AFHub Handle: Naughty Boy
Real Name: Yamson Yu
Year of Birth: 1977
Location: Libis
Admittedly, my first online encounter with Yam (aka Naughty Boy) on another toy board wasn’t a particularly nice one. He came across to me (and to the other folks I know) as rather brash and insensitive. Needless to say, if he showed up on my front lawn back then, I’d probably shoot him on sight. OK, just to maim him, not kill him.
Little by little, I later got to know more about the real person behind the Naughty Boy facade. Yam is no goon as may be perceived by those who know nothing about him. As a matter of fact, he is both a sensitive and sensible person. He has a good sense of humor and even loves to poke fun at himself. Forgetful sometimes but is always a good friend.
As a collector, I think he is one of the most meticulous and dedicated to the hobby - always keen and a perfectionist. This is best exemplified by his DC Direct collection which he backtracked only recently but is already about 99% complete. From the very first DCD release up to the latest, his collection has them all.
1. When did you start collecting? Tell us the circumstances surrounding that event.
It all started around 2003, after seeing a family friend’s MOTU collection. I was so amazed that there were updated versions of my favorite childhood toys. I remember buying my very first figure, a MOTU Battlecat from a stall in the World Trade Center in Roxas Boulevard during the ” Christmas tiangge” season of December 2003. I actually stopped collecting until I chanced upon the Motuphils website around January 2004, this discovery reignited a new passion for toy-collecting.
2. Your collection seems to be focused exclusively on just DC Direct products. Can you tell us why that is?
I was primarily focused on collecting MOTU, but after seeing Heatwave and Clark Ken’s collection, and watching episodes of the Justice League Unlimited animated series that featured not only the well known super heroes but also the obscure and almost unheard of characters, this started my obsession for collecting DC Direct action figures.
3. What was it that brought you to collecting? And what is it that keeps you going?
Like most, if not all collectors, the satisfaction of finding a hard-to-find figure or collectible. Another thing is the joy of seeing 4D representations of our favorite superheores that has appeared in TV, comics or on the silverscreen.
4. What’s the first thing people tell you when they see your collection?
They think it’s weird, especially those who see my collection for the first time. But most of them say “Wow!” Others would say that it is a waste of money.
5. Do you have a favorite character(s) among those you collect?
I actually don’t have a favorite character among my collection…the cheapest figure is as important as the most expensive one.
6. Why is Robin your favorite super hero?
Robin is my favorite hero because for me he is an underdog, always in Batman’s shadow and one of the most if not the most underrated super heroes. And the fact that he doesn’t rely on any super powers, only on his physical abilities and skills which he developed through rigorous training, hardwork and dedication. I also like the fact that he will always be taken lightly by his adversaries and yet end up winning his battles.
7. How do you decide which items to open and which ones to keep mint-in-package?
Almost all my figures are MOC or MIB except for a loose set of MOTU figures and the lone loose DC Direct figure which is a Silver Age robin from the boxed set. But I will be setting loose DC Direct figures, MOTU stactions and hopefully some Hanna Barbera superheroes and a few figures from other toylines as soon as I get a decent cabinet.
8. What is the most difficult part of maintaining your collection?
The most difficult part I guess is keeping it dust free and the dilemma on how to display my collection, unlike loose figures. MOC or MIB figures obviously eat much more space.
9. What prompts you to purchase an item?
As a completist, one factor obviously is wanting to complete the whole line.. Like most toy collectors comic books is the major reason why one wants to purchase a certain figure. For instance after reading the trade paper back comics of the Realm of The Claw by Stan Winston, it made me want to purchase the figures.
10. Where do you do most of your toy purchases? Do you shop online?
80% of my purchases are online mostly from E-bay and a few from Amazon, the rest I get locally from Druid’s Keep.
11. Now that you’re done backtracking your DC Direct figures, are there other lines that you’re planning to collect as well? Which ones and why?
I am right now in the process of trying to backtrack Palisades Muppets figures. I am amazed by Palisades’ uncanny interpretation of Jim Henson’s creations. The sculpt, color, detail and likeness is superb. I also enjoy the fact that this line has ended so it might be less expensive to collect compared to DC Direct.
12. What do you think of custom figures/toys? Would buy a custom figure of a character that is not yet produced officially?
I am not a big fan of customs but I do appreciate the talent behind it, like Carthut, Lance and Grundy’s work,which are creations of skilled and talented hands. Another reason is the fact that as most collectors do, I collect because of its value and collectablity. Which is hard to find or almost non existent when it comes to custom figures.
13. Do you see your collection growing over the next maybe 5-10 years? Or would you have grown tired of all this by then?
I don’t think I would get tired of collecting. I do hope that it grows to a point that I have to make a mini museum to house my collections. I plan to pass it on as an heirloom to my children and grandchildren.
Photos of Yam’s colletion…
