Since the popularity of these articles have grown, we are going to post up a new collection twice a week! Enjoy the latest!
John Arturo - When did you start collecting and how did you get into the hobby?
Aaron Barker - As a kid when I got my first issue of Daredevil, it started from there and I went into comics and the trading cards...it got worse (Or better depending on who you ask) after that.
John Arturo - Your collection seems to contain lots of Marvel Universe figures. What draws you to those figures?
Aaron Barker - I loved every aspect of the Marvel Legends line before they went to crap and then folded altogether. I had all, but maybe 12 of those and sold 90% of them 4 years ago when I lost my job. At first I boycotted the new line of Marvel Universe figures as they came out near the end of the Marvel Legends line and I did not feel like starting over. Eventually I got my first figure on impulse (Punisher), started reading up on them and went from there. I love the feeling of collecting them all (Cheap Pokemon line there ha). The variants, 2-packs, and various other sets keep people on their toes just when you think you have them all.
John Arturo - Do you collect anything else?
Aaron Barker - I do, I am an avid collector of Rockstar hats, New Era fitted hats, Tokidoki Marvel hats, NFL, MLB, NBA, & NHL jerseys too. Lately it's only been my home teams (I live in Colorado) so I have been trying to sell my other jerseys.
John Arturo - What are your favorite collectible companies?
Aaron Barker - I guess I would say Revoltech, McFarlane, NECA, SOTA, no particular order.
John Arturo - What is your favorite part of collecting?
Aaron Barker - Having items others want or can't get. The other part is once you get like 75%...obtaining the other 25%, I am very OCD when I don't have a particular set I want.
John Arturo - What is the key thing you look for in an item you want to add to your collection?
Aaron Barker - I am huge on variants, McFarlane sports figures, Marvel Universe are big on those...I get giddy when I go to a local store and see a variant sitting there and I'm the only one who knows what it is lol.
John Arturo - What does your significant other think of your collection?
Aaron Barker - I am currently single but it's weird, my ex and I have remained best friends. When we first dated (Before football season started) we would go on Adventure Nerd Sunday's where I would hit the same 3-4 stores and I taught her how to spot variants, rare figures, variant comic covers, etc. She was actually the one who set this room up. Over the years its evolved from some figures on the wall to what it is now. She built my display case stands, put up most of what you see here, she is a real good decorator - I just tweaked it all when she was done.
John Arturo - What is your favorite movie?
Aaron Barker - Hm, I would guess being on CBM it has to be a comic book flick? I don't know, I have purchased a lot of BAD comic book movies on DVD/Blu-ray out of respect to the creators. My favorite comic book movie would probably be any of the Batman movies with Kevin Conroy (Public Enemies), live action I will just have to say Avengers because I know it's going to rock.
John Arturo - What is your favorite piece from your collection?
Aaron Barker - Well I have a whole closet full of comics obviously - I never took the time to get them CGC'd but I have a good run of the original 1960's X-Men books. On top of that I would say my Marvel Universe collection - I don't have nearly every one but before I'm all said and done I should if my obsession has anything to say about it. I also have maybe 50 total different Snake Eyes figures, not too many pictured in here but I have almost every version of Snake Eyes right now. Also of note, at this current time - there is a picture in this set with a blank area between two display cases - I am putting my MIB Transformer collection there and am waiting on new cascade type figure stands for the rest of my GI Joe & loose Marvel Universes figures.
John Arturo - What are some items you are most looking forward to adding to your collection?
Aaron Barker - The TMNT NECA set - that has avoided me for years! Also the Marvel Legends Scarlet Spider variant. I have started to really love busts (They are so pricey tho), I also want a signed sketch by any of my fav artists (Joe MAD! JSC, Jim Lee, etc). So much I could answer with here...so we'll just cut it at that :)
John Arturo - Finally, what is your favorite aspect of ComicBookMovie.com?
Aaron Barker - This site has really grown over the years - I don't post a ton but I read it numerous times throughout the day. I love this section and all the exclusives that are posted here.
If you want to know more about collecting statues/high end items, or just want to see what kind of interesting collectibles are out there, visit my statue devoted site Lethal Farce.
If you have a collection (don't worry about the size, it could be 4-5 items and that is still a collection right?) and want me to showcase it on the site, then shoot me an email by clicking the "Contact Me" link here. I will shoot you a few questions to answer to go along with the images and once a week we will showcase a users collection on here.