The Rulers of the Sun join the Masters of the Universe | Source: Mattel

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.

Masters of the Universe Origins Sun-Man | Source: Mattel/the Toy Insider

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.

Related: Kids Can Battle for Eternia with the Masters of the Universe Origins Castle Grayskull Playset

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.”

The heroic Digitino and the villainous Pig-Man from The Rulers of the Sun | Source: Mattel/the Toy Insider

“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!

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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