Collector's Spotlight Vol. 28 (@miniplasticmultiverse)
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.
This week, we’re crossing over to Kent, England to meet Tom—a customizer, comic cover recreator, and lifelong collector whose imagination never seems to take a day off. From painstakingly crafted Punisher builds to recreations of iconic Marvel moments, Tom blends artistry, patience, and creativity into every corner of his collection. Whether he’s kitbashing a new character, printing towering dios, or chasing that next spark of inspiration, Tom’s shelves tell a story decades in the making. Let’s dive in. 📸🛠️
Q: Tell us a little about where your collecting journey began.
A: I still distinctly remember seeing my first Star Wars figure in the window of a local toy shop when I was just 3 or 4. It was Chewbacca on an Empire Strikes Back card. That moment was the spark, and it’s wild how 40+ years later, action figures remain such a big part of my life.
Q: When did collecting evolve into a serious hobby for you?
A: I’d say it really kicked off about 11 years ago. My dad bought me a Doctor Who box set of the first eleven Doctors, and something just ignited. It coincided with Black Series launching, which led to Marvel Legends… and eventually to my first Mezco One:12: the Black Bolt and Lockjaw set. I remember being blown away by its detail. That line hooked me instantly.
Q: Your customs are incredible. What’s a project that pushed you the most?
A: Every custom I start feels “straightforward” in theory and never is. This year alone, I made several versions of Punisher, and each one had its own hurdles: sewing soft goods, cutting vinyl skulls to match specific artists, sourcing head sculpts, kitbashing, building belts… they’re all time-consuming, but the difficulty is what makes finishing them feel so rewarding.
Q: Has any toy in your childhood collection left an unforgettable mark?
A: Oh yes. I once asked my dad to saw the head off my Kenner C-3PO because I thought it was inaccurate to Empire Strikes Back. You could remove all the limbs, so why not the head? Child logic at its finest!
Q: Your collection spans a lot of genres. What do you gravitate toward most today?
A: I try to stay focused on comic-based figures now, mainly Marvel, DC, and TMNT. But my brain tends to wander, so who knows where it’ll take me next.
Q: You recreate comic covers beautifully. How do you choose what to shoot?
A: For the cover recreations, I choose based on whichever characters appear on that cover and which figures I have that can best match the look. Some are straightforward — like recreating a Secret Wars #4 Hulk cover — while others require kitbashing or making custom pieces, like the Chameleon Conspiracy cover or the Punisher Max recreation I recently did. Everything else? Pure “what inspires me that day.” I’ve got a long list of ideas, but never enough time.
Q: If your collection suddenly came to life, who’s causing the most chaos?
A: Vapor — without question. He’d be sprinting through every display, tagging dioramas, sticking notes on people’s backs. Absolute mayhem!
Q: Which figure would you grab if you were stuck on a desert island?
A: Sentinel Peter B. Parker Spider-Man. You could pose that thing forever and never get bored. Perfect desert island entertainment.
Q: How has your approach to collecting changed over the years?
A: Early on I felt like I had to complete entire lines, even characters I didn’t care about. Over time I learned collecting is better — and more fun — when I stick to characters I love instead of chasing “completeness.”
Q: What part of toy photography brings you the most joy?
A: Editing. Once the shot is captured, adding the finishing touches is incredibly satisfying
Q: What keeps the hobby exciting for you now?
A: Discovering new corners of it. This year, I dove into full-on custom figure creation using soft goods and commissioned head sculpts from talented artists like Daisho Creations, Tony Mei, JCM Custom Paints, and Gonz Studios. I also just got a 3D printer after being inspired by dios from Toy.Blocks and Innovation Model. I recently finished a graveyard dio and I’m halfway through printing a 25-inch Stay Puft Marshmallow Man!
Q: Any parting advice for collectors just getting started?
A: Remember: collecting is whatever you want it to be. There are no rules, no required lines, no “must-haves.” Buy what you love, build what inspires you, and let the hobby take shape your way.
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