Two days after releasing a statement that the Superman logo could not be used on a memorial sculpture for a Toronto boy, DC Entertainment has recanted, deciding the logo can be used after all.
After reviewing the initial decision, the company that owns the rights to Superman has decided the shield can be featured.
The sculpture is being built in honour of 5-year-old Jeffrey Baldwin, who died in November 2002 after being starved and neglected by his grandparents.
Todd Boyce, a resident of Ottawa who was touched by Baldwin's story, raised money online for a statue of the boy dressed as Superman and recruited Ontario artist Ruth Abernethy to design it.
Before his teenage parents lost custody of Jeffrey to his grandparents, the boy loved the super hero, father Richard Baldwin said in court at an inquest.
"He wanted to fly. He tried jumping off the chair. We had to make him stop. He dressed up (as Superman) for Halloween one year. He was so excited. I have that picture at home hanging on my wall. He was our little man of steel."
After hearing the testimony, Boyce said he wanted the sculpture to feature the Superman costume, but DC Entertainment said they wouldn't grant permission to use the logo, saying they didn't want the hero to be associated with child abuse.
On Wednesday morning, the company reconsidered its decision and a representative wrote that the Superman shield could be used in this case.
"We are honoured by the relationship that our fans have with our characters, and fully understand the magnitude of their passion," DC Entertainment said in a statement issued Wednesday morning.
