I agree of course that safety is important. I don't want children getting sick from lead paint or my dog dying from food tainted (deliberately by Chinese factories) with melamine. But as an adult who collects this junk this is just about the worst news since Hasbro started using crappy, gummy materials on items that should be rigid and retain their shape!
I spotted TVC Cody at Walmart right when they started hitting. There was only one and because one of the first things I noticed was the stupid number stamped into his leg, I put it back hoping I could find one later that didn't have it. It didn't help that the leg was rotated slightly in the package making it appear that they went and did something inexplicable like putting in right on the FRONT on his leg. I waited to find out that everyone was finding the number stamp in the same spot before deciding to go and get the fig. Fortunately it's not right in front, but it's still damned ugly.
The black ones are much, much worse! WTF are they thinking?
The one on the back of "Rocket Firing Fett" isn't a deal-breaker for me because it's a novelty toy as far as I'm concerned. I'm just going to keep it on my desk and shoot the rocket for ***** and giggles. But I imagine some from our generation have been wanting this thing fiercely for decades, and probably find it a hell of a letdown. I would too if it were on any realistic style figure. I'm glad I don't want young Uncle Owen because that bull**** is a definite deal-breaker for me. Is it on Camie & Fixer too?
Because I was considering getting them. But not with black numbers in an conspicuous location, that's for damned sure.
This is terribly unacceptable to me. What the hell could possibly be preferable about a hideous black ink stamp on the OUTSIDE of a foot rather than a colorless stamped-in number someplace less conspicuous??? I hope this is a trend that does not continue. And thank you very much, JACKOFTRADZE, for brining it up. This **** is a real buzzkill.