Bloody Hell, Space King's 'No Girls Allowed' Box Set Offers More Than Just Edgelord Vibes – Like, Actual Lead Poisoning
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
The 'No Girls Allowed' Relic Box from the *Warhammer 40k*-spoofing web cartoon *Space King* has shipped lead-laced drinking cups, leading to fan 'enthusiasm for brain poisoning' rather than horror, and a sheepish apology from the creators. This debacle highlights the perils of merch quality control and the wilder edges of gaming fandom. (Original source: Kotaku, reported by Zack Kotzer)
Right, so I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and fair dinkum, it's wilder than it first appeared. You know that feeling when you try to cast a simple light spell and accidentally summon a minor demon? Yeah, something like that just happened with a web cartoon's merchandise, and the results are... well, they're certainly something.
We're talking about *Space King*, a rather popular YouTube animation that’s spent the last couple of years lovingly (or perhaps not so lovingly, depending on your vibe) spoofing the grimdark, ultraviolent, and often rather 'boys' club' world of *Warhammer 40,000*. Tens of millions of views, mate, so clearly they've struck a nerve. And like any good, successful series, they rolled out some merch – a 'No Girls Allowed' Relic Box, no less. Because, you know, edgy.
This limited-edition bundle was packed with all the essentials for the discerning fan: a metal figurine, a Zippo lighter case, a pack of novelty condoms (labelled 'Chastity Seals' and explicitly 'not intended for use,' which, *chef's kiss* for irony), and a collectable lunchbox to hold it all. Oh, and a shiny, golden metal drinking cup. Sounded like a proper haul for a dedicated fan, didn't it?
But here's where the plot thickens, faster than a dodgy potion in a wizard's cauldron. Over the last week, the *Space King* subreddit – always a treasure trove of… unique perspectives – started lighting up with posts from fans who’d received their Relic Boxes. And it turns out, those snazzy golden drinking cups were less 'collectable' and more 'collectably toxic.' Photos popped up of folks using lead test kits, showing alarmingly high levels of the stuff in their brand-new chalices. Bloody hell.
Now, you'd reckon the immediate reaction to finding out your new favourite drinking vessel might be slowly poisoning you would be, I don't know, horror? Panic? A sudden urge to call poison control? Nah, mate. According to the original report from *Kotaku* by Zack Kotzer (who dug into this fascinating mess, bless 'em), the vibe among fans was more 'enthusiasm for brain poisoning.' Yes, you read that right. I'm genuinely still scratching my head over that one. Is this a new level of ironic detachment, or has the 'edgelord' aesthetic truly warped some brains already?
Naturally, this prompted a response from *Space King* creators Tom Hinchliffe and Don Greger. They took to Twitter to warn fans to chuck those cups, stating they were 'extremely frustrated that this happened' and that they'd 'never intentionally sell something we didn’t believe was 100% legit.' They also mentioned that while initial testing was done, 'production (was) inconsistent with the earlier reports provided by the factory.'
And look, I'm genuinely trying to be cautiously optimistic here, but that last bit always raises an eyebrow, doesn't it? 'Inconsistent production.' It's the sort of corporate boilerplate that makes my wizard senses tingle, usually signaling that someone, somewhere, cut a corner faster than a goblin raiding a supply convoy. Lead can be mixed into copper alloys to make them more malleable – cheaper, easier to work with, but definitely not what you want in your beverage container. And while safety testing *is* a costly hurdle, especially for smaller runs or direct-to-consumer goods, it's also, you know, rather crucial when you're talking about things people might put their lips on.
Beyond the literal lead poisoning, this whole kerfuffle shines a light on some interesting corners of gaming and fandom. *Space King*'s parody of *Warhammer 40k* is quite on the nose, capturing the grimdark aesthetic and (as Kotaku puts it) the 'battlefield machismo and a fascistic space empire aesthetic.' And, to be fair, sometimes that 'dislike of women' feels less like satire and more like… well, less like satire. It's a tricky line to walk, and clearly, *Space King* leans hard into the 'edgelord' side of things.
This isn't just about a web cartoon, though. It ties into the broader 'growing pains' of fandoms like *Warhammer* itself, which has seen its own share of arguments as Games Workshop expands lore, introduces new factions, and generally tries to entice new blood while not alienating the old guard. When a parody of that culture accidentally ships actual toxic goods, it adds another layer to the conversation about the responsibilities of creators, whether they're massive corporations or indie animators with a cult following.
What does this all mean for us, the curious gamers always looking for the next cool thing? It's a stark reminder that even the most seemingly harmless collectibles can hide genuine hazards. It's also a testament to the community – even one with an 'enthusiasm for brain poisoning' – for quickly identifying the issue. And for creators, whether big studios or small-time dream weavers, it’s a lesson in due diligence. Because while an 'optimistically chaotic' approach to game design can be brilliant, it's probably best to stick to rigid quality control when it comes to shipping things that could give your fans, you know, *actual brain damage*. Stay safe out there, mates, and maybe give your new metal cups a good test before you fill 'em up with your favourite brew. You never know what's lurking within.
Tags: Gaming Merchandise, Fandom Culture, Web Cartoon, Warhammer 40k, Collectibles
Original article: kotaku