Click on the picture to view this Collection! Name: Simmon Mohan Location: Long Island, NY

1- What is it that you collect?
I started out collecting comic related statues, toys, model kits and original movie posters. From there I moved on towards replica movie props and higher end items.

2- What was it that brought you to collecting? And what is that keeps you going?
My love for both cinema and, of all things, comic books – especially anything related to horror and science fiction. I love both mediums and am inspired by most of pop-culture on a whole.

3- When did you start collecting?
Some time in the mid-90’s. I’ve thinned out my collection quite a bit since then, keeping only those pieces that I consider to be must-haves.

4- Why (what you collect) example:Batman, Star Wars, Transformers, etc…?
I should probably thank my mother for where my tastes lie with regard to the props that I collect. My brother, sister and I were all raised on horror and sci-fi films which make up the bulk of my collection.

5- When did you start displaying them?
I bought Randy Bowen’s Daredevil statue and thought of it as being the definitive super hero sculpture (not knowing that that was the start of an entire line of Marvel hero statues). I put it up on my bookshelf and it made for a very interesting conversation piece. From there I ripped open all my toys, model kits, movie posters – anything and everything that I owned that I thought looked even remotely cool and put them out for all to see.

6- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your collection?
Everything is pretty much themed. All the Star Wars stuff grouped together, all the horror stuff together etc. etc.

7- Do you have a favorite character(s) you collect?
Not any in particular, although at one time I had 6 different replica Boba Fett helmets.

8- Which item in your collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
Without a doubt my life sized Jason Vorhee’s bust sculpted by Howard Senft and finished by Neal Tracey. Howard captured Jason’s likeness perfectly and Neal was able to nail the finish right down to his mottled skin and lazy eye. He’s an iconic character and the most identifiable with modern horror.

9- Which item was the most difficult to obtain? And which one is your prized possession?
The most difficult item for me to obtain was my studio scale Batwing. You don’t see too many Batman props out there due to Warner’s aggressive nature with the license. When I was finally able to track one down I jumped at the chance to scoop it up and have it professionally finished.

10- What is the oldest item you own? and the one with the most value?
The oldest item I own is my Luke Skywalker ANH authentic graflex lightsaber. It was the very first movie prop I ever attempted to convert on my own after discovering the Replica Prop Forum online. The one with the most value is a tough one for me. I wouldn’t part with anything I own at the moment.

11- What inspires you to purchase an item to add to your collection?
When it comes to collectible statues and model kits it all boils down to the sculpt. If I find it aesthetically pleasing and true to the character I’ll buy it. With movie props I lean towards screen accurateness but am not an extreme stickler for detail.

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 only own one “custom”. A full size Alex Ross Kingdom Come Superman statue. It originally came with a silver finish but I had it repainted in Supes everyday red and blue colors. I wasn’t too found of the original finish nor his Captain Marvel gold finish.

13- What do you think of the custom Craze?
I’m not too into the whole custom scene so I have no real opinion on it. When I used to collect Toybiz’s Famous Covers figures I was a member of the FC Forum and remember Blair of Blair-O-Rama doing some pretty amazing stuff with them.

14- Where do you make most of your purchases from? ebay seems to be a favorite with collectors these days, are you an ebayholic?
Ebay and local comic shops. I drop half my salary over on the Replica Prop Forum however … I jest of course - but it comes darn close to that.

15- Is your collection insured?
Not yet.

16- What is missing from your collection that you hope to one day acquire?
A life sized, screen accurate Darth Vader from A New Hope.

17- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
Most people, when coming across my collection for the first time seem amazed. Usually they’ll wander around the room and take in everything, trying to pick out what comes from what movie. Then I get bombarded with questions – where did you get this stuff? How much did it cost? How long did it take to put it all together? Where can I find it?

18- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases? could you tell us about that?
I haven’t been to a convention in years.

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?
I am a very big fan of Toybiz’s Marvel Legends. I have gone on what one might call a mini-toy-run which encompasses stopping by my local Target, Toys R Us and Kaybee and that’s about it.

20- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
I take everything out of its package. Nothing I own is for investment purposes – it’s all for display.

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?
If I keep going at this rate I’m going to need a bigger house. Hehe!

22- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection?
Make sure you get a job that offers a lot of overtime!