Real-life superhero
Encyclopedia
Real-life superheroes 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. They perform services that they believe benefit the community in a variety of ways, but which may be illegal. 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.
schemes in that the heroes may act against the wishes of the police, endangering themselves and the public.
Some examples documented in the news media include:
comic books.
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201108/real-life-superheroes-mr-extreme-geist-insignis-master-legend#slide=1
Some documented examples of this behavior in the media include:
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
, many of them adopting pseudonyms and wearing custom-made outfits. They perform services that they believe benefit the community in a variety of ways, but which may be illegal. 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.
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 watchNeighborhood watch
A neighborhood watch or neighbourhood watch , also called a crime watch or neighborhood crime watch, is an organized group of citizens devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood...
schemes in that the heroes may act against the wishes of the police, endangering themselves and the public.
Some examples documented in the news media include:
Australia
- Captain Australia, featured in the MXMX (newspaper)mX is an Australian free afternoon daily newspaper in the cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, owned and produced by News Limited. Targeted at commuters, its main channels of distribution are inner-city railway stations, tram and bus stops, and major CBD intersections.-Beginnings:The first mX...
and then the Courier MailCourier MailCourier Mail can refer to:* The Courier-Mail, an Australian newspaper* Courier Mail Server, a mail-server software suite* Courier , e-mail client software...
and on television's A Current Affair is based in the QueenslandQueenslandQueensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
capital BrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. 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". Police have expressed their preference that Captain Australia not intervene in incidents any more.
France
- Captain Ozone, featured in the French edition of MaxMAXMax, originally an abbreviation of "Maximilian" may refer to:-Surname:*Adolphe Max, Belgian politician*Gabriel von Max, Austrian painter*Peter Max, American artist*Tucker Max, American author-Fictional characters:...
magazine, and Koikispass magazine, as well as the German edition of FHMFHMFHM, originally published as For Him Magazine, is an international monthly men's lifestyle magazine.- History :The magazine began publication in 1985 in the United Kingdom under the name For Him and changed its title to FHM in 1994 when Emap Consumer Media bought the magazine, although the full For...
magazine.
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.
Italy
- La RepubblicaLa Repubblicala Repubblica is an Italian daily general-interest newspaper. Founded in 1976 in Rome by the journalist Eugenio Scalfari, as of 2008 is the second largest circulation newspaper, behind the Corriere della Sera.-Foundation:...
featured Entomo The Insect-Man, a masked patroller and activist. 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'. Following an extensive interview on Il RiformistaIl RiformistaIl Riformista is an Italian political and financial newspaper, based in Rome, Italy.- History :Launched on 23 October 2002, initially the newspaper was formed of about four pages with Orange as main colour used....
, Entomo was depicted in major Italian and Spanish newspapers, such as Il MattinoIl MattinoIl Mattino is an Italian daily newspaper, founded in 1892 in Naples, Italy, by the journalists Eduardo Scarfoglio and Matilde Serao.Based on 2008 survey data from Accertamenti Diffusione Stampa, Il Mattino is the most read daily newspaper in Campania, and one of the most read in southern...
and PanoramaPanorama (Italian magazine)Panorama is a right-wing Italian-language news magazine.-Ownership:The magazine is published by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, the largest Italian publishing house...
.
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.
United Kingdom
- The BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
tabloid The Sun ran an article on the country's Real-Life Superheroes, including The Statesman, Vague, Swift, Black Arrow, Lionheart and Terrorvision. - The BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
reported on Angle-Grinder Man, a BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
self-described "wheel-clamp superhero" who uses an angle grinderAngle grinderAn angle grinder, also known as a side or disc grinder, is a handheld power tool used for cutting, grinding and polishing.Angle grinders can be powered by an electric motor, petrol engine or compressed air. The motor drives a geared head at a right-angle on which is mounted an abrasive disc or a...
to illegally cut wheel clampWheel clampA wheel clamp, also known as wheel boot or Denver boot, is a device that is designed to prevent vehicles from being moved. In its most common form, it consists of a clamp that surrounds a vehicle wheel, designed to prevent removal of both itself and the wheel.In the United States, these devices...
s 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. - The newspaper This is Local London featured an article on SOS, a UK superhero who crashed the premiere of the film Kick-AssKick-Ass (film)Kick-Ass is a 2010 superhero comedy film based on the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. The film was directed by Matthew Vaughn, who co-produced the film with actor Brad Pitt, and co-wrote the screenplay with Jane Goldman...
. - Knight Warrior
- In August 2011, the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
reported on Shadow Ninja, a real-life superhero who patrols in YeovilYeovilYeovil is a town and civil parish in south Somerset, England. The parish had a population of 27,949 at the 2001 census, although the wider urban area had a population of 42,140...
. - Various sources have reported of a ninja in the town of Royal Tunbridge WellsRoyal Tunbridge WellsRoyal Tunbridge Wells is a town in west Kent, England, about south-east of central London by road, by rail. The town is close to the border of the county of East Sussex...
, he wears a black sports suit and a mask showing only his eyes, he performs civic, boy-scout type duties such as rescuing trapped cats, helping the elderly and, some report, feeding the homeless. Locals also report he often walks around exclaiming "I'm a ninja!" however, these claims aren't yet verified.
Canada
- The AgeThe AgeThe Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
described Polarman of Iqaluit, NunavutNunavutNunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
, whose primary interests are shovelling the snow off sidewalks during the day, and patrolling the streets for criminals at night. - Thanatos of Vancouver, British Columbia, a person who dresses in a costume and distributes goods and goodwill to the homeless.
Mexico
- CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
covered Mexico CityMexico CityMexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
'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.
United States
Real-Life Superheroes are notably prevalent in the USA compared to other countries, which may be attributed to the greater popularity of superheroSuperhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
comic books.
- Superheroes Anonymous, the first annual gathering of Real-Life Superheroes from all over AmericaUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, who cleaned Times SquareTimes SquareTimes Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
, helped the homeless, and handed out crime prevention materials. - 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 JonesPhoenix JonesPhoenix Jones is the leader of a ten-member citizen crime-prevention patrol group who call themselves the Rain City Superhero Movement, operating out of Seattle and Lynnwood, Washington...
, the Guardian of Seattle. - TreeHuggerTreeHuggerTreeHugger is a prominent sustainability website. It was rated the top sustainability blog of 2007 by Nielsen Netratings,and was included in Time Magazine's 2009 blog index as one of the top twenty-five blogs....
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. - The San Diego Union-Tribune and UPI wrote about heroes like Mr. Xtreme, a security guard who moonlights as a "costumed crime fighter" in Clearwater, FloridaClearwater, FloridaClearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
. - Captain Prospect and Sparks were featured on NPRNPRNPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
Intern Edition for spring of 2009. - Thanatos, Life and Phantom Zero were featured in an article by Globe and Mail. They discussed their different views and methods on being Real Life Superheroes.
- The Midnight Sponge cleaned-up spilled fluids such as milk or orange juice at The Evergreen State CollegeThe Evergreen State CollegeThe Evergreen State College is an accredited public liberal arts college and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. It is located in Olympia, Washington, USA. Founded in 1967, Evergreen was formed to be an experimental and non-traditional college...
in Olympia, Washington during the 1970s.. - CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
Atlanta reports Crimson Fist patrols Atlanta twice a month to help those in need. - Dark Guardian, Life and Phantom Zero were featured in the March edition of LoadedLoaded (magazine)Loaded, first published in 1994, is a British magazine for men that is considered to be the "original lads' mag". Its motto is "For men who should know better".-History:...
magazine. - Wall Creeper and Zen Blade were featured on WestwordWestwordWestword is a free alternative weekly newspaper based in Denver, Colorado.Westword was established independently in 1977. In 1983 it was bought by New Times Media. In 2005, New Times acquired Village Voice Media, and changed its name to Village Voice Media...
, Denver's alternative weekly publiciation. - MSN mentions Captain Prospect, Geist, Tothian, Captain Jackson, Nyx, Iron Judge, and Michael Brinatte, owner of Hero-gear.net in an online article.
- KSTP-TVKSTP-TVKSTP-TV, channel 5, is the ABC affiliate for the Twin Cities. Its transmitter is located at the Shoreview Telefarm. It is the flagship station of Hubbard Broadcasting, which also owns several other broadcasting properties across the United States....
reported on Razorhawk, Geist and the Great Lakes Hero Guild while they patrolled Minneapolis. The segment was re-broadcast nationally on ABC Overnight News. - Dark Guardian and Citizen Prime were featured on the Premiere episode of the G4G4 (TV channel)G4, also known as G4 TV, is an American cable- and satellite-television channel originally geared primarily toward young adult viewers, originally based on the world of video games...
show, G4 Underground starring Morgan WebbMorgan WebbMorgan Ailis Webb is a co-host and senior segment producer of the G4 show X-Play, and host of the show G4 Underground... - Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, OhioCincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
-based NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
affiliate News 5 WLWT reported on Shadow HareShadow HareShadow Hare is the pseudonym of a costumed adventurer operating in Cincinnati, Ohio since 2005. He states that he is 22 years old and lives in Milford, Ohio. Wearing a handmade black suit with a stylized hare on the front, along with a cape and mask, he patrols the streets looking for crimes in...
. This was later rebroadcast on CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States... - Dark Guardian, Life and Phantom Zero were featured on WPIXWPIXWPIX, channel 11, is a television station in New York City built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WPIX also serves as the flagship station of The CW Television Network...
channel 11 The CW affiliate as they patrolled New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. News clip shown featured Dark Guardian confronting a drug dealer courtesy of Superheroes Anonymous film crew. - CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
featured an article on Scott Woods, Dark Guardian, Mr. Xtreme and Superheroes Anonymous. - CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
The Early ShowThe Early ShowThe Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
interviewed Citizen Prime as well as showcase footage of Civitron, Dark Guardian and Life as they patrolled New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. - The British edition of FHMFHMFHM, originally published as For Him Magazine, is an international monthly men's lifestyle magazine.- History :The magazine began publication in 1985 in the United Kingdom under the name For Him and changed its title to FHM in 1994 when Emap Consumer Media bought the magazine, although the full For...
magazine featured Dark Guardian, The Deaths Head Moth and Z. - The Watchman and Moon Dragon were featured in the August 2009 issue of Milwaukee MagazineMilwaukee MagazineMilwaukee Magazine is a monthly city magazine serving the Milwaukee metropolitan area in Wisconsin, United States. It bills itself as "Southeastern Wisconsin's most authoritative source for Events and Dining," and claims to be read by 200,000 readers....
. - WTOP-FMWTOP-FMWTOP is an all-news formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Washington, D.C., serving Metropolitan Washington, DC area. WTOP is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting.WTOP is one of two all-news stations in the Washington, D.C...
, 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. - CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
affiliate WTSPWTSPWTSP is a CBS-affiliated television station in St. Petersburg, Florida . It broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 10....
reported about Superhero and Lady Hero in Clearwater, Florida. - The Washington PostThe Washington PostThe Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
reported a story about superheroes Captain Prospect and Justice, members of the "Capital City Super Squad" in Washington DC. - Central Florida News 13Central Florida News 13Central Florida News 13 is a cable news television station located in Orlando, Florida. It currently serves the greater Central Florida areas including Volusia County, Seminole County, Orange County, Osceola County, Lake County, Marion County, Flagler County, and Brevard County...
did a story on Team Justice, a group of costumed superheroes giving Christmas gifts to the homeless. - ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
'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 HDNetHDNetHDNet is a men's interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in high-definition format and available via cable and satellite television...
's Deadline!. - The Portland, OregonPortland, OregonPortland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
-based newspaper Willamette WeekWillamette WeekWillamette Week is an alternative weekly newspaper published in Portland, Oregon, United States. It features reports on local news, politics, sports, business and culture....
reported on Zetaman and his patrols consisting of seeking out the needy with gifts of food and clothing. This was later reported on the PortlandPortland, OregonPortland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
-based ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
affiliate, KATUKATUKATU, virtual channel 2, also known as K2, is an ABC-affiliated television station broadcasting on digital channel 43 in Portland, Oregon, USA. It has been owned by Fisher Communications of Seattle, Washington, which has been the owner of the Seattle's ABC affiliate KOMO-TV, ever since it began...
, and CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
. - The Salt Lake City-based newspaper Salt Lake City WeeklySalt Lake City WeeklySalt Lake City Weekly is a free alternative weekly tabloid-paged newspaper published in Salt Lake City, Utah. It began its life as the Private Eye. City Weekly is published and dated for every Thursday by Copperfield Publishing Inc...
reported on the patrols of The Black Monday Society and the costumed identities of its team members Insignis, Ghost, Ha!, Oni, and Silver Dragon. Fox News Salt Lake CityKSTUKSTU, channel 13, is the Fox-affiliated television station serving the Salt Lake City designated market area. The station is owned by Local TV LLC, the media arm of private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners, and its transmitter located on Farnsworth Peak, southwest of Salt Lake City...
ran a story on the team as well. - The New York Daily News did an article on Life and Dark Guardian patrolling through New York City and helping the homeless.
- Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
ran a feature about the "real superhero community," featuring The Ace. - ABC NewsABC NewsABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
and NPR'sNPRNPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! is an hour-long weekly radio news panel game show produced by Chicago Public Radio and National Public Radio. It is distributed by NPR in the United States, internationally on NPR Worldwide and on the Internet via podcast, and typically broadcast on weekends by member...
radio program interviewed Terrifica, a New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-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. - Jack Brinatte, known as Razorhawk, appeared on Fox News America Newsroom.
- WITI (TV) interviewed The Watchman and showed him on a patrol of the city.
- Empire Magazine featured Geist in a sidebar article, "The Real Kick-Ass".
- CNN.com ran an article "Amid hard times, an influx in real superheroes" featuring Geist of Rochester, MN, Life, Mr. Ravenblade of Seattle, WA, Mr. Xtreme, Dark Guardian of NY, NY, Amazonia and Crimson Fist.
- NBC NewsNBC NewsNBC News is the news division of American television network NBC. It first started broadcasting in February 21, 1940. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is...
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". - NY Press ran an article called Brooklyn's Own Superheroes regarding the New York-based Real-Life Superheroes Z, Zimmer, Tsaf, and Lucid, who are all members of a group called New York Initiative.
- The Sunday Paper ran an article on about Two Real Life Superheroes Crimson Fist & Metadata in Atlanta that help the homeless in their area.
- TelemundoTelemundoTelemundo is an American television network that broadcasts in Spanish. The network is the second-largest Spanish-language content producer in the world, and the second-largest Spanish-language network in the United States, behind Univision....
ran a news piece about Dragonheart, a bilingual Real-Life Superhero who operates in Miami, Florida. - Zimmer, a Real-Life Superhero, was featured on Fox 13 Utah as part of the documentary "Superheroes" that played at the 2011 Slamdance Film FestivalSlamdance Film FestivalAs a year-round organization, Slamdance serves as a showcase for the discovery of new and emerging talent in the film industry; it is also the only major film festival fully programmed by filmmakers. Slamdance counts among its alumni many notable writers and directors who first gained notice at the...
. - 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.
- Downtown St. Pete ran an article, Real life Superheroes descend on Berg's Film Fest where a group called Team Justice showed up for a Q&A after an airing of the film Superhero me by Steven Sale. In their ranks were Superhero, Lady Hero, Kapes, Symbiote, and Artisteroi .
- nypress.com ran an article on 4/22/2011 about a Group of Real Life Superheroes in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
called The New York Initiative that was offering advice and assistance to women in an attempt to stop the Long Island serial killerLong Island serial killerThe Long Island Serial Killer is an unidentified suspected serial killer who is believed to have murdered 10 people associated with the sex trade over the last 15 or so years and dumped their bodies along the Ocean Parkway, near the remote beach towns of Gilgo Beach and Oak Beach in Suffolk County... - boxofficemagazine.com ran an article on 7/21/2011 called Meet the real Captain Americas: Florida's Superhero Featuring Superhero from Clearwater Florida
- The Daily BeastThe Daily BeastThe Daily Beast is an American news reporting and opinion website founded and published by Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker as well as the short-lived Talk Magazine. The Daily Beast was launched on October 6, 2008, and is owned by IAC...
ran an article on 8/8/2011 called The Amazing Superheroes of New York City Featuring The New York Initiative and it's Members Zero & Short Cut - On 8/4/2011 GQ magazine ran an article called Seven Real Life Superheroes featuring Mr.Extreme, Superhero, Geist, Life, Master legend, and Insignis
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201108/real-life-superheroes-mr-extreme-geist-insignis-master-legend#slide=1
- On 9/21/2011 TBO.com Ran an article called It's a Bird...It's a Plane about A Real life Superhero in Clearwater Florida Named Superhero and the Organization Superheroes Anonymous Based out of New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
- 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. http://www.federalwaymirror.com/news/132966828.html
- 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". http://www.bhamwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Willie_Perry
Argentina
- Menganno works at the east side of LanúsLanúsLanús is the capital of Lanús Partido, Buenos Aires Province in Argentina. It lies just south of the capital city Buenos Aires, in the Greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area. The city has a population of 212,152 , and the Partido de Lanús has a total population of 453,500.A major industrial centre,...
. He wears blue clothing, a helmet and a shield similar to Captain America's shieldCaptain America's shieldCaptain America's shield is a fictional item, the primary defensive and offensive piece of equipment used by the Marvel Comics superhero Captain America; he is seldom seen without it. Over the years, Captain America has had the use of several different shields of varying composition and design...
.
Brazil
- SuperinteressanteSuperinteressanteThe Superinteressante is a Brazilian scientific and cultural magazine, known by its simple language focusing on the general public. Its name is equivalent to "Super-Interesting", in English...
magazine posted an article on The Real Life Superheroes The Eye , Entomo , Terrifica , Superhero and Superbarrio.
Liberia
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.Copyrighted Real Life Superheroes
To gain attention or to highlight a cause of significance to them, some people name and/or garb themselves like established comic book characters.Some documented examples of this behavior in the media include:
- Urban climber Alain "Spider-Man" RobertAlain RobertAlain Robert , is a French rock and urban climber, from Digoin, Saône-et-Loire, Bourgogne, France...
is known for climbing skyscrapers, including wearing a Spider-ManSpider-ManSpider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
costume while doing so. - Members of the advocacy group Fathers 4 JusticeFathers 4 JusticeFathers 4 Justice began as a fathers’ rights organisation in the United Kingdom. It became prominent and frequently discussed in the media following a series of high-visibility stunts and protests often in costume. It was temporarily disbanded in January 2006, following allegations of a plot by...
staged an incident at Buckingham Palace by dressing as BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
and RobinRobin (comics)Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
and draping a banner reading "Super Dads of Fathers 4 Justice." - 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.