I am a graduate student and I want to study the role of superheroes in society. I am currently conducting research on superhero collectors and collectibles. As superheroes and comics are becoming more main stream, I want to hear from the people who collected before it was "cool.". I strongly believe that superheroes and their collectors have valuable insights about the world that we should listen to. If you are a collector, I would love to know the following:
1. What do you collect?
2. Why do you collect?
3. Do you think your collection reflects your identity (personality, memories etc...)
Feel free to answer as general or as specific as you are comfortable. Any feedback will be extremely appreciated!
I am a graduate student and I want to study the role of superheroes in society. I am currently conducting research on superhero collectors and collectibles. As superheroes and comics are becoming more main stream, I want to hear from the people who collected before it was "cool.". I strongly believe that superheroes and their collectors have valuable insights about the world that we should listen to. If you are a collector, I would love to know the following:
1. What do you collect?
2. Why do you collect?
3. Do you think your collection reflects your identity (personality, memories etc...)
Feel free to answer as general or as specific as you are comfortable. Any feedback will be extremely appreciated!
1. I have the first fifteen issues of Spawn, some Hellboy graphnic novels and the complete Sandman series. I've also got Elric: The Making of a Sorcerer, Elric: the Balance Lost, and Elric: the Ruby Throne as well as a series called Moorcock's Multiverse.
2. I'm not sure that you'd call what I do collecting. My first set of comics were those Spawn issues. My dad bought them for me when I was in third grade; I'd seen the costume and the cover art on one of them. The vibrant colors and cool powers hooked me into the series. I lost interest in comics until I saw the first Hellboy movie. Afterward I started that series, and soon lost interest. Then I started reading Michael Moorcocks' novels, and got into the comics based on the novels. Sandman reminded me of a Moorcock character, so that is what drew me into that series.
3. I think my collection represents my idea that art should be protean rather than constrained by a single, unifying theme or genre in the case of writing.
What do I collect? I collect Statues, 1/6 scale figures and lego of Superheroes and trade paperbacks. These aren't limited to just superheroes though and cover characters from various movies and TV shows
Why do I collect? I like the look and style of them and the scuplt detail and so forth.
What draws me to them?
Not sure. Guess I like the ideal of powerful but also altruistic men and women fighting for right since it's more black and white than reality
I began collecting superhero related things in the mid 1960's (I am 57 years old)....those early days were mostly comics and then later novels because the toys and statues then were very limited or non existant.
I like this stuff because I like the idea of people fighting the evil in the world and trying to do good for those that need it.
For many years I volunteered for various charities and organizations to do what I could to help those that needed help but couldn't do it on their own.
I collect for the simple reason, this genre, it's meaning and it's values and the sheer joy & collective heart I have felt from being around 4 onwards has been a major part of my life. I am a geek, a nerd, a comic book fan and one is proud to be so.
I don't collect single issues of comics anymore but I've recently started buying graphic novels and trade paperbacks. I grew up with superheroes. Tim Burton's Batman was big and then you had Batman TAS, Spiderman, X-Men, Superman TAS. Because of those I would buy the toys and such. So superheroes have always been a big thing in my life. I love what they stand for and the message they have. I love their stories. And the answer the poll question I'll say over $200.00 a year. I've been buying a lot of graphic novels, trade paper backs, every DVD that comes out from Marvel or DC, and god knows how many t-shirts.
Guys I am so excited with the responses! Thanks so much. If you collect superhero figures (toys, statues, figurines etc...) I especially t want to hear from you. While I want to research everything, this is a Material Culture class so my professor directed me to research only superhero objects.
As figures, I collect the Justice League New 52 action figure sets, as comics, I collect trade series as apposed to weeklies and graphic novels, I have mainly Batman & Superman, I'm very much a DC collector and fan, but in Marvel, I have Daredevil / Avengers / Civil War novels.
T-shirts in both Marvel & DC, by the bucket load t:
1. I collect mostly Marvel related stuff, mostly clothes but getting into toys and whatnot as well
2. I have been a die-hard Marvel fan since I was a kid growing up on their comics
3. Ya because a lot of what I get is clothes it really does reflect my identity. I used to have a pretty good comics collection as well but saved just the ones that were worth a bit of money now.
Every once in a while a get a bunch of stuff, and then nothing for a while - so it probably averages out to $50 a year.
1. Trade-paperback comics, superhero movie prop replicas, superhero movie collector's edition (ex: Marvel Phase One boxed set), and figures (once every few years)
2. As per the trades and collector's blurays, I like the stories and buying them like this is simply more economical. As per the replica props, I work in the film industry so I like having tokens from movies I like (including Star Wars props, Bruce Lee nunchucks, etc in addition to the superhero prop replicas), and figures just make me warm and fuzzy when I look at them. Reminds me of being a kid
3. For sure! See "reminds me of being a kid" and "props because I work in film"
I have a pretty sizable collection of DC/Marvel figures, mostly of the 6"-8" scale popularized by Legends, Select, and Classics. I think I have around 400 figures, but I've lost count. I also have a few statues.
I collect them because I've been an avid comic book reader for over 35 years. Many of the pieces I have are gifts from family and friends. My kids are especially fond of buying toys for their dad. t: I prefer to buy comics in hardcover or TPB form because I like to read for long periods of time. Although I read novels and nonfiction as well, I still love the never-ending, far-reaching storytelling of comics. Each time I open a comic, I get a feeling similar to coming home after a trip. There is something innately comforting about it.
i currently collect: funko pop vinyl figures, blu rays/steelbooks, Gone With the Wind stuff, and occasionally Disneyana, and posters and i think that's it?
my main focus on collectibles is Disney, GWTW, and comics, particularly Marvel. i currently have over 100 funko pop figures. i have a few Mondo posters and would love more if i could afford them. i have over 700 blu rays, at least a 100+ easily of those being Disney, digibooks or steelbooks
i still have a ton of comics as i collected X-Men comics during my early teens and i have thousands of sports cards from my younger days
i also kinda collect The Art of.. books, but not aggressively. I have most of the The Art of... Marvel movies and a few Disney and musicals related ones too
i don't know why i really collect per se. in regards to steelbooks i guess it's the hunt and the rare factor that makes it fun. as for disney movies, i grew up on them and they're timeless. when i start a family i look forward to the days where i watch them with my kids.
GWTW is my favorite movie, and growing up i watched it every year with my Mom kinda like a tradition. it was her favorite movie and then i got very interested in all the lore, backstory, the "curse" etc.
y interest in comics started with babysitting my nephews growing up and being the only girl in the neighborhood. we'd watch the saturday morning cartoons, spider-man, iron man, fantastic four and i got hooked on x-men the animated series. growing up me and my nephews weren't as close cuz my sister moved a lot, so keeping up with the x-men helped me feel closer to them. and when i discovered the internet i was able to learn a lot about them more (slowly, mind you as i had dial up til my senior year of hs i think).
i don't really think my collectibles reflect my identity, but there are definitely some memories attached to some of theme or memories that influenced me.
i haven't read this thread yet but i look forward to reading the answers.
i would recommend the OP checkout the Show of your Inner Fanboy thread too to see some of the members collections.
Because the characters are cool and interesting, the power sets are interesting, and their stories are -often- entertaining.
Like with everything else, there is a fat chunk of junk to avoid.
Good luck with your research.
And welcome to the boards.
I answered this question in the opening of my post, but I will try to make the reply different here, give it more meat.
People love escapism fantasy, this is a kind of escapism fantasy I grew up with, been a fan of some of these characters since I was 3 years old.
They have interesting abilities, some of them have abilities you'd like to have an experience, or that is my perspective of them, they would be useful to have, but hard to control when enraged, that's the drawback to a person having powers. Writers of this episode explained the drawbacks perfectly well on the tongue of Superman.
I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard, always taking constant care not to break something, to break someone, never allowing myself to lose control, even for a moment, or someone could die.
It's nice to see what it could be like in these fictional realms, and be grateful and appreciative of what we have in real life, without it taking out of what we like to experience watching these imaginative worlds, such entertaining fantasy.
In a way, yes. I started collecting Spider-Man cause the character is the most entertaining one, I have the biggest attachment to this character among all the superheroes, and characters from all of fiction, and the more comics I read of his the more connection I felt, experienced some of the situations depicted in those stories, share some attributes with the character.
Sometimes, lessons can be inspired from this form of fiction, every good form of fiction carries lessons to draw from, and sometimes; the better the stories from this genre, the better the lessons to be drawn.
Zorro is a great example for an adventurer a lesson can be drawn from, the way a smooth talker can behave, the mannerism.
I am a graduate student and I want to study the role of superheroes in society. I am currently conducting research on superhero collectors and collectibles. As superheroes and comics are becoming more main stream, I want to hear from the people who collected before it was "cool.". I strongly believe that superheroes and their collectors have valuable insights about the world that we should listen to.
I mostly collect comic books nowadays. I collect action figures as well but not nearly as vigorously as I used to. I also collect a lot of classic monster stuff like Universal and Godzilla.
2. Why do you collect?
A lot of these superhero characters I grew up with...I watch their cartoons, read their comics, watched their movies. I looked up to them. There'd be days where I'd be bullied and come home and run to my room and look at my Spider-man figure and just think what he'd do. Times where life would get so tough and I'd feel as though I was going to break and I'd glance at a Superman poster and learn to be strong.
Money was tight when I was a kid...I didn't have much...so when I got older I could finally branch out and buy action figures and collectibles. My collecting would span over to not only to superheroes but Star Wars, Pro Wrestling, Indiana Jones, Michael Jackson, Classic Monsters etc. It got pretty out of hand at one point.
3. Do you think your collection reflects your identity (personality, memories etc...)
Definitely nowadays more than ever. I sold and donated nearly 75% of my collection about 4 years ago. I realized material things aren't everything. And I don't need them to be happy. I now have a very modest size of collectibles...I limit them to always knowing my "nerd roots"...where it began. Most won't be impressed by them...mostly because they mean a lot to me nostalgically more than anything rather than a "wow" factor.
When I do buy something nowadays (sparsely) I usually go after characters that I love that are rarer in the collectible market. Guys like Daredevil, Swamp Thing, Silver Surfer, John Constantine...it's easier to keep track of and not to mention cheaper.
If I ever collect anything again I am going to make sure it would be somthing that will go up in value. I also used to collect Crazy bones, which are more worthless now than the plastic bag you bought them with.
Thanks everyone! So it looks like there are a few different motivations for collecting figurines...
1. Nostalgia
2. Supporting the ideals of heroism and morality of the superhero
3. Profit
Another question for everybody: do the people who buy for nostalgia or "idealism" buy the figurines that they think best represent their nostalgia or ideal? Like do you buy the toy that best represents your childhood or do you buy the figurine that best represents the ideal you like the most?
Here's an example: I bought a Guy Fawkes mask because I believe it represented the ideal of refusing to let other think for you.
Do the people who buy for nostalgia or "idealism" buy the figurines that they think best represent their nostalgia or ideal? Like do you buy the toy that best represents your childhood or do you buy the figurine that best represents the ideal you like the most?
Here's an example: I bought a Guy Fawkes mask because I believe it represented the ideal of refusing to let other think for you.
It depends for me. Most of the time it's a bit of both.
Nowadays Superman gets a lot of bashing...but to me he's the ultimate good. Superman will never give up on you. So sometimes when I'm at a comic con and going to purchase a shirt or statue or whatever...I know what each character represents...now who should I represent?
I have a Superman Statue in the middle of all my collection. Superman isn't my favorite character, I haven't read a Superman comic in years, but I love what he represents. I love how iconic he is. It's not a bad thing to look up to Superman.
I also have a Magneto helmet. Now, I don't have an abundance of knowledge about Magneto. But I always liked him. Magneto accepts the world for what it is instead of what it could be. And that was a bit of my view...years ago when I bought the helmet anyway.
But I also have more "shallow", I guess, things I collect. I have a bunch of classic Ninja Turtles figures...just because I grew up loving Ninja Turtles and still do. I have a lot of Donatello stuff because I'm on the nerdy side like he is and my favorite color is purple.
All my Universal Monster stuff and Godzilla stuff I collect is because I've loved the movies since I was a kid. And Universal Monster merch tends to lean towards more of the adult collector market.
So, yeah, it all depends. Sometimes I'll be at a convention and see an old Ghostbusters figure I used to play with as a kid for $10 and buy it solely for nostalgic reasons. I'll place it on my desk at work or something.
Other times I'll spend $60 on a Swamp Thing figure because I think Alan Moore's run was a literary masterpiece and he represented self discovery and being able to move on from the past and relish who he is. Other's will see it as a silly swamp monster toy.
Im really just a comic book collector, mainly Spider-Man. I had a Green Goblin figure for Christmas one year but it didnt last long as its plastic base was very flimsy. My mother bought me a collectors plate of Amazing fantasy 15 one year. I actually dont like collecting figures as they are expensive, take up a lot of room and break easily. The plate broke after falling off its equally flimsy base. I am pretty proud of my posters though. I have the recalled movie poster from the first spidey movie. I prefer comic collecting because you get a story from them. As they come out monthly i can look at an old issue and remember events in my life from the time i bought that comic. There is history in comics for me, personal and otherwise.
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