Sure, action figures are the focus around here, as evidenced by the name of the site. If you’re anything like me, though, your collecting habits involve more than just little plastic men. With STAR WARS, DC Direct, Justice League Unlimited, G.I. JOE, Marvel Universe, and anything I can find from my favorite comic books, movies, and television shows, I am definitely an action figure junkie. My hobbies extend beyond toys, though.

Having lost a fairly large comic book collection when I was a teenager, I resisted the temptation to dive back in for many years, even after I had fully returned to buying action figures. As time passed, I found myself picking up the odd book here and there, which eventually led to the realization that I needed a long box to store books that were scattered all over my collection room. I had started collecting comics again without making a conscious decision to do so. I still buy single issues here and there, but I’ve tried to focus my efforts on hardcover books and trade paperbacks. It’s more convenient to pluck a full story from a shelf than it is to dig through boxes for several issues, and I was able to make some space for the thicker books by removing the door of a closet in my hallway. Voilà, instant recessed bookcase (I don’t have anywhere near that much free space remaining now).

In addition to action figures, I bring home the occasional three-dimensional representation of my favorite fictional characters in the form of statues, busts, and maquettes. Because of the additional space and money these require, I tend to be a bit more discriminating with them than I am with toys. Most of mine were produced by either DC Direct or Gentle Giant, but the occasional pieces from Bowen Designs, Dynamic Forces, Hard Hero, and Palisades also find their way into my collection.

I’ve only dipped my toes into the pool of weapon and prop replicas, but when something new really speaks to me, I love acquiring them. Highly detailed replicas make terrific display pieces, and these particular items are two of my favorite collectibles.

I missed out on Palisades’ amazing line of Muppets action figures when it was available at retail. I didn’t believe it would be a success, and I figured I would be able to get them for cheap later. Never underestimate the Muppets! I might try piecing together a collection of the figures at some point, but I’m always down for other items in the meantime. From Christmas tree ornaments to plush toys, I’m a sucker for Muppet memorabilia. That made the Muppet Whatnot Workshop from FAO Schwarz a no-brainer at the holidays, and my girlfriend and I now have Muppet versions of ourselves. We even bought some Batman and Justice League t-shirts for them from the infant secion at Target during their post-holiday clearance sales.

And that leads me to what first brought me back to this hobby as an adult, my NY GIANTS collection. From cards to jerseys, from autographs to commemorative coins, and from bobbleheads to plush bears, I’ve got a bit of everything. I even have a not-so-modest collection of caps, and I don’t even wear hats. That doesn’t stop me from buying them, though. Oh, and I obviously go nuts any time McFarlane releases another GIANTS player in their Sports Picks line, but the whole point was to talk about stuff other than action figures, wasn’t it?

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