The comics and collecting fields have had to adjust to different strategies over the last few weeks and for many, that includes working from home. As the Hake’s Auctions staff has been staying in touch with their consignors and bidders, they have started sharing their own collections. Hake’s Senior Cataloger Mike Bollinger, a fan of Hawkman, talked to Scoop about the character and his appreciation for comics and original art.

Scoop: Why do you collect Hawkman?
Mike Bollinger (MB): Hawkman was among the first superheroes I was introduced to, courtesy of the early ’80s The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians cartoon and of course the accompanying Kenner action figures. I distinctly remember a classmate bringing in the Hawkman figure to show and tell in first grade and loved his design. When I started collecting comics in 1991, I came across back issues and snatched up as many as I could. There’s been no looking back since.

Scoop: What type of material do you have?
MB: I have most of the comics from the Silver Age to the most recent issue of the current Hawkman series. Missing a couple ’60s issues, but have pretty much everything else. Golden Age issues are naturally the next goal, but I don’t feel I need to collect all those issues. Yet.

Scoop: What are your favorites?
MB: I love my Silver Age books, especially the issues my wife got me as gifts, like the first issue and the first appearance of the Shadow Thief in #5. She also got me an original piece of comic art by Jan Duursema from the ’90s series and I picked up an original Rags Morales piece a couple years ago. And of course that Super Powers toy that started it all.

Scoop: Which issues or artists’ work are on your want list?
MB: There’s a few issues from the Silver Age run to complete that series and I’d love to add some art by Murphy Anderson, Richard Howell, and Joe Kubert to my collection as well.

Scoop: What else do you collect?
MB: All sorts of stuff! I’m a comic collector at heart, but I also collect autographs, horror memorabilia, action figures, books, movies, movie posters, and Japanese superhero items. I’m also a huge Godzilla fan.

Scoop: How are you keeping busy during the current situation?
MB: I’ve run Hake’s Auctions’ social media pages and tried to entertain collectors with fun pop culture posts and entertainment recommendations. 

Additionally, I’ve been catching up on some reading and TV as well as cooking, which is another favorite pastime of mine.