Collector's Spotlight Vol. 34 (@crookedninjaturtle)

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.

Meet Ben—a collector and toy photographer whose shelves are packed with Turtle power, creative inspiration, and a healthy dose of nostalgia. From action-packed toy photography to unforgettable collecting stories, Ben's passion shines through in every shot. Let's jump in.

Q: Every toy photographer has an origin story. What sparked your journey behind the camera?
A: I've done video production professionally and as a hobby for most of my life. My friends and I used to make short films and videos in our spare time, but as we got older, moved to different cities, and started our own families, that became a pretty rare thing. I've always had action figures around the house, so one day I decided I could set up scenes with them and scratch that creative itch. Plus, action figures never complain about how long it's taking or how hungry they are!

Q: From concept to final edit, where do you find the most enjoyment during the creative process?
A: I enjoy the entire process—from the initial idea, to selecting the figure (or figures), setting the scene, tweaking the lights, and finally pulling everything together in the edit. My least favorite part is how often I knock the figures and/or diorama over and have to start the whole thing again!

Q: Looking around your collection, what characters or franchises seem to keep finding their way onto your shelves?
A: I was about five years old when Turtlemania really took over the world. TMNT has been such a huge part of my life that it's very difficult for me to pass up Turtle toys, especially with the second wave of Turtlemania we've seen in recent years. There are so many different versions of the Turtles and their cohorts that every new pickup still feels unique.

Q: If your younger self could step into your collection room today, which figure would completely blow their mind?
A: Any TMNT figure with modern articulation. I loved my original Playmates Turtles as a kid, but it always bothered me that they couldn't stand quite right. Kid me would walk into my office today and probably faint seeing how cool modern toys have become.

Q: Every collection has a piece with a story attached to it. What's one figure that came into your collection in an unexpected way?
A: I have an action figure of an up-and-coming comic book hero named DRIP. The creator of the comic mistook me for somebody else at a local comic convention. After realizing his mistake, we started chatting about what I do, and before I knew it, he was running back to his booth and handing me a brand-new, in-box figure of his character. He asked me to photograph him alongside my other figures to help spread the word about his creation. That's probably the most interesting way I've ever acquired an action figure.

Q: You're headed to a deserted island and can only save one figure from your collection. Who gets the ticket?
A: My first instinct would be to bring a set of four, obviously! But if I had to narrow it down to one figure, I'd bring One:12 Casey Jones. He keeps the TMNT spirit alive, and he's just an incredible figure with fantastic accessories.

Q: Some figures are special from the moment they arrive. Which One:12 Collective release means the most to you?
A: There are so many that I love, but you never forget your first. Vapor has a special place in my heart, and he always will. I'll never forget the sense of amazement I felt while unboxing that figure. It instantly made me a Mezco fan, and I knew my shelf would have many more of them very soon.

Q: Collecting isn't always smooth sailing. What's a figure-related mishap you'll never forget?
A: Vapor was my first Mezco One:12 figure, and I instantly fell in love with him. About 24 hours after getting him in hand, he took a fall and snapped a wrist peg. I panicked and reached out to a friend who does repair work, and he fixed him right up. More recently, Vapor had a foot peg snap off during a wardrobe change, and I still haven't repaired him because I'm worried about making the issue worse. He's on my to-do list—I need to get him back in action for more photos!

Q: Is there a figure that's still sitting at the top of your most-wanted list?
A: I'm not a huge grail person, but right now it would have to be One:12 Letterman. The day he went up for sale, I had a work call that ended shortly before he became available. I got so caught up dealing with the fallout from that meeting that I completely forgot to place my order. By the time I realized it, it was too late. I've been on the waitlist ever since. It's such a great-looking figure that I still kick myself for letting it slip through the cracks.

Q: Has collecting changed the way you shop, display, or think about your collection over the years?
A: I definitely had FOMO for a while and was buying everything. As I became more involved with toy photography, though, I realized that if I wasn't using something for photos, it didn't need to be taking up space. I ended up selling off a lot of collectibles and larger-scale figures so I could focus on 1:12 scale. That shift helped me both emotionally and financially.

Q: Can you share a collecting memory that still sticks with you years later?
A: On the first day of kindergarten, a kid asked me to be his best friend because I had a Ninja Turtles backpack. I accepted, and we've been best friends ever since. I was the best man at his wedding, he was the best man at mine, and he and his wife are now the godparents of my children. Not exactly a toy-related event, but it all started with TMNT—and it was a story I later got to share with the original TMNT voice cast while they signed one of my toy photos at a convention.

Q: What's one lesson you've learned that every new collector should hear?
A: FOMO will drag you—and your bank account—down very quickly. Build a collection that makes you happy rather than treating it like a checklist to complete. Make your collection yours.

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