By: Zaki Salleh
IPOH – What began as a childhood fascination with superheroes and their adventures through comic books and television shows led to a lifelong hobby of collecting action figures.
Zul Zachry James, 39, fondly known as “Zek” among his friends, never imagined that this passion would eventually turn into a full-fledged business.
Today, Zek is a vendor specializing in selling a diverse range of superhero action figures, catering not only to children but also adults who share the same enthusiasm.
Every weekend, he sets up his stall at Pasar Loken (Ipoh Memory Lane), eagerly awaiting customers to strike up business deals.
His collection includes iconic figures such as Spiderman, Star Wars characters, Batman, Dead Pool, Ninja Turtles, and many others, making it a haven for fans of all ages.
Hailing from Taman Cempaka, Zek’s love for action figures began during his school days, and over the years, he has amassed a collection of over 5,000 items.
“I’ve been passionate about action figures since childhood, but financial constraints limited my ability to own and collect the ones I adored,” Zek revealed.
“It was only after I started working and earned my income that I could seriously indulge in this hobby. Slowly, I began to amass my collection, one piece at a time.”
With an ever-growing collection, Zek decided to sell some of the surplus figures, which inadvertently sparked his interest in becoming a full-time entrepreneur.
In addition to his physical stall at Pasar Loken, Zek also conducts online business operations.
He emphasized that the majority of the figures he sells are authentic collectables, including vintage pieces, which are particularly sought after by enthusiasts.
“The toys sold here range from RM3 to RM200, depending on the buyer’s preferences. For instance, a father might seek an affordable figure for his child.
“If it’s a special sales event, there are figures sold for up to RM800. These are usually bought by die-hard fans,” he said.
