AFHub Handle: Ziggy Stardust
Real Name: Duane Cenido
Year of Birth: 1974
Location: Quezon City
Duane Cenido (aka Ziggy Stardust) is one complex creature - and I mean that as a compliment of the highest degree. Duane is known on almost all forums he is part of as the guy who is (1) a Star Wars devotee; (2) a walking comic book encyclopedia; (3) an 80’s music librarian; (4) a Transformers fan; (5) a new dad; all rolled into one.
But I must admit that beyond all these, I do not know Duane at all. Perhaps the same goes for some of you. So I hope that through this short interview, we can all get to know a little more about the guy who also happens to be David Bowie’s alter ego :-)
1. When did you start collecting action figures?
Hmmm, if I remember it right, I first started collecting Star Wars action figures way back in 1983, when I was awed by Return of the Jedi.
2. What was it that brought you to collecting? And what is it that keeps you going?
Basically I guess it’s my passion for the characters that I grew up with, Star Wars, DC and Marvel Comics, Transformers, and View Askew.
3. What toy lines do you collect? And why? (please give a short reason for each toy line).
Star Wars - My all time favourite movie series, and the only line where I mostly collect villains-The Imperials who are actually cooler than the rebels. I initially collected the 3.75″ line, until I gave them all up and concentrated on the 12 inchers.
Transformers - One of my favourite cartoon series and toy line when I was in grade school. And when the Masterpiece line debuted in 2003, I knew this was my ultimate TF line.
DC Direct JLA - These are the best representations of my favourite comic book heroes growing up, I only collect the members from the 70’s to the 80’s. Another DC Universe Icon / Team I religiously collect these days are the Green Lantern Corps.
Marvel Legends Avengers - Another favourite of mine during my boyish days, this is the Justice League of Marvel Comics.
View Askew - Action figures featuring my 2nd favourite film maker is hard to resist, this is why I love the Clerks line.
4. You are known to be a huge Star Wars fan and you seem to focus particularly on Boba Fett. Can you share with us the reason behind this “obsession”?
Boba Fett is without a doubt, the coolest character in the Star Wars Universe. Like I previously said, in Star Wars, the villains like Boba Fett and the Imperials (Stormtroopers, etc) kick serious ass as compared to the lame forms of the good guys.
5. You are one of the few people I know who collect “Clerks” action figures and memorabilla. Please give us a little backgrounder on this.
I discovered writer / director Kevin Smith films when I was in my last year in college way back in the mid 90’s. I became an instant fan of his work, and considered him as my 2nd favourite filmmaker (after George Lucas that is). I found out that Smith, who is a guy from our generation, was influenced by the same stuff I loved when I was a kid-Star Wars, DC and Marvel Comics, and other pop culture themes of the late 70’s to early 80’s. This led me to collect his films on DVD, comic books and later on action figures from his View Askew universe, which to me was a natural progression.
Visiting Kevin’s Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash comic book store in Red Bank New Jersey was one of the highlights of my last US trip. I even met one of the Clerk’s actors, Walt Flanagan, which prompted me to buy his autographed action figure.
6. If you had to choose only one, which item in your collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
I would say my 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, which was a surprise birthday gift from my wife on my 30th birthday. This piece made me start collecting Transformers again after nearly 20 years.
7. People refer to you as a walking comic book encyclopedia. Would you categorize yourself more as a comic book or a toy fanatic?
Well, I was a comic book fan / collector first, then my love for these characters sort of ignited my passion to collect 3D images of my heroes, hence action figures.
8. What prompts you to purchase an item?
Mostly nostalgia, if you look at my collection, I guess nearly if not all of them are characters from my childhood. The Justice League, The Avengers, Transformers and the Stormtroopers from Star Wars are remnants of my youth.
9. Where do you do most of your toy purchases? Do you shop online?
I rarely shop online, I prefer to shop in the malls, due to economic reasons, plus I hate to pay shipping charges.
10. How do you display your collection?
Currently my action figures are displayed loose in book shelves in our bedroom, I am still on the lookout for good and sturdy glass display cases which I plan to purchase soon.
11. How do you decide which items to open and which ones to keep mint-in-package?
Given the choice, I’ll open everything, I see no logic in keeping toys mint in package. Why buy something if you can’t enjoy them, unless you intend to sell them later.
12. What’s the first thing people tell you when they see your collection?
I remember when my then girlfriend (now my wife) first saw them, she thought I was setting up a toy store.
13. You and your wife recently had your first baby boy. Do you think he’ll take after you and become a toy collector himself?
Well, since Dash (my son) is only six months old, its too early to tell, but at this age I already see that he’s quite delighted looking at his dad’s collectibles.
Here are some of Duane’s collectibles…
