John Arturo - When did you start collecting and how did you get into the hobby?
DCF - I started collecting at a very early age, maybe 4 or 5 years old (I'm 40 years old now). I have 2 older brothers who also collect comics and they got me started. Comics have been a part of my family for as long as I can remember.
John Arturo - You have a nice collection of older Marvel comics. What draws you to Marvel over DC and why so many copies of some of the same comics?
DCF - The pictures I've sent are only a fraction of my entire collection and while I do have more Marvel than DC the difference in numbers between them is not as great as shown here. But the reason for the difference is because I collect old, rare, key issues. The old, rare, key issues for DC are extremely expensive and something I'm working towards at getting....in time.
I have multiple copies of some comics because I got amazing deals on them that I just couldn't pass up.
John Arturo - Do you collect anything else?
DCF - I do. I have a collection of figures, statues and a blu-ray library. All comic book related.
John Arturo - What are your favorite collectible companies?
DCF - From a comic books perspective, Marvel and DC are my favorite by far. I do enjoy some of the smaller press companies as well, like Dark Horse and Image. For statues, DC Direct is great. Animated films, DC is untouchable. I like Marvel's animated films but clearly DC's are of higher quality. Live action films, Marvel is king.
John Arturo - What is your favorite part of collecting?
DCF - There's a few things but of course, it all started out of a love for the art and stories. But its also something I share and bond over with my 3 amazing kids. Its something we all get into and have fun with. Its also nostalgic for me and takes me back to when I was young.
John Arturo - What is the key thing you look for in an item you want to add to your collection?
DCF - I'd love to collect every comic produced but that's obviously unrealistic so I decided to focus on key issues (#1's, 1st appearances, important story arcs etc.). Focusing on key issues satisfies my desire and passion to collect but it also satisfies or addresses an investment perspective. My collection will ultimately be passed on to my kids which they can sell if they decide to.
John Arturo - What does your significant other think of your collection?
DCF - My wife is amazing and perfectly fine with it. She's very supportive.
John Arturo - What is your favorite movie?
DCF - Very tough question. I'm not sure I can pick one and to be honest my favorite seems to change through time. I loved the Crow when it first came out and I've revisited that one so right now, I'd say The Crow.
John Arturo - What is your favorite piece from your collection?
DCF - Its hard to pick one but maybe my Hulk 181 or my Giant Size X-Men #1, I also like my Iron Man #1 from 1968 and my Fantastic Four's #48, 49, 50, (1st appearances of Galactus and Silver Surfer) which are not pictured here. I really like my Stan Lee and Joe Simon signed comics. I can't pick just one.
John Arturo - What are some items you are most looking forward to adding to your collection?
DCF - Definitely early, key DC issues. Early Action Comics, Detective Comics, Justice League of America etc. I'm a huge Jack Kirby fan so I'm looking for a signed comic from him. I'm also a big Neal Adams fan and most of his early DC work is incredible. I'd love to get some of those issues.
John Arturo - Finally, what is your favorite aspect of ComicBookMovie.com?
DCF - The army of editors scouring the net and every other source bringing us the latest news on movies. I also really like this unique, user driven and user shaped model for a website. Its a brilliant concept that I believe comicbookmovie.com may have pioneered. Its a place where like-minded people can come together and share and communicate with one another about something they love or feel passionate about. I visit this site daily for sure.
I'd like to say that we all appreciate the editors and Galactus' efforts in maintaining this extremely cool site! It can't be easy. You've all created THE "go to" site on the web for all things comic book movie.
Thanks to John Arturo for managing this very popular "CBM Collector" series and doing a fantastic job of it!
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.