Collector's Spotlight Vol. 38 (@knight_terrorsz)

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.

From the moment Mezco’s One:12 Collective Joker caught his eye, Alexander “Lex” found a new way to reconnect with the action figures he loved as a kid. Collecting became a creative outlet, eventually leading him to toy photography—a chance to bring darker, grittier characters and imagined scenes to life. Today, his collection reflects his love of comics, horror, sci-fi, and the supernatural. We caught up with Lex to talk about the figures that started it all, the stories behind his photos, and the friendships he’s found through collecting.

Q: When did collecting become a serious hobby for you, and what figure first drew you in?
A: I started getting more serious about collecting around 2016, when Mezco’s One:12 Collective line first caught my attention. I remember seeing their Joker figure and being amazed by how much detail, articulation, and personality they packed into something so small. I’d always loved action figures growing up, but seeing what Mezco was doing made me appreciate them on a whole different level. That Joker was really what got me hooked on collecting premium figures, and it’s been a huge part of my life ever since.

Q: Is there one figure that holds a special place in your collection? What makes it meaningful to you?
A: Mezco’s first One:12 Collective Joker figure. It was the first premium action figure I ever owned and what really made me want to take collecting seriously. I remember feeling that same excitement I had as a kid, watching superhero cartoons while playing with my action figures. It brought back a kind of joy I hadn’t felt in a long time. Collecting also came into my life during a pretty chaotic time, and it gave me something positive to focus on. Eventually, that passion led me to toy photography, which has become almost like a form of meditation for me. It’s a way to unwind, process my emotions, and just escape from everything for a little while. So no matter how much my collection grows, I’ll always have a special appreciation for that Joker figure because it’s really where everything started for me.

Q: What kinds of characters or designs tend to catch your eye as a collector?
A: I’ve always been into comic books, horror, sci-fi, cartoons, and video games, so naturally a lot of my collection revolves around those interests. But I’m also a sucker for anything that looks badass, creepy, or has a really cool design. It doesn’t even have to be a character I’m familiar with. If a figure catches my eye and has that dark, menacing look I love, chances are I’ll want to add it to my collection. I’ve always had a soft spot for monsters, villains, and anything that looks tough.

Q: Can you tell us about a challenging custom or restoration project you’ve taken on?
A: When Mezco released their Joker: Clown Prince of Crime figure, I ended up buying quite a few extras just so I could use the bodies to create different versions of Joker from the comics. I wanted to recreate Red Hood Joker, Death of the Family Joker, and Endgame Joker. It was definitely a challenge finding the right parts, custom heads and putting everything together, but I had a lot of fun with it.

Q: What first inspired you to try toy photography?
A: I used to spend a lot of time scrolling through the Mezco Facebook groups, admiring how other collectors were using dioramas to make their figures look like they were pulled straight out of a movie or comic book. It got me thinking about what I could create myself. I used to be pretty involved in art, and I guess that creative itch never really went away. Toy photography gave me a chance to tap back into that side of myself, just with a camera instead of a pencil. What started as curiosity eventually turned into something I became really passionate about.

Q: Which part of creating a photo do you enjoy most?
A: Setting up the scene is probably the most challenging part of the whole process, but it’s also what I enjoy the most. There’s a lot of trial and error involved, especially when it comes to getting the lighting, fog, and practical effects to work together. But when everything finally comes together and the scene looks exactly how I imagined it, it’s such a rush. It’s those moments that remind me why I love doing this so much.

Q: How do you choose which figures to bring into a photo?
A: Most of the time, it comes down to nostalgia and wanting to own figures of characters I’ve been a fan of since I was a kid. I usually go with whatever character speaks to my soul or matches the vibe I’m feeling at the time. I’ve always been drawn to darker, grittier, and more intimidating characters, so the more edge a figure has, the more excited I get about bringing it to life through my photography.

Q: What collecting events or milestones have been especially memorable for you?
A: One of the biggest milestones for me was when I decided to take my toy photography more seriously and finally invested in a professional camera. What started as something I did for fun turned into something I really love doing, and buying that camera felt like a big step for me. As far as events go, I always look forward to New York Comic Con, especially getting to check out Mezco’s showcase every year in person and seeing what new figures they have coming out. LegionsCon is another event that’s special to me because I get to catch up with friends I’ve made through collecting who live all over the country. It’s pretty awesome how this hobby has connected me with people I probably never would’ve met otherwise, and some of those friendships have become just as important to me as the collecting itself.

Q: What has collecting brought into your life beyond the figures themselves?
A: I think the best part of collecting has been the friendships I’ve made along the way. I never would’ve imagined that a shared love for action figures could connect me with so many amazing people from different walks of life. I’ve met people who share the same passion, inspire me creatively, and have become genuine friends. Figures come and go, but the friendships and memories I’ve made through this hobby are something I’ll always be grateful for.

Q: Has your approach to collecting changed over time?
A: I’ve definitely become a lot more laid back about collecting over the years. I used to feel like I needed to complete every line I started, and while I still get those completionist urges, I don’t stress over it as much anymore. At this point, I own more figures than I have time to photograph, so I’ve learned to appreciate what I already have. I still get excited over new releases and buy more than I probably should, but I’ve realized that collecting should be something I enjoy, not something I feel pressured to keep up with.

Q: What figure are you most excited to have in your collection right now, and what makes it special to you?
A: Right now, it’s definitely the Hulk. He’s been one of my favorite superheroes since I was a kid, and I’ve been waiting forever for Mezco to finally give him the One:12 treatment. I’ve always loved how Hulk is basically this unstoppable force of nature, and I couldn’t wait to see how Mezco would bring him to life. Knowing the level of detail and craftsmanship they put into their figures, I always felt they could do something really special with him. It’s not every day a character you’ve loved since childhood gets a figure you’ve been hoping for all these years, so this one really means a lot to me.

Q: What advice would you give someone just getting started as a collector?
A: My advice would be to just have fun with it and not take collecting too seriously to the point where it becomes frustrating. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting every new release or feeling like you need to keep up with everyone else. I’ve definitely been guilty of that myself. But at the end of the day, we’re collecting toys of characters we love, and that’s something worth appreciating. Collect what makes you happy, enjoy what you already have, and don’t let the pressure of the hobby take away from the joy that got you into it in the first place.

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