Let’s start with the basics — who are you and what do you collect?

My name is Sophia, but I like to go by Soph! I only collect Transformers because to me it’s a two-for-one kind of deal. You get an alt mode figure and, of course, the bot mode. The brands I find myself buying from the most are ThreeZero, Masterpiece, and FansToys. I like to have a wide array of characters in my collection, though there are still a few I’m missing that I’d love to add to my shelves someday.

Transformers clearly hold a special place in your collection. How did that fandom begin for you?

It all started with the Bayverse movies back in 2007. My stepdad grew up with G1, so he thought it would be fun for us to go see the live-action movies together. I don’t think I appreciated those movies enough when I was younger, but I will defend them until the end. I’ve watched a lot of the shows here and there, but Transformers Prime was always my favorite since it has some more mature plotlines that still hold up today.

Every Transformers fan has their character. Who’s your favorite Transformer and why?

My absolute favorite character has to be Ultra Magnus in any continuity. The way he’s designed is absolutely beautiful and a little different from the other bots. In my opinion, he’s the best Transformer because he’s a dependable, duty-driven leader who reliably steps up when Optimus Prime is absent. He combines strong moral integrity with heavy firepower and durability. Across G1, the cartoons, and the comics, he consistently shows a strategic mind that reinforces his reputation as a capable commander.

What’s the crown jewel of your Transformers collection right now?

My crown jewel—perhaps ironically—is my 1986 G1 Ultra Magnus, 100% complete. Every original accessory is there, and almost every corner of the box is intact. He’s insanely rare, yet I somehow managed to snag him for a steal. This isn’t just a collectible—it’s going straight into my will.

Are you more of an “open and display” collector, or do you keep some pieces sealed?

I’m a little bit of both! I have some figures that look so cool in their packaging that I don’t want to ruin them, but about 99% of my collection is out and displayed. As I continue to find more original G1 figures, I’ll probably look for ways to keep them protected so they don’t get damaged over time.

If Hasbro gave you the power to design the next Transformers release, what would it be?

I’d love to see more female Transformers that aren’t just the same three molds with giant backpacks. Bring in some of the gorgeous characters from the IDW comics too. Since combiner bots are getting more attention recently, I’d also love to see a larger Titan Class-sized Victorion from Combiner Wars.

What’s one Transformers character you think deserves way more love from toy companies?

Arcee is a cornerstone of the Autobots. She’s emotionally rich, strategic, and just as iconic as any of the major characters. She badly deserves a modern update. Too many toy companies still burden her with oversized backpacks because designers haven’t quite nailed her proportions yet.

Aside from Transformers, what other fandoms are you into?

I’m really into physical media, so I collect a lot of vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, and things like that. I’ve built up a pretty big collection in each category, and it’s always fun to keep adding to it. I also like to stay updated on a lot of the anime I used to watch. I don’t watch it as often these days, but I still enjoy following the lore and seeing what’s going on instead of completely forgetting about it.

When did your love for horror start?

I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with horror—it’s just something I’ve always gravitated toward. The first horror movies I remember watching were the Saw films, which definitely sparked my interest in body horror. But it was the Friday the 13th series that really pulled me into the classic slashers of the ’80s and ’90s.

Who is your all-time favorite horror villain or monster?

I’d have to go with Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). There’s something about the raw, chaotic brutality of that character that stuck with me. What makes him even more unsettling is knowing he was partly inspired by the real-life serial killer Ed Gein. That connection to reality adds another layer of discomfort because it makes the horror feel less fictional and more grounded in something that actually existed.

If you had to survive a horror movie scenario, which movie universe would you choose—and which one would you absolutely avoid?

There are a few I could probably survive in, and a few where I’d definitely be the first person to die. I think I’d have a decent chance in the Scream universe or Killer Klowns from Outer Space. In Scream, the killers are human and the movies follow certain “rules,” so I’d just stay alert and avoid obvious horror movie mistakes. In Killer Klowns, they’re dangerous, but they’re also goofy and have pretty obvious weaknesses once you figure them out.

The universes I’d absolutely avoid would be The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Thing. Texas Chainsaw feels disturbingly real and chaotic—there’s no supernatural logic or pattern to rely on. It’s just pure nightmare fuel. And The Thing would be unbearable because of the paranoia. You’d never know who to trust since the creature can perfectly imitate anyone.

What are your top three horror movies everyone should watch at least once?

Tourist Trap is a great one because it combines slasher and supernatural elements to create a really unsettling atmosphere. Killer Klowns from Outer Space is one of those silly, creative cult classics that’s just fun to watch. And a genuinely disturbing one would be Martyrs. It pushes the limits of horror and gets extremely dark, brutal, and emotionally heavy as it progresses. It’s one of those movies you watch once and never forget.

Horror collectibles are getting bigger every year. Are there any figures or characters you’d love to see turned into collectibles that haven’t yet?

I haven’t really jumped into horror collectibles yet, so I can’t answer that wholeheartedly. But I’d definitely love to start expanding into that space and pick up a few statues of my favorite slashers and villains.

Last one — if your collection suddenly came to life like a horror movie… which figure or character would be the most dangerous?

I think it would come down to Shockwave or Tarn. Shockwave is too logical, cold, and calculating. He doesn’t react with emotion and has overwhelming firepower, so you know he wouldn’t make mistakes. Tarn, on the other hand, is brutal, aggressive, and unpredictable. He may be less calculating than Shockwave, but he’s extremely dangerous in close quarters. Shockwave would probably manipulate the situation and eliminate everyone one by one, while Tarn would just smash through everything in a bloodthirsty rampage.