T3 Collects is a Northern California–based toy collector and content creator best known for documenting the modern collecting experience through in-store hunts, convention coverage, and community-driven content. Active across multiple lines, with a strong focus on Marvel Legends, T3 Collects also explores G.I. Joe Classified, DC Multiverse, and cult-favorite properties like The Crow. His approach emphasizes authenticity, accessibility, and the shared thrill of the hunt, making his content resonate with collectors at every level. In addition to regular video content, he hosts the podcast T3 Connects, spotlighting fellow collectors and voices from across the hobby. Instagram: T3CollectsYouTube: @t3collects   Q&A with T3Collects For those who might be new to your content — who is T3Collects, and how did your collecting journey begin? I’m Carlos from Northern California. I’ve been collectingsince I was a kid, but I really got back into it when my son was about 3 or 4years old. He was into Super Hero Squad, so I started buying those forhim. Then Marvel Universe 3.75-inch figures caught my eye (for him… lol). I fully dove back into collecting in 2015 when I found mostof the Captain America: Civil War Marvel Legends at Ross for $5.99. It’sbeen all downhill from there. Your content has a very recognizable style — how wouldyou describe what you bring to the collecting community? My content is mostly raw footage with minimal editing —usually just transitions. I want viewers to see exactly what I see in themoment, whether I find something amazing or absolutely nothing. It’s all realreactions, and yeah, I do curse sometimes when I find something unexpected atRoss or insane clearance deals at Target or Walmart. What’s the best part of connecting with other collectorsonline? Any standout interactions or stories? I’ve met several collectors in person who’ve become greatfriends. We help each other out finding figures we can’t get in our own cities.Building a real community and genuine friendships makes this hobby so much morefun. Meeting industry people at SDCC this past year who actuallyknew who I was completely blew my mind. Talking with Dan Yun and Dwight Stallfrom the Marvel Legends team was incredible. I’ve also made close friends through YouTube that I stillwant to meet in person — Chris from The Man Collects, Art Gutierrez (ArtG), Dakota and Jordan from The Strong Collectors, just to name a few. I became close friends with Raphael Ceja (Cejaman) onYouTube. We’ve gone to WonderCon, SDCC, SoCal Gaming Expo together, toy huntedall over SoCal, and he even took me to Frank and Son’s — which, in my opinion,isn’t all that great (I know I’m going to get hate for that). What lines or brands are you currently collecting themost? Marvel Legends will always be my number one. After that it’skind of all over the place with G.I. Joe Classified and DC Multiverse. Anotherbig focus for me is The Crow. What’s the current centerpiece of your collection — theone figure you’d grab first in a fire? My The Crow Eric Draven Hot Toys figure that my closefriend John sent me. He’s an incredibly generous friend who never expectsanything in return. When I opened it, I actually cried — no shame. What’s your all-time favorite holiday movie?(And do you watch it every year—or only when someone forces you?) That’s a hard one. I’d have to say it’s a tie between Elfand Home Alone. A Christmas Story used to be my favorite, butonce it started airing 24/7 a few years ago, I kind of got sick of it. Favorite holiday TV special or episode from any show? How I Met Your Mother — “Symphony of Illumination.” What’s your go-to holiday song or playlist when you’redecorating or filming content? “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas” by Blink-182. Probably notwhat you’d expect, lol. If you could see one franchise get a full holidayspecial, who would you pick and why? Star Wars already had its time, and Marvel just did the Guardiansof the Galaxy Holiday Special, so I’d love to see either Superman or Batmanget a full holiday special. What’s a pop culture moment that instantly feels like“the holidays” to you? The moment it hits November 1st and retail stores startplaying Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” That’s whenthe holidays officially start. What’s the most memorable toy or collectible you ever gotas a holiday gift growing up? Getting Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1992. I remember myparents telling me stories about parents fighting over them in stores. If you could design a holiday variant of any character,who gets the makeover? I’d love to see holiday-themed Marvel Legends like Hasbrodoes with Star Wars — Wolverine in a torn-up holiday sweater, Spider-Man in aChristmas sweater, or Magneto dressed like Santa. Favorite holiday snack or drink while working on contentor sorting your collection? Holiday-colored peanut butter M&M’s What’s something you want other collectors to know aboutyou or your goals for the future? Beyond action figures, I also collect vinyl records, movieposters, and physical media. My goals are to hit 10K subscribers on YouTube,10K followers on Instagram, meet more collectors in person, grow my podcast T3Connects, keep getting invited to cool events like SDCC, meet more industrypeople, host my own West Coast toy expo with popular YouTubers, open my owncollectibles shop — and finally meet the owner of New Meta in person!

Trevor — known as One:Six Shooter — is a renowned action figure photographer celebrated for his work with Four Horsemen Studios. What began as simple shots of his 1/6th figures turned into a signature style defined by cinematic lighting, detailed compositions, and rich storytelling. Through Instagram (@onesix_shooter) and YouTube (One:Six Shooter), he showcases his process, teaches new photographers, and continues to set the standard for Mythic Legions imagery and modern toy photography.   Q&A with One:Six Shooter What got you into action figure photography? I started out taking photos of new 1/6th acquisitions to post on forums. I’d seen some people getting creative with backgrounds and Photoshop effects, so I pushed it further and began taking pictures I could “greenscreen” over screenshots or other backdrops — pretty basic stuff. In 2015, I revisited my long-neglected Instagram account as a place to archive those photos, and I was stunned to discover a whole world of people (adults!) posting their own toy photography. It was a very freeing revelation. It felt like a form of outsider art and definitely a new way of enjoying your collection. So I invested in better equipment, set up a studio in my basement, and… yadda yadda yadda… here I am. What is your current go-to gear for photography? Camera: Nikon Z7 (mirrorless), Nikkor Z 24–70mm lens, Nikkor Z 50mm macro lens, Venus Optics Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe LensLights: Mostly Neewer equipment — Neewer AF200C Pro 200W RGB LED Light, two Neewer FS300C 300W RGB LED Lights, plus several Neewer RGB mini wands and cube lights, along with 3–4 LumecubesOther gear: Smoke Ninja portable fog generator, 60" 4K television, Sanodesk electric standing desk for photo surface What photo propelled you into the big leagues? I think the image that really put me on the map was a shot of the Mythic Legions Orc Builder sitting on a throne in a diorama I made. The Four Horsemen saw it and responded positively, and that became the icebreaker for talking with them about doing photography professionally. What are your favorite kinds of figures to photograph? I started with 1/6th scale figures, and while they’re fantastic for portraits and detail work, they’re tough to place in environments that scale well and fill a full scene. Over the years — especially after getting into Mythic Legions (and eventually working with them) — 1/12th scale has fully taken over for me. As a fantasy art fan, they’re easily my favorite to shoot. What advice would you give someone getting into figure photography? Start with the basics: lighting, posing, and composition. Storytelling matters too, but keep things simple at first — start with one figure. Watch videos on portrait lighting and learn one- and two-light setups until you’re comfortable. While you practice, build up diorama pieces and props. Then start adding more figures and objects to tell a story. I have videos on my YouTube channel showing how I set up shots, and there are several other great toy photographers on YouTube with helpful tutorials.You can absolutely start with a good camera phone. When you’re ready to take things further, invest in a solid used camera body and a high-quality 40mm or 50mm macro lens. What was your first Hot Toy? Technically — meaning “Hot Toys” specifically — it was the A New Hope Han Solo and Chewbacca two-pack. Still a great set, especially with the custom sculpt I use for Han. If you could join a Mythic Legions faction, which one would you choose? This is tricky. My favorite faction is the Army of Leodysseus, but if I actually had to join one, I’d probably choose Xylona’s Flock. The elves have their act together, and I’d love to live in a forest environment. Other than Four Horsemen and Hot Toys, do you collect anything else? Too many things! Though I’m cutting back for the sake of space and sanity. I recently started collecting Operation Monster Force, which I love because of the military themes. I’ve always admired G.I. Joe but never had a strong connection to it, so Monster Force is my military outlet — and you can’t go wrong with military monsters. I also collect Black Series, Vintage Collection, and Marvel Legends (mostly X-Men). I have some X-Men, Star Wars, and Batman figures from Mafex, and I really enjoy several of the JoyToy lines, especially Battle for the Stars. I’m avoiding their Warhammer stuff though — that rabbit hole is way too deep! Do you have a grail figure you’re currently hunting? I only need a couple more Mythic Legions figures to complete my collection: Sir Galeron and Thord Ironjaw. I’ve been patient and have managed to grab older pieces at decent prices, but these two still haven’t surfaced at a number I’m willing to pay… yet.  

Meet Star Gonzalez (@imaaa.staaar / @star.gonzales11) Star Gonzalez is a devoted Star Wars enthusiast with a serious love for all things horror. Alongside her husband, she collects both Star Wars and horror memorabilia — from life-size figures to vintage collectibles that celebrate her favorite fandoms. On social media, Star brings her passion to life through humor and creativity, posting fun, relatable content that showcases her obsession with a galaxy far, far away. Whether she’s joking about the dark side or geeking out over slasher icons, Star’s infectious energy and love for fandom make her a standout voice in the collector community. Q&A with Star Q: Star Wars has had somegenuinely eerie moments — from Dagobah’s cave vision to Vader’s transformation.What’s the scariest moment in Star Wars to you?A: The scariest Star Wars moment for me is Vader’s hallway scene in RogueOne. The lights go out, you hear his breathing, and then he just eliminateseveryone in his way. By adding a horror synth score and some creepy soundeffects, it could totally be a sci-fi slasher scene.   Q: If you could turn a Star Warsstory into a full-blown horror movie, what would it be about? (A haunted Jeditemple? Sith experiments gone wrong?)A: Saber Slasher — haha, I honestly had never thought about thisbefore, but now I’d love to see it happen. I imagine a cursed saber that growsmore powerful by feeding on people’s fear. And honestly, the perfect horrorsetting would be something involving the Nightsisters. Their dark magic andtwisted rituals fit the horror genre so well — it just makes sense.   Q: What’s your all-time favoritehorror movie — and what makes it stand out for you?A: My favorite horror film is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974).I’ve always been a horror fan, but I came to appreciate it even more afterwriting a 10-page essay on this film for an English course in college. Havingto analyze the director’s vision, cinematography choices, the actors’performances, and how they craft and convey fear helped deepen my love for theentire franchise.   Q: Favorite horror villain ormonster of all time?A: It’s actually Leatherface for me. I also love Art the Clown becausehe’s just so creepy, but Leatherface was the original villain who got me intohorror. I recently watched Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield onNetflix, which helped me see how real history inspired not just The TexasChain Saw Massacre, but also classics like Psycho. The story of EdGein really puts things into perspective — remembering the real victims isimportant, and I think that’s why horror isn’t for everyone. For me, though, Ifocus on the storytelling, the art, and the enjoyment that comes from the fearitself.   Q: What’s a horror movie youthink everyone sleeps on (your hidden gem)?A: A few years ago, I would’ve said Art the Clown — he was terrifyingand totally underrated! But in recent years, he’s finally gotten the popularityhe deserves. I’m sure there are still so many horror villains out there waitingto get their moment.   Q: Do you have a favorite finalgirl or horror hero?A: My ultimate favorite Final Girl is Erin from You're Next. It’sbeen a while since I’ve seen the film, but I remember her being one of thebravest and strongest female leads. Even when she’s wounded, she fights backand survives a full-on massacre. Plus, her survivalist training from a youngage really helped her make it! I love the concept of a strong female lead — shelives up to the Final Girl criteria perfectly.   Q: Which horror movie soundtrackor score gives you chills every time?A: I love John Carpenter’s work — it’s hard to pick just one, but if Ihad to choose the creepiest, it would definitely be the Halloween maintheme. No matter how many times I hear it, it still gives me chills everysingle time!   Q: What’s your favorite horrorfranchise to rewatch during spooky season?A: Ghostface, 1000%! I absolutely love the Scream franchise andrewatch it every year during Halloween. I love how it follows a group offriends trying to figure out who the killer is and make it through the night.I’ve always loved slashers, and Scream hits that sweet spot every time.   Q: Do you collect horrorfigures, art, or memorabilia — and what piece has the deepest meaning for you?A: Yes! My husband and I collect a lot of life-size horror figurestogether, but I also have my own mini collection of smaller figures. The mostimportant piece I own is actually a Texas Chainsaw Massacre figure hebought for me. It means a lot because when I met him, I told him I was obsessedwith the original film — and he remembered that detail when choosing it.     Q: What horror director wouldyou trust to make a Star Wars spin-off, and how dark would you want them to go?A: Oh, easily Mike Flanagan, since he is my all-time favorite horrordirector, and I hope to work and learn from him in a project someday. TheHaunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor are my favoriteand, in my opinion, the best horror TV series out there. I’d want a Star Warsspin-off from him to blend mind-bending psychological thriller elements withsci-fi — it would be an amazing way to explore the darker, more ominous side ofthe galaxy.   Q: If you could merge a horroricon into Star Wars, who would it be — and where would they fit? (Ex: DarthMyers, Ewoks vs. Xenomorphs, etc.)A: Ewoks versus the Leprechaun! It sounds funny, but sincethey’re both played by Warwick Davis, I feel like I have to see how that battlewould go down!  

Strong Collectors - Jordan Fash Jordan is the co-host of the Strong Collectors Podcast, where he dives into the world of action figures, collecting, and community with insight and humor. Week after week, he and his co-host bring together conversations that celebrate the hobby — from deep dives into toy lines to interviews with some of the biggest names in the industry. With past guests including Todd McFarlane and many other phenomenal voices from the collecting community, Jordan has helped turn Strong Collectors into a space where passion and perspective collide.   Q&A with Jordan Q: What lines do you like to collect? A: Most of my collection consists of Marvel Legends and DC Multiverse. I like NECA mainly for Universal Monsters and some other assorted stuff. I have a modest Mythic Legions collection and, while there’s a few Mezcos in my collection, I’m not yet in a financial position to own more than a couple of those. But maybe someday… Q: What are 3 figures you will never sell and why? A: Marvel Legends retro wave Vision and Scarlet Witch — they were on our wedding cake (I’m counting them as one).Marvel Legends Cyclops Brood Wave — it was a childhood gift from my dear friend Dakota and the only one I can specifically identify as such.Spider-Man Classics Spider-Man — the first six-inch scale super-articulated figure I had as a kid that really showed me what action figures could be. Almost every joint in his body is loose and he flops around like spaghetti, but that’s from years of hard-won battles.   Q: What figure/s on preorder are you most excited to get in hand? A: I’ve been waiting for what feels like ten years for my Savage Crucible figures to get in, which includes the Harbinger of the Abyss and some fish men, but that order feels so long ago that I’m starting to wonder if it happened at all. Even if that turns out to be the case, I’m excited for Shuma Gorath (in this house we will be using his God-given name and not Gargantos) and the McFarlane Mortal Kombats look pretty good. Q: If you could have one action figure made, what figure would it be and why? A: Hands down I want, I need, a Zorro figure. He’s an all-time favorite character of mine from watching the old Disney show as a kid late at night with my dad to enjoying reading the original stories as I’ve grown up. He is an incredibly important part of superhero history in my opinion and laid the groundwork for the classic “hero with a hidden identity who fights for justice” that almost all our favorite heroes borrowed from. An articulated figure with a cool cloth cape is a no-brainer. Why is no one making that? It’s so easy. Another one top on my wish list is a Miracleman, but that’s probably a legal nightmare. Q: Who is your favorite superhero and why? A: Almost everyone loves him but with good reason, and I have to say Spider-Man. He was very important to me as a kid and some core memories of mine are watching the animated series and Raimi movies. I was pretty moved even then by the depth of character in his stories and the way that Peter Parker always struggled but continued to try to do what was right even when it wasn’t easy or in the face of loss and tragedy. He’s probably the first superhero I felt I could relate to on a personal level and gave comics and superheroes a deeper meaning that has stuck with me for all these years. Q: Who is your favorite villain and why? A: I love Dr. Doom. First of all, he’s got to have the coolest design of any super villain. That armor with the cloak and cape? I might have first loved him because he’s basically Darth Vader in a superhero setting and Star Wars was my gateway into the nerd world, even before comics. The combination of science and sorcery is fascinating along with him being the leader of a nation. When he’s written well he makes for such a complex character with plenty of room to argue as to whether he’s as bad as your typical villain. Along with this comes the fact that, due to him being a villain, his own flaws and ego can take center stage and create a pretty well-rounded villain in such a fantastical world. Q: What is the most underrated figure in your collection more people should be talking about? A: I wish more people talked about the Xemnu wave Red Skull. It’s an incredible figure and a perfect representation of that character with plenty of accessories. I could hardly sell him for 10 bucks when I had an extra in the past, which blows my mind. Q: How do you incorporate action figures into your daily life? A: I used to have my McFarlane ’89 Batman and Batmobile in my office at work. We moved clinics and I haven’t had the chance to bring any figures in yet, but it was always a great conversation piece and way to connect with clients. Adults and kids alike always got a kick out of seeing it. Q: FMK Hulk, Wolverine, Thanos? A: F: Thanos — this might be a wild pick but my theory here is that since Thanos is so in love with Death he wouldn’t dare cheat on his love with a lowly mortal like me and would let me go. I’m banking on that because I probably wouldn’t survive the encounter. But who knows? Thanos could surprise me. M: Wolverine — if he looks like Hugh Jackman it’s a no-brainer. Wolverine definitely has a gentle soul as seen by the many deep loves he has had in his life. The gruff routine is just a rough exterior. He would be a wonderful life partner who could train me how to fight and teach me all about history. We would also have lots of fun nights at the bars with brewskies and pool, not to mention hanging out with the X-Men. K: Hulk — by default he’s gotta go in this category. Being married to the Hulk would be miserable and the other option would likely mean death.    

Kiki.Katan (@kiki.katan) is a creator whose personality shines through every corner of her collection. From her first Lego set to her ever-growing lineup of Darth Maul pieces, she’s built more than just shelves of Star Wars memorabilia — she’s crafted a style that blends creativity, humor, and heart. Whether she’s sharing her favorite collectibles or connecting with fans on TikTok and Instagram, Kiki brings a fresh, fun voice to the collecting community that’s entirely her own.   Q: What first hooked you on Star Wars?A: I knew I was hooked the first time I watched the Opening Crawl roll across the screen. The mix of music, mystery, and scale made me feel like I was stepping into an entirely new universe, and I have not looked back since. Q: You’ve said Darth Maul is your favorite — why him above all others?A: To me, Darth Maul is the perfect balance of intimidating presence and tragic storytelling. His design, his double-bladed lightsaber, and his fight scenes are iconic, but what really makes him my favorite is his resilience. Even after being defeated, he keeps coming back, evolving, and showing incredible depth as a character. Q: If you could own any piece from Star Wars, what would it be?A: I would want Darth Maul's original double-bladed lightsaber from The Phantom Menace. Not only is it one of the most recognizable lightsabers in Star Wars, but it also represents the exact moment I became fascinated with the darker side of the Force. Q: Outside of Maul, which character deserves more recognition?A: Asajj Ventress. Her story arc in The Clone Wars is powerful, layered, and shows such emotional growth. She is a fierce fighter, but also a deeply human character, as we can see in Tales of the Underworld, who deserves way more recognition. Q: What was your very first Star Wars collectible?*A: My first collectible was a Lego Star Wars set :). * Q: Which piece in your collection means the most to you?A: My most meaningful piece is a notecard written to me by my students with a Darth Maul lightsaber drawn on the back of it. While not generally a collectible, it shows me that my passion for what I love is seen by others. Q: Is there a new fandom or line you’d like to start collecting?A: I would love to start getting into collecting Invincible collectibles! Q: If you could visit anywhere in the galaxy, where would you go first?A: I would go to Naboo. It is peaceful, beautiful, and filled with history. The lakes, rolling fields, and serene cities feel like the perfect escape from the chaos of the galaxy. Q: Would you be Jedi or Sith?A: I would probably be a Sith, but maybe with a little bit of style. I admire the power, the independence, and the darker aesthetic (even though I am known for my brighter colors). That said, I would still keep a little balance and not go full dark side. Q: What’s the centerpiece of your collection?A: My collection would not be complete without all of my Darth Maul collectibles. He is the centerpiece of everything I have built around my fandom!