Brooklynites welcomed home a monument in honour of the fabled hometown hero, Captain America.
A 13-foot bronze statue commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Marvel Comics superhero was unveiled in Prospect Park to the welcoming applause of area fans.
The statue debuted at San Diego Comic Con last month and made the trek across the country to the character’s birthplace. It will remain at the park for two weeks before moving to Barclay’s Centre throughout the month of September.
“This is not an insignificant moment taking place on the stage of American history, revealing a statue that is a reflection of the greatness of this country,” said Brooklyn Borough president Eric L Adams.
He added: “This is a moment for all of us – particularly our old and our young together – to reflect on how far we have come and how much we love who we are, and how much we love who we are going to become as we evolve.”
For one fan, Captain America represents a feeling of hope for Brooklyn.
“He’s just a dude from Brooklyn, saved the world a lot of times,” said Peter, a 21-year-old freelancer. “It means a lot that he’s from Brooklyn. I’m from Brooklyn. He’s a big hero to a lot of people.”
But some Brooklyn residents took offence to the statue being placed in Prospect Park – which dates back to 1867.
Green activists told the New York Post that the park had been designated a commercial-free space, and the Marvel icon – a subsidiary of Disney – is the epitome of commercial.
“Are they going to put a McDonald’s here, too, and a Walmart?” Katie Maitland told the Post.
Another critic added: “It’s not like Marvel has any relation to this park.”
After the statue’s month in front of Barclay’s Centre, the statue will reside in front of a new Bed, Bath & Beyond location in the borough’s Sunset Park neighbourhood.
