Collector's Spotlight Vol. 37 (@toyetic40s)

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.

Based in Lexington, Kentucky, Robert is a lifelong collector and toy photographer with a passion for the larger-than-life heroes and adventures that inspired him as a kid. From Star Wars and Superman to Indiana Jones, Conan, and his ever-growing collection of Mezco figures, Robert brings his collection to life through cinematic storytelling and photography. With a love for building the perfect scene and finding new ways to tell a story, every figure is an opportunity to create something new. Get to know the collector and photographer behind the lens in this week's Collector Spotlight!

Q: What kicked off your love of collecting, and what figure started it all?
A: I think, like most kids of my generation, Star Wars was my first love, and so I adored every Star Wars figure I was able to get as a kid! As far as seeking out certain figures, I think it had to be that original Jabba the Hutt, and I still have him!

Q: What was it about toy photography that made you want to pick up a camera?
A: I remember a day in 2020 when I was scrolling through Twitter and saw a TMNT photo of Bebop throwing the Ninja Turtles in the snow, and the feeling was like an explosion going off in my head! Soon after, I received my Millennium Falcon for Christmas, and that afternoon I was outside with it taking pictures. Those pics were terrible, but I've never stopped since that moment!

Q: When you're creating a photo, what helps you decide which figures get the spotlight?
A: For me, it all has to do with mood and storytelling. Of course, I love featuring new figures I've gotten in, because they're fresh and it almost always brings about new ideas, but to be honest, I'm a slave to whatever obsession I'm into at the time. For me, new movies like The Odyssey or last year's Superman were huge inspirations, so I tended to tell those types of stories when those movies came out. A friend of mine described toy photography as directing a still frame from a movie, and that's how I often view it; just telling one-frame stories of whatever I'm into at the time.

Q: Of all the steps that go into a shot, which part do you enjoy the most?
A: I think the setup is my favorite part. Figuring out HOW I'm going to get the idea from my head and into the camera, and then you let the idea evolve into the best possible composition and lighting. I love that feeling when the finished photo looks just like it did in my mind!

Q: Your collection covers a lot of adventure and fantasy. What kinds of characters are you naturally drawn to?
A: I'm an 80s kid, so I was imprinted early on Adventure and Fantasy heroes like Luke Skywalker, Indiana Jones, Conan, and Christopher Reeve's Superman. I don't think I've ever met a pulp or DC Comics hero I didn't love!

Q: Is there a piece in your collection whose story makes it more special than the figure itself?
A: I have an original Ewok Village from Return of the Jedi that was a gift from Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead and Invincible.

Q: What's one collecting story that means a little more to you than the rest?
A: I'm a huge Star Wars fan, so I was overjoyed a few years ago when my wife was able to get me one of the huge Legacy Collection Millennium Falcons for Christmas. I was then even more moved when I found out she had bought the toy incomplete and had to scour the internet to try and find replacement parts, which was more difficult before 3D printing was more popular. She put so much effort, time, and money into completing the Falcon for me; it's now one of the crown jewels of my collection.

Q: Was there a moment when toy photography started feeling like more than just a hobby?
A: I've been lucky enough to have had a few toy-related moments I'm very proud of. Last year, I got my first professional opportunity as a toy photographer when I was privileged enough to take the cover photo for The Toys of TMNT by Pixel Dan. Also, not to be too much of a fanboy, but as a huge fan of Mezco, it was a big moment for me to be selected to collaborate on the drops for Agent Gomez: 1975 and White Skull Agent: Senor Blanco.

Q: Which One:12 Collective figure keeps pulling you back in for another photo?
A: I love my Mezco Superman and Conan figures, but Nosferatu was the first Mezco figure I saw in photos that completely blew me away with how expressive it was and really showed me the level of artistry that Mezco was producing with its figures. I never get tired of taking photos of it.

Q: If you could assemble your ultimate team of pulp heroes, who would make the cut?
A: I've actually thought about this a bit and love the thought of all my Pulp Heroes coming together! My Pulp Allstars would, of course, start with Indiana Jones, and joining him would be Dick Tracy, Doc Savage, and The Shadow. Captain Nemo, Doc Nocturnal, and Woodford would join in when needed, and I'd love to someday add The Rocketeer and The Phantom!

Q: What's the figure you're still hoping to add to the collection?
A: It's absolutely Jackie Vaporoni! I've managed to acquire around 99% of the older Mezcos I've been after over the years, but this one has always eluded me. I adore the look of him and would love to capture photos of him in a sort of pre-industrial era.

Q: After years of collecting, what advice would you give someone just getting started?
A: Just get the things you love, but it's fun to experiment a little and get out of your comfort zone with different types of figures. When I started, I did almost exclusively Star Wars photos, but now I collect a wide array of figures and love them all so much! I never imagined how much joy figures like Popeye or Woodford would bring me!

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