The Masters of the Universe (MOTU) are welcoming a multicultural crew of powerful partners to join in the battle between good and evil.
Following last year’s introduction of the Black hero Sun-Man to the MOTU lineup via a limited offering on Mattel Creations, the MOTU 40th anniversary celebration kicks off with the introduction of Rulers of the Sun. The diverse heroes will join MOTU across multiple toy lines, including Masters of the Universe Origins and Masterverse.
Sun-Man, one of the first Black action figures, will be joined by Digitino, a Latino computer wizard, and Space Sumo, an Asian telekinetic ninja. Together they fight for justice against their nemesis, the evil Pig-Head, “a devious and spiteful lord who spreads fear and despair around the world.”
Sun-Man was created in 1985 by Yla Eason, a mother looking to create diversity in the toy department for her son. The Black hero drew his superpower from the sun, making an “organic connection between his skin color and the power of the sun.”
“This job requires one to be a bit of a toy historian, and I always knew of the existence of Sun-Man, and of the high prices that vintage examples would go for in the Masters of the Universe collecting community,” says Ed Duncan, senior vice president — action figures, games and push design, and inventor relations at Mattel. “Even knowing that, it was only a couple of years ago that I came across Yla’s story, and it really resonated with me as another black toymaker. Sun-Man was a carefully crafted toy, designed to add something valuable to Masters of the Universe play back in the 1980s — the value of diversity. That value has only increased with time. Seeing people like yourself represented as strong powerful heroes is something black children were frequently denied through the years. Characters like Sun-Man and the Rulers of the Sun are a great step in the right direction.”
Rights to Sun-Man and the Rulers of the Sun collection are owned by Eason and Olmec toys and are granted to Mattel under a partnership and licensing agreement.
“Partnering with Mattel has been an honor, bringing this full circle and making it possible for a new generation of kids around the world to see themselves represented in their toys with the powerful portrayal of Sun-Man and his friends,” Eason says.
The MOTU Origins version of Sun-Man is available to preorder now through most major retailers.
Additional details on the MOTU 40th anniversary celebration will be revealed in the weeks ahead.
