and saw right thru his bullshit of him claiming to be the creator of your work… I mean, take a look at Double Impact #1… that’s about the scope of his talent, haha.
Anyhow, I didn’t mean to write in to talk about that guy. I’m so glad to see you out on your own creating! Many congratulations! I love your stuff man and was so psyched to see it thanks to my buddy Vic’s Pinup galleries. Can’t wait to see your new book… keep up the kickass work!
A fellow pinup artist,
—>Amano Jyaku
Shithead
Date: May 22, 2003
After replying to said post I put out a general question about this confusion I had with images that were by Armando yet I had a book at home with those same images in by…. well you know who.
Reb, of rebsart.com, replied via email showing me the link to gostickit which explained it all.
Y’see on a visit to Paris last year I visited a few of the Fantasy Art and comic book shops and came home clutched in my hot little hands a book titled “The Fantastic art of Ricky….” Yeah….. HIM! Shithead himself.
After reading the pages at Gostickit, I feel like a mug for coughing up hard cash to buy it. Gawd knows what you must feel like Armando for what he’s done to you. How I feel must pale into insignificance. But try not to dwell on it Armando. Karma will get him. Big time! I’ve been lucky enough not to have such things done to my own artwork, I have seen a few tacky manipulations of mine but nothing like the blatant rip off that’s been inflicted on you. (The colourisations of my drawings don’t count FF2K, they’re ALWAYS appreciated!)
I sincerely hope ol’ Shithead meets someone named “Bubba” in the prison showers before this year is out! 😀 !!
Anyways, after a few twists and turns, I finally turned up here thanks to gostickit’s link. Ta. I hit the message board and caught up on some of the gossip.
Thanks for your great artwork Armando. I saw your stuff a few months ago over at Vic’s place, amongst others, and liked what I saw. Lots! Amazing detail and skin tones, gorgeous! in fact. Personally I found some of it a little too OTT, but that’s my personal taste (don’t knock it anyone.) I prefer Pin-up stuff to leave more to the imagination. Liked the tribute to Elvgren, I was hesitant at first whether to admit that since any so called ‘improvement’ over Elvgren’s work is like painting red ‘Go faster stripes’ down the side of a Rolls Royce! But I liked the 21st century version of it you did. Nice one!
Biker
Ricky Carralero
Date: May 22, 2003
Hey, just wanted to thank you for this article. This model i know from the East Coast forwarded me a letter from Ricky Carralero, and how he wanted to work with her. She and I just finished this whole instant messaging convo, where i was relating to her the thing with Armando Huerta, and Ricky suddenly taking credit for his work, or at least, completely copying his work. I figured he had, at the very least, suddenly learned all of Armando’s techniques in a week and was taking credit or whatever, but i didn’t know the details or the extent. Now, every time i see his work, i don’t feel like a conspiracy theory nut. Anyhow, thanks. Good to know i’m not nuts, or talkin shit about somebody with no cause.
y’all be good.
Ricky/Armando
Date: May 22, 2003
Hello there, I’ve been following this Ricky/Armando thing since I first emailed Armando months ago. He put me in touch with your website, and “damn!” What can be said, this is unbelievable. I just checked again and read the email to Armando posted on your site. The gall of this guy is incredible.
I’ve been attracted to what I thought was Ricky’s work for quite sometime now. I feel a bit like an idiot, not knowing the difference in some of the work that I’ve seen in print (or just simply assuming). As you’ve stated there is really quite a difference.
I’m really only writing to wish you luck in your quest to take this guy to the wall. Being an artist myself, (working in a similar genre/technique) this really hit close to home.
Best of luck
J. Capobianco
Art Premiere
Date: May 22, 2003
Look at Ricky Caralero’s hard cover book Art Premiere deluxe printed by mg publishing (the red one with betty page on front). Now look at page 46 called “betty with Whip”. Look in the lower right hand corner. Armando Huerta’s signature was not taken off completely! You can still see it! It’s faint but still there. sad, sad, sad.
Poor Quality
Date: May 24, 2003
Most of the images are from Huerta’s hand only the latest ones now on his site are from Ricky’s hand (we think so?) but they are so poor of quality that you can see that he isn’t really an artist, but only a thief who steals images and changes them a little bit, he also tried to do it on some European artists I know, but the only thing that happened till now is that those guys (and they are very good friends of mine) have lost the artwork that they sent to him (he had asked them to make some drawings and paintings) because he never responded to those guys again, so that’s the real Ricky you know.
Wicked Xtreme
Date: May 22, 2003
Just found your site while doing a search for Ricky C. It’s kinda funny… I found his site wickedextreme first and was wondering why his art was going down hill… I mean, the new paintings really sucked. I left the site a little confused and I was worried that maybe the artist had suffered a stroke or something.
I can truly empathize with Armando on what he has gone through. I had a similar thing happen to me 10 years ago with an old friend of mine. I wish him all the success and happiness in the world.
Jon Kinyon
Fake Book
Date: May 22, 2003
Hi guys, I live in Holland and just visited your site for the first time and was shocked about the whole Huerta/Carralero thing. Especially because I just bought the Art premiere/Ricky Carralero book from MG publishing. After reading the whole story I think it’s a fucking shame that this fake book is still sold in Europe and is not being called back to be corrected and reissued. I also work in the wonderful world of arts and can imagine how screwed Armando must feel. Damn MG publishing for allowing this to happen, they should compensate Armando from their profits of the book! And damn that impostor Carralero. It’s a shame that he doesn’t live here in Holland so I could kick his lying ass!
Once Armando has his own book I promise that I will buy it, even if it contains images from the fake one I have now. Respect to you dear Armando, you are the true artist and I wish you all the success you deserve!
Greetz; Steven from Holland
Armando Huerta Book
Date: May 22, 2003
I had the time now to check out the websites, look up originals and think about the whole mess armando got in .
I am completely convinced now, that ricky definitely is not the artist, and stopped all sales i could. For me being personally convinced is more important than any documents, or whatever the legal situation is. I wish you good luck in building a case against ricky.
As i mentioned i would like to take the opportunity to make an offer for a book on armandos work. The basic idea would be to reprint stuff published under ricky name and a lot of new material. Also include background on the whole story and situation, and how that guy ricky got to be known as the artists of so much great work.
Some rough info on the book:
About 96 pages , maybe some foldouts
Full color full page pictures, if studies or preliminaries exist, that would be nice, as many consumers like to see these as well.
Territories we are selling into:
germany/austria/switzerland
us
england
france
spain
italy sweden
netherlands
poland
sweden
Channels are: in germany /austria/switzerland the main channel is newsstands/railway station book trade also specialty outlets as comic-shops, tattoo shops, special mail orders, and the book trade (few carry such material) in other territories we usually work with local distributors, that serve same channels as above except for newsstands we are on newsstands in a limited way (otherwise returns would build up to high) in spain, france, and italy soon.
So if that in general sound interesting to you, we could follow up with more details, and answering questions you certainly will have.
best
Kai Witz
publisher
m/g publishing
Re: Armando Huerta Book
May 24, 2003
I’m glad that you finally realize who the true artist is. About that book you would like to publish for Armando …….. Armando is not very happy with the fact that you have already ruined his reputation with the other books.
Webmaster
Armando’s Art
Date: May 22, 2003
Well it seems to me that Kai Witz from MG Publishing has finally understood what happened with Armando’s artwork, so now I hope that he will print a book with Armando’s name on it, and explaining in the book that the art book he has released last year with Ricky’s name on it was completely a fake. I also hope that he does it for free for Armando and gave him the profit about the books MG publishing (and SQP) earned by selling so many books (and let me assure you that they have sold a lot of them over here in Europe, they had reprinted it more than once). Now my good friend Armando is beginning to have all the credits for his artwork and all the world can see what a shameless guy Ricky is, by stealing artwork of other artists.
Vic
Re: Armando’s Art
Date: May 24, 2003
I have written to MG Publishing numerous times in the past and they have ignored me. They refuse to print a book for Armando and include images that they have previously published under Ricky’s name as this will ruin their name. So, I will publish a book for him and will not only ruin MG’s reputation, but will destroy Carralero’s as well.
Webmaster
Old Joke But Sort Of On Topic
Date: May 23, 2003
Question: How do you stop Ricky Carralero from drowning? Answer: Take your foot of his head. Heheheeheheheheeeee! Any news on successfully prosecuting for plagerism, forgery, or buggery yet?
Biker.
PS Congrats on the new book, I’m as jealous as fuck!
Wow, What A Story and A Reply From Ricky
Date: May 23, 2003
Hello, up until a few days ago I was a big Ricky Carralero fan. Or at least I thought I was. Being an avid comic book collector I spotted what I thought was the best comic book cover ever with Purgatori: Darkest Hour Premium cover #1 with that great “Carralero” cover. Then I picked up his Art Premiere book at the San Diego Comic Book convention. I didn’t think anything was weird until I was lucky enough to buy about 50 of the Double Impact Books (Raw, Art Attack, etc.) from an Ebay dealer and saw those great covers by Armando. BUT Wait!!! I saw that same artwork advertised on Ricky’s website giving himself credit for the art. Then I found this website and discovered the story. So…. having been a Ricky “fan” for so long I naturally assumed that his side of the story would have been the right one. So I wrote to him asking for clarification on the matter. Following is his unedited response to me in full:
Hello, thank you for your email. Please visit wickedxtreme.com and on the HOT OF THE PRESS section you will find a letter from our former publisher John Ulloa. This letter explains the whole thing. Armando was not only one of my closest friends byt became my right arm. quickly we developed a close working relationship. Unfortunatly at one point Armando felt that he wanted to go on his own and tha was fine however i would had never imagined he would turned against me. Before Armando ever existed i was doing comics and airbrush. I had a name with distribution all over the world thanks to my former publisher. is funny how they claim armado to be the artist during all this time and me as the finisher. Please visit www.wickedxtreme.com and again please read this letter and you will have your questions aswered. thank you Ricky Carralero
Well, needless to say I believed him until I digged further into the situation. More than anything I am surprised how stupid this guy is thinking that he could get away with it. I am looking forwards to reading about future lawsuits being brought forth charging Ricky with art theft and forgery.
Side note: It’s kind of humorous but I had my account suspended on Ebay recently for violating some of their adult listings policies. It turns out that the covers on some of those Huerta Double Impact comics are too graphic for Ebay standards even in the mature listings areas where you have to be an adult to view them. Oh well, I like them that way. I just can’t sell the “good” ones on Ebay. Take care Armando and keep up the great work!
New Armando Fan
Ricky Carralero Art is Awsome
Date: May 26, 2003
Hey Guy’s, I have been following Ricky’s art career for a very long time. Ricky was a great artist long before Armando showed up. You would think Armando would be grateful that Ricky showed him the ropes. Armando is a great artist in his own right. I never liked Armando’s work in the beginning, it was too cartooney. But boy did he learn under Ricky’s teachings. He has turned out to be a great artist as well. I think it’s a crying shame that you people slam and slander a great artists reputation over a sticker deal gone bad. That’s all this whole Ricky slam fest is. Get over it… You do not have an exclusive deal with Ricky Carralero!!! Enough sour grapes already!!!
John Ulloa
Re: Ricky Carralero Art is Awsome
Date: May 27, 2003
Hi John, Good try. Drugs must have altered your memory. You haven’t seen Ricky’s work before he met Armando? Try going to PAGE 4 of the site to check it out. 🙂
Webmaster
I Hate Ricky
Date: June 8, 2003
I can not believe that happened. I was going through my comic collection and found a couple of old Double Impact comics. That had some ads for erotica styled Double Impact comics. I thought They were great looking so I set out to find some and the great artwork on the internet I could not find any then I looked for the artists name Armando and I found this site along the way. I am trashing my double impact comics and will cease my search for more. I want to make sure anything I buy the artist gets full credit and profit. Mr Huerta you are the man and I wish you the best know one day that scum will get whats coming to him.
PS You should look into all the new internet laws so you should be able to get that scrub in trouble for using your artwork on his site.
Batfan24
2 Bounced Checks
Date: June 9, 2003
Hey, I did artwork for this guy… a lot of artwork actually. Did two books, was working on the third, 2 covers and a bunch of pin-ups. Never got any money, just a lot of excuses. He gave me one check and it bounced when I deposited it. My bank even nailed me for $30.00, because of it. Then he tried to give me a second check, but this time I tried to cash it at the bank where it was issued. That check bounced so hard that it almost broke my teeth. Thank god, I was able to get my artwork back at least. I don’t know if he even gives a crap that we are trashing him for the shady things that he has done to artist, printers, publishers, etc. I just know that I got off lucky and left when I did. Some people where not as lucky, from the looks of this website.
Jose Varese
Fuck That Guy!
Date: June 9, 2003
What a f’n ho that Ricky is!
THE MAN
Re: Beautiful Work
Date: October 1, 2003
Yes, but did you know that Robert Bane was in on this scam also? 😉
Sandy
Ricky Is A Little Punk
Date: June 19, 2003
That guy is a huge scammer and a punk! I wonder how this guy sleeps at night, knowing full well how he fucks everyone he comes in contact with up the ass. Well i guess rats sleep with rats and in the end and they’ll end up in the mouse trap. Eat the cheese you little Greedy bastard. Rest in piss cause your fucked!
Judge Dredd
Truth and Love
Date: July 5, 2003
Ricky is still a con artist. I was sleeping with Richard Garcia and nobody knew it because has a girlfriend he lives with named Milo who is the other manager of Visual Images. I can tell you honestly that Ricky conned Richard for months because I was there the hole time. then Richard found out somehow and the arguments between them were awful. Richard was sick and stressed out by it. I would go by the office at night because Milo left the company. Richard stopped selling Ricky’s art and just keept the comic books which i understand are legally his. Ricky isnt even with Visual images anymore so he’s out conning somebody else now. By the way if you are reading this Richard, I hope you have a nice life. Sherry
Sherry Vigador
I Worked For That Scumbag Too
Date: July 30, 2003
I worked for Ricky in the mid 1990’s as a colorist back at High Impact, which he then changed to ABC Studios to avoid debtors. Of course, he still owes me over $3000, but I decided not to pursue it because I knew the chances of ever seeing that money were slim to none.
Anyway, I was there when Ricky first received Armando’s artwork in the mail. It was a series of black and white inked sketches of women. Ricky showed it to me, saying it was from some young unknown artist in Mexico that he planned to hire. Needless to say, we were both blown away by the style. I also saw some of the initial work Armando sent in for the “Double Impact- Extreme” book. I was fired soon after for having the nerve to correct the numerous typos and grammatical errors in Ricky’s writing before sending a book to print. (Of course, Ricky didn’t have the balls to fire me himself, instead having his business manager do it. )
I’m so glad I found this website. I recently saw a book on Amazon claiming to be Ricky’s artwork. I was actually a little pissed that a scumbag like him had actually managed to survive in the industry. Upon seeing the cover, I was astonished at how much Ricky had improved his skills over the past few years. Now I understand why. A hoax such as this would only be attempted by someone seriously lacking in integrity or intelligence. Ricky certainly fits that profile. It’s truly a shame that someone as supremely talented as Armando Huerta would ever have to deal with a low-life like Ricky Carralero. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
Jorge Almeida
Another Scammed
Date: July 30, 2003
Sadly, I too worked for Ricky Carralero in Miami. I needed work and wanted to get some experience with comic publishing and felt that his books really needed some help with grammar and layout. I did the book designs and layouts for his stuff for about a year in 1999, right after Greg (who he was always insulting etc..) not only did he scam Armando’s work, he had me re-use a ton of Armando Huerta works into new art books and portfolio sets and of course I was never paid (he owes me $1,000) next thing I know Glenn Danzig is asking me how Ricky got so good. How did he get so good? He stole someone else’s work… we had a good chuckle, then I met Armando personally at Comic Con San Diego and got the full scoop.
Armando, I will send you what I have, along with some original sketches I kept of Ricky’s for you to compare on your site. I never wish anything bad on anyone, but it seems like he’s done a good job of fucking himself without any help. It sucks to see someone that is so good at fucking others over, I guess ultimately we get what we give in the end.
Omar
Scumbag
Date: July 30, 2003
Wow. Just saw your site. Can’t believe what a scumbag this guy is. On Page 2, the picture “PopCowGirlNewScan5” – that is none other than Playboy Playmate Jaime Bergman. She even did a cowgirl thing for whichever issue she appeared in…
I’m going to be telling the local comic shops about this. Hopefully of them have ordered his book. You’ve done a great service.
Back to Ricky Carralero’s Death Wish
