Collector's Spotlight Vol. 17

Welcome back to Collector Spotlight - a regularly irregular interview with a fellow Mezco collector where we get all up in their articulation, poke, and prod at their shelves, and learn more about how they pose, play, and display.

In this edition, we’re featuring Chris from Chicago (@cmazzart), a diorama artist who brings his Mezco collection to life with intricately designed scenes. Known for his attention to detail and dynamic setups, Chris’s displays give each figure a story and a space to inhabit. His creativity and dedication make every shelf an action-packed adventure, adding a new dimension to the Rumble Society and beyond! 🎉

Q: What got you started in collecting, and can you remember the first figure you went out of your way to find?
A: I have gone in and out of collecting over the years. But my most recent foray into collecting started with the pandemic. I started seeing toy photography on Instagram and it got me interested again in collecting. The figures that brought me back were the Egg Attack Action line from Beast Kingdom. Those figures have so many great expressions and are a lot of fun to play around with.

Q: Could you share a story about a challenging restoration or customization project you've tackled on one of your figures?
A: I got into toy photography about four years ago and the natural progression from there was to start building dioramas for my photography. I came into diorama building with no knowledge of how to work with the materials and now several years later I feel like I am finally at a point where I am proud of the dioramas I am making and almost exclusively use my handmade dioramas for my toy photography.

Q: If your collection had its own theme song, what track would capture its vibe?
A: My toy collection is full of action figures that would be getting into car chases, going on secret missions, and getting into fights so I feel like The A-Team theme would also be a good theme song for my collection.

Q: What factors guide your choice of toys when it comes to featuring them in your photography?
A: I started a toy comic a few years ago called Tales From Colony City. The figures featured in the comic are mostly the Rumble Society figures by Mezco Toyz. These figures have just enough backstory to have an idea of who the characters are but also provide a lot of room to expand and explore deeper into those characters story. That is most of my current toy photography focuses on the Rumble Society figures.

Q: Do you have any particular themes or types of toys that you focus on when building your collection?
A: Rumble Society, Rumble Society, Rumble Society. Hahaha! Not just because this is an interview for Mezco’s blog. I enjoy the unique looks and backstories of all of the characters that Mezco creates in the Rumble Society line. They are also, in my opinion, the most well-built figures on the market. They come with a lot of interesting accessories and head sculpts that help fuel my imagination when I am setting up stories for my Tales From Colony City comic and for ideas for pictures.

Q: If you could sum up the feeling of adding a new piece to your collection in one word, what would it be?
A: Giddy! No shame in this. I get giddy when a new figure is released that I like the look of. My mind starts turning and I immediately start thinking of photography and story ideas for the new addition to my collection. The new Doc Nocturnal is a prime example. When he went up for order I was thrilled. I already have a 6 part comic that I wrote to introduce this new figure.

Q: What inspired you to get into toy photography?
A: I got into toy photography by seeing other people doing it on Instagram during the pandemic. I thought that looked like a lot of fun so I bought a few figures and started using my phone to take pictures of them. The rest is history.

Q: What's the best movie you've watched lately, and what made it stand out to you?
A: Deadpool and Wolverine. I enjoyed this movie so much. There was a lot of build up and it definitely paid off. Finally getting to see Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman on screen together as these iconic characters was everything I could have hoped for. And the abs!! OMG, the abs!

Q: What is your favorite aspect of being a collector?
A: My favorite aspect is that these figures have given me an outlet for my creativity to write and tell stories that I would have never been able to do without the hobby of toy collecting.

Q: Which One:12 Collective figure is your favorite, and what makes it stand out to you?
A: Lone Roach. I really enjoy the peacefulness that this figure evokes. Sure he comes with swords and is an action figure but I really get the sense that Lone Roach is just looking to have peace and calm and is trying to escape the craziness of the world around him. I can relate to this.

Q: If your collection came to life, which toy do you think would be the most mischievous or adventurous?
A: Cuzin Eddi would be the most mischievous because he embodies that crazy cousin we all have that encourages you to get outside your comfort zone and just have fun for fun’s sake. Sure sometimes that means knocking over furniture and putting holes in the wall.

Q: Any advice you’d like to offer to new collectors?
A: Just have fun and don’t put pressure on yourself to get every figure out there. Find a niche and stick to it.

Want to be featured in the next Collector Spotlight? Be sure to tag us in photos of your collection on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!