CollectedCon 2026: Horror Collectibles, Creepy Toys & Killer Art in Brooklyn
By Damian Hex | More Horror
Horror is everywhere you look. It's on your screen, in magazines, and in books. But people often overlook one thing: toys and collectibles. As a kid, I collected all sorts of figurines, mostly action figures like Spider-Man and X-Men, but I also sought out anything unsettling, like monster figures. Fast forward to today, and I still hunt for weird, creepy toys. Just check out my Living Dead Dolls collection if you don’t believe me. As an adult, I attend all sorts of conventions that align with my hobbies, and CollectedCon is no exception. This year, it took place on October 17th, 2026, in Brooklyn's Industry City.
One of horror's most exciting aspects is the variety of subgenres it offers: aliens/sci-fi, kaiju, killer robots, zombies, and lab-created creatures. I promised myself I wouldn’t hurt my wallet once I entered the venue. Did I succeed? Read on to find out.
CollectedCon stands out by showcasing artists at every level, from novices to seasoned professionals. I spent about an hour strolling through the first row of artists because everything caught my attention. I needed time to take it all in. One multimedia artist who immediately grabbed my gaze was Daniel Salcedo, aka Cat Mynt. This Mexican-based artist is known for their trippy colors and cat-themed work. They debuted a cool 12-piece Halloween cat figure collection titled TRICK OR CATs. Each cat had a fittingly campy name: Frankitty, Conde Catula, Scarface Meow, Oni-Neko, Stitchy Paws, Fangy Spookitty, Regan’s Vomit, Witchy Whiskers, Lagoonie, Pink Lagoonie, and Purrmpkin. By the time I wanted to purchase something, Cat Mynt had sold out of the collection. Sad for me but happy for them.
Next, I visited MoonBat Animation, led by the talented Mariana Martins and Gregory Pierce. With backgrounds in art and technology, they create unique pieces that blend animation with physical media. If I had a lawn, I would definitely buy their outdoor Angler Fish Light, a creepy anglerfish featuring neon pink eyes and bright green scales that emits hypnotizing light from its soulless gaze. I also fell in love with their Leftover Larry Pizza magnets, which depict cursed pizza slices possessed by demons, each slice boasting an evil grin and piercing eyes. I'll never forget the pizza in my fridge again!
Next, I noticed Frenemy, a tattoo artist, muralist, illustrator, worldbuilder, and storyteller. Their art style mixes bright, trippy colors with childlike wonder and cute monsters. I was especially drawn to their Ghoul Gang puzzle box set, which featured charming ghosts, witches, jack-o'-lanterns, and swamp creatures.
With a special penchant for vampires, I was thrilled to discover Eddie P, also known as eddieinthecity Design. His booth featured a Vampire Hunting Kit toy set in a blister card, including a stake. For those unfamiliar with toy packaging, a blister card is a clear, thermoformed plastic bubble heat-sealed to a printed cardboard backing, with a hang-tab peg hole. So, if you've ever visited a toy store, you’ve likely seen this type of packaging. Eddie specializes in vinyl figures and toys and is well-known for his luchadores and monster figures. He also works for pop culture company CultureFly and offers preorders for the Mortal Kombat Scorpion and Sub-Zero statues.
If you know me, my love for the color pink is no secret. Heart Bat Studio, run by an artist named Rachel, brings a girly pop twist to kaiju and creature art. Seeing Godzilla, King Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla in pastel colors opened my eyes to a whole new aesthetic I didn’t know I needed. If kaiju isn’t your thing, you might be charmed by Rachel’s Cat Bats—cat-bat hybrids that come in shades of pink, purple, and blue. She also offers enamel pins and keychains.
My final stop was Newtown HQ, a collectibles brand with a store in Astoria, Queens. Though they are known for their soft aesthetics, I appreciated their selection of horror-themed products. They were selling Halloween Kewpie dolls created by Mexican artist Miss Dirty Boots (the brand associated with Frida, a Mexican artist and designer), who masterfully blends cute and creepy styles. I felt it was destiny when I found the last Dracula Kewpie doll. I am drawn to anything vampiric. Like drawing blood. Lol
I’m grateful I attended CollectedCon, which introduced me to a diverse array of artists (more than I mentioned) and let me connect with fellow attendees who share similar interests. The turnout was impressive, with general and VIP tickets selling out online. Shout-out to Cindy Cortez, co-owner of CollectedCon and owner of Newtown HQ, for being a powerhouse behind this incredible event. I want all the horror collectibles, but this horror head bought only two pieces of art. Go me.
