Since clinching the title in 2012, the world’s largest collection of X-Men memorabilia has seen a significant expansion under the curatorship of 53-year-old Eric Jaskolka from the USA. What began as a passion project has grown to encompass over 25,000 items, a staggering increase of approximately 10,000 since its official tally 12 years ago.
Eric’s journey into the world of X-Men commenced in 1989, sparked by his Sunday school teacher who owned a comic book shop. Over the years, his collection evolved to include toys, figurines, and an eclectic array of X-Men merchandise ranging from lunchboxes and wristwatches to school supplies and bedding.
Among Eric’s prized possessions are the complete set of the original X-Men comic book series, including issues #1–7, and rare finds like an unreleased Wolverine figure from 2006 and a scarce Psylocke figure rumored to be one of only 12 in existence. Despite his penchant for vintage memorabilia, Eric admits that the majority of his recent acquisitions are newer items, including every new comic release, averaging about five per week.
With a career as an IT project manager, Eric estimates he’s invested “enough to purchase a really nice home” into his collection, with the crown jewel being X-Men #1 from 1963. His dedication has taken him to conventions where he’s acquired treasures like an original sketch signed by the producer, voice cast, and writers of X-Men: The Animated Series, as well as a memorable encounter with the late Stan Lee at Wizard World Des Moines Comic Con in 2016.
Eric’s collection, showcased across two rooms in his house, extends beyond display space, with hundreds more items carefully stored away. Fortunately, his wife and three adult children share his enthusiasm, with two of them starting their own collections, albeit of ducks and LEGO.
Beyond his favorite mutant, Wolverine, Eric holds a soft spot for Storm and Magneto, drawn to the former’s strength and compassion and the latter’s commitment to his people. Reflecting on the themes of the comics, Eric expresses a kinship with Magneto’s stance on mutant rights, acknowledging the complexities of coexistence between mutants and humans.
As he looks towards retirement in a decade, Eric plans to continue collecting, though he concedes that it may become challenging as he grows older. Nevertheless, his passion for X-Men remains undiminished, fueled by the hope for a healing power akin to that of the mutants he admires, ensuring his love for the comics endures for years to come.
