Honestly I do not go in to any of them they sell nothing in my opinion

Your thoughts on a totally separate aisle/section for the mature figures/toys are totally spot on. A clear divide between "our stuff" and the "kid stuff" may help to minimize a chance of similar outcry occurring in the future. I think a rating system could help but it may not be totally feasible or cost effective. All of the larger manufacturers would have to agree on how to classify the different ratings across TV, Film, and Videogames.

The "celebration" of a character like Walter White is an interesting dilemma. I would argue that it's not the drug use or production that most fans enjoy about the character, but rather the moral ambiguity. I'm sure there is a portion of the fan base drawn to the criminal aspect of the character, which I hope would be as the mastermind rather than the meth cook. The "outlaw" archetype has always been popular both in fiction and in real life (i.e. bank robbers and bootleggers) and Walter White strikes me as a modern take on that. I grew up watching all sorts of action/crime/violent movies and shows and turned out okay (I think), but ultimately I have no idea if there is a set way in which to glorify a bad character while not glorifying bad actions.

Remember when adult movies like Terminator, Predator, Aliens, Robocop, and Rambo had toylines specifically geared towards kids? I may have been too young to hear about it but were people bitching back then? I know I wasn't because I was too busy playing with all of them. I LOVED my Predator and Alien toys.

Overall I agree entirely. Though nearly all the stories do have merit as talking points for deeper society issues(except for maybe sabertooth's sexual assaults), I think Identity Crisis from DC is one of those rare comic mini-events that the tastelessness outweighs the artistic expression. But then this discussion starts going more about comics and less about toys to debate that one. It is definitely one of the most tasteless and darkest things DC has done when you put it in perspective of where all that character is presented.

There's a bit of a difference with those though.
Predator for example, was an alien hunter and in most of his appearances had a form of honor to his displays. In predator 2, he spared a pregnant woman. And there are other instances where it highlights more of an awareness to his actions with a code. Even so, he is also an alien hunter, and alien creatures have a slight sidestep to many of the same complications other licensing does.

Rambo was a hero. Yes it was a war scenario, as is GI Joe, but for the most part it was a story of a veteran and his dealing with those issues as well as being pulled back into the fight.

Terminator is about machines. There are no drug connotations or sexual crimes to be considered. The non-human aspects to them side steps many of the issues.

The Alien franchise Xenomorphs are animalistic and instinctual mostly, but also display other cognitive aspects. Alien creatures though also have a slight pass in rating acceptance because of outlandishness.

Robocop originally was R-rated too, and it does carry some sub-themes of drug usage but only in the villains(Robocop 2).

Most of these were also brightly colored, did not entail gore(except for an alien figure that had an exploding feature but things are also more relaxed when it comes to alien creatures as bad guys), and many of which also had their own cartoons. At least Rambo and Robocop did.

Beetlejuice also had his own toyline, movie based. Entailed gore. Has questionable subtext. But his apparition status of being a ghost side steps many of the ratings issues that'd be considered.

There was a thin line to what was offered in the 80s about where they tread, but they danced carefully over certain aspects. The collector focused figures of Dexter and Breaking Bad do not share those same connotations and do not compare. They do not share the same reasoning at all. In many instances they completely overstep those same cautions put in place for the kid oriented 80s lines, but they were also never aimed at children whereas the 80s ones were.

This is a very complicated area to dive into per each property and is not best served by a broad sweeping statements pertaining to them as a whole.

From a modern stand point. GI Joe: ROC could actually be an issue. If you really analyze the details of Baroness' interactions with Destro and take into account she was controlled against her will in an induced state by her brother and his machinations, there is a layer of sexual crimes that can be argued about Destro towards her entirely that could be considered rape.

Let's not forget that one of the hottest series of toys on the market today TMNT, which, in celebration of their 30th anniversary, released versions of their figures celebrating their classic Mirage comic appearances. Bear in mind that those comic version of the turtles were far from lovable reptiles we know today, but where in fact a bunch of jerks who smoked, drank, swore, and were not afraid to kill. They were essentially hit men who were trained not necessarily to fight crime, but to kill the Shredder and his followers in a plot of revenge from their rat master.

Other characters who have been in less than favorable situations that would make the average parent cringe if they knew more...
-Venom (Attempted rape/ Eddie Brock / "The Madness")
-Harry Osborn (drug addict)
-Black Cat (raped)
-Marvel's poster boy the last ten years, Iron Man (alcoholic).

Let's not forget the character that Marvel is banking big on next year...Ant Man (alcoholic, domestic violence)

And just curious...Didn't one of Batman's most idolized rogues, The Joker, also rape Barbara Gordon? It's been a while since I've read "The Killing Joke", but I've always interpreted it that it was an act he carried out after shooting her, given the nature of his taunts to Commissioner Gordon. The fact that I wouldn't put it beyond Frank Miller for him to actually intend for the character to do such a despicable thing also rings out in my mind.

@Greg

The idea of an isle was not mine. I was just piggybacking on the suggestions of others, but I do think it could work. The isle would have to be set away from other kid-centric lines to avoid wandering into the section. There was an earlier suggestion of an enclosed glass casing for figures similar to what TRU does for video games and peripherals. I wouldn’t go that far because collectors like to pick these items up and inspect them closely for QC issues. However, a “mature isle” along the back wall with the video game section separating it from the rest of the store might be a solution.

I agree with your assessment that some of the appeal for Breaking Bad is its presentation of moral conundrums. We can appreciate the narrative as adults. Children cannot do the same because they lack experience, understanding, perspective, and maturity. There might be some children with life experiences that allow them to understand the rudimentary themes surrounding the drug trade (making, taking, and selling drugs) and the violence involved, but few would appreciate the humanistic or moral plays that require adult sensibilities. I think that Breaking Bad could be used as a great cautionary tale for teens; teaching young adults that you are never really in control of things when it regards the drug trade due to the moving parts and variables. However, there are no anecdotal lessons for children to be found in Breaking Bad and collecting toys of the show would just serve to glorify the lifestyle.

@Snowflakian

I accept your opinion of Identity Crisis as tasteless given the subject matter and that continued debate of its merits changes this conversation. However, I’d like to extend a thought to you in defense of the story. History has taught its observers that both villains and heroes are capable of monstrous acts. With that in mind, why not portray superheroes and super-villains as being just as capable of monstrosities? This is just a rhetorical question with no right or wrong answer.

@ snake5289

I seem to remember protests of Rambo and the FCC (in conjunction with FTC regulations) determining that cartoons could not be used as commercials for toys. My memory is fuzzy, but I think there is some kind of stipulation that a cartoon must exist first before merchandising is sold (with the opposite measure being prohibited). I could be wrong. I was a pre-teen at the time and the ol’ memory she fades as you become old!:p A cursory google search turned up this documented protest from the 80”s: CONTROVERSY ABOUT TOYS, TV VIOLENCE - NYTimes.com

If the scuttlebutt made it to the times, there had to be some national presence to the issue and story…Not to sound too regionally fixated, but the “NY Times” (like the LA Times, Washington Post, etc.) had a nationwide profile back then before the inter-tubes…print is all but dead now.

TRU already stated in a letter to madam von bitchy-pants that the Breaking Bad figures were clearly marked "adult collector" and in the adult collector isle, therefore she can screw off (they worded it more politely). My suspicion is that there lawyers foresaw this problem miles out and already had there asses covered. I would not worry about this becoming a problem, there is always some thin skinned ass hole that takes offense to everything, let the perpetual victim mentality of the weak minded morons be there own and ignore them. last time I checked we live in a free society, they can have there stupid opinions... as long as it don't affect me I really don't give a damn what they're winning about, frankly it seems like a waste of a life to me but whatever, I grew up in the 90's I'm cynical.

Bryan Cranston got wind of this and tweeted "I'm so mad, I'm burning my Florida Mom action figure in protest."

That's good.

I think it was actually Alan Moore that wrote the Killing Joke, though I have confused the two myself from time to time. :D I mean, they're both good (not perfect, as some think they are) writers, who kinda went off the deep end in later years. But, getting back to the Breaking bad toys, I don't really see a problem with the figures, 'cause most kids who have never heard of the show before would probably rather have a Wolverine or Batman or Red ranger than a bald guy in a windbreaker jacket and purple button-up. Plus, anyone who's old enough to have seen the show is probably not sitting on the floor with this figure, pretending his GI Joes are shooting up, or that his Optimus Prime and Grimlock are slicing peoples throats with boxcutters. It'd just stand on his shelf or desk, look cool, and that's that. And if any adults buy this figure, open it up and find a little blue bag that's supposed to look like meth and decide "Hey, this figure has inspired me to try drugs!" then we'd have bigger problems than objectionable toys.

I have little kids and I don't have a problem seeing this stuff at TRU. If a little kid is watching a show like breaking bad that's more of a problem with the parents. I watch HBO shoes like boardwalk and GOT, but I have to turn it off when my kids are around. Every once in a while they burst into the room at the worst time and see a violent scene before I can turn it off, but even at a small age they can tell the difference between fantasy and reality. If they can't tell the difference they shouldn't watch it or they are gonna wind up in a mental asylum.

You're doing a good job. I saw a decent amount of violence on movies as a kid when my folks would be a second late to turn it off or change channels or whatever, but my dad instilled the difference in my brain between fictional and real world problems (by talking and stuff). I'd say at worst it gave me a cynical sense of humor, that's not really a bad thing though.

Apparently the mom won and Toys R Us is removing Breaking Bad merchandise from their shelves and online store. I'm sure it won't be long before someone bitches about anything else in the adult collectible area and then that'll lose out too. Feckin' people who can't take responsibility for themselves and look out for their own kids' well being so they play the blame game.

What do you expect from parents these days? They are lazy sacks of **** who think everyone but them is responsible for their kids be it teachers, TV, and stores. Hell, when I worked at Best Buy we had a woman who came in with her two kids, took them to the gaming department and told them she would be back for them in about 5-6 hours. I told my manager immediately and he told her she could not do that just as she was getting ready to walk out of the store and she said she had a job interview and got pissed off when he said he would call the police if she left the store without them.

Toys 'R' Us pulling 'Breaking Bad' dolls from stores, website | Fox News

we lost. well Pandora's box is open if anyone takes offense to Barbie's sexuality, Elmo's constant groping of our children, or the godless abomination of Lego mini-figures not having knees! I would encourage you to write TRU and demand! they quit selling toys all together as not to ever offend any overly sensitive little bitches! wile were at it the DVD of the show is sold in Target right across the isle from toys there! could some innocent child not look up from his mickey mouse toy and see walter white? And I think we can all agree that will set him on a course of drug use and distribution that will ultimately lead to that child's premature death!

So obviously this "soccer mom" doesn't watch tv then. As most shows on tv now have questionable family friendly episodes yet I don't hear about her boycotting that. Point being that as a parent it is our responsibility to teach our kids values and the difference from fantasy and reality. I grew up watching slasher flick(cuz I lked them) and all sorts of "questionable" fair but I was also taught the differences..think bugs bunny and wile e coyote ect...even with Beavis n butthead I didn't go around setting stuff on fire because I was taught better than that...too many people today taking the lazy way or sometimes parenting by making everyone else responsible for their kids failures in life..
the BB toys got pulled just like the dexter toys...whats next? GI joe cuz they use guns and cobra are terrorists,any marvel and DC stuff...aliens,Gods,titans and the like....funny how she didn't complain about Duck Dynasty...

I agree with the comparative point that it humanizes the heroes and villains to show monstrous acts etc. And from a literature standpoint that makes sense to a degree. I have an issue with it using rape though as a plot point in general. There's a thin line of story device, and explicit for explicit's sake, and in this instance, I personally lean on it was explicit for explicit's sake and not for any form of art form reasons. The main draw of which being the shock factor simply to shock and not to elaborate on any set point other than to shock the reader.



As for the other comments towards figures, it varies.

I would not say ban toys at all though, and especially not say ban fictional character victims. A survivor of an ordeal should not be demonized the same as a perpetrator. A perpetrator of an act is entirely different though, I would find it hard to argue if figures of such characters were hesitant to reach market and would almost agree with them being set aside as better off not made. Characters that were victims though should not be in the same category as those who commit such acts. Survivors need representation in media for the aspects of not letting the incidents control their lives and give them hope for a better tomorrow. Perpetrators of the acts don't. Glorifying them in such manners is highly problematic.

As for Ant-Man... This is why Marvel has a heavy push on Lang and O'Grady instead. Lang may have been a criminal but he also turned his life around. O'Grady may have been a slacker and perv, but he also turned his life around to become a hero. This makes them advocates for how people can change for the better and be rehabilitated to help society.

Pym on the other hand... Then we get into complicated territory. The movie focuses on Lang though, and has re-written Pym's story so the domestic violence aspect isn't there anymore.

So I'd agree possibly on Joker or Eddie Brock or whoever assaulted Black Cat not having a figure or being barred from TRU.
But Black Cat and Bat Girl, the act committed against them should not ever be a reason to ban their figures. All that does is instead glorify the blame the victim mentality by using acts committed against them as reasons to hold them down further. That's a disgusting notion to even suggest.

There should have to be no compromise, TRU is a business if what they do offends you don't shop there.
I'm frankly sick of "dialogue" of perceived slights, and overly sensitive ass holes that feel that there opinion should be law when there is not even a real issue! people need to stop trying to be activists to bullshit imagined causes, It's a free country, that means that anyone can say or sell anything (within reason)! if it offends you move to communist China where the state and popular ideas will dictate your opinion, and stop taking some imaginary moral high ground in a fight that has no business being picked. If you think the world is such a cold dark place (by the way some yuppy bitch on the west coast of Florida doesn't even know the meaning of cold and dark) and you can't control what your children are exposed to without needing to petition other weak minded fools to pass rules and laws then my suggestion to you: don't breed! go somewhere that there is no one who could like something you don't and sit there until your end, because I don't want you or your kind mucking up my world. and snowflakian, sence the beginning of time people have threatened Violence, this is not a new thing or a prevalent issue. just because the NFL and the news decide to ram it down your throat this week dose not meat it hasn't been going on forever! again get off the moral high horse! you want to bitch to someone about violence against women I suggest you go to Seria, Iraq, or Afghanistan and tell the leaders of those Islamic militant groups how you feel. I'm sure they will respond wit polite dialogue.

(In reference to violence and sexism towards women.) Actually it's been a prevalent issue for awhile(even louder so since the internet age). It's now finally getting louder public recognition is all because more people are sick of dealing with it and their concerns being ignored or being told "that's the way world is, deal with it" as if their opinion and safety doesn't matter. It's long past time this became a vocal issue and stayed that way so that people think before contributing to making it worse.

And yes violence against women in those areas is an issue, but it's also an issue in our own proverbial backyards. One does not negate the other. I did not say it was a new issue at all. It's an issue though that we should be mindful of and should be addressed. Which means raised awareness on it is needed as we're seeing in the public eye more now instead of ignoring it.

Yes, those of us in free countries should also support and promote that freedom, but that freedom means also in speaking up to protect others and not turning a blind eye to it claiming bigger issues. One problem doesn't make the other problems disappear or that they should be ignored. It means we should all do our part to try and make it better while still enjoying what we enjoy(within reason so long as that something doesn't harm others). No one is saying make more laws. In fact, in finding a middle ground where both parties can accept as a win, is the best course of action overall to avoid louder issues of censorship. Name calling does not solve anything, and if anything further proves the point about wounded pride and juvenile collector mentalities collectors ourselves are trying to prove otherwise about.

Yes, Toys R Us should find a compromise. Collectors want to still find the merchandise they want to buy, and parents want to be able to parent. By having adult collectibles in an aisle with other kid offerings and a parent not being aware of this, it does circumvent their parenting. It is by no means out of the question to ask that there be an adult collector section where only adult collectibles are and are clearly marked as such to educate the consumer. As a business move, that's practical and smart. It keeps them selling the merchandise that their consumers want and appeases any complaints that may alienate other customers.

The reason TRU would be so quick to remove said item anyway though is because it doesn't present the bulk of their sales and probably is barely even .001% of their sales as a whole. So in this particular case, removal is more cost effective and as a business that is their choice. The bigger issue is in bowing to such demands makes it easier for the next one to do the same. So a compromise should be reached which the above criteria of adult collectibles in an adult collectible aisle where chidlren's toys aren't included(as it stands now, there are kids toys still in that aisle), isn't out of the question and is a remedy to both issues without losing that small percentage of customers.

Emotional overreactions cloud the issue. So yes level headed discussion without straw man arguments and inflammatory overgeneralized statements is what's needed. Knee jerk emotional reactions do nothing but create more issues and problems.

So... back to toys getting banned...lol

Toys (Action figures specifically) are created for what? Imaginative play. I have no idea what kid would see the BB figures and say oh I can't wait to play with those. If a kid is too young to be exposed to the BB figures they should have no idea what they are and if they do know, then they have seen the show and I say shame on the partents for poor censorship not TRU.

I too am sick of the PC garbage that is rammed down all of our throats as morally just. I love my parents very much, but I was raised by the TV much like many others, and I understood right and wrong.

I don't wish anything bad to happen to this poor excuse for a parent in florida, but what I do want to know is if thier little angel ever wanders off the "socially accepted" path what the escuse will be then. If she thinks that by getting BB figures banned from TRU that all her parenting woes are solved she is sadly mistaken.

So I'm officially boycotting TRU. They won't get another dime from me.........oh wait they never have anything for Legends or Infinite anyway. Cary on. :)

Funny story, I used to work at blockbuster and had a Mom come up to me and say "I have a 6 year old and an 8 year old and I'm looking for a kids movie, any suggestions?" This was litterally the same week that the first Harry Potter movie was realeased on DVD and I recommended it as it was the most popular kids movie at the time.

She looked at me shocked and said "I would never show them that it is filled with witchcraft and sin" at this point I had no idea what to say. As I could no longer think of anything that wouldn't be offensive to her and I said I'm sorry I don't think I can help you.

This was and still is absurd to me, but it is the same debate. I know that the real world isn't filled with wizards and what-not but it is filled with a lot of taboo things. I can't understand how being a censor nazi in any way shape or form is helpful to the kids. At a certain point they will be exposed to something you wish they weren't, but the solution is not to ban that thing it is to educate your kids.

Murders, rapists, drug dealers, abusers, even homeless people these are all real things that exist and if you don't want your kids to become them EDUCATE them!

I will not, in any way, tolerate threats on this forum. I don't care if you are joking. I've removed the comment and the direct responses to it.

I worked at a "major toy retail chain" that I'd rather not name. But I gotta agree, I've dealt with similar. Awhile back there was a cooing noise doll that happened to semi-sort of say certain phrases some parents deemed inappropriate. The claims were it said "islam is the light" "hail satan" and some other randomness that you had to really pretend you heard it say.

We had a "parent" (I use quotes because she admitted not to having kids, only having heard of the doll) come in, looked for it intentionally and asked for a manager to complain about it. Her complaints when talking to her ranged all over the spectrum. And yes, I couldn't resist talking to her to see her opinions on this and mentioned freedom of religion as an american right which she followed up with "Exactly! America is a christian nation and only jesus is the way to heaven!" Elaborating on the opposite end of what I was actually saying but claiming to agree with me. (Proving she was only hearing what she wanted to hear.)

In retail there are some complaints that are outlandish entirely and should rightfully be ignored entirely. There are loons that only look for stuff to complain about so they can feel justified in complaining. There are concerns though that can be addressed and appropriately fixed.

I did have fun with those dolls once she left though. I gladly restocked them every time they got more, and kind of conveniently lined them up and timed them to all say the same phrases at the same time when people walked down the aisle. It was a mean thing to do, but considering the 'babies' were of all creeds. I'm sure some muslim parent out there is probably happy she may have bought one if that's what she heard when it cooed. As for others, it was kind of fun seeing fellow employees jump when all the dolls would speak at once with the same phrases.(Some started getting so spooked by it, they refused to go down that aisle anymore. At that point I stopped timing them to speak the same phrases at the same time.)

(Oddly enough, that wasn't the reason I was let go from that job. I was let go because I pretty much sacrificed the job to get a newborn and her mom the exact christmas toy the mom wanted. So I have no fondness for that major retail chain that I'd rather not TRUly name. But I will still try and find a compromise in certain debates that do have merit.)

TRU has an adult collector section, and the figures themselves are clearly marked ADULT COLLECTOR If 2 signs is not enough for you I don't know what to say... learn to read? but it's easy for people like this chick in Florida to fight imaginary battles because addressing real problems in the real world is to hard. I don't understand why you think this bitch has a right to parent me, but when folks get on there moral high horse it can be hard to see the ground. She, and her kind are the emotional ones who cloud the issues with "offence" and "horror" and "concern". get over yourselves! the problem is that there is no reasoning with unreasonable people. who the hell do you think she's protecting? there is no threat! she's just a bitchy house wife who has nothing better to do wile her husband is out banging his secretary \, than circulate internet potations and brag to her yuppy bitch friends how she saved the world as they clink glasses of white Zinfandel, and there kids get high on air duster in the next room.
P.S. I'm pretty sure spousal abuse, and violence against women has been generally frowned upon in this country for quite some time. So don't act like "The all knowing internet" and the chattering no-lifes thereupon were the first to suddenly address this "epidemic".
Snow: If you believe this is the all encompassing issue of our day and suck a damn threat to society I ask you: what the fuck have you done to fix it? other than "bringing awareness" and typing a bunch of rhetoric? you volunteer at battered women's shelters? you give cash to some organization that counsels wife beaters? have you ever even nutted up to someone yelling at there wife in public? No!?! didn't think so...