COLLECTOR INTERVIEW #88: Plastic Craic

We’re back for more Transformers collector interviews.

Today, it’s Phil, otherwise known as Plastic Craic, a UK-based collector and keen photographer who often showcases his figures on social media, including Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. Take it away, Phil!

Who are you and what do you collect?

My name is Phil and I’m a toy collector and photographer under the name Plastic Craic in all the usual places. I mainly collect Transformers but also collect Marvel Comics and MCU figures with my wife, as well as a few others. I started collecting when my wife bought me Titans Return Soundwave for Christmas in 2016 and it lit a fire in me. I had always been into Transformers from a very young age and had remained interested in the brand and characters as an adult, but once I got Soundwave, I knew I had to get more. I lost my Mam to cancer in early 2017 and collecting gave me something nice to focus on during the most difficult time. During the last 8 years, I’ve collected Mainline, Masterpiece and third party, and in the last couple of years became infatuated with Transformers Animated (which wasn’t on my radar at the time of release). I absolutely love photographing Transformers and sharing my passion for them with others in the community.

What do you love most about Transformers and the hobby?

I think I need to split this into 2 answers. Transformers hooked me as a child, I grew up with the G1 toys and cartoon in the 80s and so many childhood memories are linked to them. I remember my Nanna buying me Aerialbots from Woolworths, my parents renting me the 86 movie on VHS from the library multiple times, getting Wheeljack for my birthday and being too excited to sleep knowing that I was finally going to have him. These memories are a core part of my childhood and these characters feel like a part of me.

As for the hobby, I love how inclusive and friendly the vast majority of people are, and how diverse our community is. There’s no greater example of this than at TFNation, where kindness and community take centre stage to bring people together from all walks of life to share their love of robots. My brother (deskbotquickshots on Instagram) also collects and photographs Transformers. We’ve always been incredibly close, but it’s wonderful to have this shared passion where we can give each other toys to shoot and spend a weekend every year at TFN together.

How has the collecting scene changed since you joined the fandom?

There’s definitely a lot more choice now for the type of toys that are available to collect than when I started. Want child-friendly figures? Earthspark has you covered. What figures that are hyper poseable and look like they’ve stepped off the screen? Masterpiece and third party will sort you out. Non-transforming figures that pose well and look incredible? Threezero and Flame Toys are here. Well-articulated updates of classic toys? Generations is what you need. Fan of the movies? Studio Series is giving great representations of those characters. There really is something for everyone at the moment, especially since they’ve started reimagining figures and characters from outside of G1 in Legacy/AOTP, and I think it’s easy to take that for granted. 

How do you see, or hope to see the scene changing over the next 5 years?

I’d definitely like to see more play features in the mainline, especially in the figures marketed at a younger audience (although I think Cyberworld is going to provide this from what I’ve seen already with Grimlock and Skorponok). Outside of mainline, I would love to see more premium figures based on things outside of the movies and G1. I got Iron Warrior Leader (TF Prime Optimus) this year, and it’s just incredible to see a figure from Prime that looks like it’s walked out of the TV and into your room. If they started doing Animated figures like this (either transforming or non-transforming), then my wallet would be in serious danger!

What is the most surprising or outrageous collecting story you have heard?

I don’t have a specific story myself, but I love seeing people’s collections that deviate from the norm of what the majority of collections look like. I saw a gigantic Rodimus / Hot Rod collection on Twitter a while ago that was mind-blowing, and The Trypticon Guy has a collection based entirely on Trypticon (as the name suggests, and he’s such a lovely person, too) and it is a beautiful thing. The other thing that really surprised me, I’ve touched upon already, which is the welcoming nature of the people in the community. I’ve made friends through Transformers that I would never have met otherwise. I wasn’t expecting to personally gain so much from this hobby when I first ventured to a toy shop to buy a figure, and I appreciate it every day. 

What has been your single biggest success as a collector, or your greatest ever find?

It has to be finally getting my hands on Animated Blackout at the TFN Manchester MiniCon from Toy Fu this year. I fell in love with the design the first time I saw it but it proved to be incredibly elusive. When I saw him on the Toy-Fu table, I was physically shaking, knowing that I was finally going to own it. He wasn’t a cheap figure, but I had no reservations paying the asking price when the money went to such a good cause. Toy-Fu is a shining example of everything that is good in our community, and they do amazing work.

If you could pick one item from your collection to keep, what would it be?

There are several figures that I struggle to decide between when I’m asked questions like this! Robot Paradise Acoustic Wave (MP-style Soundwave) is as close to a perfect recreation of the iconic Decepticon that you could wish for. MMC Optus Pexus is a figure that I could never get tired of posing and photographing. Missing Link Convoy is a tactile joy to mess with and transform. Any of these I would be happy with if I could only have one.

If you could have one item out of someone else’s collection, what would that be?

Definitely the Animated Stunticon Job BotCon set from 2011. The price has skyrocketed in the last couple of years and I can’t see myself finding it at a price I’d be happy to pay. I’ve recently acquired Breakdown from the set of another collector who had just received the set and was willing to part with it, so I’m immensely glad that I own one of them, but the full set would be incredible.

What advice would you give a new collector starting out today?

I’d say to collect things that bring you joy, no matter what they are. Some people can get quite snobbish and gatekeeper-y (Is that a word? It is now) about what others collect and I have no time for that nonsense. People should be allowed to be happy and collect things that make them happy, and enjoy their toys on their own terms. I don’t transform my Masterpiece figures if I can help it, as I enjoy them through posing and photographing their robot modes. Some won’t understand this, just as I don’t understand MISB collectors, but it’s not for anyone else to judge how others interact with their collection, so do what’s right for you. Don’t buy toys because you see them as investments. It’s hard to know what figures are going to become harder to get in time and value fluctuates. If you want to grow money, then there are many better options out there than toys, especially the more modern ones. Finally, immerse yourself in the community (as much as you are comfortable doing), embrace the knowledge and kindness of others and pay it forward. This is a wonderful time to be a collector and a fantastic community that I feel privileged to be a part of.

Special thanks to Phil for his words & photos! Be sure to give them a shout on Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram!