Two boxes into one

I realised that when I was still actively collecting Marvel 3.75", I didn't really have a plan - is it a comic based version of a character I don't already have? Yep, I need it. I didn't really think about the space everything would take up. At the same time I bought several 3.75" scaled vehicles and accessories, simply because 'they were cool'. Now the time has come for me to decide whether they're still cool. I've got several figures which are still carded, I don't think it's a hard decision to decide whether I should keep them.

I realise with all of my other collections, Marvel Legends, Star Wars, Turtles, Power Rangers, Thundercats and Ghostbusters, I’ve already spent a lot of time thinking about which characters to collect. 3.75” Marvel not so much. It currently takes up two boxes, my aim is to reduce it to one (Legends takes up one box, all of other action figures take up one more).

The other strange thing about Marvel is that I feel a lot more inclined to collect the villains. I’m going to get Mumm-Ra, but don’t feel I need any of the mutants. With Turtles I don’t feel I need a Shredder. I wonder whether that’s because I was younger when I watched those cartoons, or that villains are more fleshed out in Marvel. Maybe a bit of both.

Last post I was feeling a bit unsure about having bought a load of battle masters, now that they've arrived I feel a lot better. Triggerhappy was a toy from my childhood so it's nice that he's properly complete. They clip together nicely and the effect parts are fun. I like that my G1 Rad has his partner (even if he can't lift him and he's the wrong colour), and it seems right that that my Targetmasters are properly weaponed up. Hope we get Sureshot and Pointblank and that the Autobots get theirs.

Toy Fair is almost here, not expecting too many Transformers surprises. Beyond Scorponok, Snapdragon and Sky Lynx there’s nothing that’s really grabbing me. Hopefully I can resist updated versions of characters I already have, or somewhat minor characters that I haven’t thought about.

Marvel Legends I’m a bit more optimistic about, classic Ms. Marvel maybe? Falcon perhaps? Doctor Strange is top of my wish list, but guess I’ll have to wait until the next film. Hopefully the Kingpin and Moonknight rumours are true.

Compartmentalising

I’m still going with boxing up my collection, I’m done with Marvel stuff now and have moved onto other lines (not Transformers yet though). It’s strangely therapeutic, I’m rediscovering old favourites and appreciating them all over again. It’s like compartmentalising my life, not having things spread out but containing them within a defined space.

It’s throwing up questions - some figures are customs where a real version has since been released. Some I suspect are knock offs. Should I replace them? It’s also providing some answers though, over time I’ve made several collecting decisions and so I’m really getting a feel for what that decision means in terms of space (I’m already fairly aware of what it meant in terms of cost). Star Wars for instance actually takes up very little space. 3.75” Marvel on the other hand takes up two entire boxes by itself, Marvel Legends is one box, but is still growing!

I’ve been trying to work out what line each figure belongs to and when it was released. That’s pretty simple for some and extremely difficult for others. Pikachu for instance, I have no idea. He’s just had too many figures.

Overall though it’s a very useful exercise, it’s helping me think about how I feel about each figure. Do they still feel relevant? Ultimately, if I try to reduce the overall volume, what would make a difference without seeming like a big loss? Could I find 10 3.75” figures I no longer want, or should I just get rid of a Sentinel?

Just as I packed up my Star Wars collection, I picked up a new figure. Rey! Looking good. My Star Wars collection has some amazing figures in it, I really should look at them more.

I also got the Shockwave's Lab add on parts for Dai Atlas, really makes a difference (can't remember whether I said I'd ordered them).

I’ve got quite a few things piling up which need opening, but with all the organising I’m doing things are a bit of a mess so I don’t want to make it worse by opening extra items. I have made an exception for the new Generations Snaptrap. He looks great, the G1 version is one of my favourite combiners and this certainly does it justice even given the constraints of being a remold of Hun-Gurrr. The turtle and Piranacon heads look great, though I’m not sure about regular robot head. Looking forward to completing Piranacon.

Speaking of piling up, I heard that the W1 Siege Targetmasters (Battle masters) had turned up in B&M, I duly went and bought them, and somehow have further ordered Caliburst and Aimless online. Dammit! I hadn't bought any of the Targetmasters (or micromasters), but I can't resist a bargain and if there's a complete set to bed had, I need them (namely the Targetmasters for Triggerhappy, Slugslinger and Misfire). I'm not too worried about the Targetmasters for Spinister, but if they release Crosshairs' then I could be tempted.

This year my four big purchases are going to be ‘s’s - Seacons, Strong Guy, Sky Lynx and Scorponok. Once I’ve got those I think I will mostly be done with combiners, BAFs and Titans. Reckon there are a few potential big figures they could do though hopefully not all at the same time.

Bit of pre Toy Fair news and rumours, BAF Venom will be released again with a classic deco, sounds good to me. Super 7 have announced Leonardo for the TMNT line (I like what they’ve done with Shredder), and rumours for Transformers Earthrise continue, all looks and sounds promising! I’m looking forward to Toy Fair, it will be good to know what I’m buying this year. Almost there.