Georgetown boy fights illness, in running to become a comic book hero

• Brendon Carl is a student at Mitchell Elementary.

Ten-year-old Mitchell Elementary student Brendon Carl used to be able to run, jump and play like Spider-Man. Now, his movement is limited by Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

When his mother, Sara Carl, learned about a contest hosted by the Stan Lee Foundation that would turn him into a superhero in a comic book, she saw it as an opportunity to make her son’s dreams of feeling like Superman come true while spreading awareness about Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

Brendon is now in the running for the contest, which also includes a trip to Comic Con to meet Spider-Man and a cash prize.

“Since he’s been diagnosed with this, he hasn’t been able to be a normal kid,” Ms. Carl said. The condition affects blood supply to the top of the thigh bone which causes bone cells to die.

“Like my son used to jump and do somersaults, and now he can’t do anything because of his hip. We’re waiting for the bone to grow back. I hope that [his being in the contest] will spread awareness.”

To cast a vote in the Stan Lee Foundation contest, visit thesuperkid.org/2026/brendon-3d15. 

childhood disease awareness
Legg-Calvé-Perthes
Stan Lee Foundation