I already
interviewed several statue creators but I never interviewed a collector. After
seeing Dom Peeps museum, the idea emerged and I thought he would be perfect for
this article.
1 – Hi, Dom! Pleasure to have you here. When
did you start to collect? And when did you started to take it seriously?
Dom Peeps: I
started to collect statues at the age of 9 years old. I’ve always taken
collecting very seriously. As soon as I got to know about statues/sculptures I
quit collecting comic books to be able to purchase more statues.
2 – What was the first statue of your
collection? Do you still have it? Can you share a picture?
Dom: My
first statue is a batman and robin statue I received for my birthday. I chose
the statue myself on a family vacation in Florida at this small kiosk in the
middle of Aventura mall. Yes I still own the statue and to add I have never
sold a statue that has been part of my personal collection.
3 – What do you do with the boxes? With so many
pieces, I just can’t imagine how you manage them.
Dom: I keep
and protect every box, I have two garages and 2 storage rooms in my house.
Every box is double wrapped to protect from getting any moisture or water
damage. So far I haven’t spent any money on storing my boxes in storage
facilities.
4 – You told me you have 550 figures on display
and two hundred more scattered around your house. Do you intend to display them
all? Is there room for the ones left in your museum?
Dom: I have
a total of 750 statues. In my new
museum area I have around 550 statues that are strictly Marvel and DC. The
other 200 are on display in my living room, dining room and spare bedroom which
is in the middle of getting converted into a movie room. So to properly answer
your question every piece I own is currently on display in my home. I’m not the
type to keep pieces in the box.
5 – From all your collection what are your five
favorite pieces? The ones you love the most?
Dom:
- One of a
kind Wolverine vs Hulk diorama
- Sideshow
Wolverine legendary scale figure
- Prime 1
1990 Movie TMNT SET
- Prime 1
Optimus Prime Dark of the Moon
- Dr. Doom
on throne ex premium format figure
6 – What’s your criterion to choose a new
statue to your collection? What drives you to a new figure?
Dom: What
drives me the most is the art, the colors and being a “completionist” I love
having an entire set. I only buy statues of the universes/characters I love.
7 – Is there a figure (or figures) you
regretted you bought? Which one(s) and why? Did you sell them?
Dom: I
haven’t ever purchased an item for myself that I ended regretting, I also never
sold a statue from my personal collection.
8 – What do you think about “collectors” who
buys figures just to resell them for a profit?
Dom: To be
honest it doesn’t bother me. It’s their choice I could obviously do the same
but have no time to waste doing this. I buy statues for the art and really
don’t have any interest in making money from them. A lot of people don’t have
the means to collect the way I do so a lot sale for space or to pay their next
sculpture which makes a lot of sense.
9 – To you what’s today’s best company and why?
Dom: I will
always be a huge fan of Sideshow because of their variety but I think Prime 1
is the leader today just because of their amazing sculpts and overall quality.
10 – What do you think about the customs
market? Do you have any customs in your collection? In this case what led you
to choose said custom(s)?
Dom: I
think they are amazing, it’s great to be able to create your own statue and get
to see it be created or even on display in your own collection. I do own a few
but a lot have been purchased because they fell into my lap. I’m not the type
to pre-order a custom statue because it’s usually not part of a set or doesn’t
fit in great with other licensed pieces.
11 – What do you think about the escalating
prices in our hobby? Is there someone to blame?
Dom: I
think it’s horrible. I have actually stopped pre-ordering statues because of
this. Almost every statue today has decreased in price after its release so
instead of paying more on pre-order day I will patiently hunt down the ones I’m
missing in the near future on the aftermarket. I think it’s terrible how
companies can drive away their number one fans (like me) who have supported
them on every release since day one with this incredible increase in price. I
think the new competition and customs are to blame. People are spending more on
statues today, any company can see that and say why can’t we do the same if
they are successfully selling out their products at those prices.
12 – From the SDCC18 and Wonderfest (if you
followed them) what pieces get you excited about? Why?
Dom: Every
single Marvel/DC statue. I just love seeing new representations of every
character and how statues are getting more detailed and paint applications bringing
them alive more and more. If I have to pick just a few favorites it would have
to be Sideshow's Wolverine, X-23, Harley Quinn and Joker premium formats.
13 – You know death comes to all of us, so what
do think will happen to your collection? Got any plans for it? If so, which are
your plans?
Dom: I’m
planning to reduce it in the far future. I will use the money to travel the
world with my wife. I wouldn’t want to leave my family with the burden of
taking care of such a big collection.
14 – Is there a company (or companies) you
would never buy from? Why?
Dom: No
there isn’t. I am very open to all companies. I love to see variety in my
collection and to see what other companies can offer once their pieces are
released in hand. If I have to pick one it would be Hot Toys because I don’t
collect action figures or toys.
15 – How do you see the statue’s market today?
Any changes since you began? Please, develop a bit over the subject.
Dom: The
market has took a turn for the worst. We are no longer purchasing collectibles
that are hard to obtain yet we are paying more than ever to own these so called
“collectibles”. There are so many new collectors in the hobby who buy and sell
so quickly and so many statues just floating in the community. I don’t feel
many people have the same love for collecting it is more a money making
business and for me that is the biggest turn off. You will never see a statue
sold at 300$ on pre-order and be worth almost 4-5k 10 years down the road like
for example a Dr. Doom on throne premium format. The rarity has just gone
straight out the window.
16 – What characters you would love to see
transformed in 1/4 statues?
Dom: My
favorite band Metallica.
17 – Do you think this hobby is addicting? If
so, do you consider yourself addicted? If so (once again), how do you control
your craving?
Dom: Yes, I
do think this hobby is very addicting. I consider myself an addict at 100% but
just like any addiction you need to be able to control yourself. If I don’t
have the money to spend I will not order any statues but I have in the past
used flex pay options or also made arrangements with monthly payments with
collector friends to help afford certain statues. Like I mentioned earlier I
have today completely stopped ordering any new pieces because prices are just
not justified any longer and US$ to Canadian $ conversion does not help me
either. I love collecting but I’m not ready to just throw my money in the garbage
or put my life in jeopardy over collecting.
18 – There’s much ado about Sideshow new more
realistic take on portraits, what do you think about it?
Dom: I’m
always opened to new concepts from artists, after all we are buying the art
created by them, the way they see, the artist in their eyes at that specific
moment. If you’re not a fan of that sculpt or vision all the more reason to
keep your money in your pocket. I don’t know many people who complain about the
Mona Lisa and ask Leonardo Da Vinci to change the way her face looks. Lol. That’s
just my opinion, of course. Seems like everyone is an artist today in this
hobby.
19 – What do you think about the Facebook collectors’
community? Do you believe they (we) influence the market somehow?
Dom: I
think there are pros and cons to this subject. When I was younger I figured I
was the only collector who existed. Through time and the development of the
internet I slowly began to meet other collectors from forums or on YouTube.
Collecting was always great and very low key. Prices were fair and always very
easy to find good deals from comic book stores, eBay or Kijiji. Since the
creation of Facebook a lot of this changed. Yes it’s great to get in touch with
so many collectors around the world but this also created a lot of fake
collectors, a lot of people just looking to make a quick buck and many others
who think they might become rich from this hobby. People looking at this hobby
more as a business. Today a lot of people compare each other from one another.
There is a lot of jealousy out there and worst of all a lot of people getting
scammed. People sending money to purchase a statue but never receiving it. Send
deposits and then sellers deleting profiles. Just not right that these things
happen to people who share the same passion & hobby.
20 – Is there a sculptor (or sculptors) you
like are more fond of? Could you name them?
Dom: Martin
Canale, Pablo Viggiano would probably be my favorite sculptors. They have
produced some of my favorite sculpts by Sideshow and are also probably the most
talented in the industry in my opinion.
21 – Will you buy the new Wolverine life-size
bust from Sideshow?
Dom: Most
probably down the road when I find him for less than retail.
22 – Name your three favorite characters.
Dom:
- Wolverine
- Superman
- Batman
23 – Name three favorite movies.
Dom:
- Batman 89
- TMNT 90’S
- Transformers
24 – Name three favorite bands/singers.
Dom:
- Metallica
- Bon jovi
- Eminem
25 – What message/advice would you give to
humankind? What life taught you?
Dom: The
best message I can give is to follow your dreams, do not let anybody tell you
otherwise. We have only one life to live and the best way to live it is with as
much happiness as possible and with the least amount of regret. What life
always taught me is that nothing comes easy and with hard work anything is
possible. I’ve always been a big dreamer and hard worker. I am currently 32
years old. I have my dream job and live in my dream house, which is actually my
childhood home that I purchased from my parents. I finally completed my museum
in my basement that I have always dreamed about having and did everything with
my bare two hands and of course help from my best friends and family. Many
people told me I wouldn’t be able to do it or I dream to big but in the end my
dreams became a reality and if it wasn’t for my positive way of thinking and
never giving up in myself I would have never been able to prove them wrong.
Thanks for
the interview! I’m quite sure collectors will love it!
P.S.: if you
are interested in reading more interviews, click here.
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