Armando Huerta

Armando Huerta (May 19, 1969 - May 2, 2020), also known as the "Dark Lord of Pin-Up" (DLOP), was a Mexican artist known for his extremely detailed, erotic illustrations and paintings of women. In his book Better Nasty Than Sexy (Extended Remix) he described himself as "The World's Most Dangerous Pin-Up Artist, The Master of Disaster, The Pope of Erotic Art, Optimus Prime-Time of the Pencil and Airbrush, Non Plus Ultra with Macabre Techniques, The Jesus Christ of Porn ... in a few words, the Dark Lord of Pin-Up".
==Early Life==
Huerta was born on May 19, 1969 in Mexico City, Mexico. He was the first child of Isabel Arellano.
In 1977, Isabel took Huerta to the movie theater to watch Star Wars. He credits Star Wars for inspiring him to become the artist he eventually became.
==Biography==
Huerta started drawing from an early age. He began drawing nude women at the age of nine after he stole a Playboy magazine from his uncle.
In 1993, Huerta began working for Coca-Cola and Playboy Mexico as a graphic designer. This is the year he first learned how to use an airbrush and paint pin-up girls. Huerta cites Hajime Sorayama as being the "Master of Masters" and learned his technique by following a tutorial in his book Sorayama: Hyper Illustrations (Vol 1).
In 1997, Huerta submitted art samples to four different comic book publishers including Ricky Carralero from High Impact/ABC Studios in Miami, Florida, who he chose to work with because he was the only one who spoke Spanish. Huerta signed a one-year contract with Carralero to produce 18 pages of art each month and two covers for his Double Impact comic book series. According to The Comics Journal article titled Bad Girls and Bad Blood: The Dark Side of Indy Comics (October 2003, issue number 256), Carralero didn't pay Huerta for the first five months. After that, Huerta would receive "a couple of dollars only". Carralero promised Huerta that he would bring him to the United States and make him famous which he never did and instead, decided to take credit for Huerta's work, paint over his signature and replace it with his own. Carralero then sold the stolen paintings to Village Comics in New York City and Robert Bane of Tamara Bane gallery in Beverly Hills who referred to him as "an artist of extraordinary talent and great vision."
In December 2001, Huerta discovered that his paintings were displayed on over 50 different websites around the world with Carralero's name on them so confronted Carralero about the fraud. According to Armando Huerta - The Exclusive Interview, Huerta got fed up with Carralero's lies so launched his own website Better Nasty Than Sexy in 2002 in hopes that people would discover the truth about who the real artist was.
In 2002, Sandra Galligan from XXXTREME contacted Huerta and offered to help reclaim his name. She flew Huerta from Mexico to the United States on January 5, 2003, and became his manager.
In 2003, Virgin commissioned Huerta to paint 5 pin-up girls for their Virgin Cola bottle labels.
In 2005, Kevin Eastman commissioned Huerta to paint Julie Strain for the cover of Heavy Metal magazine (Summer 2006). Huerta titled the painting Peacemaker. Strain stated that Hajime Sorayama and Olivia De Berardinis came to her house and studied Huerta's paintings with jaws open in "pure amazement and a hint of jealousy."
In 2007 at San Diego Comic-Con, Jenna Jameson met with Huerta's manager to discuss working with him to produce a comic book and line of products based on his paintings Heavenly and Hellish. Jameson stole Huerta's comic book idea and went to Virgin Comics who published a limited series of comic books titled Shadow Hunter featuring art by Marvel Comics cover artist Greg Horn.
Jenna Jameson tattooed Huerta's Rouge painting on her right calf.
In January 2008, Skin & Ink Magazine interviewed Huerta and gave him the title "The Bad Boy of Pin-Up Art."
Airbrush Action Magazine featured Huerta in their May/June 2009 issue and labeled him the "leading pin-up artist." 
Larry Flynt commissioned Huerta to draw an illustration of Miley Cyrus for the July 2011 issue of Hustler magazine. Huerta also had a featured gallery in the December 2012 issue.
In 2013, John Stagliano commissioned Huerta to create a series of designs for his Evil Apparel line of clothing which he helped promote at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo.
==Death==
After posting a string of disturbing messages on Facebook, Huerta took his own life on May 2, 2020.
==Publications==
* Rapture - Sketches and Drawings by Armando Huerta (January 16, 2017, Dark Lord Studios)
* The Pinup Project (May 13, 2015, Graffito)
* Badass - Sketches and Drawings by Armando Huerta (February 18, 2015, Dark Lord Studios)
* Von Gutenberg (Issue 9), (January 1, 2015, Von Gutenberg Media)
* Von Gutenberg (Issue 8), (January 1, 2014, Von Gutenberg Media)
* Heaven-X - Sketches and Drawings by Armando Huerta (August 1, 2013, Dark Lord Studios)
* Von Gutenberg (Issue 7), (January 1, 2013, Von Gutenberg Media)
* Buttman (Volume 16, No. 4), (January 1, 2013)
* Hustler, (December 1, 2012, L.F.P., Inc.)
* The Sweetness - Sketches and Drawings by Armando Huerta (March 21, 2012, Dark Lord Studios)
* Tattoo Savage (March 2012, No. 119, Paisano Publications, LLC)
* Airbrush Action (March/April 2012, Cliff Stieglitz)
* Tattoo Savage (January 2012, No. 118, Paisano Publications, LLC)
* Von Gutenberg (Issue 6), (January 1, 2012, Von Gutenberg Media)
* Tattoo Savage (November 2011, No. 117, Paisano Publications, LLC)
* Tattoo Savage (September 2011, No. 116, Paisano Publications, LLC)
* Witchblade #81 (Comic Book San Diego Comic Con Exclusive), (July 21, 2011, Jay Company Comics)
* Cavewoman Extinction #1 (Comic Book San Diego Comic Con Exclusive), (July 21, 2011, Jay Company Comics)
* Hustler, (July 1, 2011, L.F.P., Inc.)
* Tattoo Savage (July 2011, No. 115, Paisano Publications, LLC)
* Witchblade #112 (Phoenix Fan Fusion Exclusive), (May 26, 2011, Jay Company Comics)
* Tattoo Savage (May 2011, No. 114, Paisano Publications, LLC)
* Rebel Rodz (February 2011, Paisano Publications, LLC)
* Von Gutenberg (Issue 5), (January 1, 2011, Von Gutenberg Media)
* Sexyness - Art by Armando Huerta (July 1, 2010, Pinup World Art)
* Black Lingerie (Laura Dore Special), (January 1, 2010, Show Magazine)
* Von Gutenberg (Issue 4), (January 1, 2010, Von Gutenberg Media)
* Knockout (December 2009)
* Airbrush Action (August 1, 2009, Cliff Stieglitz)
* Vixen - Art by Armando Huerta (July 1, 2009, Pinup World Art)
* Airbrush Action (May 1, 2009, Cliff Stieglitz)
* Marquis (April 14, 2009, Peter W. Czernich)
* Goddess - Art by Armando Huerta (July 1, 2008, Pinup World Art)
* Knockout (February 1, 2008)
* Rebel Rodz (January 1, 2008, Paisano Publications, LLC)
* Skin & Ink (January 2008)
* WHOOPS! Sketches and Drawings by Armando Huerta (May 15, 2007, Sticker Chick)
* Pain (April 2007)
* Heavy Metal (Sky Doll Special), (May 31, 2006, Kevin Eastman)
* Better Than The Real Thing (May 1, 2006, Sticker Chick)
* Better Nasty Than Sexy (Extended Remix), (February 6, 2005, Sticker Chick)
* Artcore (Volume 5), (April 7, 2004, SQP/MG Publishing)
* Revolver (No. 22), (February 1, 2004, Harris Publications)
* Better Nasty Than Sexy (2nd printing), (January 1, 2004, XXXTREME Publishing)
* The Comics Journal (October 1, 2003, Fantagraphics)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 9), (September 1, 2003, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* Better Nasty Than Sexy (August 15, 2003, XXXTREME Publishing)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 8), (August 1, 2003, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* Julie Strain & Friends (Tour Edition), (Heavy Metal magazine, August 1, 2003)
* Julie Strain & Friends (Nude Edition), (Heavy Metal magazine, August 1, 2003)
* Julie Strain & Friends (Tour Nude Edition), (Heavy Metal magazine, August 1, 2003)
* Better Nasty Than Sexy (Portfolio), (August 1, 2003, Sticker Chick)
* Julie Strain & Friends (Simon Bisley Edition), (Heavy Metal magazine, August 1, 2003)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 7), (July 1, 2003, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 6), (January 1, 2003, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 5), (December 1, 2002, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 4), (November 1, 2002, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 141), (October 1, 2002, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* Electric Images (Collectors Edition), (September 1, 2002, Wicked Xtreme Studios)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 144), (September 1, 2002, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* Electric Images (Naughty Edition), (September 1, 2002, Wicked Xtreme Studios)
* Buttman Comics (July 1, 2002, John Stagliano)
* Art Fantastix Premiere (Ricky Carralero Deluxe Edition), (July 1, 2002, MG Publishing)
* Eye Candy (June 1, 2002, Marco and Sherry Lanza)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 135), (June 1, 2002, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* Art of Ricky Carralero (May 29, 2002, SQP)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 132), (May 1, 2002, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 129), (March 1, 2002, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 126), (February 1, 2002, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* Art Fantastix Premiere #2 (Adult Edition), (February 1, 2002, SQP)
* Art Fantastix Premiere (Ricky Carralero), (January 1, 2002, MG Publishing)
* Art Fantastix Premiere (Heather Kozar cover), (January 1, 2002, MG Publishing)
* Ricky Carralero (Art Premiere Alternate cover), (January 1, 2002, SQP)
* Art Fantastix Premiere (Julie Strain cover), (January 1, 2002, MG Publishing)
* Art Fantastix Premiere #2 (January 1, 2002, SQP)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 120), (February 1, 2001, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* French Kiss Comix (Issue 118), (January 1, 2001, Ediciones La Capula S.L.)
* Erotika Art & Fetishes (December 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* The Erotic Art of Armando Huerta (November 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Portfolio (October 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Armando Huerta Extreme Portfolio (August 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Armando Huerta Portfolio (Series 1), (July 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Armando Huerta Portfolio (Series 2), (July 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Hot Shots (Collected), (June 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Raw Collected (Volume 2, Nude Cover), (June 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Suicide Run (Collected), (May 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Spring Special), (April 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Hot Shots #2 (Regular Nude Cover), (March 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios) 
* Armando Huerta Gallery Collection (March 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Hot Shots #2 (Wraparound Nude Cover), (March 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Armando Huerta Gallery Collection (Nude Cover), (March 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Hot Shots #2 (Regular Cover), (March 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Hot Shots #1 (Deluxe Cover), (January 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Hot Shots #1 (Nude Red Cover), (January 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Hot Shots #1 (January 1, 1999, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Collected #1 (December 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* The Erotic Art of Armando Huerta (Seasons Cover), (December 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* The Erotic Art of Armando Huerta (December 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Collected #1 (Gold Cover), (December 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios) 
* Double Impact Suicide Run #2 (November 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Raw (Volume 2), (November 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Raw (Volume 2, Platinum Cover), (September 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Suicide Run #1 (Nude Cover), (August 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Suicide Run #1, (August 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Wild Thingz Bad Girls Reunion #1 (Summer Edition), (July 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Suicide Run #1 (Photo Cover), (July 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Art Attack (July 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Wild Thingz Bad Girls Reunion #1 (Fan Edition), (July 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Wild Thingz Bad Girls Reunion #1 (Painted Edition), (July 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Raw Special #3 (Buttshot Cover), (June 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact Raw Special #3 (Nude Cover), (June 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Wild Thingz Bad Girls Reunion (Gold Edition), (May 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Raw Media Illustrated (May 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Wild Thingz Bad Girls Reunion (Platinum Edition), (May 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Raw Media Illustrated (Photo Cover), (May 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raw Special #1 - Cover B), (March 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raw #3), (March 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raw Special #1 - Cover A), (March 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raw #3 - Photo Cover), (March 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raw #2), (February 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raw #2 - Eurotika), (February 1, 1998, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raw #1 - Eurotika), (October 1, 1997, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raw #1 - Photo Cover), (October 1, 1997, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raising Hell #1), (September 1, 1997, High Impact/ABC Studios)
* Double Impact (Raising Hell #1 - Eurotika), (September 1, 1997, High Impact/ABC Studios)
Category:1969 births
Category:Mexican people
Category:Mexican artists
Category:2020 deaths