Chicago comes together to make a 9-year-old's superhero dreams come true

Christian Clark.
(Image credit: Screenshot/You Tube/CBS News)

Like every superhero, Christian Clark has two identities — sometimes he's a 9-year-old third grader, and then in an instant, he's transformed into Super Black.

Last week, the Chicago resident put on his mask and cape and saved the day, with the help of Make a Wish Illinois. Clark was born with a life-threatening congenital heart problem, and has had to undergo several open heart surgeries. His wish was to be a superhero for the day, and the city delivered; the Chicago Police Department drove him in a motorcade to different places around town, where he defeated such villains as Bane and Mr. Freeze. People watched the young crimefighter from apartment buildings, restaurants, and rooftops, and cheered him on. It was a special moment, Clark's mother said, because "some nights, I didn't think he would make it this far, and that's why it's so important," she told CBS Chicago. Catherine Garcia

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.