CHACONZONE

You may not be familiar with the name Yla Eason, an assistant professor of Professional Practice at Rutgers University. Frankly, I didn’t know who she was until I was going through some of the books I use to prep for the upcoming school year.

Eason is credited with creating Sun-Man (1985), one of the first Black superhero action figures.

The idea came to her after learning that her son believed he could never be a superhero because of the color of his skin. At the time, all of the He-Man figures he played with were white.

Sun-Man is now a part of Mattel, along with Latino and Asian characters in the Masters of the Universe Origins line, a 40 year, billion dollar franchise. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Before joining Mattel, Eason produced and sold Sun-Man through Olmec Toys, a company she founded. Sun-Man, who gets his powers from the sun, was later joined by Digitino, a latino tech expert, as well as a telekinetic Ninja and Space Sumo.

Eason was determined to ensure that Sun-Man embodied “blackness.” She was not looking to create a character that — in her words — was simply “dipped in chocolate.” She wanted him to have an afro, authentic features, and rastafarian colors. What she didn’t anticipate, however, was the exorbitant cost to make such a toy: $60,000! And that was in 1985. Moreover, she was forced to consider the marketability of a Black toy with the ability to beat up white superheroes.

Ultimately, she forged ahead. Introducing Sun-Man wherever she could: beauty salons, barber shops, churches, street vendors, and even to people who might be interested in a side-hustle.

Her determination was further bolstered after meeting Dr. Kenneth, who — along with his wife Mamie — are known for their eye-opening, doll experiments regarding race.

In time, Olmec Toys prospered. But consumer shelf space and marketing eventually became too much to bear. Eason says that the demise of the business had little to do with the product’s popularity.

When Ed Duncan, Senior Vice President of Design at Mattel, came knocking, it was divine intervention. Duncan, was not only a high-ranking executive, he knew through his own cultural experiences that Sun-Man was needed.

While I was already too old to play with He-Man figures, I ordered my own Sun-Man today.

He will arrive in the mail next week — just in time for the next heatwave.