Hello fellow DC Fans and DC Readers and welcome to another edition of “Confessions of a DC Geek”. Gotta say I am definitely pleased with how this has gone down and I’m happy to see readers, as well as the DC World team, getting involved and being interviewed by myself. My thanks go to all who have put their hands up so far and to all who read, and hopefully enjoying, the articles.

This time on “Confessions…” we have DC World reader and DC Fan, Darren Hackett. You will see from the interview that Darren is as big a fan as the rest of and still has plenty of years ahead for that fandom to grow and his collection to expand.

Anyway, my thanks go to Darren for upping his hand and volunteering to be in the firing line. If, like him, you would like to take part then please either contact me direct via email – john@dcworld.org.uk, my Twitter accounts – @DC_ComicsGeek, or via the website Twitter account – @_DCWorld and the message will get to me. I hope you do and I look forward to hearing from you.

And now…………………on with the interview.


First of all, tell me a bit about yourself – name, age (if willing), where you’re from and what you do for a living, anything else you wish to mention.

Hi my names Darren Hackett, I’m 21 with 15 years’ experience, I’m from Sheffield, Yorkshire lad, warehouse supervisor.

What, or who, helped kick-start your DC Comics fandom and when?

My dad, when I was about 4 or 5, he introduced me to the world of Batman 66, safe to say it was love at first sight, the bright colours, cartoony feel, and those legendary fight scenes, what more could a little lad want.

Who is your favourite DC Superhero? 

Ooooohh tough one, Batman, (bet you didn’t see that coming) he doesn’t need superpowers, any serums or radioactive bites, he has an outstanding brain hence the term greatest detective. Fluent in numerous martial arts and fighting styles, and hey, he’s rich.

Who is your favourite DC Villain?

The Reaper, a vigilante with killer hooks but you do feel sorry for him with his backstory and the reasons why he took up the mantle of the Reaper. He’s almost like an anti-Batman if Bruce lost his self-restraint, go read Batman year 2:- fear the reaper.

Overall, who is your favourite DC character?

Do I need to answer this really?  Has to be the Dark Knight, even in the elseworld publications he is the one hero other heroes look up to, the hero who will do whatever it takes to stop the villain and save those closest to him, check out Superman Batman Apocalypse, Batman facing Darkseid on his own is a prime example. Also the lack of superpowers, you never had to dream to be able to fly to act like him, or run faster than the speed of light to act like him or get a magic ring to bestow you with powers either. Put your hood up on your coat, wear a logo t-shirt and ‘KAPOW’ anyone can be Batman.

What is your favourite DC Movie?

The Dark Knight. Nolan put everything in the DC world into a real world base, and succeeded in every way. Bale’s version of Batman will go down as one of the best versions ever. Ledgers Joker? Well, he’s now legendary in the role and rightfully so.  The story, the ending, had my un-wavering attention from start to finish. Never wanted to ride a bike before but god if I can get a Batpod then I’ll gladly learn.

TV shows – which is your favourite DC effort?

Currently The Flash, loving Gustin’s portrayal of Barry Allen, was always wondering if they could manage to pull off crisis story lines, the meta’s, the multi-verse in the Arrowverse but guess what, they manage it splendidly, from the actors to the writers, to the amazing tech wizards behind the scenes who make the worlds believable.

Is there a DC character, maybe a lesser known one, that you would like to see enter the movie or TV Universe? If so, who?

Plastic Man, used to love the Saturday morning cartoon series, and he’s one of my favourite secondary JLA heroes, hate that term.
Love the chemistry between his comic goofball and Batman’s straight faced leader. I’d love to see it one day on the big screen.

The DC Universe has featured many, many actors on TV and in the movies, as well as animated movies/series’, so I ask you – who is your favourite actor, anyone who has made some sort of appearance within a DC creation?

I have two, first, Adam West was and always will be our Light Knight, he lived and breathed the character and as he said on the big bang theory, he didn’t need to say I’m Batman, he simply went in and people knew he was Batman. RIP.

2nd, Mr Conroy, to only use your voice to empower an audience with grit, humour, and strength only for a character like Batman takes some doing but Kevin Conroy does it with ease. The 90s BTAS has gone down as the definitive Batman story collection and rightfully so.

Comics – do you read them? And if so what is your favourite comic/graphic novel to read?

I love to read the Superman Batman generations books, parts of the elseworlds collection.
Like reading the what-if scenarios then these are great starters for you.

Now we have the necessities from you, on to the reasons that I created this feature, your DC collectables/memorabilia or whatever you wish to call them.

First up, do you collect large amounts of DC merchandise or is it just a select variety of items that appeal to you, which you like to pick up?

Yes I collect some varied collectables, small Batmobiles/pop vinyl’s/action figures

Do the items you collect relate to one specific character/movie/TV Show etc. or is it just all things DC Comics?

Yes cause you can never have too much Batman in your life

Of the items you own, do you have a most prized possession? – I’m not asking for your favourite here, but the one/s you cherish most of all. Why does it/they mean so much to you?

Easy, 2 years ago my wife gave me the best Christmas present ever my hand signed Adam West, Batman 66 pop vinyl, as a big Batman fan it is my grail, I will be buried with it.

Is there something in your collection that you would consider the strangest? If so, what made you buy it?

Not really though I saw an item on eBay, that was questionable. A jar filled with air that apparently Christian Bale had breathed in, didn’t purchase as I thought it was beyond weird, owning something like that was beyond stalker-ish, people get locked up for less, ooohh maybe I’ll end up in Arkham, hmmmm…….

Do you have something in your collection that could be described as a rare item?

Probably my signed pop is now rare due to the West’s passing unfortunately

What is the item in your collection that is a “go to” item when showing off your collection to, say, friends or family?

I take them straight to my signed pop, it’s my pride and joy.

Is there a Holy Grail for you, an item that you would love to own that may prove to be extremely difficult?

I’ve always wanted screen replica Batcowls, one from each film and TV series, yes even from BaR.
Unfortunately prices are soaring for these so at the minute funds are non-existent, well, unless my children can live off beans on toast………
Failing that I would love to own a Knightmare Batman Hot Toy, it’s an absolute beaut of a figure

Cheeky question, but most and least expensive collectible you own?

Least expensive is probably my little die-cast Bat89 Batmobile, 99p from eBay, bargain.

Most expensive, my signed Bat66 pop vinyl


And there we have it.  Another issue of “Confessions of a DC Geek”.  My thanks go to Darren for taking part, his wife for bringing him the joy that is the 66 Bat POP Vinyl signed by the legend that is Mr Adam West a quite wonderful lady) and whoever tried to sell Christian Bale’s breath on eBay.

I am sure you will all agree that Darren is certainly a DC Geek.

I hope you have all enjoyed reading and, please, if you would like to take part then please get in touch via any of the below.

Twitter @DC_ComicsGeek

Email john@dcworld.org.uk

Team Twitter @_DCWorld

I hope to hear from on some of you.  And for more of the same, take a look back at some of our other “Confessions…” segments.

Cheers, John

CONFESSIONS OF A DC GEEK WILL RETURN…