Secret Files: Jelsan
Alfred, I don't think I'm in Gotham
Here is a little q&a with Jelsan, the noisier and more annoying writer of No Point Articulation. The questions are pretty random, but what the heck, it probably gives you an idea of what I think.
When did you start:
As a kid, I received action figures as presents, but like most kids, I play with them (though I still have them here, just a bit dirty). I started collecting on 2005, My first action figure then is the Marvel Legends War Machine. I promised myself I would stop there, but I kinda got “carried away”. Whoops.
What I collect:
Mostly 6 to 8 inch scale superhero figures from Marvel and DC. That includes almost all lines, Marvel Legends, the “classics” from Toybiz, Marvel Select(Occasionally), DC Superheroes/Universe, DC Direct items.
I also started collecting G.I Joes when it became mass-retail. I pretty much frustrated on the Mc Farlane Military figures (cause I can’t have them), and so I diverted my attention here. Which is a good thing- McFarlane Military has no goddamn ninjas.
Also I randomly buy items from the Star Wars lines if I feel like it. My only wish is that I have some Clone trooper / Stormtrooper figures. I don’t really want to army build, just to get a lot of different clones. Must be the “Iron Man Syndrome”.
After passing on Japanese goods for a long time, I’m beginning to take a pick from those items too, starting the Blind-box figures, some Gashapon figures, and the bigger items like the Final Fantasy Play Arts Action Figures. While I have a few PVC statues, I refrain from collecting them right now, because of their outrageous prices, plus my house is extremely hot. I don’t want to get them damaged.
And while I resisted buying for a long time, I’ve finally given up and started collecting Transformers too. I regret missing G1 Rodimus (Hot Rod) from the Classics series. He’s one of my favorites.
What I don’t collect:
Sports figures, Wrestling figures, Figures of music and other Pop-culture icons. I don’t collect matchboxes and hotwheels either, but my father does. I am one of those anomalies in the world that don’t dig cars . I also don’t go to scale models, because I have no steady hands.
Dream Collection:
Those large pvc anime girl figures. Yes. THOSE LARGE AND EXPENSIVE pvc anime girl figures. Plus giant-sized vehicles and playsets (think USS Flagg, and the Millenium Falcon).
What you want to do the most with what you have now:
Room-sized diorama for my Super Hero figures. As a kid, I enjoyed looking at the history dioramas at the museum. So Iwant to make my own mini-comic book museum of sorts.
MOC or Loose:
I buy mostly MOC stuff then break it open. Cry, boys, cry.
But honestly, it’s a different feeling when you open an unopened package- you get this feeling that it’s really yours from the start. Plus, on a more practical note, you can be assured that (aside from factory defects) your figures are won’t have problems caused by normal wear and tear, misplaced parts, loose or broken joints, that sort of thing.
And another reason is that I have no plans to sell them again anyway. I think it’s a waste if I can’t even pose them a little before I die, right?
Customizer?:
No. I have no talent for that. Drawing stuff is far too different for painting and sculpting details on figures. All my spending money goes to purchasing new items, so I can’t finance the customizing equipment no matter how cheap they are. I admire customizers, though. They’re pretty wickedly amazing.
What you want most from the toy industry:
NO MORE GODDAMN STORE EXCLUSIVES! DO WE LOOK LIKE WE HAVE A F&^&^**& WAL-MART HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES?? And diorama items, like computers and stuff. Gi Joes have them, but 6-inch figures are lacking.
Why did you begin reviewing action figures?
Probably, it’s the innate desire to associate with other like minded people. It’s fun to talk about things like what’s new on the shelves, the motivations of the toy companies, upcoming releases- and let’s not forget the comic books and animations themselves.
And it’s a natural progression- as a kid, you play with toys, and as you grow older, your appreciation for things like this mature. One way is to talk about them.
How does your family and friends react to your hobby:
All of my friends are non-collectors, so they’re pretty benign regarding this. As for my family, my Mom keeps asking me on what the heck I would do with all of this, and my brother cajoles me with being childish every now and then. Then I caught him admiring the Gi Joe display. HA! My father doesn’t comment on this, since he collects as well.
Why does it take so long for you to post?
Well, it takes me approximately 4 hours to write a review, about an hour of rushed and uninspired photography, about 30 minutes to put
logos and captions on the image, and about 2 hours trying to upload the pictures to the bloody photobucket and posting them here. Add to the fact that I barely have enough sleep from my 9-6 job (add a few hours thanks to traffic) and I feel tired everyday, which means I only have time to write on the weekends. And that is, if nothing happens on the weekends. So sorry about that- better just RSS to check on the updates. That’s why I have no post schedule, so I won’t disappoint readers. (And probably why the hit count is pretty much crap.)
