Funatic of the Month - Sarah Garcia

Funko would not be the same without all of the wonderful Funatics that come together to help make up the Funko Family. To show our appreciation we're taking some time to introduce you to other Funatics in the community, and with that, please say hello to Sarah Garcia.

When and how did you first learn about Funko? Did you start collecting right away or did it develop over time?

"In 2007 my parents attended Comic Con in San Diego. They know I love The Simpsons and brought me back a Pop Art Krusty the Clown 2-Pack set from Funko. Several years later I got my first Funko Pop! for Christmas and I was hooked, I had to go hunting and see what other figures Funko was making that fit into my many fandoms."

Were you a collector before you encountered Funko?

"I've always had a love of video games and movies, but I mostly just collected Pokémon cards before I discovered everything that is Funko. Since Funko covers so many fandoms, I was able to finally collect items from all the genres I love."

When would you say you switched from being a collector to becoming a Funatic? What does Funko Family mean to you?

"I had the honor of attending the world premier of Making Fun, the Story of Funko with my parents. That was when I was introduced to their extended Funko Family and realized we were all more than just collectors, we were all Funko Funatics."

What Funko lines and fandom(s) do you collect?

"I collect Dorbz, Rides, Mystery Minis, and Pint Size Heroes, but the majority of my collection consists of Pops! My favorite fandoms are Kingdom Hearts, Captain America, and Wonder Woman; however I collect a little bit of almost everything."

Do you have favorite fandom(s) that hold special meaning to you?

"My FAVORITE fandom is Kingdom Hearts. Kingdom Hearts is my favorite video game series and I was ecstatic when they were announced. I have every Funko Mystery Mini and all but 3 of the Pops! I'm missing Pop! The Sora, Pop! Goofy (Halloween Town), and Pop! Donald (Halloween Town)."

Is there anyone you share your fandom(s) with?

"My family and I all collect Funko. I got my parents hooked on Funko Pops! early on, and now we all hunt and collect together. Even though we all have different fandoms, we enjoy hunting for new & old Pops! and figures. We are literally a Funko Family."

What was the first Funko piece in your collection?

"My very first item was a Pop Art Krusty set in 2007 but I got my first Funko Pop! in December of 2013, an X-Force Wolverine."

Is there a particular Funko art or figure style that you enjoy?

"You can't go wrong with a standard Pop!, but my favorite will always be anything with a good glow."

How do you display your collection? In box, out of box, shelves, cases?

"I would say 95% of my collection is out of box. 😊 I love all the details you can't see when they are inside the boxes."

Is there anything not made by Funko that you collect: for example, things like vinyl records or sports memorabilia?

"I love collecting Blu Ray movies and video games."

What movie/show/game/album/podcast are you currently watching/playing/listening to that you'd recommend fellow Funatics try?

"I'm currently watching WandaVision and Superman & Lois. Playing Super Mario 3D World and Animal Crossing New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch."

What do you love about Funko?

"What I love about Funko is that there's something for everyone to collect. There are so many different styles and fandoms that there is always something for everyone. This has allowed me to interact and meet a variety of new people who share the same fandoms as me, but with one thing in common, Funko."

What's your favorite Funko memory?

"One of my favorite memories is when I found my first chase 'in the wild' in April of 2019; a Marvel Dark Phoenix Pop! This was only eclipsed by the night out in Hollywood attending the Making Fun Premier and meeting so many great Funatics."

What motivated you to start photographing your collection and sharing the photos on social media?

"I've always posted pictures of the new Pops! I add to my collection, but the Funko Photo-A-Day events have challenged me to take better pictures and I love engaging with my fellow Funatics."

Can you share a little bit about your thought process going into staging and taking photos of your collectibles?

"I try to focus on lighting and backgrounds when taking my photos. I mostly only use natural light and areas around my house and neighborhood that fit the theme of the item."

What advice do you have for other Funatics taking photos of their collection?

"Don't be afraid to get your Pops! dirty."

If licensing wasn't a limiting factor, what would be a Pop! collection you'd like to see made?

"Animal Crossing! Tom Nook, Isabelle, Stitches, and so many of the villagers would be such great Pops! And some Dragon Ball GT Pops!, a flocked Super Saiyan 4 Goku Pop! would be amazing."

Are there any older collections that you hope could have new figures released for? If so, which collection(s) and which character(s)?

"More Pops! from Captain America: The First Avenger and The Hunger Games series. I would love to have a glow in the dark Katniss and Peeta on the chariot Pop! Ride. But if I had to choose one thing I would love to have the most…it would be more characters from Kingdom Hearts."

Thank you again Sarah, for taking the time to share details about your Funko experience and collection with the Funko Family.

For those who are interested in adding to their Funko DC Wonder Woman and Funko Marvel collections as well, click through to check out Funko's current online selection. If you are interested in possibly being a featured Funatic, you can tag @OriginalFunko on Instagram or Twitter along with a picture of you with your collection with #FunaticOfTheMonth.