Trick r' Treat and the Sam phenomenon

We'll admit it, we're suckers for Halloween, and there are always a slew of great flicks to throw on in the days leading up to one of the years most fun and creative holidays. No film is more perfect to get you in the mood for Halloween than Michael Dougherty's now cult status film Trick r' Treat.

Aside from it being entertaining as all get out, the film's recurring character Sam (a cute little bag-headed Halloween protector of sorts) steals the show. And now Sam has been merchandised to the thrill of fans of the film and collectors at large.
As we keep our engine's revving for Halloween, let's check out these Sam collectibles.

Sam action figure by NECA (2008)

Sam figure by NECA

This ultra-detailed Sam figure by the toy masters at NECA is now very hard-to-find and will cost you a good $200 on eBay for one in the package. Nice, considering it cost less than $20 when it was released.

Sam ReAction figure by Funko/Super 7 (2014)

Sam ReAction figure by Funko/Super 7

The ReAction figure line by Funko is one of our favorite lines by one of our favorite companies. The better news is the figures are still affordable. You can still pick up Sam for around $15.

Sam Pop! vinyl by Funko (2014)

Sam Pop! vinyl by Funko

This vaulted Pop! vinyl is now a hot commodity and will run you a good $40 or more on eBay or at a toy show.

Trick r' Treat screen print by Mondo/Drew Millward (2010)

Trick r' Treat screen print by Mondo/Drew Millward

One of the hottest poster artists today is Drew Millward, who has done awesome work for Phish and a slew of others. He created this fantastic Sam-centric Trick r' Treat print for Mondo back in 2010, and it was super-limited to just 120 numbered prints. This print is so rare it virtually never shows up on eBay, so expect to pay a good $500 or more if you're ever able to track one down.

Sam vinyl figure by Sideshow Collectibles (2008)

Sam vinyl figure by Sideshow Collectibles

Sideshow released this 15" vinyl figure of Sam a while back and it's rare these days. Limited to just 5000 pieces, a Sam by Sideshow will cost you $500 or higher on eBay.

Marvel's pumpkin head

Most pop culture fans know "Pumpkinhead" as the creepy horror character that first appeared in the 1989 slasher flick of the same name. But Marvel Comics has its own pumpkin head in the form of the villain Jack O'Lantern.

Jack O'Lantern is a quintessential Halloween/horror character who has appeared in numerous Marvel comics. And while the character isn't especially well known, there are a few terrific Jack O'Lantern collectibles worth owning, especially as Halloween draws near. Let's take a look at a few.

Machine Man #19, Marvel Comics (1979)

Machine Man #19 by Marvel Comics

Jack makes his first appearance in this uncommon issue of Machine Man. You should be able to find the comic for $25 or less, depending on grade.

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #56, Marvel Comics (1981)

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #56 by Marvel Comics

This issue of Spectacular Spider-Man features Jack's first run-in with Spidey. Track a copy down for less than $15, depending on grade.

Captain America #396, Marvel Comics (1992)

Captain America #396 by Marvel Comics

The second man to don the Jack O'Lantern identity, Steven Mark Levins, first appeared in this issue of Captain America from the early '90s. The issue is easy to find and inexpensive at less than $5.

Jack O'Lantern Marvel Legends figure, Hasbro

Jack O'Lantern Marvel Legends figure by Hasbro

This 6" Marvel Legends figure was part of the Absorbing Man build-a-figure line and goes for about $20 on the secondary market.

Get your spook on, folks. Halloween is creeping up....

The Living Vampire

As Halloween looms this month we're going to get into some fun characters that are sure to spook and startle; beginning with Dr. Michael Morbius, the man who would better be known as Morbius, the Living Vampire.

Morbius caused problems for Spider-Man before becoming the anti-hero he is today. Turns out it's hard not to root for a "good" vampire.
Here are some of our favorite frightful Morbius collectibles.

The Amazing Spider-Man #101 by Marvel Comics (1971)

The Amazing Spider-Man #101 by Marvel Comics

Morbius' first appearance is a great one, with a killer cover by Gil Kane and smack dab in the middle of a great Spider-Man run. It will run you about $100 on eBay for one in decent shape.

Adventure Into Fear #20 by Marvel Comics (1974)

Adventure Into Fear #20 by Marvel Comics

The issue after Howard the Duck first appeared features Morbius in solo action, and will run you about $45 on eBay or at a con, depending on grade.

Marvel Legends Infinite Series Morbius figure by Hasbro (2016)

Marvel legends Infinite Series Morbius figure by Hasbro

This great figure from the Spidey group of the Marvel Legends line goes for about $25 at a toy show or online.

Morbius Exclusive Pop! Vinyl by Funko (2015) 

Morbius Pop! Vinyl Exclusive by Funko

This exclusive Morbius Pop! came as two versions, one regular and one zombie, as part of a loot crate subscription last October. You can find him on eBay for around $20 but he's rising in value.

Morbius mini bust by Bowen Designs (2004)

Morbius mini bust by Bowen Designs

BD did this great Morbius mini-bust back in 2004, sculpted by Randy himself. Fits right in with a nice Spidey display, and will run you about $50 on eBay.

A Knight in Harlem

If you haven't watched Luke Cage on Netflix yet ... well, we feel sorry for you. The Marvel series based on the character with bulletproof skin is another spectacular entry into the Netflix Marvel U that also includes Daredevil, Jessica Jones and the upcoming Iron Fist. And one of the great scene-stealers in Luke Cage is actress Simone Missick as Misty Knight.

Misty Knight is a no-nonsense detective whose comic origins were in the pages of Marvel Premiere, just like Iron Fist. Knight and Danny Rand (Iron Fist) would go on to have a long-lasting romance, and we expect something similar will happen on the screen as the Iron Fist series debuts next year. In honor of Missick's knockout performance as Misty, let's take a look at some great Knight collectibles.

Marvel Premiere #20, Marvel Comics (1975)

Marvel Premiere #20 by Marvel Comics

Misty makes her first appearance here, just five issues after Iron Fist debuted in the pages of Marvel Premiere #15. Misty's first appearance will run you about $30-$50, depending on grade.

Bizarre Adventures #25, Marvel Comics (1981)

Bizarre Adventures #25 by Marvel Comics

This somewhat obscure Marvel Magazine features an early story about Misty and her crime-fighting partner, Colleen Wing. The duo, dubbed Daughters of the Dragon, are likely to reunite on Netflix as Wing is set to appear in the Iron Fist series. The magazine goes for about $15-$30, depending on grade.

Fearless Defenders #1, Marvel Comics (2013)

Fearless Defenders #1 by Marvel Comics

Misty battles alongside Valkyrie in the first issue of the Fearless Defenders series by writer Cullen Bunn and artist Will Sliney (cover art by Mark Brooks). The issue should run you less than $5, depending on grade.

Misty Knight Marvel Legends figure, Hasbro (2015)

Misty Knight Marvel Legends figure by Hasbro

This 6" Misty Knight Infinite Series Heroes for Hire figure was part of the Rhino build-a-figure group released in 2015. The figure will cost you about $15 on the secondary market or at a toy show.

Breaking the first rule...

One of the most ground-breaking works of fiction in recent memory came at the hands of one of the most innovative authors in recent memory. We're talking about Fight Club and Chuck Palahniuk here folks - Chuck has gone on since Fight Club to write a slew of edgy novels and continues at an impressive pace. And Fight Club? It went on to become a key cult classic film thanks to the talents of David Fincher and a great cast.

Fight Club's status as a cult powerhouse just keeps getting more solid as time goes on, and we've seen collectibles and a Fight Club 2 comic series thanks to Palahniuk and Dark Horse Comics as a result. Let's look at some key FC pieces you could add to your collection (without breaking any rules)...

Fight Club Screen Print by Ken Taylor/Mondo (2014)

Fight Club screen print by Ken Taylor/Mondo

Fight Club (variant) screen print by Ken Taylor/Mondo

There have been a few limited Fight Club screen prints released, these two our are favorites thanks to the un comparable Ken Taylor. The red variant was limited to 175 and the green regular was limited to 400. They go for around $150-$200 on eBay.

Fight Club ReAction figures by Funko/Super 7 (2015)

Fight Club ReAction figures by Funko/Super 7

Funko and Super7's ReAction figures are great fun for nostalgic collectors, and if you're so inclined you can pick up The Narrator, Marla Singer, Tyler Durden shirtless and Tyler Durden for around $10 each at some toy stores, Amazon or eBay.

Tyler Durden resin figure by Ian Chappell (2016)

Tyler Durden resin figure by whereschappell

Tyler Durden (variant) resin figure by whereschappell

Ian Chappell, also known as Wheres Chappell (crackedhatchet), makes awesome resin figures limited in number based on comic and pop culture characters. He did two versions of Tyler Durden, both of which are sold out, and unfortunately rarely show up on eBay. If you find one, grab it - we expect his work to be more sought after as time goes on.

Fight Club First Edition by Chuck Palahniuk/WW Norton (1996)

Fight Club First Edition

The first printing, first edition of Fight Club is a true investment and great collector's item for any Palahniuk or Fight Club fan. eBay sometimes has them, just make sure it has the full number line that starts with a 1 for the first printing, and be ready to shell out a good $200 or more.

V is for Venom

We've written about Spider-Man a bit on this blog before, including his impressive rogues gallery. One of Spidey's most iconic and lethal adversaries is Venom, the symbiote-cloaked baddie with a mouthful of fangs and one seriously grotesque tongue.

Venom has become something of an antihero since his first appearance in 1988. And the character has become very popular, as his many comic appearances and related merchandise would indicate. Let's take closer look at some vicious Venom collectibles.

Amazing Spider-Man #300, Marvel Comics (1988)

Amazing Spider-Man #300 by Marvel Comics

Venom's first appearance was in the pages of this classic issue of Amazing Spider-Man drawn by Todd McFarlane. The symbiote that makes up part of what Venom is first appeared in Secret Wars #8 (1984), but Spidey #300 was where it all came together. The comic will run you upwards of $250, depending on grade.

Amazing Spider-Man #316, Marvel Comics (1989)

Amazing Spider-Man #316 by Marvel Comics

A nice compendium to Amazing Spider-Man #300 is #316, which is also drawn by McFarlane and features Venom's first full-blown cover appearance. Goes for about $30-$40, depending on grade.

Venom Pop! Vinyl Walgreens Exclusive, Funko

Venom Pop! Vinyl by Funko

Funko produced this Pop! Vinyl of Venom as a Walgreens Exclusive, and the figure has gotten hot in a hurry. You can find one on the secondary market for about $25-$45.

Venom statue, Bowen Designs (2006)

Venom statue by Bowen Designs

This museum-style statue of Venom was produced by Bowen Designs in 2006. Sculpted by Ryan Trificana, the piece is limited to just 2,000. If you want to add this statue to your collection, it'll cost you -- it goes for about $400-$500 on the secondary market.

Spoon!

We often post here on CollecTwins on some of our favorite not so mainstream characters, like Bone and Mage, and our list is long - today we're going to touch lightly on a character we're sure to come back to at some point for a second post... The Tick!

Amazon just announced they will be launching a season of The Tick in 2017 after a successful pilot (if you haven't seen the pilot yet give it a watch for a good laugh). And since The Tick has now seen two live-action incarnations as well as a successful cartoon, he is clearly into the mainstream to stay.
We could have gone old west again (how great was that Westworld premiere on HBO??), but we'll save that for a later date. For now, it's Spoon time!

New England Comics Newsletter #14 (1986)

New England Comics Newsletter #14 by New England Comics

The Tick first appeared in this ultra-rare issue put out by New England Comics in 1986, thanks to the mind of Ben Edlund. It was a small intro, but had the impact to lead to a series. When one shows up on eBay (rarely) it goes for about $400.

The Tick #1 by New England Comics (1988)

The Tick #1 by New England Comics

Many people consider this to be The Tick's first appearance due to the small run of NEC Newsletter 14. A key issue and the big introduction of the big blue wonder. You can pick one up usually for less than $50 on eBay.

The Tick statue by Electric Tiki/Sideshow Collectibles (2008)

The Tick statue by Electric Tiki/Sideshow Collectibles

This incredible Tick statue came as part of Electric Tiki's classic heroes line. There was a Sideshow exclusive version that came with a pair of 3D viewers. Doesn't show up often on eBay these days, and when it does the regular version goes for around $200. The exclusive can fetch closer to $300 though.

More Tick when the series hits! For now check out the pilot on Amazon and you can always watch the old cartoon or Fox live-action show to get more familiar with The Tick.