Collector’s Corner Part III

September 4, 2008 on 1:25 pm | In Collector's Corner, Fans |

Hey Gang, it took a while but Esbat from the Wizard Universe Message Boards came through with some pics of his collection, so let’s jump on in:

Do you know how many figures are in your collection? Can you give an estimate?

Hmm, good question, depending on size I’d have to say from the 3 inch to 5 inch range I’d have about 40. The 6 inch scale figures I have about 70. And 7 inches and larger scales I’d say roughly 30 or more. And all that’s just loose. I have well over 300 figures in box, most of them are mint, others are in roughed up boxes waiting for me to get more shelving to display them before I crack those suckers open.

What got you into collecting and how long have you been at it?

When I moved from my home area of the Rio Grande Valley about six years ago I came to Laredo, TX and it was purported to have comic book shops. It didn’t. So instead of buying a comic or three once a week I ended up buying Marvel Legends and Spider-Man figures to fill that collecting void in my life. And then I found ToyFare and it taught me there was money to be had from my once useless knowledge of comics and toys.

What’s your favorite current line? All time?

My past favorite line was the ToyBiz Marvel Legends but that quickly changed when I started seeing the new DC Universe Classics, I am just going gaga over the upcoming Adam Strange/Starfire 2-pack online exclusive set. Definitely picking up one to open and one to stash.

My favorite line of all time, jeez talk about Sophie’s Choice. I’d have to say, and I really don’t own that many, is the McFarlane Movie Maniacs line. As much as I’m not a fan of the lack of articulation, McFarlane gave me 6 inch and 18 inch Army of Darkness Ashley J. Williams figures, a movie accurate Robocop and Corporal “Michael Biehn” Hicks. Whats not to love?

If you could only keep one figure from your collection what would it be?

This line of questioning is quickly becoming cruel, but since I can’t resist answering, I’d say it’d be the Hasbro Spider-Man Origins Spider-Man 2099. I really really love that figure. I loved the comic growing up. Lamented it cancellation. And now I own 3 versions of him, the Hasbro version being the absolute best.

Do you have your full collection displayed? If not, how do you decide what makes it to the shelf?

I wish I could display my full collection. I got a literal garbage bag full of Star Cases I bought from a goodwill store years ago for my Revenge of the Sith collection. I was really proud of nailing all the Single carded and Deluxe figures (including many of the variants and exclusives) and wish I could display them appropriately.

I set up a few shelves around my room and desk, including some on top of my television and monitor to showcase my absolute favorites that I dared loose from their plastified prisons. Basically whatever is on display is about 75% chance of ending up in my photocomic (inspired by ToyFare’s own Twisted ToyFare Theater, natch). So that’s how I choose, via necessity and vanity good sir!

What room in your place is your collection displayed?

My boudoir! Due to it being off limits to the cats. I brokered a treaty many moons ago that keeps my accessories and spare limbs from appearing in the litterbox or under the couch. What I can’t display I keep in various closets around the house or in a giant shed in the backyard stored in various tubs and sturdy boxes.

Where do you get most of your figures? stores? eBay? Flea markets? Stealing?

I love bargains so I get it wherever I can. Due to eBay fees being so insane I haven’t done any shopping on there in years, but Amazon.com and Hasbro Toy Shop are very good to me. Oddly enough living a literal stone’s throw from the border allows me to partake in a lot of import toys and stuff at least a decade old from the old shops in downtown shopping district. Twenty bucks goes a long way on early Saturday morning shopping sprees. I also do a lot of figure trades on FigureRealm.com. Since I customize figures I need parts or accessories to complete my projects, and of course I trade to nail those hard to find figures like the X-Men Classics Red and Blue Rogue or Marvel Legends Deadpool (whom I snagged off Kyle Robinson of ToyFare fame).

What percentage of your income would you guess goes towards toys?

ACK! The horror! Hmm, I’d say out of a month’s earnings. Maybe 12 percent in straight up purchases and shipping costs of trades. So I’d say its not that bad.

What’s your Holy Grail? That one figure you want, but haven’t been able to get just yet?

Sweet tiny jeebus, I’d have to say its the Spider-Man Classics KB Toys Exclusive Scarlet Spider figure. I totally missed that sucker as the local KBs at my mall had closed shortly before that sucker came out. So I didn’t even knew it existed at the time. Now I pine for it… like the fjords.

Thanks again Esbat. Who else wants their collection shown on this here blog? You can post your pics on the WUMB or E-mail me at tdietsch@wizardent.com.

–TJ