5 My Journey

My Journey

Many collections begin either from a gift or an extensive line from movies or TV shows, but the collection started differently for me. Hello, my name is Marc Anthony Cuellar, and I have a collection of over 500 Funko pops. The beginning of the Funko journey is always a mixed story. The first Funko pop that started my collection was the Hot Topic Exclusive Zebra & Bullseye Batman Vinyl Figure 2-Pack and many others around 2016. Remembering how two unique Batman in a small box, not as a toy but like a small figure, were standing on the shelf. Then, seeing more Batman’s, my inner child jumped out, seeing the different varieties of Batman’s was there and buying all of them right off the shelves. Coming home the same day and looking at them carefully and not

taking them out of the box and just displaying them. After every day, I would spend time just staring at the first pops I’ve gotten, and then my collection started to grow gradually. Many years after collecting Funko’s. Funko did not begin with Funko pops but with Wacky Wobblers. When I was thirteen or fourteen years old, I was a fan of South Park and would always buy their merchandise. I went to a Fye entertainment store and bought my first ever Funko Product without knowing what the Funko was. A South Park, Kenny Wacky Wobbler. It is hard to believe that I did not know about funko for all those years, and I had a Funko product before heavily collecting.

Until Funko started to release more popular movie pops like any DCEU movies like Superman or Batman Vs. Superman and MCU movies. Mainly focusing on the Batman Funko pops, it grew to different shows or movies and characters. Just like the first time I saw a Funko Pop, each pop holds a piece of myself within each pop. When I was little, I was and still am obsessed with Batman. Every morning, I would beg my mother to wake me up to turn on the tv to watch either Batman the Animated Series or any current brand Batman show. Seeing each Batman Funko brings me back to the time feeling of standing in front of the tv and seeing my favorite superhero save Gotham and beating up bad guys. Every single Funko holds a piece of my childhood or a part of myself with these pops, the shows, the movies, the character is what I grew up with. If it’s something that I watched when I was little or something that holds a memory, that is why those Funkos are part of my collection.

The Start of the Collection

When starting to collect, I would take my time collecting, and I was not buying or getting each Funko released at the time because, back then, Funko was not heavily surrounded in my area. It was easier to go to a store and not expect a large line in front of you, or the products

being sold out. However, the main issue I was having was the criticism as a kid for collecting toys from friends and family. Every time I bought a new funko or wore a keychain full of mini funko pops. I was seen as a toy collector or a child still buying toys. Not being bothered by the perception, the collection was still growing more prominently. As my collection expanded, I was a little shy about displaying it. Not many family members or friends knew about the collection I was growing. It was harder for me to start conversations as a shy person throughout my childhood, but Funko changed that.

The Hunting

When it came to hunting Funko pops back then, you would usually bump into either one or two other Funko collectors. When meeting a collector, the best conversation always started there. Mainly it revolved around talking to other Funko collectors and discussing which

Funko or Funko you own and conversing about the stores’ secrets or simply getting to know one another. Talking with various collectors allowed me to get out of my comfort zone, gain more friends, and learn more about the community Funko has. Growing knowledge and helping each other out, and geeking out when new Funko lines come out is a feeling that you can authentically share with a stranger. When Funko became more popular, I began to meet more collectors. Meeting new collectors was very nice, helping them with the ropes of collecting Funko and seeing their collection expand. Nevertheless, I was not aware of how large the community was until I started to go to the Conventions.

The Conventions

The first convention I attended was at Awesome con 2017. It was a lively atmosphere, full of collectors of all kinds. Funko was not as large, but many Funko collectors were there and I purchased many Funko pops. This convention was the first time I got my first Autograph Funko Pop. I had never met a celebrity before, so meeting Dave Batista was a nerve-racking experience. Meeting him and being starstruck in combination with being speechless and shy, but conversing with him was a great experience that I would never forget. Getting a Drax Guardians of the Galaxy Funko Pop signed by him always holds the memory of the signature every time I look at it.

I’ve held onto many great memories, especially those unique first-time moments when I got a funko or a chase. I will forever cherish the best memory with my best friend, during New York Comic-Con. Being a huge fan of Parks and Rec, there was a rare 500 piece, Funko pop, a mouse shirt sold by Fugitive Toys’ exclusive Andy Dwyer, and the same supplier who participated in the conference. The only way anyone could get that Funko pop was by pulling it from a Mystery Box. When it came to mystery boxes, my best friend always had terrible luck because we always pulled undervalued pops that we did not need in our collection. However, attending the convention, I told myself I was going to win the pop. I bought six

mystery boxes, picked three random number boxes, and my best friend picked three boxes. Suddenly, while opening every single box, I pulled a white slip of paper saying, “Winner Grand Prize”. Time froze, only hearing a rapid heart beating, and my best friend and I started to scream. I was running back to the vendors and showing them the slips. All the employee’s eyes lit up in shock. They grabbed the slip and headed to the back to have a meeting. It took a while for them to come back as if they were not aware they placed the ticket within their boxes. An employee walked out with the Andy Dwyer Funko pop on their hands and said “Congratulations!”. All of the eyes were on me as I stood in shock that a collector got the top prize, the Funko pop. The smile on my face was so large that even the Joker could not smile as big as I did. Nevertheless, the best part of that moment to this day is between myself and my best friend. We still have no clue who picked the winning box, but we were always told that we both got the pop. We both were the winners.

The Hobby

There have been a lot of ups and downs throughout the times of collecting Funko Pops. Establishing new relationships with other collectors and expanding the collection has been interesting for many years and will continue for many more to come. I get asked where these pops are going in the future? My answer is always the same: Everywhere I go, they will go with me, or I’ll pass it on to future generations. The collection identifies me, different variations 18 inches, 10 inches, movie moments, funko sodas, funko minis, and many more. Each one is connected to a memory of my childhood.

Collecting itself is fun, but at times there are challenges that any collector will face. There were times I did not get the chase due to being fourth in line or at times third. There were moments when the Funkos were sold out in-store, as well as online. Gaining both positive and negative experiences in

collecting, I observed other collectors argue or make friends. It is like a mixture of varieties of rating movies from Rated G to PG-13, and unfriendly at times. I witnessed collectors start big arguments or there were times I got into one as well. It is a roller coaster! However, it is essential to remember while on the roller coaster, the small collective enjoyable moments are the meaningful ones; it is the feeling of waking up in the morning and seeing all the pops held with your collection that makes it worthwhile. Thinking about the community, being open to meeting new collectors, going to conventions, attending local small community sell and trade events, have created strong memories.. Meeting and collecting with other collectors and sharing the same passion for the community is the heart and stone of collecting Funko. The advice that I would share with new collectors is to be ready to ride the roller coaster. Also, be prepared to make new friends, get out of your comfort zone, and be ready to become a fan of Funko, because once you begin, you will never stop collecting and making new friends.