Click on the picture to view this Collection! Name: Patrick Buckner Location: Keller, TX

1- What is it that you collect?
I collect Batman, Superman, DC Direct, Marvel Heroes, and McFarlane Spawn Figures (not displayed yet L because of room issues). I don’t target any specific companies or representations of characters. If it’s something I like I won’t hesitate to purchase it.

2- What was it that brought you to collecting? And what is that keeps you going?
Initially, it was comics. I’d always been a Batman and X-Men fan so I wanted figures to place on a desk or shelf. It began as a few items here or there with no special purpose or intent. Then I needed a Joker to display with Batman etc. I soon realized I had a collection.

What keeps me going is the pure joy of collecting and the extensive increase in quality and availability of great figures we all know and love. It’s cool to see the JLA standing together with the X-Men, the Avengers or any character, famous or obscure, you’ve had any attachment with. Be it the Golden, Silver or Bronze Age of comics. Also, the communication with fellow collectors is priceless. Becoming a member of ETERNALCOLLECTOR.COM will be an honor.

3- When did you start collecting?
I can’t pinpoint an exact date or time. I’ve always had some type of collection since I was a child.

4- Why (what you collect) example:Batman, Star Wars, Transformers, etc…?
Batman has always been the greatest hero. His mind is his most lethal weapon, 99% of heroes defer to him, and he simply not to be messed with. With all other heroes, I’ve loved them all since childhood and am loving to have comic accurate figures of my childhood icons.

5- When did you start displaying them?
Officially, two years ago when I purchased my home.

6- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your collection?
I now have inspiration from other collectors via the internet. I simply need more room for any type of dioramas. In the meantime, I have them separated by Marvel, DC, Batman and Superman. All of my McFarlane figures are in storage waiting for more room.

7- Do you have a favorite character(s) you collect?
Batman stands head and shoulders above the rest.

8- Which item in your collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
I had Kevin Conroy sign my WB Batman Maquette. If I had to choose an item it would have to be the one.

9- Which item was the most difficult to obtain? And which one is your prized possession?
This is a hard one. With the internet it has not been hard to obtain any figures I want. The difficulty comes in the decision to pay more than the regular price. I’ll do it for any figures I want bad enough.

A prized possession I don’t have. I appreciate my collection as a whole. And I’ll have you know I actually looked everything over and tried to choose.

10- What is the oldest item you own? and the one with the most value?
The answer to both would be Batman Annual #1.

11- What inspires you to purchase an item to add to your collection?
If I see it and like it it’s bought. Also, if I complete a theme or group I’ll buy certain figures.

12- 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 have not purchased any nor have created any of my own. I do plan to experiment in the future. Also, any figures I think I want to make show up at Toyfair or in Previews.

13- What do you think of the custom Craze?
I think it’s great. There are a lot of talented people making variations of figures we’ll probably never see.

14- Where do you make most of your purchases from? ebay seems to be a favorite with collectors these days, are you an ebayholic?
Most of my purchases are made through the direct market or internet stores. I do shop and sell on ebay but would not consider myself an ebayholic.

15- Is your collection insured?
It isn’t yet. It is something I’m working on having done very soon.

16- What is missing from your collection that you hope to one day acquire?
A complete Mego Batcave, comes to mind. I’ve had chances but just have not closed the deal.

17- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
Most adults are shocked at the collection and the fact my wife gives me so much room. The children usually just stand in place wide-eyed with their mouths open.

18- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases? Could you tell us about that?
I usually purchase hard to find variants at Wizard World or local conventions. Items like my Marvel Legends Dark Phoenix and Variant Fantastic Four sets were bought at conventions. I can usually talk down a vendor to the ebay price or below and not have to pay shipping. I know they will still cost extra but it’s worth whatever a person is willing to pay. My best advice to obtain the best price is to wait until late Saturday or Sunday and show them cash. No vendor wants to take product home. They want to sell it all.

19- Most collectors today go on what they call a toy run, do you participate in that as well? And what are your favorite spots? Do you have a routine?
Full-scale toy runs are a thing of the past. Nowadays, TRU, for lack of a better word, sucks and Wal-Mart restocks are few and far between. I only go now for wide release items like the new Batman animated series, Justice League Unlimited or Spiderman Classics. Everything else is via internet or direct market.

20- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
I purchase doubles of any action figure I think I will open. All statues are out of the box. For now, all figures are remaining packaged until I have more room to create dioramas or better, more complete, displays.

21- 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?
Ten years from now I will not have grown tired of collecting. I hope to have enough room to display all items in one large space. It will be either an addition to my current home or a new home altogether. Maybe in ten years I’ll be considered a Heavy Hitter. J

22- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection?
My advice would be purchase what you like and do what you feel. Be an opener if it suits you and enjoy collecting to the fullest. Remember that it’s not a competition. It’s a hobby and should be fun.