Click on the picture to see this Collection!! Name: brian kroon Location: flushing queens UPDATED 4-10-07

1- What do you Collect?
Ive recently made the move to mostly movie figures and sideshow lotr bust.but I used to collect anything I was into at the time,and soon learned you cant collect em all,the more I had in my apartment was the less I had in my wallet because I was going broke.so my best friend and rival collector inherited all my comic figs

2- When and How did you start Collecting and what keeps you going?
Well I have a picture from when I was four yrs old on a spiderman big wheele holding a curious george doll so that pretty much sums it up for me.but when I got my first job I started taking it verry seriously so about 13 years or so.as far as what keeps me going its basicly the toy companys and the movie makers.my fellow collectors and now this verry site.

3- Why do you Collect what you Collect?
I like the fact that this sets me apart from other people and other homes and mainly its because I love it.i think it shows a dedication further than just owning a dvd or going to see a movie and saying yeah that was great, this is the next step

4- When did you begin to display your Collection?
From toy one! soon as I got home I riped into it and started making room for more.i feel like its an insult to leave a toy in a box.plus with all the twist ties, when you finally do open it the figure is warped

5- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your Collection?
I try and keep like sets together as much as possible then I have jumble shelves where certain figs wait till I have enough to give them there own shelf

6- Do you “Collect ‘em all”, or just the ones you like?
I used to buy sets all the time but now I just get what I like,I really don’t get variants of figures unless they are extremely variant.like the sin city figs where kevins variant was white glasses(I have paint at home) and the wendy/goldie upset where they could have at least had difrent outfits and poses.the only character I get no questions asked is capt Spaulding,because everyone has a favorite

7- Do you have a favorite character that you Collect?
Guess I jumped the gun but yes…captain spaulding

8- Which item in your Collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
I can neither confirm nor deny any of my collection as a favorite

9- How much do you spend a month on your Collection?
It varies of course but I try and get one something a month at least.the most ive ever spent in one day though was 400

10- Which item was the most difficult to obtain?
Definitely a lord of darkness resin kit by jayco,my boss gave it to me to build and paint for him because I would constantly badger him about it for like 2 yrs, and he never got it back

11- What is the oldest item you own and the one with the most value?
The oldest is a tsukuda vinyl kit of the monster of Frankenstein from 1976 I was born in 77 so that’s pretty cool,but ive never looked into resale values

12- What is your “Holy Grail”?
Right now im craving for the hatchet used in the sin city flick

13- What inspires your to purchase an item to add to your Collection?
I like to be surprised and come across things I haven’t seen wich is rare because I spend a lot of time online seeing whats out there. But I look for quality in paint and creativity and likeness

14- Customizing figures and statues has become very big, have you ever purchased a custom figure or statue and have you ever tried making one?
Ive recently purchased some resin kits but I wouldn’t get into remodeled toys because I could do that myself but there is some really cool customs out there

15- Where do you make most of your purchases from?
All over really mostly retailers though so I don’t have to wait for shipping.depending on the item I try the big names first toys r us kb toys hot topic spencers because they can afford the decent prices,but I most frequent forbidden planet in the city and then a fist full of local shops here in queens

16- How does your partner (wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend) feel about your collection?
Well I got my wife into collecting so it was easy for me,now she has a living dead doll collection that almost makes me jealous,plus I got her into catwoman and harley quinn.my wifes the collest shes into all the girly goth things so it works well in the house.as long as I leave the bedroom alone were cool I even have figs in the bathroom and kitchen

17- Do you ever get hassled about being a toy collector
Never,my friends are either collectors or just guys who want to be but have girls or wives that don’t allow it and have homes by ikea

18- What will happen to your collection after you've passed away?
Should I have a child it will go to them if not I will have my wife devide it amongst my fellow collectors as long as they stay dusted and rotated ill rest in peace

19- Is your collection insured?
I have to look into that

20- What is missing from your collection that you hope to one day acquire?
A full scale pinhead bust

21- What toy did you have as a kid that you most wish you had kept or, at least, kept in good condition for your collection?
My spiderman big wheel

22- If you needed to raise cash quick, would you consider selling (some of) your collection? If so, what would you NEVER sell?
I have in the past but my wife stoped me

23- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
I didn't know they made so much sh#% from that movie.or they take an hour in each room playing “wait don’t tell me …that’s from….”

24- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases? could you tell us about that?
My boss at the last tattoo shop I worked at put me on to chiller about 3 yrs ago and I haven’t missed one since,I love chiller for a lot of finds.especially for nightmare before xmas stuff . and model kits wich are hard to find in stores these days.also the ny comic con.i never leave those places empty handed

25- Most collectors today go on what they call a toy run, do you participate in that as well? And what are your favorite spots? Tell us about your routine.
Definitely.me and my friend call it the hunt.we have 3 local shops then 20 mins away theres the mall another 15 mins theres toys r us n kb then about 45 mins away in the city theres tons of shops,we get in there and push lil kids outs the way.then the internet that’s why I can go shoe shopping with my wife because I understand lol.

26- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
For me everything comes out,its not enough for me to buy something and leave it in the box if I did id be just as happy knowing its out there and not buying it or just printing out a picture of it lol.these are lil works of art and its an insult to leave them in boxes

27- At what stage do you think your collection will be at 10 years from now, do you think you would have grown tired of it?
I will never get tired of this.in ten years I hope to own my own tattoo shop so id have two places to display my collection wich I definitely will need

28- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection
Theres really no advice to give because the rules change every day with me but some that I always follow is get em when they come out and don’t sleep until you do,because the price will only get higher,also get into painting because the assembly lined figs usually need a bit of work also be creative with making bases,and most important is to keep friends in the community because it really levels the playing field.