Marvel Comics Red Hulk Statue Vandalized Multiple Times Outside West Hollywood Gym
The Red Hulk statue outside of The Lab Athletic Club in West Hollywood has fallen victim to multiple acts of vandalism in recent months. The latest incident involved an unhinged skateboarder who repeatedly bashed the life-sized Marvel Comic statue, damaging its nose and mouth. This act, caught on camera and seemingly done for social media content, is just one in a series of attacks on the statue.
Owner Rocco Carlo Distefano shared with the WeHo Times that the statue has been targeted several times since its installation less than a year ago. Last month, strong Santa Ana winds caused the statue to topple over, breaking it into numerous pieces. Despite being professionally restored and reinstalled, the Red Hulk lost an arm just days before scheduled maintenance.
In previous incidents, the statue suffered puncture wounds to the chest and was headbutted by an individual. The repair costs for these acts of vandalism have now exceeded $15,000, including the work done by a professional prop fabricator who specializes in film and television.
Despite the ongoing damage, Distefano remains determined to continue displaying the statue. He is even considering adding a second figure, a Hercules statue, to the display. Additionally, he is exploring additional protective measures such as barriers to prevent further vandalism.
Distefano emphasized his commitment to restoring and preserving the statue, stating, “You can knock it down, but we’re going to put it back together.” The resilience and determination to protect the Red Hulk statue showcase the owner’s dedication to maintaining this unique piece of art in West Hollywood.
