Starting a collection

[xBarryxAllenx]

For someone who is such a big time Flash fan, I have done very little collecting of figures or other memorabilia...until now. I have a LOT of comics, going back 45+ years, and I had one HeroClix of the Flash that my nephew gave me.

But, I finally bought my first actual figure. Thought I'd start from the present and work my way back, so I have the New52 Barry...



As I catch up to the rest of you I'll try to post more here. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to enjoy the much more extensive collections many of you have. Please feel free to post here with more pics - thanks!

[dillonmania]

Everybody's got to start somewhere! But let me warn you -- the action figure collecting bug can be a serious one

[xBarryxAllenx]

You may well be right - after I saw those Rogues plushies you linked us to, I think I have a real reason to worry here.

[dillonmania]

One of us, one of us... ;D

I should probably get rid of some of my action figures, to be honest. My husband and I have way too many (this is coming from a confirmed packrat, so you know I mean it) and no place to put all of them. The Flashes and Rogues figures will definitely stay, though!

[jonqcitizen]

Oct 27, 2012 0:18:09 GMT -5 dillonmania said:

Everybody's got to start somewhere! But let me warn you -- the action figure collecting bug can be a serious one

You are correct dillonmania!! I started with just ONE Superman figure (and I even told myself that would be all) in 2003....now I own around 40 (mostly Flash, GL, Godzilla, Incredible Hulk), and have sold around 20 on Amazon over the years. It's addictive, and my LCS owner knows just how to tempt me every time something new is released.....I've become more disciplined over the last couple years, but it's hard to say "no".

[dillonmania]

Oct 27, 2012 10:21:22 GMT -5 jonqcitizen said:

Oct 27, 2012 0:18:09 GMT -5 dillonmania said:

Everybody's got to start somewhere! But let me warn you -- the action figure collecting bug can be a serious one

You are correct dillonmania!! I started with just ONE Superman figure (and I even told myself that would be all) in 2003....now I own around 40 (mostly Flash, GL, Godzilla, Incredible Hulk), and have sold around 20 on Amazon over the years. It's addictive, and my LCS owner knows just how to tempt me every time something new is released.....I've become more disciplined over the last couple years, but it's hard to say "no".

The worst thing is when I see action figures for really cheap at cons and toy shows, because I can't resist buying them. What am I going to do with an Ocean Master figure? Sure, I like him, but I don't have an Aquaman collection and there's no room to display him anywhere.

Actually, the real worst thing is when I buy duplicates because I forgot about buying it the first time

[xBarryxAllenx]

btw - what does it say about me that I haven't opened the package yet...and probably won't?

Guess that collecting bug is already biting!

[dillonmania]

Oct 27, 2012 19:53:19 GMT -5 xBarryxAllenx said:

btw - what does it say about me that I haven't opened the package yet...and probably won't?

Guess that collecting bug is already biting!

Heh, yeah, I don't open a lot of mine -- not for resale/collector value, but because I like the way they look in package (and some figures can be fragile). It's a bad habit because it takes up more space, though!

[jonqcitizen]

I haven't opened any of mine....much to the chagrin of my niece, who is still trying to understand the concept of having a toy and NOT taking it out of the package to play with it....You're right, it takes up a lot more room, and I'm almost out of shelf space!

For me, it's the Godzilla figures that take up the most space. I haven't bought the same figure twice, and over the years I've focused on just buying based on what I'm reading. I've kind of expanded though, as I have several posters lining the walls of my apartment as well.

[dillonmania]

There aren't any small people running around the house yet, but maybe one day when my nephew gets older he'll want to play with the toys. Some people I know keep loose toys they don't care about so visiting kids don't play with the delicate or expensive stuff.

I don't collect Godzilla, but my husband gets some Godzilla and Gamera figures -- he loves Gamera.

[jonqcitizen]

Oct 28, 2012 22:47:43 GMT -5 dillonmania said:

......I don't collect Godzilla, but my husband gets some Godzilla and Gamera figures -- he loves Gamera.

Gamera is one of those franchises that I hope IDW or Boom! or somebody resurrects in comic book form.....also hoping that some agreements can be reached to re-start a movie based on the characters....much like Toho Ent. has with Godzilla and the rest of "his" monsters in comic book form (w/ IDW) & film (coming later this year/early 2013).

[speedster]

Aww...rip that sucker open! Toys were meant to be played with! ;D

[dillonmania]

Gamera is one of those franchises that I hope IDW or Boom! or somebody resurrects in comic book form.....also hoping that some agreements can be reached to re-start a movie based on the characters....much like Toho Ent. has with Godzilla and the rest of "his" monsters in comic book form (w/ IDW) & film (coming later this year/early 2013).[/quote]

Yeah, and it'd be nice if Gamera could be restored to the Godzilla universe. Guess it's not very likely, though.

[jonqcitizen]

Oct 29, 2012 23:49:45 GMT -5 dillonmania said:

.....it'd be nice if Gamera could be restored to the Godzilla universe. Guess it's not very likely, though.

In our world of giant mega-corporations and licenses, it would seem unlikely....although it makes a lot of sense. I think the issue becomes, unless Gamera and Godzilla are teaming up then it's a fight between them....who wins? How do they make it a draw? etc., etc. The Gamera franchise does have it's own collection of very cool monsters, so I think it could survive on it's own. Just needs a couple "re-make" films, much like the Godzilla "millennium" series of a few years ago.

[Savitar]

Oct 26, 2012 18:36:05 GMT -5 xBarryxAllenx said:

For someone who is such a big time Flash fan, I have done very little collecting of figures or other memorabilia...until now.

I'm in the same boat. I have some collectibles, figures and such, but nothing of the Flash. Given the varied lines and manufacturers over the years, I don't know where to start other than just picking out figures I like. Really need to get my Super Powers Flash figure back though.

As for mint-in-box, for the collectibles I do own, I keep the boxes for them to store them but I'm with speedster, take them out and play with them. Much more fun.

[dillonmania]

I have to admit that if I can get figures cheaply enough, sometimes I get two -- one to look at in package, and one to play with. When visiting the US a few years ago (action figure distribution suuuuucks in Canada), I instantly snapped up two Action League Top figures at Target, because you know I had to have more than one

(This is him if you're not familiar with him. Apart from Heroclix, it's the only Top figure out there. roguesmemorabilia.tumblr.com/post/1349222608/the-top-is-from-a-sub-line-of-batman-the-brave )

[eightball19]

I got the new 52 flash figure a few weeks back, I was lucky as it was the last one left, I'm hoping to get hold of the cyborg one next

[fastestfanalive]

Congrats on finally taking the plunge. Just make sure you have a lot of space. I'm rapidly running out of space in my display cabinet and I may have to displace my trades and novels from off of my bookshelf to make room for more of these collectibles. Funny one of the reasons that I wanted to dislike the New 52 so much is that I wanted a reason to stop, but I couldn't help myself and now, here we are.

If you do plan on collecting more than just the Flash from that collection you should pick up the New 52 We Can Be Heroes Justice League Set. You get the whole team in one shot for a very good price. I would order from Amazon though, DC Collectibles charges the full price.

Good luck.

[xBarryxAllenx]

I see the BIG difference in price at Amazon - need to save up just a bit before plunging in to the set, but it is now a definite on my want/need/gotta-have list. Thanks!