Why Superheroes Are Awesome: Canadian Fans Are Campaigning For A Wolverine Statue In Fort McMurray
A group of passionate Canadians is hoping to pay immortalize the most iconic X-Men character, and they're doing it for a good reason. Read more about what Wolverine means to Fort McMurray after the jump.
Superheroes aren't just popular because they have cool costumes and can punch real hard—they can also be a source of inspiration for people in need of something uplifting.
The Canadian town of Fort MacMurray is a pretty great example of that, as fans across the province of Alberta are trying to get a statue of Wolverine built there. However, this isn't just to pay tribute to the clawed hero, who originates from northern Alberta.
You might recognize the name Fort McMurray because of the international attention the town drew last summer. In May 2016, the town was devastated by a massive wildfire known as "The Beast." The town's 80,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to the damage. Over a year and a half after the fire, Fort McMurray is rebuilding, and while it has been a difficult road so far, there's hope that the town's best days are yet to come.
Fort McMurray has been through a lot, but is managing to bounce back—so what better symbol for the town than a northern man who can heal from any wound?
The Indiegogo campaign for a bronze tribute statue was started by Edmonton, Alberta resident Sameer Singh, who was inspired by his friend Brian LaBelle's joke campaign for a Wolverine statue.
While the campaign has fallen short of its goal, the idea behind it is one of the reasons superheroes are great. Here's hoping Fort McMurray can heal as well as the town's local hero.