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July 8, 2014: DC Denies Superman Logo Request for Murder Victim Statue
Posted by Neil Cole
DC Comics have turned down the request for the iconic Superman shield to be featured on a memorial statue honoring 5-year-old murder victim, Jeffrey Baldwin.
Baldwin passed away on November 30, 2002 after being starved to death by his grandparents, Elva Bottineau and Norman Kidman. The couple were later convicted of second-degree murder in 2006.
An Ottawa man, Todd Boyce, was so moved by the little boy's death and his love for Superman that he raised $25,000 and contracted noted Ontario sculptor Ruth Abernethy to build a bronze statue of Baldwin dressed as the Man of Steel in Greenwood Park.
"It was important for me because I really felt I wanted to capture the photograph of Jeffrey wearing his Superman costume and have it as close to that as possible," Boyce said in an interview with the Toronto Star.
However, DC allegedly refused the use of the Superman "S" logo on the statue because they were afraid it would be associated with the abuse that was inflicted upon Baldwin by his grandparents.
"Basically they didn't want to have the character of Superman associated with child abuse," stated Boyce. "To be fair to DC, I don't think they wanted to say no. I think they gave it serious thought."
The "S" shield on the sculpture, which is currently at a foundry where it will be cast in bronze, will now most likely be changed to a "J" for "Jeffrey".
The monument will feature Jeffrey standing on a bench inscribed with the signatures of some donors. It will also feature a a Hot Wheels car accompanied by a poem engraved along the top which was written by one of Jeffrey’s sisters.
The statue is expected to be completed by the end of summer followed by an official unveiling in the fall.
DC Entertainment has not commented on the memorial.
