Kim P.
Melvindale,MI
@funko_kimmyishh
When did you first learn about Funko?
I first learned about Funko back around 2012 when I stumbled upon a display of Pops! at a Barnes & Noble & they were all from The Big Bang Theory. I was super obsessed with the show at the time and thought oh my god there's figures of everyone! Just like that I was hooked forever.
Do you remember what your first Funko piece was?
Going back to that first time discovering Funko, I got my first Pop! that day, Sheldon Cooper #11 in his Green Lantern shirt. He's always been my favorite and I still have him to this day.
Why are you a Funatic?
I'm a Funatic because I believe Funko means family. If it wasn't for Funko I wouldn't have gotten to know so many cool people within the community who share the same passions for the products and collecting as much as I do. Being a Funatic has helped me be way more comfortable with myself and expressing myself through my collection and being the big, geeky nerd I've always been.
What are your favorite fandom(s) and why?
My favorite fandoms include Supernatural (s/o to Sully), IT, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Marvel (Deadpool, Spider-Man), Harry Potter, Hocus Pocus, Stranger Things, Star Wars/The Mandalorian, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Friends, Toy Story, and soo many more. They all speak to me in different ways. Whether it's relating to the characters who find their strength when they overcome their struggles and face their fears or just falling for their smart witty personalities, I can always find a little piece of myself in each one that I resonate with and makes me feel like a part of something more.
Is there anyone you share your fandom with?
Supernatural is the fandom I share the most with my older brothers. They got me into the show forever ago when I was like 9 years old and now I'll be 24 soon and it's just been such a huge part of our lives. It's something we've bonded with each other over the years along with so many other shows and movies. I'm super close with my brothers and always grew up watching what they did and listening to the music they did, so they've definitely shaped the person I am today. They're some of my best friends. My brother Dave and I even got matching Anti Demon Possession tattoos that the characters Sam and Dean have in the show because that's how strong our bond and love for the show is.
What do you love about Funko?
I love that Funko really goes above and beyond with licenses. Never in a million years did I think I'd ever be able to go buy something like Gilmore Girls or Friends figures. They don't just make whatever is currently cool and popular. They dig deep into everyone's childhood nostalgia and come out with figures from I Love Lucy, The Sandlot, Buffy, Grease, The Princess Bride, The Golden Girls etc. They truly live up to the motto “Everyone is a fan of something” because there is definitely something for any and everyone out there.
Why do you love pop culture?
I love pop culture because there's sooo much to choose from! It can be a little overwhelming at times but you'll never run out of options to find something that'll catch your interest.
How do you display your collection?
Mostly all my Pops! are in box. Sometimes if it's something I really want to display somewhere I'll get 2 but lately I've been itching to just open a bunch more. Seeing all the little intricate details on them makes having them out of box a little more special.
What movie/show/podcast/videogame/album are you currently watching/listening to/playing?
I'm currently going back and forth between a Charmed and Supernatural rewatch. I'm really not ready for Supernatural to be over after 15 seasons - But I've really been into playing Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order on PS4. It's the best Star Wars video game I've ever played. It's exactly what I was looking for in Star Wars game and the fact you get to play as Cameron Monaghan!! He played my favorite character in Shameless.
What's your favorite Funko memory?
I think my favorite Funko memory was at Motor City Comic Con last year when I met Felicia Day and she signed my Charlie from Supernatural pop. It was awesome. And I even got her to do a quick S/O video to Sully and the Funkast. She's the sweetest person ever.
What motivated you to start photographing your collection and sharing the photos?
I did it for me. I really wanted to put myself out there more in the community. I feel like the photos of my collection are glimpses showing everyone who I am and what I'm about and what my interests are. Kind of in hopes of finding others like me who like the same things to just geek and nerd out about all things collecting and pop culture.
What advice do you have for other Funatics taking photos of their collection?
The best pictures happen when you take the Pop! OUT of the box (lol sorry Sully.) But make sure there's good lighting and add a nice background to really make your pop(s) pop!
What Funko lines and fandoms do you collect?
Mostly Pop!, some Mystery Minis, apparel, and I just got into the Funko Soda's with Big Boy to start. Fandom lines include, Marvel, Supernatural, Freddy Funko, IT, Star Wars, Beetlejuice, Harry Potter, Stranger Things, Pokémon, Ad Icons, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Scooby Doo, Kingdom Hearts, Avatar The Last Airbender, Hocus Pocus, etc
Are You the NEXT Funatic of the Week?!
Share your Funko and pop culture stories and collectibles to Twitter and/or Instagram, using #FunaticOfTheWeek and #MyFunkoStory
More on our NEW Funatic 2.0: Better, Faster, Stronger, Fan-ner