Real-life superhero

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term real-life superhero is variously applied to real-world people who dress and/or attempt to act like comic book superheroes. Sometimes, this label is bestowed upon them by those whom they have helped or the media, while at other times, the aspiring superheroes apply the label to themselves.

The term is frequently applied to firefighters, police officers, and other good samaritans who rise to the occasion when lives are on the line, or when charitable works need doing. Firefighters particularly get the designation because of their assignments to rush into burning buildings, often at great risk to their persons. The actions of New York City police and firefighters during the September 11, 2001 attacks led to frequent use of the term, as in this CNN report. It may not be incidental that these people are often in uniforms, which may seem the equivalent of superheroic costumes to some.

Another group of costumed figures who get this designation is sports figures who do things normal humans cannot. Athletes like Shaquille O'Neal ("Superman"), Dwyane Wade ("Flash"), and Torii Hunter ("Spider-Man") have been given their superheroic names for their ability to reach, jump, and defeat opposition better than others. As their abilities seem inexplicable to some, these are sometimes attributed to extra-human origins or even equipment (as in Michael Jordan's "Is it the shoes?" ad).

[edit] People who emulate established superheroes

For attention or to highlight a cause of significance to them, some people name and/or garb themselves like established comic book characters. As they are particularly photogenic, this often gets them more publicity than they would get if they were dressed in everyday garb. Quite often they climb something. Some examples of this behavior documented in the media include:

• Urban climbers like Alain "Spider-Man" Robert, George "The Human Fly" Willig, and "Spider Dan" Goodwin are known for committing the illegal act of climbing skyscrapers. Robert has even worn a Spider-Man costume while climbing, as in this Tribune India picture.
• Members of the advocacy group Fathers 4 Justice staged an incident at Buckingham Palace by dressing as Batman and Robin and draping a banner reading "Super Dads of Fathers 4 Justice."
• Similarly, two individuals in Whitley, England dress as Batman and Robin to perform good deeds locally. Their actions include saving a stranded motorist; chasing a streaker off the field at a football match; helping a young boy contribute to charity; and racing for charity themselves. They filmed a segment titled "Batman Five: The Mini Movie" for a satellite TV channel, and they are featured in the Reading Evening Post, which has chosen to protect their secret identities.

[edit] People who invent superhero identities

Some media reports have focused on an Internet-based community that's developed around creating superheroic identities and helping others. These people wear masks or otherwise disguise themselves in order to perform "heroic deeds" like community services or fighting crime when they come across it(rare).

Obviously, these people do not have any super-powers, yet sometimes they have physical fitness of comic-book superheroes. In the past year an online community of sorts for people who are training to become actual crime fighters has developed.

Some examples documented in the media include:

• Time Out New York Magazine interviewed Tothian, Squeegeeman, and Dark Guardian, 3 real-life Superheroes who met on MySpace, patrol dangerous neighborhoods of New Jersey and New York City, and mostly work on their own, but occasionally will team up to go on public missions to give water & snacks to the homeless.
• ABC News interviewed Terrifica, a New York City-based woman who patrols bars and parties in an effort to protect inebriated women who are in danger of being taken advantage of by men. She wears a golden mask, Valkyrie bra, blond wig, red boots and cape as a distraction to men.

• The BBC reported on Angle-Grinder Man[1], a British vigilante and self-described "wheel-clamp superhero" who uses an angle grinder to cut wheel clamps off vehicles in Kent and London.

• CNN covered Mexico City's Superbarrio, who wears red tights and a red and yellow wrestler's mask. Rather than fight crime and corruption with violence, he uses his unique image to organize labor rallies and protests, and file petitions.
• The Age described Polarman of Iqaluit, Canada, whose primary interests are shoveling the snow off of sidewalks during the day, and patrolling the streets for criminals at night.
• The Sydney Morning Herald interviewed Brokenman, a costumed Australian who created fake crime scenes with chalked body outlines to highlight his views.
• The Detroit Free Press reported on Jackson, Michigan superhero Captain Jackson [2], who is an "officially sanctioned independent crime fighter." He and his team the Crimefighter Corps, regularly patrol Jackson's downtown area, do volunteer/community work and report any crimes that they see.
• Intake Weekly and FOX59 News interviewed Mr. Silent who regularly patrols the Indianapolis area along with his partner Doktor DiscorD. Comic book writer Warren Ellis Blogged about thier growing superhero team called the "Justice Society of Justice".

[edit] External links

• Superheroes Lives, an index of real life superheroes
• The World Superhero Registry, a directory of real-life superheroes
• An internet group for real-life superheroes
• A discussion of real-life superheroes
• A superhero manual in progress
• ModernSuperhero.com - Modern day science and technology that replicates super-powers
• Video of real life superheroes cleaning up NYC