COLLECTOR INTERVIEW #96: Gavin Spence

We’re back for another Transformers collector interview!

Gavin Spence is a well-known and lively presence in the UK Transformers collecting community, whether it’s because of his incredible artwork, his fun-filled YouTube channel — TRDQ, his presence at TFNation and work alongside Toy-Fu, or just his big-hearted persona. Today, we meet the man behind the legend.

Who are you and what do you collect?

I’m Gavin Spence, creator of Z-list YouTube channel Toy Reviews Done Quick – TRDQ – and I’m a Transformers enthusiast.

I first got my chubby mitts on a Transformer in 1987 (Ultra Magnus) and besides a few gaps devoted to teenage pursuits, I’ve stuck with it until the frankly obscene age of 43. I collect pretty much anything that catches my eye. My major interests are Transformers Animated and the weirder/later end of Generation 1. Once things start getting a little wacky I’ll probably start reaching for my wallet.

What do you love most about Transformers and the hobby?

I genuinely love how varied Transformers is. Any franchise that lasts over 40 years will require quite a few reboots (Rebirths?) to stay relevant and it’s resulted in some wonderfully weird ideas made manifest on toy shelves. Imagine someone pitching Beast Machines Beast Riders in a packed board room, for example. 

I love being able to feel the designer’s intent (and sometimes desperation) shine through in a toy. It’s great that I can have a shelf that cherry-picks from G1 right up to modern day and have such a wild variety of gimmicks and concepts. 

As time goes on though, you do start to see patterns emerging and re-treads of older concepts being trotted out. I sometimes feel my enthusiasm for the collector-focussed lines waning – and that’s where my appreciation for the other side of the hobby comes in. 

I’ve been lucky enough to meet so many incredible people through Transformers. I know that without their enthusiasm and support, there’s no way that I’d be doing things like tabling at the TFN Forge or contributing to TFNation with my art and writing. 

I’m so proud to have been able to contribute something towards the amazing work done by Toy-Fu to raise money for Mary’s Meals. All of this starts with Ultra Magnus back in 1987.

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

It’s certainly more expensive! Folks don’t mess around in eBay auctions these days, do they? 

Outside of the shared online experience, I’m always fascinated by the changes to collecting trends each year at TFNation. Hearing from the Toy-Fu team which specific lines flew off the table is an interesting way to chart how tastes evolve. 

The kids who grew up with Animated and Prime are now looking to get their old collections back. Children who grew up loving the Michael Bay movies and toys, however wrong they may have been, have that same opportunity. I await the day that someone in their mid-20s tells me that they got Cyberworld Scorponok for their 5th birthday, and I shatter like the T-1000.

When it comes to my own collection, I’ve started caring less about having it all on display. I have a few shelves with my favourites on there and the rest is up in the loft. I’ll take down a box every few weeks and rotate things out if they catch my eye. I think the more things stay on the shelf they become like wallpaper. I want to look up at these things and have them provoke some feeling in me.

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

I’m a little worried about Transformers becoming prohibitively expensive. I mean they probably already are. 

For the last few years, I’ve thought that perhaps the entire collectors line could shift down a size class. Titans become Commander-sized for example. A deluxe could be shrunk down to something more in-line with Core Class. I’d love that. 

We’ve seen such a change in what’s possible at smaller scales. I don’t think a current Deluxe offers much more in terms of articulation – and at the risk of sounding too curmudgeonly – if we don’t really have mechanical gimmicks or play-features in the collector lines, it wouldn’t be too difficult a transition.

Maybe I’m naive to imagine that the savings would be passed onto consumers. At least our shelf space wouldn’t take such a hit. Think of a little Commander-sized Omega Supreme. Adorable.

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

I don’t know about outrageous but I always laugh when I consider how many times Haslab Unicron has changed hands within my friend group. For a toy the size of a washing machine, this one toy has travelled more miles in the last few years than I have. 

The real kicker is that I’ve yet to hear a single good report on it. Everyone seems to get one full planet-to-robot transformation and back again before getting the ol’ Chaos Bringer back in the box. 

The last journey was well over a year ago and I know the recipient hasn’t popped the packaging yet. I suppose I understand, it’s Schrödinger’s Planet Eater at this point.

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

Anyone who knows me or follows my Youtube channel (hey it might happen) knows that I’ve been on the lookout for Transformers character Grandus for a decade or so. 

Since seeing him casually slapped onto a pub table by Toy-Fu legend Nick Davidson, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of owning my own heroic shoebox. Sadly the lad is both very rare and expensive, especially complete.

Last year at TFNation, the indomitable Andy K came over to my table with a boxed Grandus. I’m not too proud to say I welled up in both appreciation and at the spectacle of the item in question. What a beautiful thing to behold. Of course I immediately agreed upon a price and bought the thing. I usually have my G1 toys upstairs in my office but Grandus gets his own little cubby-hole in the living room. 

I still can’t quite believe I have one – and it’s proof that over a long enough timeline, Toy-Fu can perform toy-collecting miracles! Now I’m on the hunt for missing accessories.

I understand that my ‘big collecting success’ was someone just walking up to me with the item but please understand how lazy I am.

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

I’m tempted to say Grandus, as it signifies a very important milestone in my collecting life. So often we have these mini Holy Grails that we chase because we know it’s unlikely that we’ll get the ‘real’ item we hold in our hearts. Now I’ve got Grandus, there’s nowhere to go. Nothing to chase. I’d have a cheek to ask the universe (Toy-Fu) to track down more toys for me.

But if I have to pick one item (and it looks like I do) then it would be Universe Optimus Prime from 2003. The Yellow version of RiD 2001 Prime. This was yet another find by Nick from Toy-Fu which they gave to me at TFNation. I remembering him pulling it out of his bag and thinking “Aw man I’m so jealous” and then being immediately blown away when he said it was for me. 

Again – Toy-Fu performs miracles, folks. It was even signed by Neil Kaplan. What a day! 

It’s definitely the item that I look at most often and remember how lucky I am to have such great friends in this community.

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

I think I’m doing okay toys-wise. I’m at the stage where every new-arrival means a significant re-arranging of the existing collection. I can’t deal with that now. 

However, looking at previous interviews I noticed that David Willis has the original Kei Zama artwork from the Optimus Prime comic where Shockwave makes their grand reveal and I’m insanely jealous. Kei is one of my favourite artists and I’m lucky enough to own several pieces of original art – but that’s an incredible piece. 

Thanks so much for offering this service. Do I just send you my address? How do we organise this? Who is breaking the news to David?

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

Two things:

It can be tempting to look at certain collections and feel a pang of envy (I certainly did when I read some of the articles on this very site) or even guilt over the size of your collection, the rarity of the items within or even how you choose to display your toys. I’ve never been a glass-case collector. My display choices are a little chaotic. As you might notice, I didn’t even dust before shooting my photos. Do it your own way. Chase what interests you. Display it how you like. Revel in the imperfections. There’s no right way to do this.

Second…come to TFNation! I was going to caveat this for UK folks only but we’ve had loads of people attend from overseas. I’ve made many friendships through the show and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Not that I’m suggesting anyone’s offering that trade. Unless Willis is offering that Kei Zama artwork and then those friends are gone. 

TFNation is the best weekend of the year. The friendliest and (don’t tell the organisers I said this) well-organised event I’ve been to. It’s a comforting feeling that everyone in this massive Dealer Room or Bar is into the same thing as you. It’s the ultimate ice-breaker.

Even if the thought of making friends disgusts you (I get it), there’s no better place to find the toys you’re looking for, often at prices that beat any online service. If there’s a big-ticket item that you’re considering, I’d always advise at least holding out for TFNation just in case. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Special thanks to Gav for the words & photos! Be sure to give him a shout on YouTube, Bluesky or at www.trdq.org