This year marks the 40th anniversary of Mattel‘s Masters of the Universe (MOTU) and now kids can add a diverse range of multicultural heroes to the epic battle for Eternia.
Through a partnership and licensing arrangement with Yla Eason and Olmec Toys, Sun-Man and The Rulers of the Sun are joining MOTU across multiple toy lines this year, starting with Masters of the Universe Origins.
Sun-Man was created in 1985 by 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.” Now, Sun-Man is joined by Digitino, a Latino computer wizard, and Space Sumo, an Asian telekinetic ninja as they join forces with He-Man and the gang.
Of course, new heroes often bring new villains, and The Rulers of the Sun are no exception. The evil forces of Skeletor and Hordak expand with the addition of the evil Pig-Head, “a devious and spiteful lord who spreads fear and despair around the world.”
“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.
To celebrate the release of the first Black superhero joining He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Mattel created this “Hero Like Me” video.
The MOTU Origins version of Sun-Man is available to preorder now through most major retailers. Parents can look for The Rulers of the Sun to start hitting the action figure aisle this spring!
