IN THE world of pop culture there are fans and superfans - and then there's this guy. Think your comic book collection is impressive? Your stash of figurines awesome? Your trading cards cool? Think again. Eric Jaskolka has the collection to end all collections, a veritable treasure trove of memorabilia to marvel over.
The 53-year-old from Iowa City in the US is an X-Men fanatic and a proud owner of more than 25 000 collectables from the popular superhero franchise which, he says, is probably worth enough "to buy a really nice, large home".
Everything from new and vintage comic books to toys, trading cards, video games, Halloween costumes, statues, jewellery, and much more is displayed in two rooms in his house.
His collection even earned him a spot in the Guinness World Records for owning the world's largest X-Men collection.
"It feels great, an excellent badge of honour," he tells YOU in an interview from his home.
But the cherry on top is that his record was featured on the same spread in the famous book as Stan Lee, X-Men creator and longtime Marvel editor, who holds the record for being the most prolific creator of comic book characters.
Eric met Stan in 2016, two years before he died, and being in the same book means a lot to him. "Now we're connected for life," he says. "It was really awesome to meet him. He was a larger-than-life person who helped bring life to so many characters that had an impact on my life." Stan and legendary artist Jack Kirby created the team of superheroes for Marvel Comics in 1963.
Denne historien er fra 13 June 2024-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra 13 June 2024-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY
Lynn and Kairo Forbes invite us into their home as they prepare for their second Christmas without AKA
DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY
Expensive wine was his weakness but these days the legendary Hollywood actor is all about clean living
WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD
It was a dream come true for Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse when they ran out together for the Boks – but it was bittersweet too
HIP-HOPPING ALONG!
Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo, is about to become an even bigger star thanks to a catchy new song released in her honour
IAM NO DIFFERENT
Despite being born without legs, Kanya Sesser truimphs at anything she sets her mind to
OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD
Bizarre and beautiful spots exist off the well-worn tourist paths that criss-cross our precious planet
GOD'S INFLUENCER
After Carlo Acutis died at age 15, he was credited with performing miracles. Now the Italian is about to be canonised as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. But what did the seemingly ordinary teenager do that was so special?
RUCK ON!
Rucking walking with a weighted rucksack - has gained popularity once again for its ability to improve your heart health, increase your strength and burn kilojoules fast
MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON
This Cape Town mom is determined to lose 50kg so she can give her boy the gift of life
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
She's been deaf since she.was a baby but now Chermelle ;s slowly startmg to hear thanks to a Cochlear Implant
