I've recently been fascinated by the idea of lineage in action figures and other collectibles. For example, after purchasing McFarlane Toys' 2023 Medieval Spawn last year, I immediately felt compelled to purchase and pair it with the very first Medieval Spawn in 1994. The original was part of a line that really challenged and pushed the form when it debuted, in both its detailing and packaging: The most recent shows just how the form has evolved over the three decades that followed.
It kicked off a series of similar "pairings" for me, getting something new while acquiring its original incarnation for the mantel. Does anyone else collect like this?