An obituary made national news thanks to its fantastical claim about the cause of death of 31-year-old Stephen Merrill.
An obituary made national news thanks to its fantastical claim about the cause of death of its 31-year-old subject. According to the obit, Stephen Merrill died due to an uppercut from Batman.
In fact, when Merrill passed away suddenly Feb. 12, 2015, the cause of death was unknown. Asked by The Ledger of Lakeland, Florida, for a cause of death to publish in the obituary, family and friends weren’t sure what to say. So they hatched an idea that Merrill, an avid comic book fan and father of a 7-year-old, would have appreciated: telling the newspaper that he’d met his end at the hands of a comic book legend.
“Everyone laughed,” his sister Kimberly told ABC News. “We knew that was what Stephen would’ve wanted us to say.”
Merrill’s story has touched the hearts of fellow comic book fans far and wide. Some have even left Batman-themed condolences in Merrill’s Guest Book. We’re sharing a few of the best below as we remember this super guy.
“Batman will have to pay for his crimes.”
~ Harvey Dent, Gotham City
“Put out an APB on the Bat!”
~ Anonymous
“I’ll avenge you.”
~ The Joker
“All accidents must be answered for. May justice prevail. My sympathies.”
~ Clark Kent, Metropolis
“Sometimes The Batman strikes a good guy by mistake. Steve was one of the best!”
~ Tom Reay, Houston, Texas
“My heart felt sympathies to Stephen and his family. I’m sure it was a accident, if Batman could say anything to you all I’m sure he would agree.”
~ Bruce Wayne
“My bad.”
~ Batman
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye, all who knew Stephen in his mere, mortal form… He is using his new found super powers for the good of all mankind and will stand with us to battle and win over evil-doers.”
~ Timeless Creation Comics
“Rest In Peace, Stephen!!! Quack Quack Quack”
~ The Penguin
