Meet the Staff: Jon Gutierrez

July 14, 2008 on 3:07 pm | In Staff Bio | 1 Comment

[Editor’s Note: We’re continuing our series introducing you to the unsung staff of ToyFare. Today’s entry comes from ToyFare price guide editor Jon Gutierrez!]

Hey, ToyFare readers! If you’re like everyone I’ve ever introduced myself to, you’re wondering – Just what the heck is a “price guide editor” anyway?

Well, apart from regular editing duties, I’m the guy that researches all the price guide listings (and prices) and keeps track of the toy market to find out about all the variants, chases and unexpected figures that pop up. A lot of my research is online, where I check out store prices and eBay sales. I have a huge database where I compile all the info and factor in retail prices to determine what a figure’s average price is. I also check in on brick and mortar stores, chat with retailers and call on special experts to compile and check guides. (Phew!)

In addition to all that, I help out a lot on ToyFare’s humor –writing some of the word balloons and Big Shots and co-writing and storyboarding Twisted ToyFare Theatre and back page ads. (So, basically I spend a lot time drawing out comic strips that no one will ever see. Sigh!)

With the departure of our dearly missed former Editor Zach Oat, I’m actually the staffer that’s been at ToyFare the longest at six years –only a couple months longer than current Editor Justin Aclin. (Although, he was an Wizard intern before I got here. So, he’s got me there.)

And if I can be allowed a personal plug… in my spare time, I’m a writer/performer with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. So, if you’re ever in New York City, feel free to drop in and say hi!