John Arturo - When did you start collecting and how did you get into the hobby?
Shannon Cornthwaite - (laughs) I've been collecting on and off since I was in grade school. I started out like most kids with Spider-man and the X-Men. A few years ago though, I owned a tattoo studio with a "friend" and when things didn't work out with us as partners he gave all of my comics away, so with this collection I've only been collecting for about 2 or 3 years. And one comic in particular that was in that original collection that I hope one day I can find in the same condition I had it in was the issue of Superman which showed Mitch Anderson's first appearance as OUTBURST.
John Arturo - Why Green Lantern?
Shannon Cornthwaite - Well... I just really like what GL represents... he's an ordinary guy who can turn his will power into AMAZING creations. All of the GL's have depth. ya know, they aren't like Superman who's pure but they aren't like Batman either who's controlled by his own demons. They are who they are their attitude is that if you don't like it tough sh*t... lol I really like that cuz that's how I am. They aren't yes men either... there are countless stories where different GLs like Hal, Kyle, John and Guy and occasionally even Kilowog basically tell the Guardians who are suppose to be their masters to "Shove It" lol.
John Arturo - Do you collect anything else?
Shannon Cornthwaite - Absolutely, I have an entire box of Batman comics... I've been building my Firestorm collection, which is probably one of the most under rated heroes in the DC Universe aside from Outburst which is another DC character that I really believe deserves his own series. I have two boxes full of Marvel comics that I've actually been tryin to sell for about a year now lol... I wanna get rid of my marvel collection to make room for more DC, but the one ark that I'm kinda hesitant on gettin rid of is the Age of Apocalypse.
I also have well over 1,000 movies which is a mix of dvds, vhs and blu-ray.
John Arturo - What is your favorite collectibles company?
Shannon Cornthwaite - I don't really have a favorite, but I really dig the way DC Direct sculpted and painted the Blackest Night toy line... the shine of the uniforms and the detail is just completely rad. The only part of that toy line I don't like is that they don't put to much articulation into the figures.
John Arturo - What is your favorite part of collecting?
Shannon Cornthwaite - having something I can be proud of ya know... I've had friends who've had these nice collections and my mom's cousin I remember had this huge comic book collection that I was always amazed by when his wife and he would watch my brother and I when we were kids. So I just like that now I have a collection like that that I can be proud of.
John Arturo - What is the key thing you look for in an item you want to add to your collection?
Shannon Cornthwaite - Well, when it comes to Green Lantern figures I try not to get the ones that have the trunks... I like the more Spider-man style the costumes have now. I also tend to be more or less like a mocking bird when I choose from a selection of figures... I like them to shine... i don't care much for the dull forest green that the main stream GL figures have even though they fill my collection, if I could choose between the blackest night Kyle Rayner or and standard I'd choose the blackest night just because of the metallic look. And with comics I look for the condition like most, although there are some comics in my collection that aren't in great condition but that's simply because they were cheap and like some collectors their comics that're good and would have been worth alot if in mint conidition, but are just more for bragging rights now.
John Arturo - What is your favorite movie?
Shannon Cornthwaite - I don't really have a favorite... I think I've reached a point in my movie collection where I've seen all these movies so many times that they lose their greatness. Although I do really enjoy watchin the Rocky movies every Thanksgiving and I could watch the Back to the Future movies probably more than the others.
John Arturo - What is your favorite piece from your collection?
Shannon Cornthwaite - My all time favorite piece would be my old GL comics... the issues where Guy becomes a GL for the first time after his coma and the Killing Joke.
John Arturo - What are some items you are most looking forward to adding to your collection?
Shannon Cornthwaite - I'd really like to complete my DC Direct Blackest Night figure collection... I just love the style.
John Arturo - Finally, what is your favorite aspect of ComicBookMovie.com?
Shannon Cornthwaite - I like that there's a place for all of us nerds and geeks to congregate and get updated on new comics and movies etc. When I sign onto my computer everday, I log onto Facebook and then CBM.com then when I surf the web I just open a new tab and keep those 2 open.
To view even more pics of Shannon's collection check out his facebook links below where you will see many (and I mean many) more images!
Comics Collection
Movie Collection
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 at "admin at lethalfarce.com" 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.