Real-life superhero

Real-life superheroes (RLSH) are people who engage in different forms of activism using the thematic device of the costumed superhero, many of them adopting pseudonyms and wearing custom-made outfits.^[1][2] They perform services that they believe benefit the community in a variety of ways, but which may be illegal.^[3] Some real-life superheroes, hand out supplies to the homeless, while others seek to combat crime through community patrols in which suspicious activity is identified and reported to the proper authorities. Many choose to directly deal with crime by vigilantism.

Contents 1 Examples 1.1 Australia 1.2 Europe 1.2.1 France 1.2.2 Czech Republic 1.2.3 Italy 1.2.4 Norway 1.2.5 United Kingdom 1.3 North America 1.3.1 Canada 1.3.2 Mexico 1.3.3 United States 1.4 South America 1.4.1 Argentina 1.4.2 Brazil 1.5 Africa 2 Groups/Organizations connected to Real Life Superheroes 2.1 Heroes Network 2.2 Master Legend Army 2.3 Unreality Lab 3 Use of copyrighted characters 4 See also 5 References

Examples

Real life super heroes wear masks or otherwise disguise themselves in order to perform vigilante actions, ranging from community services to fighting crime. The latter activity differs from community neighborhood watch schemes in that the heroes may act against the wishes of the police, endangering themselves and the public.^[4][5][6]

Some examples documented in the news media include:

Australia

• Captain Australia, featured in the MX and then the Courier Mail^[6][7] and on television's A Current Affair^[8] is based in the Queensland capital Brisbane. He wears a green suit and mask similar to The Flash with an @ symbol on his chest and a Batman styled utility belt. He also maintains his own blog, "CaptainAustralia.net".^[9] Police have expressed their preference that Captain Australia not intervene in incidents any more.^[6]

Europe

France

• Captain Ozone, featured in the French edition of Max magazine,^[10] and Koikispass magazine,^[11] as well as the German edition of FHM magazine.^[12]

Czech Republic

• Super Vaclav purports to combat antisocial behavior of Prague citizens. He does this by pouring buckets of water on individuals smoking near public transport stops. He also assaults dog owners with their own animal's excrement if it is left behind on a lawn.^[13]

Italy

• La Repubblica featured Entomo The Insect-Man, a masked patroller and activist.^[14] In February 2009, Rai 4 filmed a night-time patrol and interview with Entomo at the abandoned Italsider factory in Naples, aired on the TV program 'Sugo'.^[15] Following an extensive interview on Il Riformista,^[16] Entomo was depicted in major Italian and Spanish newspapers, such as Il Mattino^[17] and Panorama.^[18]

Norway

• The December 31, 2009 Norwegian publication, Aftenposten featured an article and photos of Real-Life Superheroes. The article included Life, Geist, The Deaths Head Moth, Dreizehn, Entomo and Superhero.^[19]

United Kingdom

• The British tabloid The Sun ran an article on the country's Real-Life Superheroes, including The Statesman, Vague, Swift, Black Arrow, Lionheart and Terrorvision.^[20][21]
• The BBC reported on Angle-Grinder Man, a British self-described "wheel-clamp superhero" who uses an angle grinder to illegally cut wheel clamps off vehicles which have been clamped in by police and parking officials in Kent and London. He does not demand money when performing these crimes.^[3]
• The newspaper This is Local London featured an article on SOS, a UK superhero who crashed the premiere of the film Kick-Ass.^[22]
• Knight Warrior (^[23] )
• In August 2011, the BBC reported on Shadow Ninja, a real-life superhero who patrols in Yeovil.^[24]

North America

Canada

• The Age described Polarman of Iqaluit, Nunavut, whose primary interests are shovelling the snow off sidewalks during the day, and patrolling the streets for criminals at night.^[25]
• Thanatos of Vancouver, British Columbia, a person who dresses in a costume and distributes goods and goodwill to the homeless.^[26]

Mexico

• CNN covered Mexico City's Superbarrio, who is a highschool dropout who wears red tights and a red and yellow wrestler's mask. He uses his unique image to organize labour rallies, protest, and file petitions to prevent families from being evicted.^[27]

United States

Real-Life Superheroes are notably prevalent in the USA compared to other countries, which may be attributed to the greater popularity of superhero comic books.^{[28][29][30][31]}

• Superheroes Anonymous, the first annual gathering of Real-Life Superheroes from all over America, who cleaned Times Square, helped the homeless, and handed out crime prevention materials.^[32]
• Multiple media outlets have run reports on the Rain City Superhero Movement, a group of real life super heroes in Seattle. The group includes Thorn, Buster Doe, Green Reaper, Gemini, No Name, Catastrophe, Thunder 88, Troop, Pitch Black, Red Dragon, The Mantis, Blue Sparrow, Penelope , Phoenix Jones, the Guardian of Seattle.^[33][34]
• TreeHugger reported on Captain Ozone starring in ecological television PSA’s, making appearances at grade schools and hemp festivals, creating a video documentary on environmentalism, and also organizing a public demonstration for renewable energy.^[35]
• The San Diego Union-Tribune^[36] and UPI^[37] wrote about heroes like Mr. Xtreme, a security guard who moonlights as a "costumed crime fighter" in Clearwater, Florida.
• Captain Prospect and Sparks were featured on NPR Intern Edition for spring of 2009.^[38]
• Thanatos, Life and Phantom Zero were featured in an article by Globe and Mail.^[39] They discussed their different views and methods on being Real Life Superheroes.
• CBS Atlanta reports^[40] Crimson Fist patrols Atlanta twice a month to help those in need.^[41]
• Wall Creeper and Zen Blade were featured on Westword, Denver's alternative weekly publiciation.^[42]
• MSN mentions Captain Prospect', Geist, Tothian, Captain Jackson, Nyx, Iron Judge, and Michael Brinatte, owner of Hero-gear.net in an online article.
• KSTP-TV reported on Razorhawk, Geist and the Great Lakes Hero Guild while they patrolled Minneapolis. The segment was re-broadcast nationally on ABC Overnight News.^[43]
• Cincinnati, Ohio-based NBC affiliate News 5 WLWT reported on^[44] Shadow Hare. This was later rebroadcast on CNN
• The Watchman and Moon Dragon were featured in the August 2009 issue of Milwaukee Magazine.^[45]
• WTOP-FM, a radio station in Washington DC, reported on Metro Woman, who uses a superhero costume and identity to spread information on using mass transit and the ecological benefits of using public transportation in the Washington DC Metro region.^[46]
• The Washington Post reported a story about superheroes Captain Prospect and Justice, members of the "Capital City Super Squad" in Washington DC.^[47]
• Central Florida News 13 did a story on Team Justice, a group of costumed superheroes giving Christmas gifts to the homeless.^[48][49]
• ABC's Nightline news program interviewed real-life superheroes Squeegeeman and Captain Xavier Obvious, who patrol New York City. The heroes have also been documented in Radar Magazine, Time Out New York, and HDNet's Deadline!.^[50]
• The Salt Lake City-based newspaper Salt Lake City Weekly reported on the patrols of The Black Monday Society and the superhero identities of its team members Insignis, Ghost, Ha!, Oni, and Silver Dragon.^[51] Fox News Salt Lake City ran a story on the team as well.^[52]
• Rolling Stone ran a feature about the "real superhero community," featuring The Ace.
• ABC News and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! radio program interviewed Terrifica, a New York City-based woman who patrols bars and parties in an effort to prevent inebriated women from being taken advantage of by men. Since the mid-1990s, Terrifica has donned a mask, blonde wig, red boots and cape, to serve and protect the women of the city.^[53]
• Jack Brinatte, known as Razorhawk, appeared on Fox News America Newsroom.^[54]
• WITI (TV) interviewed The Watchman and showed him on a patrol of the city.^[55]
• Empire Magazine featured Geist in a sidebar article, "The Real Kick-Ass".^[56]
• NBC News ran a story documenting a 20 year old Columbia Tennessee resident being stopped by police for patrolling the streets after midnight in a black and green mask and costume. The man referred to himself as The Viper, and claimed that he was "just a guy trying to do what was right in tights".^[57]
• The Sunday Paper ran an article on about Two Real Life Superheroes Crimson Fist & Metadata in Atlanta that help the homeless in their area.^[58]
• Telemundo ran a news piece about Dragonheart, a bilingual Real-Life Superhero who operates in Miami, Florida.^[59]
• The Jibsheet ran an article about a group of 10 Real Life Superheroes in Seattle trying to help the homeless prevent their belongings from being stolen by gangs.^[60]
• On 8/4/2011 GQ magazine ran an article called Seven Real Life Superheroes featuring Mr.Extreme, Superhero, Geist, Life, Master legend, and Insignis

[3]

• On 10/31/2011 federalwaymirror.com ran a article about Skyman A Federal Way based Real Life Superhero who is interested in helping those who are vulnerable like the homeless. His own experiences of not having a roof over his head have led him to try and help the most disadvantaged in that area. ^[61]

• Willie James Perry, also known as Batman or the Birmingham Batman was a Real Life Superhero (born 1941 - died 1985) was well-known for cruising around Birmingham helping stranded motorists and giving free rides in his customized 1971 Ford Thunderbird, dubbed the "Batmobile Rescue Ship". ^[62]

South America

Argentina

• Menganno works at the east side of Lanús. He wears blue clothing, a helmet and a shield similar to Captain America's shield.^[63]

Brazil

• Superinteressante magazine posted an article on The Real Life Superheroes The Eye , Entomo , Terrifica , Superhero and Superbarrio.^[64]

Africa

The only known superhero in Africa is Lion Heart. Lion Heart has helped saved the lives of many villagers by teaching important but simple things. He has started a grass roots movement in Africa with many people helping out. ^[65]

Groups/Organizations connected to Real Life Superheroes

Heroes Network

In February 2007, the Heroes Network was Founded by Tothian, and Co-Founded by Master Legend, and Phoenix of Baltimore. Tothian served as it's President for two years until January 2009, with Phoenix as it's Vice President. In December, 2011, Tothian became it's President again, with ShowStopper as it's First Lady. Heroes Network

Master Legend Army

In April, 2010, Master Legend decided to create a forum for Real Life Superheroes who wish to learn about metaphysics and the way of the diamond spirit and talk about their adventures. Master Legend Army

Unreality Lab

Founded by Earth Agent Superman, the organization founded the hero school, and other projects, they can all now be found at the Unreality Lab Unreality Lab

Use of copyrighted characters

To gain attention or to highlight a cause of significance to them, some people name themselves or dress like established comic book characters.

Some documented examples of this behavior in the media include:

• Urban climber Alain "Spider-Man" Robert is known for climbing skyscrapers, including wearing a Spider-Man costume while doing so.^[66]
• Members of the advocacy group Fathers 4 Justice staged a protest at Buckingham Palace in 2003, by dressing as Batman and Robin and climbing over the palace's fence. After climbing onto the palace from an adjacent building, they unfurled a banner reading "Super Dads of Fathers 4 Justice."^[67]
• Three Vancouver teens have been dressing up as superhereos Batman and The Flash, to confront men who fell for their posing as underage girls online. The meetings were videotaped and posted recently on YouTube, under the title To Troll a Predator.^[68]

See also

• Vigilante
• Superhero
• Local hero (Japan)

References