AFHub Handle: Rediahs
Real Name: Nelson Ang
Year of Birth: 1975
Location: Tarlac City

This is the very first of an undetermined number of write-ups I am doing which will focus on some of my fellow action figure collectors. The very first one to be featured is the great Batman collector from Tarlac City – Nelson “Rediahs” Ang.

Nelson with his wife, Karen Grace and daughters,
Neve Kaitlin (elder) and Nicole Keisha.

I first came to know Nelson online sometime in 2004 via another toy forum (action-figure.com). When he signed up using the handle “Rediahs”, I immediately thought to myself, this guy must be a Japanese toy collector – having Shaider (spelled backwards) as his choice of alias. Much to my surprise and delight, Nelson turned out to be a fellow Bat-a-holic. Over the past couple of years, Nelson and I have helped one another with the stuff we both like, which often included our mutual favorite – Batman.

Nelson’s Batman collection is probably one of the most admired locally. What might surprise many is that Nelson only started with his Batman collection fairly recently. But to date, his collection is already used by many as the Gold standard to measure against or pattern after.

So, let’s begin to get to know a little more about him…

When did you start collecting Batman Toys?

I started collecting action figures in November of 2003. But the very first line I collected was not Batman, it was McFarlane’s NBA Sportspicks. My Batman collection started only during the first quarter of 2004.

Why Batman?

Back in the 80’s, I always liked the portrayal of Batman as a character. He is also my favorite character among the Superfriends. What got me into collecting Batman figures was when a friend lent me his Kingdome Come and HUSH comic books. That’s how I found out there were toys related to those story lines. Sometime during the first quarter of 2004, I had access to DCDirect online. My very first was Batman purchase was the Silver Age Batman and Robin set.

When did you start displaying them?

I don’t know if you can consider putting them on top of the computer table displaying :-) Anyway, that’s how I first started displaying them. When my collection started to grow, I bought several bookshelves to put them in.

Does your collection display follow a theme?

Yes, I follow a theme. For example, my Batman Family with the Rogues Gallery – each theme is placed in separate sections of the bookshelf.

Where do you do most of your toy shopping?

I regularly purchase form the following shops:

• Druid’s Keep – for DC Directs, Statues, and McFarlanes
• Ptoys – Transformers
• Pete’s Toy Shop – NBA McFarlane

Do you shop for toys online?

Yes, mostly over eBay. I have also tried BBTS, CornerStoreComics, and Allstarfigures.

What is your most prized possession?

I would have to say it’s the Batman Begins Batarang Replica. #20 – very nice number.

Which piece was the toughest to find, your Holy Grail so to speak?

Jim Lee Batman Hush full-sized statue. That piece took me almost a whole year to track down and get at a reasonable price. These days, you would have to pay a fortune to acquire one. I’m glad I have mine now.

Do you collect anything else besides Batman?

Yes, I also have a growing line-up of the following toy lines:

• Transformers (alternators, binaltechs and classics)
• NBA Mcfarlane
• DC Direct Justice, Busts and Mini-statues
• Justice League Unlimited by Mattel,
• Justice League Unlimited paperweights by Monogram International
• Hanna Barbera by McFarlane
• Looney Tunes by DC Direct
• CARS (based on Disney’s animated movie)
• Masters of the Universe (MOTU)

What’s the first thing people tell you when they see your collection?

Ang dami mong toys (You have a LOT of toys). :-)

How do you decide which items to open and which ones to keep mint-in-package?

I keep exclusives and variants MOC. All the rest are loose, except for the Transformers.

In the next 5-10 years, do you see your collection growing or would you have grown tired of all this?

I think my collection will still be growing. Maybe not at the same rate as it is now, but I can’t see myself coming to a full stop.

When you meet some Batman collection newbies, what tips do you give them?

I always try to tell them to buy only the ones they really like and not to buy something because others have them, or because it’s hot in the market. Choose wisely :-)

Here are just some of Nelson’s Batman toys:

To view more of Nelson’s toys, just go to http://rediahs.afhub.com.

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