Why Not Be A Toy Collector?

This weeks League of Extraordinary Bloggers asks the question, Why?

This is a question that could have endless possibilities and is one I had an immediate idea for. I thought about this assignment all week and thought I may be the only one to answer the question this way. However, Mike from the Sexy Geeks House of Swag pretty much had the same idea.

I often joke with Brian from Cool and Collected that we were twin brothers separated at birth, but Mike may be another long lost brother as often as we are all the same page.

So, here's my go at answering the question "Why" as in, why I'm a toy collector?

First off, I am like Peter Pan. I don't want to grow up. My toys reflect a time of innocence. A time of no responsibility, no stress, and no worry. Not that I am ever one to shun my responsibilities, but spending time in the toy room puts me in a state of bliss. A moment of clarity, A moment of peace.

The biggest concern I can think of as a kid,was my homework done? I still remember my Dad coming home from work and asking, "Is your homework done?" and if my answer was ,"No." It was met with a, "You better get hot." That alone could be what has made me the responsible adult, husband, father, and son that I am today, but toy collecting is my outlet that takes some weight of my shoulders for a while.



Star Wars Celebration IV program and Carrie Fisher autograph.  Photo: Batcave Toy Room

Secondly, toy collecting empowers me. While at Star Wars Celebration IV, and waiting in line to meet Carrie Fisher, I waited in line behind a psychologist and we started up a conversation about the entire phenomena of Star Wars, pop culture, and collecting on a psychological level. I asked him from a psychology point of view of why he collected and his answer provided an explanation into part of my own obsessions.

For him, as well as me, it was about being able to now get whatever you wanted. You didn't have to wait for your allowance. You longer had to wait for your birthday, Christmas, or ask Mom or Dad if you can get something.

I remember that empowering feeling when I received my first paycheck and immediately running down to Page After Page Comics and buying a bunch of vintage Batman and Detective Comics and I could just do it. I didn't have to ask or save up for it. I held the power to choose whatever my heart desired.

Toy collecting however has had its share of shame over the years. From friends to family, hell even neighbors, who thought I was weird for collecting toys and comic books once I reached high school and beyond. Still to this day I almost get embarrassed to let anyone know that I collect pop culture collectibles and vintage toys and not to even mention the beginnings of my Cosplay involvement, but I have had enough of that.

It's great to know that I am not alone in this passion. That so many others are just like me. To the point we could all be clones. I feel it's time to be proud to be a collector or a geek even. That it's time, for lack of a better term, to come out of the closet and not ask, "Why I'm a toy collector," but to ask, "Why not be a toy collector?"

Others asking Why?

• Calvin's Canadian Cave of Cool
• Toyriffic
• Geek It Till It Hurts

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.