Some of the best discoveries happen when you’re completely lost
Galaxy Comics on Henderson Highway.
The Comic Shop that sucked me in like a black hole—a place that’s still there, and somehow looks even cooler today!
👇 Check them out! 👇
👇 Give them a visit next time you’re in the area! 👇
Back then, I didn’t really know much about the world of comics. My knowledge was mostly limited to the big movies—Spider-Man, Superman, Batman—and listening to friends who were already fans. But when I saw a comic shop on a street I’d never been down before, I decided to go in anyway.
What really drew me in was a huge mural on the side of the building with Pikachu on it. I thought, “maybe I can get some cheap Pokémon cards.” I’ve been a huge fan since the franchise first came out; Pokémon Yellow on the Game Boy was basically my babysitter (when I wasn’t running around with scissors, of course).
I only had about five bucks in my pocket. After browsing for a bit, I realized I couldn’t afford much and started to head for the door. But right by the cash register, sitting on the counter, I saw a bin full of something I recognized from my friend’s shelf: Heroclix! They were only a dollar each.
For a kid with almost no money, it felt like finding buried treasure. I dug through the bin and picked out three random characters I didn’t even know. The reason was pure and simple: I chose them because I thought they looked cool.
The one I remember most vividly was an Elektra figure, mainly because it was the only one that had a protective plastic guard on her sai. To me, that extra effort made her feel special, maybe even rare. I still have that exact figure on my shelf today, a constant reminder of where this all began.
The Turning Point
It wasn’t until I was 18 or 19 that a real collection began to fill my bins. I found a few local stores that sold legacy boosters and singles. I even got my girlfriend at the time into buying them.
But I collected them in secret. I didn’t tell my friends because I thought the hobby was too nerdy and something to be embarrassed about. It’s funny to think that one day I’d be broadcasting it on the internet like this, creating a website to journal my learning process of how to paint and print my own custom minis. The plan is to document the successes and, more than likely, how to fail at all of it… a lot.
Even so, I feel a passion that this might actually become the first step into a much larger journey. I guess something just clicked.
Even so, I still feel a passion that this thing might actually become the first steps into a much larger journey I take. I guess something clicked, haha.
So, Why Heroclix?
My love for Heroclix tapped into something I’ve felt my whole life: a fascination with miniature things. From LEGO sets to model trains, there’s a unique feeling that comes with it—like you’re a god playing with your own little ant farm.
Heroclix was the perfect entry point because it was an instant collection. The figures came pre-painted, so you could buy a booster pack and immediately have a tiny, colourful hero on your shelf. There was no barrier to entry—no glue, no paints, just the immediate joy of collecting characters you already knew and loved from the comics and movies.
I was hooked on the Marvel universe. The stories fascinated me, the artwork blew my mind, and the supernatural abilities did wonders for my imagination. I would arrange the figures on my shelf to mimic a comic arc I was reading, and even use them as a bookmark to save my spot.
When “Good Enough” Isn’t Anymore
As the years went by, the company behind Heroclix, WizKids, got bigger. The focus seemed to shift from quality to mass production. The paint jobs on the newer pieces just didn’t have the same charm or detail as those older, legacy figures. The plastic became more rubbery, causing things like swords and staffs to be misshapen right out of the package. The magic started to fade.
A Bridge to a Bigger World
That feeling of “this could be better” is what led me to discover other miniature games like Warhammer and Marvel: Crisis Protocol. The models were about the same size, but they came unpainted, offering a blank canvas.
For a long time, I wasn’t sure if I had the skill or the patience to put in the time. I always had an excuse. But I would see people on social media putting the most incredible, detailed paint jobs on those pieces, making them look like the miniature masterpieces I imagined in my head. My hobby was changing from just collecting to a desire to create.
And that led to the ultimate “what if”:
The 3D Printer.
The Endgame
They’ve always been on my radar, but for years they were too expensive and the technology was still developing. Now, they’re more affordable than ever, and resin printers can produce ridiculously accurate details. The idea that I could print any fictional character I can think of and paint them to the highest standard is the mega-evolution of that fifteen-year-old kid digging through a dollar bin.
Imagine taking characters from every franchise you love and making them all in the same scale, as if they exist in the same universe for one big, incredible display. Things like:
Final Fantasy
Resident Evil & Metal Gear
Game of Thrones & Avatar
Dragon Ball, One Piece, & Naruto
Gundam, Pokémon, & Ark: Survival Evolved
The possibilities are endless. You could create amazing crossover dioramas like @fossil.painting did in this short: Space Trooper vs. Xenomorph! or blend characters in a hilarious mash-up like @nostalgic_3dmodels did with The Space Marine Squirtle!. It’s the dream of ultimate creative control, and I’m incredibly excited to bring that dream to life here.
It’s the dream of ultimate creative control. I’m extremely excited to see this hobbyist’s dream come to light.
Joy of the Shelf
At the end of the day, it’s all about the joy of displaying these creations. I love the idea of building custom shelves and decorating my home with these tiny works of art that mean something to me… It’s time to take them out of the bedroom and into the world!
