My Experience with collectibles started, like with most at a young age, growing up with my father’s many action figures and statues of many different comic book characters. Upon entering my home and taking a left you’ll see two display cases filled with many different statues of the Dark Knight himself, Batman, in different poses and eras along with the occasional unique such as a Batman Beyond statue and another one of the fourth Batgirl.
On the top of the shelf over the main computer, the four statues of the main Avengers were bought and displayed years before the MCU would take off in earnest. The downstairs is where the real display is at. Three display cases filled with different comic heroes next to a wooden shelf filled with action figures depicting different members of the Justice League. The cases have different characters of both Marvel and DC and other rooms filled with other collectibles.
Now when it came time for me to start collecting, I began with Lego, both to play with and later break when I was still in the single digits. When I grew older I got my own small collection of figures of franchises I was in too including Halo and Warhammer 40k (Mcfarlane because Joy toy and especially the hobby itself is too expensive for me to properly get into)
However, when it comes to collectibles, something that always interests me is the appreciation collectors get from others. Now, it’s easy to call people who collect action figures nerds with too much money, just look at some Funko Pop collections to see how much of an obsession it can become.
But something that enters my thoughts while looking at my small collection along with other bigger ones both online or in person such as at cons for sale, that being how we and others view them.
When we curate our own collections, we do so to suit ourselves because we are a fan of whatever media that relates to what we collect. I feel a sense of joy when I add something to my collection despite its costly habits and knowing that it is really apart from those like no one else would care for it. Growing up I had no real idea just who some of the statues my dad collected were but over time I grew up and appreciated those on display and sure he might not get my own collection.
Of course, there are also all the negatives of having a collection that I also feel grip me. I know that collecting is just for marketing so we spend more money after consuming the original product and to some it has no real value apart from a childhood toy or a gift from someone that the recipient likes.
Also, finances are another negative, especially in the current economy. While spending money on useless knick knacks when bills and food need to be paid for to continue living.
Another issue is of course the issue of space. Where are you going to put everything? You sometimes see some people with an entire display room whether big or small, I have no real place to display some of what I want right in my home apart from an already packed shelf.
Now all of these issues are part of collecting and must be resolved to avoid problems with not just collecting but others. But there are also some positives, I hate this idea but see where it comes from and how necessary it is and that’s a possible resale value in the future. Despite past examples such as comic book collections being worth nothing nowadays, but other times, I see other collectibles go for high prices such as old toys.
I see people selling their collections such as Funko Pop or others. Apart from personnel satisfaction, there is precedent for a while someone would keep a hold of them. Overall I feel conflicted even as I hand the money over to continue my collection when I do it, for some smug satisfaction only for me but I still feel a sense of pride whenever I do and add another to my collection.
Feature Image by Eric Pastroski
