Click on the picture to view this Collection! Name: Mike Helmick Location: Portland, Oregon

1- What do you Collect?
Mainly DC Direct and figures I like. I don’t usually need to buy an entire series. I have been known to by figures just because of a super sweet sculpt.

2- When and How did you start Collecting and what keeps you going?
I have a few leftovers from childhood but really started about 12 years ago. What keeps me going is my love of toys.

3- Why do you Collect what you Collect?
My favorite heroes and a good quality toy (sculpt/paint) is a must. I won’t by a figure just because I like the character.

4- When did you begin to display your Collection?
About a year ago. Finally got a house with a room I could dedicate to it. Some of my collection has been in boxes for years.

5- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your Collection?
I have no idea. I love to just browse and spend time in toy stores and comic shops. I tried to emulate that look to a point and still try to keep it relaxed.

6- Do you “Collect ‘em all”, or just the ones you like?
Just the ones I like.

7- Do you have a favorite character that you Collect?
The Flash, Batgirl and Iron Man.

8- Which item in your Collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
Figure wise I would have to say my DC Direct JSA Flash Figure but other than that my William Paquette Flash Statue.

9- How much do you spend a month on your Collection?
I’ve slowed down a bit but I’d say around $200 on average.

10- Which item was the most difficult to obtain?
Toy wise I have been very lucky and find the most difficult to obtain are the ones I want when my wallet is empty.

11- What is the oldest item you own and the one with the most value?
Maybe my Ben Cooper Batman figure would be the oldest or a couple a beat up Megos. I really don’t know the value of most of my items but my Sideshow Collectibles Iron Man statue cost me the most.

12- What is your “Holy Grail”?
Not really sure. If it’s in my collection I felt I had to have it at the time. The first major purchase I made to me was my William Paquette Flash statue and it is still one of my favorites.

13- What inspires your to purchase an item to add to your Collection?
The need to have it NOW when I see it.

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?
I haven’t. I have seen quite a few I wouldn’t mind owning though.

15- Where do you make most of your purchases from?
My local comic shop, conventions, Toys R Us and some classic toy dealers in the Portland area.

16- How does your partner (wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend) feel about your collection?
She collects Breyer Horses so we both have an addiction to plastic.

17- Do you ever get hassled about being a toy collector?
Of course. People think it’s stupid, childish or a waste of money. I love it when people understand and gush over my collection.

18- What will happen to your collection after you've passed away?
I have no idea. My niece is showing gravitation towards toy collecting so perhaps her.

19- Is your collection insured?
Yes.

20- What is missing from your collection that you hope to one day acquire?
I would love to replace all the Megos I had as a kid.

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?
A couple of Megos and some Masters of the Universe figures. They are still boxed up unfortunately. How many other people have stuff boxed up due to room constraints?

22- If you needed to raise cash quick, would you consider selling (some of) your collection? If so, what would you NEVER sell? 
I could let some of it go but never my Flash, Batgirl, Iron Man related items and I love my Bowen statues and sculpts.

23- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
Really cool or dude, you have issues. Peter Pan syndrome anyone?

24- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases?
Could you tell us about that? I do but there is no science to it. I take a budget and buy what I like until I run out of money.

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.
Ha, ha. I used to quite a bit. Most of my collector friends have left the area but we used to hit Toys R Us, Things From Another World, Dr. Tongues House of 3-D Collectible Toys and a few other hole in the wall spots. 

26- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
If I end up with a double I’ll open it but I like to keep it all packaged. Half of the excitement to me when purchasing a new toy is looking at the package and not being able to wait to get it open. I open it and 5 minutes later the mystery is gone. It stays in the box.

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 think I may have slowed down quite a bit by then. I think there is a glut of product out there right now and I’m seeing too many poor sculpts and recycled figures. I think I’ll still be collecting then but perhaps something else.

28- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection?
Just get what you love and not because you think it will be worth something.