FUNATICS OF THE WEEK - FEBRUARY 2023
We're excited to introduce our Funatics for February--Toniann, Manuel, Rochelle, and Garret!
Toniann N.
When and how did you first learn about Funko?
"I first learned about Funko through my fiancé. We were at Walmart one day and he took me to the electronics section where the Funkos are. I saw a ‘Logan' Funko Pop! From X-Men Origins, and I had to have it. X-Men was my first Marvel film so it brought some nostalgia. I knew from the moment I bought that Logan Funko Pop! that I would collect all my favorite characters from my favorite films and tv shows! I've always had a collector mentality – when I was little I would collect Bratz dolls and Littlest Pet Shop toys, but after middle school I didn't collect much until Funko."
What Funko lines and fandom(s) do you collect? What was the first Funko piece in your collection?
"I collect mostly Marvel, I have a few Disney as well, but my main focus is Marvel. Most of my favorite films are Marvel and I truly love the characters so much. I love the Scarlet Witch, Dardevil, Spider-Man and Iron Man! If I see any Funko Pops! from my favorite tv show – for example, Grey's Anatomy, I will also collect those. My first Funko piece was Logan from X-Men Origins!"
Is there a particular Funko art or figure style that you enjoy?
"I love when a Funko Pop! has a lot of details. I love if there is a unique base – like the Walmart Exclusive Multiverse of Madness Scarlet Witch. She looks like she's floating in her magic and I absolutely love that. I also love the glow in the dark Funko style!"
What's your favorite Funko memory?
"My favorite Funko memory is meeting some of the greatest people through collecting Funko Pops. I have truly made some incredible bonds with other collectors and have made amazing friendships. I went to New York Comic Con in 2022 and got to see the Funko Booth and all the love around Funko. It was truly amazing to see, and I'm glad that Funko has lead me to these great memories and experiences. Only more from here!"
Manuel (nightbodega)
When and how did you first learn about Funko?
"Prior to collecting Funko, I mostly collected movies. Movie collectors remember that Tuesday, is an important day. I guess this prepared me for my future endeavors, as I had to go out to stores and hunt for the new releases.
It was 2014, when my love for Funko started. As a huge fan of The Walking Dead, I was gifted Daryl Dixon's Chopper Pop ride. I had never seen anything like that before. I was so fixated on it, that I even forgot to say, thank you right away. Little did I know that the simplistic look, yet detailed little collectible was going to be the start of something more. Just as Paul "Jesus" Monroe stated on The Walking Dead, 'Your world is about to get a whole lot bigger.'"
What Funko lines and fandom(s) do you collect? What was the first Funko piece in your collection?
"The majority of collection consists of a mixed variety of horror items. Pennywise and Killer Klowns from Outer Space are my favorites from my horror collection. I also collect Star Wars, McDonald's, Jack in the Box, cereal mascots, Conan, Rick & Morty, music artists, Coca-Cola bears, Freddy Funko, horror and anything that peaks my interest.
SODA, Dorbz, 5 Star, Pop Pins, and mystery minis are also part of my collection. I love seeing the different sizes and variations of what I collect. This allows me to display them in different locations. For instance, I have some of my Pop pins on a backpack. My SODAs are at my office desk, while the Dorbz are at another work location of mine. As for the mystery minis, I place those everywhere. In my truck, at work, parent's house, just anywhere I can. You never know when a photo opportunity will appear. I especially love to collect the apparel versions of my fandom. It is a great way to show your love for Funko and your fandoms."
Is there a particular Funko art or figure style that you enjoy?
"Back Light is definitely my favorite style. Not only does the Pop or SODA collectible give off a great glow, but the Pop box does as well. If you are a in-box collector or out of box collector, there is no wrong way of displaying Black Light collectibles. A simple UV light makes your collection "Pop!" at night.
Funko's Lights & Sound line is my next favorite. This line takes my fandom to another level. I love displaying this at work. People are in awe when they see Vader's base, chest plate and lightsaber, light up. The sound effects are iconic. I think this made a few of my coworkers start their own collection at work. I hope to see this line expand in the future."
What's your favorite Funko memory?
"This is difficult question to answer, because Funko continues to create everlasting memories. Funko created an environment where people can bond and have a friendship like no other. You can meet people through social channels, become friends and somehow, do this without even hearing their voice.
That being said, my favorite Funko memory is Fundays 2019. That was the day I finally met everyone in person, who I had only communicated through social channels. Many of these people traveled from opposite ends of the country, and a few from outside. We laughed, smiled, we shook hands, we hugged, we reminisced, we lost our voices, and to this day, we still say "Hello." Thanks to my new Funko friends, I was finally able to attend my first Fundays. This was all done through the kindness of their hearts.
As a Veteran, I have endured many moments in my military career that created bonds with other Servicemen. We struggled, we bled and unfortunately, we lost a few friends. These events created an everlasting friendship. I never thought I would find this kind of bond again. I was wrong. Funko made this happen again. I just want to say THANK YOU to all the staff and hardworking people at Funko."
ROCHELLE (@shootingstar710r)
When and how did you first learn about Funko? Were you a collector before you encountered Funko?
"Back in 2015, I was at my local GameStop when the clearance rack caught my eye. It was filled with these new (to me) figures called Funko Pop!. Then I noticed they had The Peanuts Pops! on this rack. I have watched The Peanuts every holiday for many years now. So that day I took home Charlie Brown & Sally Brown. And the collection just continued to grow from there.
Yes! I definitely was a collector before Funko. My first collection is my TY Beanie Baby collection that I started when I was about 9 years old."
What Funko lines and fandom(s) do you collect?
"What lines don't I collect! I currently have Pops!, Pop! Ridez, Dorbz, Mystery Minis, Plush, Tees, Games, SODA figures & More.
My fandoms are The Peanuts, Disney, Winnie the Pooh, Stranger Things, GPK, Nickelodeon, Marvel and Freddy Funko!
As I stated earlier, my first Funko purchase was two pops from Gamestop, Charlie Brown and Sally Brown."
Is there a particular Funko art or figure style that you enjoy?
"I enjoy Black Light for sure! I have quite a collection of Black Light SODAs and Pops!. A more recent one that's caught my eye is the new Funko Shop exclusive Minnie Mouse Faceted. Oh how beautiful she looks! I hope in the future to see more characters in that style.
What’s your favorite Funko memory?
"My favorite Funko memory was when I won the Social Media Freddy 2.0 Pop! on Freddy's Funhouse. My daughter was almost 2 years old. She seen my excitement and got so excited with me. Both of us were yelling 'Freddy Funko'!"
Anything you'd like to add?
"At first my love for Funko was pure nostalgic. In the last couple years, my love for Funko has changed. Funko is still nostalgic for me but it's also so much more than that. It's discovering my passion. It's the connections made and friendships built. It's the experiences and the fun. That's what I love about Funko!
At the beginning of 2022, I started my Instagram journey. I've learned so much about photography and Instagram since then. The love and support has been amazing! Thank so much to the Funko community #FunkoFamily!! Go follow @shootingstar710r."
GARRET
When and how did you first learn about Funko? Were you a collector before you encountered Funko?
"I learned of Funko in 2015 through friends that were collectors. I had been a collector of all sorts ever since childhood with my father from action figures to unique items you’d see on American Pickers! I got into Funko collectibles in 2017 though after I was gifted one and have loved it since!"
What Funko lines and fandom(s) do you collect? What was the first Funko piece in your collection?
"I love Marvel and Spider-Man, DC Batman, Star Wars, Hanna-Barbera (and all sorts of old school animation), TMNT, and Disney (because I work there too!). Also Pop! Rocks Green Day and Blink-182!
I can’t forget about Freddy Funko too! I have a few in Pop! and SODA forms and one pink glitter Hikari.
My very first Funko piece is Pickle Rick! He was a gift because that was my favorite episode of Rick and Morty!"
Is there a particular Funko art or figure style that you enjoy?
"Ooooh! My favorite are the blacklight Pops! and SODAs! It’s so FUN having them displayed under an ultraviolet light strip. And I have been becoming very fond of the SODA line too, the feeling of anticipation to see if you get a chase, it’s very thrilling!"
What’s your favorite Funko memory?
"Oh my goodness, my favorite Funko memory is meeting Mike Becker at D23 2022! He was definitely tired but his energy and support for Funko fandom is incredible! I am very thankful to get picture with him and for him to sign my Yzma SODA that was a chase that day!
I am also very fond of meeting some of the social media team there too as it was my first year of conventions ever and I was gifted a SMF Pop! And a SODA pin!"
Anything to add?
"I love collecting Funko items and I have to say it has been a therapeutic experience for me. In 2017 I was in an induced coma for a week after being attacked on the job. It has given me a TBI (traumatic brain injury) with PTSD which has been quite a journey. But collecting Funko products made me have FUN again! I have met great people in the community of collecting that has gotten me to get out and about more. Taking pictures is probably my favorite part because it gets the ideas flowing in my brain. Thank you Funko for being fun makers in the world as I am a magic maker at Disneyland, where both worlds make you a kid a again! Like Walt said 'Adults are only kids grown up!'"
