Mattel - Masters Of The Universe Origins - (Wave 8 - 2022) Sun-Man

Mattel - Masters Of The Universe Origins - (Wave 8 - 2022) Sun-Man

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Sun-Man was created by Yla Eason, a mother driven to give her son a positive image. In 1985, she created Sun-Man, a Black American superhero character for her son and other children like him. Eason saw the need for more relevant Black toys for the underprivileged Black children in the toy market.

Yla Eason conceived the concept of Sun-Man after her son, Menelik Puryear, said at three years old that he couldn't be a superhero because he wasn't white. Wanting to directly address her son's skin color as a limiting factor in his perception, Yla researched and discovered that melanin darkens skin. She decided to turn this into a positive trait and allow all of Sun-Man's powers to emanate from his skin. She named him Sun-Man to signify that the sun has energy and that exposure to it can darken your skin.

While researching the influence of toys on children's self-perceptions and the meaning of toys during early childhood development, Yla met Dr. Kenneth Clark, who, along with his wife, Mamie, was famous for conducting the Black doll research that led to the Brown v. Board of Education decision to desegregate public schools. That study used dolls to reveal that segregation caused African-American children to have "a sense of inferiority with regard to their status in the community." Dr. Clark helped Yla understand the psychological importance of positive representation in toys and their ability to convey meaning in social roles. He supported her belief that Black boys needed Black superhero toys to see themselves as powerful. He added that his doll research showed that a sense of inferiority "affects a child's motivation to learn."

Eason ensured that Sun-Man's superheroism was based on good character, Black representation, genuine inclusion, and physical and emotional strength that not only filled a lack of Black toys to play with, but also toys that represented the possibilities of greatness for Black children.
In short, Eason's story is a vital part of the emotional narrative and the nostalgic appeal for consumers. Moreover, Sun-Man isn't just a Black version of a white toy. It was sculpted to represent her with an Afro-style, skin tone, facial features, design, accessories, and comic book storyline that represent a character of royal African descent. It carries a legacy of empowerment and makes a statement of historical significance, particularly for the Black community and for society at large.