A warning to all about Rick Olney

[EmperorC]

Dear Comics Professional,

If you are approached by an individual named Rick Olney or a representative of this man, if you are approached by Olney or anyone else representing entities known as The Mighty Mini-Con, TightLip Entertainment, or ORCA, we strongly urge you to run in the other direction.

There is a very long, very well-documented history of non-payment, deceit, emotional manipulation, and fraud in connection with this man and his projects. Despite searching and publicly requesting evidence for over three months, nobody has been able to produce any evidence of any artist ever having been paid in full for their work for TightLip. Many attending professionals to his conventions were promised reimbursement of their expenses, but while some were provided with lodging, none are known to have received full compensation for travel and meal costs, and many have been the subject of vicious personal attacks as a result of having inquired about the promised reimbursement. In addition, Mr. Olney has a considerable history of erratic and unprofessional behavior on many message forums and mailing lists on the internet, several of which have banned him due to his frequently racist, sexist, and homophobic rants, as well as his willingness to hurl vicious insults in response to legitimate questions about his business practices.
As far as we can tell, nearly everyone who has ever had any professional contact with TightLip, the Mighty Mini-Con, or Rick Olney, has a "war story" to tell about being misled, cheated, and used.

You can find more details here:

http://www.unscrewedcomic.com/

Please, do not attempt to do business with Olney. In fact, please pass along this warning to any comics professionals, aspiring comics professionals, retailers, exhibitors, media guests, and fans you know.

Do business with Olney at your own risk.

We would prefer to not do this in such a public manner, but, with Olney again advertising a convention and claiming that he is still planning to publish comic books, the greater good demands we speak out.

Check out the website.

Thank you for your attention,
the Undersigned

Shelly Kennedy, Webmaster Unscrewed!
Danny Donovan, Various independent Comics, 911 Emergency Relief by Alternative Comics, Radio Free Comicks
Dave Rothe, Ant #'s 6-9 from Image Comics
Tom Stillwell, Writer/Creator of The Honor Brigade from Spinner Rack Comics
Kurt Busiek, Astro City, Superman
Paul D. Storrie, Revisionary, Gotham Girls, Robin Hood
Scott Reed, Web's Best Comics
Tony Isabella, Black Lightning, Tony's Tips
Chuck Dixon, DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Bongo, Wildstorm
Joanne Ellen Mutch, Rummblestrips, Potlatch, LOTR sketch card artist,
Kevin Huxford, ShotgunReviews.com/Newsarama Contributor
Timothy J Tobolski, UNSCREWED! editor-in-chief
Jim Taylor, The Wraith
Mike Bullock, Lions Tigers & Bears, The Phantom
Blake M. Petit, Comixtreme.com
Scott Shaw!, CAPTAIN CARROT, THE SIMPSONS, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
Jeff Austin, AC Comics
James Ritchey III, Green Lama, Team Defiant!
Danielle Sylvie Taylor, Hollow
Colin McMahon, New Dimension Comics-McMurray
Wil Radcliffe, Noggle Stones
Larime Taylor, Writer/Creator of HOLLOW, Archaia Studios Press
Mercedes R Lackey, Valdemar Series, DAW Books
Larry Dixon, DAW, Baen Books
Jim MacQuarrie, MonkeySpit.net
Alice Woodside, The Daredevil Anniversary Art Quilt Project
Sean McKeever, writer
Steven D. Forbes, Writer of Bullet Time, Co-Writer of Fallen Justice, EiC of Paper Dragonz
Koben Kelly, Newsarama.com, Best Shots, ShotgunReviews.com
Sarah Beach, editor, writer - Shooting Star Comics Anthology #1, Unscrewed! anthology
Lance Boucher, Inter-Fan Productions
Colleen Doran, A Distant Soil
Nat Gertler, About Comics
Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading
Joe Zierman, artist - Big Bang Comics
Martin R. Oakley, formerly of Bloodstained Productions, writer/artist
Kneon Transitt, Gemstone Publishing
Gail Simone, Birds of Prey, Villains United, Gen13, Welcome to Tranquility, Atom
Frank Dirscherl, The Wraith
James A. Owen, Starchild, Mythworld, and Here, There Be Dragons
Richard Neal, Eisner winner Zeus Comics
Brian Pate, Comic Book Conventions.com
Cully Hamner, BLUE BEETLE, DC Comics
Erik Burnham, Shooting Star Comics
Scott McCullar, Shooting Star Comics, DC Comics, West End Games
Butch Guice, Marvel Artist
Brian J. Crowley, Graphic Designer DDP
Gerry Alanguilan, Superman: Birthright, Batman/Danger Girl, Silent Dragon (Wildstorm)

you can read his own terrible actions here:
http://forums.comicbookresources.com/sh ... p?t=156451

He's cheated many, many people and is still working on conning people. Please be aware and don't fall for it.

[STrRedWolf]

Okay, here's the deal. Feel free to discuss this here, in civil terms. No screwin' around with the colorful language, folks.

Just remember one thing. I've banned Rick Olney from CG until he takes care of his legal issues involving the above. I don't want it spilled over here, and he's already reported one copy that was posted on a comic's forum (which got Merc's and my attention, and therefore you can guess the rest). If Rick wants to respond, he better email me, but I'll give him a few words of advice first: LISTEN TO YOUR LAWYER! LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TO HANS REISER!

[Jesusabdullah]

Being a con artist is hardly in the same ballpark as murder, stred.

[Jekkal]

Still good advice, regardless of whatever crime(s) you're accused of.

Go search on youtube for "Don't Talk to Cops" sometime. Elucidating stuff.

[Jesusabdullah]

Speaking of Hans Reiser...

[Bustertheclown]

Wow, there are some rather notable names in that undersigned list.

[Linkara]

As a frequent member of Gail Simone's forum, I can attest to Rick's behavior over there, at least, including making racist comments and direct threats against individuals and I can easily acquire copies of e-mails he's sent and posts he's made concerning the subject (since he has several lawsuits against him, many felt that keeping a detailed record of everything he said might be a wise idea).

On the subject of him not being a murderer... Well, one story in particular that was relayed on the main forum had an artist who was going through some very tough financial times and was the primary breadwinner for his family. Rick offered to pay for two commissions for a few hundred bucks to supposedly help the guy out and the artist was all-too happy to provide them. And so he provided the artwork and waited. And waited. And waited. Rick relayed stories about how the check was lost in the mail or some such nonsense or that the money was on its way, but it never came. While it's of course possible that the entire story was a fabrication, there was nothing on the artist's behavior nor any credibility on the part of Rick Olney to suggest that it was anything but the truth. So Rick Olney may not be a direct murderer, but if the story is true (which I believe it is) he was perfectly willing to let children starve just to receive some artwork.

[Bustertheclown]

Y'know, now that I think of it, this thread just smacks of turning into a flame-fest. Thanks for the warning, certainly, but when a guy can't even publicly defend himself against accusations made against him, libelous or not, in a public forum, then I recon that's not terribly even-handed activity. I vote to stop this hate train before it leaves the station. After all, it's not the business of most of the people here, I would wager. If there's a real warning here, then sticky the thread for a bit, but I vote to lock this before it really degenerates to the deeper levels of internet windbaggery. You're helping nobody's case by attacking on their behalf.

EDIT:
By the way, I'm not aiming this at any individual. It's just a general statement to preempt the likely ensuing drama-rama.

[EmperorC]

Y'know, now that I think of it, this thread just smacks of turning into a flame-fest. Thanks for the warning, certainly, but when a guy can't even publicly defend himself against accusations made against him, libelous or not, in a public forum, then I recon that's not terribly even-handed activity. I vote to stop this hate train before it leaves the station. After all, it's not the business of most of the people here, I would wager. If there's a real warning here, then sticky the thread for a bit, but I vote to lock this before it really degenerates to the deeper levels of internet windbaggery. You're helping nobody's case by attacking on their behalf.

EDIT:
By the way, I'm not aiming this at any individual. It's just a general statement to preempt the likely ensuing drama-rama.

the most important thing is letting people be aware so that more victims aren't suckered by him. Olney never screwed me out of cash but another company I freelanced for did to the tune of 2K... having your money get held up like that is a terrible thing and can lead to all kinds of problems.

[Rkolter]

This is not the first thread we've had in the main forums warning about Rick Olney.

Why is it so difficult to pin this guy down? With the lawsuits he has pending, surely he's ignored a supoena by now and can be arrested and held?

[McDuffies]

Dear Comics Professional...

Oh well *leaves*

[Gail Simone]

I'm sorry that this thing spilled over into the Noses Optional forum. Those are nice girls, and I like their strip quite a lot, and obviously,
they have nothing really to do with Rick. It's Rick's associate Dennis that they are friends with, and there's no need to clutter up their
message board with stuff about Rick.

Obviously, I, and the many, many others whom Rick has cheated, feel strongly that warning other creators, particularly those who are possibly
new to the industry and not aware that there are people like him out there, is a high priority, and there is no telling how much misery
could have been saved had the word gotten around sooner. He is even now trying to reform his company with new creators, even though we
can't find a single person who was paid in full as promised (most have received nothing but threats) from his many years of announcing, then
canceling, cons, comics, and fanzines.

But there's no reason for it to be an inconvenience to any well-meaning bystanders. I, for one, appreciate the grace and wisdom redwolf showed
in this matter and apologize again for any fuss it may have caused.

Good luck with this important site,

Gail

[STrRedWolf]

Thank you, Gail.

If I can clear up some confusion over my post, it's that I was warning that one should listen to their lawyer, as you could screw up your own defense. Hans Reiser was the first one I grabbed (and I do see he's finally got a dose of reality take hold in him). Granted, there's some scummy lawyers out there, but in general keeping shut and not impeaching yourself in the public is I believe one of the golden rules of litigation.

But I'm no lawyer. I've only seen how bad it can get by making that mistake.

You all are welcome to discuss, but no flamewars, please.

[Special K]

I'm sorry that this thing spilled over into the Noses Optional forum. Those are nice girls, and I like their strip quite a lot, and obviously,
they have nothing really to do with Rick. It's Rick's associate Dennis that they are friends with, and there's no need to clutter up their
message board with stuff about Rick.

Thank you very much for understanding what I've been trying to say all along. The general discussion board is a much more appropriate place for this discussion than to start yelling in the middle of another thread on one comic's forum. I appreciate it.

[Dreamaniaccomic]

Well, I went out and did some research on Rick Olney...
Sweet mother of potatoes. You should SEE some of the comments he has made. If anyone is in for libel, it's him.
I don't know if this guy has some sort of mental disorder or is just a focus for negativity, but either way he must hold the world record for being a jackass.
I dislike being that harsh, but the way he has avoided paying his dues while crying about "ethics" is unacceptable. Out of all of the boards I looked at, he has yet to respond intelligently to anything anyone says about him, and his overall jerkiness even managed to creep onto his Blogspot page http://sequentialsoul.blogspot.com/
I hope he starts posting here so we can mock him until he is banned. Prepare the mocking ray.

[Warofwinds]

Alas, he has already been banned:

Just remember one thing. I've banned Rick Olney from CG until he takes care of his legal issues involving the above. I don't want it spilled over here, and he's already reported one copy that was posted on a comic's forum (which got Merc's and my attention, and therefore you can guess the rest). If Rick wants to respond, he better email me, but I'll give him a few words of advice first: LISTEN TO YOUR LAWYER! LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TO HANS REISER!

I too was looking forward to sling-fest.

[Dotty]

I'd rather not have anyone deal with idiots like him. I've been robbed by stupid con hosts before, and even though they wouldn't give my money back, they still resold my table. Making double the profit off one seat. Fuck them, and fuck anyone like them.

More comics, more nice peoples, less sleaze, please.

[Dreamaniaccomic]

It occured to me that even though most of the people on Comic Genesis aren't "Comic's Proffesionals", it's good to get the warning out. When you don't have alot of experience, proffesional or otherwise, it can be easy for guys like Olney to lure you into situations like this. Maybe Unscrewed and Comic Genesis should form a partnership.

[Gail Simone]

It occured to me that even though most of the people on Comic Genesis aren't "Comic's Proffesionals", it's good to get the warning out. When you don't have alot of experience, proffesional or otherwise, it can be easy for guys like Olney to lure you into situations like this. Maybe Unscrewed and Comic Genesis should form a partnership.

That is it precisely, Dreamaniaccomic, and that's why the Olney thread at the Yabs board will never die, nor will pros like Tony Isabella cease posting warnings about this guy.

It is very unlikely that Rick will ever be able to cheat another professional. But we know darn well that he has moved on to people less likely to have read the dozens of testimonials
from people cheated by Rick Olney, such as (no kidding) prisoners, people from other countries, and web-comics artists. A pro who is cheated will likely just move on to another assignment.
But someone just starting out may have their career derailed for years while Rick lies and threatens them, claiming copyright of their work despite never, ever PAYING anyone.

Seriously, if you are approached by Rick Olney OR Dennis Kininger to work on any comics-related project, run as fast as you can in the other direction. You don't have to take my
word for it...the list of people cheated include some of the most respected names in comics as well as many relative newbies. These are not people you want in your proximity.

And Redtail, you may call me a bitch on your board all you want. It's your board, and I could not care less. But I asked everyone to stay off of your board with Unscrewed/Olney business, and I meant
it. I no more control everyone who appears at CBR than you do, and I wish they would stay off your board completely. I have asked repeatedly. The idea that I'm 'harrassing' you is just
utter bullshit. I don't know a thing about you other than that you apparently do a nice comic and are friends with the guy (dennis kininger) who recently called me a 'cunt' for pointing out Rick's long history
of cheating comics professionals. I don't post on your board, I don't post about you, and I have only asked people NOT to post there, as I'm sure you well know already. As I said in response
to your first bizarre and hostile PM some time back, maybe you'll care about creator's rights a little more as your career in art progresses. Perhaps not, but I would surely hope so.

Big deal. What you say and what I say isn't important. All that's important is that people are warned about these two guys and the way their businesses were run.

All I can say is if you posters take a look at Unscrewed, you can see what they are about, and some of the good they've done already in paying people stiffed by organizations like Tightlip and the
Mighty Mini-con, and others. Rick Olney is not important. I am not important. But the serial deadbeats and cheaters of the industry MUST be exposed and held to the light,
even if it means getting called names on message boards.

That's all, thanks everyone.

Gail

[Gail Simone]

I'd rather not have anyone deal with idiots like him. I've been robbed by stupid con hosts before, and even though they wouldn't give my money back, they still resold my table. Making double the profit off one seat. Fuck them, and fuck anyone like them.

More comics, more nice peoples, less sleaze, please.

Wow, really?

Well, that's the kind of thing Unscrewed is trying to fight. Have you talked to anyone there? May I ask what con this happened at?

It makes me very angry to see people cheated like that!


Gail