'This is epic': COSI extends 'Marvel Universe of Super Heroes' exhibit to Labor Day

Molly Krueger’s eyes lit up the moment she arrived at the Center of Science and Industry on Wednesday afternoon.

The 3-year-old from Marysville was there with her mother, Ann-Morgan Krueger, and her brother, 9-year-old Ryan Krueger. The Krueger family made the 40-minute drive to COSI for the first time since before the pandemic began in 2020, and they were in awe of everything like it was their first time to visit.

Once inside, they found themselves in line for pictures with three volunteers from Heroes Alliance of Ohio who were dressed up in Marvel costumes.

Before getting set for the photo Jennifer Zaayer, who was dressed as the character Black Widow, turned to tell Ann-Morgan and Molly that she was going to bend down in front of them to do the infamous Black Widow pose.

After the picture was taken, Zaayer got up and Molly jumped out of her mom’s arms and did the same pose.

"When I see girls show off their muscles and show off, 'Like yes we are awesome,'" Zaayer, who has been volunteering with Heroes Alliance of Ohio for seven years, said, "it’s a reminder that we are role models so that was awesome."

COSI exhibit on Marvel super heroes extended after opening

The first day back to COSI for the Krueger family, who was there for the "Marvel Universe of Super Heroes" exhibit, started off with a bang. It did for COSI as well, because 30 minutes after opening organizers announced that the Marvel exhibit, which began in November and was set to conclude at the end of May, has been extended to Labor Day.

It was an announcement that had a lobby full of kids — and COSI President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic Bertley — excited.

"This is epic," Bertley said of the announcement.

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When the "Marvel" exhibit opened in November, the COSI staff was excited.

Marvel has become an international phenomenon. The latest movie, Dr. Strange, brought in $185 million this past weekend, its opening weekend. The longtime comic book series has not only brought fans of all ages to the movie theater, but also the science center.

That inclusion is something that Bertley said COSI strives for when it brings in exhibits.

“When you walk in you’ll see people in their 60s, 70s, little kids and everybody in between, Bertley said. “To have that kind of product and extend it through the summer, our busiest time, it’s so exciting for COSI and for Columbus.”

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A major reason COSI was able to extend the "Marvel" exhibit was because of its partnership with Worthington Industries.

Sonya Higginbotham, the vice president of corporate communications for Worthington Industries, said COSI came to them about the idea of extending the run of the exhibit. The decision to sponsor it was a no-brainer.

After being shut down for 446 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, and reopening last June, keeping such a popular exhibit going, was essential, Higginbotham said.

“It just worked out from a timing standpoint and we thought it was a really good opportunity to continue to drive attendance for COSI because it’s such a gem in the community and has been shut down for two years,” Higginbotham said.

The crowd there for Wednesday’s announcement was animated and begging for pictures with Zaayer and the other super heroes. In the lobby, as Bertley made the announcement, a crowd of children some as young as first grade, came in to roam the Marvel exhibit.

Before they could dive into a building full of costumes and storylines, they sat patiently for a scheduled experiment. After Bertley finished talking the COSI staff created smoke with liquid nitrogen and fired orange balls into the airs, sending the children into a frenzy as they tried to catch them all.

“Science is for people of all ages so we like to make sure adults and older folks learn about science through COSI, but there’s nothing more fun than the excitement of a kiddo whose light bulb goes off,” Bertley said. “When that happens we’ve done our job.”

Many of them were in awe of the life-sized Hulk to the left of the stage, or the large Captain America poster to the right of the stage. Their on-film heroes were right in front of them.

The idea of keeping an exhibit about heroes around a few months longer, especially after the pandemic, means a lot to Bertley.

“We are coming out of a pandemic and it’s been challenging. One of the cool things that helped us get out of the pandemic was celebrating the heroes, the men and women, the first responders, the nurses, doctors and people bringing food to your door,” he said. “These are all people who helped us get through the pandemic, well, Marvel celebrates the superhero in each of us. To have them here in this time it’s so amazing.”

It gives people like the Krueger family a reason to get back to COSI for the first time since the pandemic, but also allows children like Molly to see themselves in the heroes they see on screen every day.

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At a glance

COSI is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, and daily beginning Memorial Day. For tickets and more information, visit cosi.org.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: COSI extends 'Marvel Universe of Super Heroes' exhibit to Labor Day