Robin Maris
S: How and when did you start collecting?
RM: I've read comics as long as I can remember. My dad used to love Conan the Barbarian so I would always read it when he was done. I collected Archie comics when I was young and then sold the entire collection when I was about 15 and started collecting exclusively X-men comics. I started branching out into other comics and statues in my late 20s.
S: What do you collect? Does your collection have a theme, such as Star Wars, Batman, superheroes, etc.?
RM: I collect anything that I find appealing. It doesn't have to be part of a theme. I have some Marvel, some DC, some Image etc. It's really just whatever excites me whether it's comic story arcs or statues.
S: What are your favourite or the most prized pieces in your collection? And why?
RM: I love my Ice Breaker Designs Custom Onslaught statue because its a unique piece that not many people have and its just really a magnificent statue. I have a Stan Lee signed CGC copy of New Mutants 87 which I love because its the first appearance of Cable who is my favourite character and its my only Stan Lee signed book. I also have a copy of Incredible Hulk 181 first appearance of Wolverine, which is a bit faded but still special to own and an original piece of art done by Jesus Merino on a blank variant of Action Comics 1000 which I had CGC'ed at Comic Con. It's really cool as its the only one of its kind.
S: What items are on your wishlist?
RM: I would LOVE a Prime1 Superman Hush. Either the normal (but not the fabric cape) or black suit. Im not fussy... just not rich enough.
S: What do you think of the collecting community in SA?
RM: The people that I have met have been really cool. You do get one or two sharks out there trying to take advantage of guys who are super passionate about what they collect but on the whole I have to say that I've made some good friends through this hobby and probably whatsapp a few of them more than some members of my family. We do talk a lot of shit though ;)
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