Real-life superhero - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Real-life superhero
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Real -life superhero is a term applied to real-world people who dress or 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. Sometimes, the
term is applied to firefighters, police officers, and other good samaritans. The actions of New York
City police and firefighters during the September 11, 2001 attacks led to frequent use of the term.
[1]
Contents [hide]
1 Examples
2 People who emulate established superheroes
3 "Local hero"
4 References
5 External links
Real life super heroes wear masks or otherwise disguise themselves in order to perform "heroic
deeds" like community services or fighting crime when they come across it. They are often similar to
neighborhood watches or militias albeit often alone or sometimes in small groups. Some examples
documented in the news media include:
Captain Ozone was featured in the April 2005 French edition of Max Magazine.
[2]
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. She carries a utility belt
containing a cell phone, lipstick, a camera to photograph alleged predators, a journal to detail
what is happening as it is going on, Terrifica fortune cards, and Smarties for energy.
[3]
TreeHugger reported on Captain Ozone starring in ecological television PSAs, making
[edit]
Examples
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Real-life superhero - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_life_superheroes[21/03/2011 22.39.55]
appearances at grade schools and hemp festivals, creating a video documentary on
environmentalism, and also organizing a public demonstration for renewable energy.
[4]
Captain Ozone was featured in the J anuary 2008 German edition of FHM Magazine.
[5]
The BBC reported on Angle-Grinder Man, a British self-described "wheel-
clamp superhero" who uses an angle grinder to cut wheel clamps off
vehicles which have been clamped in Kent and London. He works pro bono,
seeking neither recognition nor thanks.
[6]
CNN covered Mexico City's Superbarrio, who wears red tights and a red
and yellow wrestler's mask. Rather than fight crime and corruption, he uses
his unique image to organize labour rallies, protest, and file petitions rather
than fight crime through violence.
[7]
The Age described Polarman of Iqaluit, Canada, whose primary interests are shoveling the snow
off sidewalks during the day, and patrolling the streets for criminals at night.
[8]
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.
[9]
CBS affiliate WTSP reported about Superhero and Lady Hero in Clearwater, Florida.
[10]
The Washington Post reported a story about superheroes Captain Prospect and Justice,
members of the "Capital City Super Squad" in Washington DC.
[11]
Central Florida News 13 did a story on "Team J ustice," a group of costumed superheroes giving
Christmas gifts to the homeless.
[12][13]
The Aquabats, a Californian rock group, are noted for their superhero-themed theatrics and
imagery. The band follows a frequently retconned mythology in which they portray superheros on
a quest to save the world from evil through music. Their costumed members include such
characters as The MC Bat Commander and Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk, and their live shows
include scripted onstage "battles" with costumed supervillains.
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!.
[14]
The Portland, Oregon-based newspaper Willamette Week
[15]
reported on Zetaman and his
patrols consisting of seeking out the needy with gifts of food and clothing. This was later reported
on the Portland-based ABC affiliate, KATU, and CNN.
[16]
The Salt Lake City-based newspaper Salt Lake City Weekly reported on the patrols of The Black
Monday Society and the costumed identities of its team members Insignis, Ghost , Ha!, Oni ,
and Silver Dragon.
[17]
Fox News Salt Lake City ran a story on the team as well.
[18]
The New York Daily News did an article on Life and Dark Guardian patrolling through New York
City and helping the homeless.
[19]
Rolling Stone ran a feature about the "real superhero community," featuring Master Legend and
The Ace.
La Repubblica, in Italy, did a brief article about the phenomenon, prominently featuring Entomo
The Insect -Man, a masked patroller and activist.
[20]
In February 2009, Rai 4 filmed a night-time
patrol and interview with Entomo at the abandoned Italsider Factory in Naples. This special
feature was aired on the TV program 'Sugo'.
[21]
Following an extensive interview on Il
Riformista,
[22]
Entomo was depicted on all the major Italian newspapers, as well as Spanish: Il
Mattino
[23]
and Panorama
[24]
, among the many. The Real Life Superhero became a media
sensation from day to night, and Yahoo Italia also dedicated its first page to him.
J ack Brinatte, known as Razorhawk, appeared on Fox News America Newsroom.
[25]
CityNews, a news network in Toronto, had an article on Allan Shields, known as Parking Angel ,
a man whose self proclaimed mission in life is to "try to save as many motorists as possible from
Angle-Grinder
Man's Symbol
Real-life superhero - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_life_superheroes[21/03/2011 22.39.55]
receiving one of those irritating - and expensive - parking tickets."
[26]
The New York Times told of the exploits of 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."
[27]
The San Diego Union-Tribune
[28]
and UPI
[29]
wrote about heroes like Mr. Xtreme, a security
guard who moonlights as a "costumed crime fighter" in San Diego, California. He wears a
camouflage wrestling mask with bug-shaped mesh eyes.
Captain Prospect and Sparks were featured on NPR Intern Edition for spring of 2009.
[30]
Thanatos, Life and Phantom Zero were featured in an article by Globe and Mail.
[31]
They
discussed their different views and methods on being Real Life Superheroes.
CBS Atlanta reports
[32]
Crimson Fist patrols Atlanta twice a month to help those in need.
[33]
Dark Guardian, Life and Phantom Zero were featured in the March edition of Loaded Magazine.
Wall Creeper and Zen Blade were featured on Westword, Denver's alternative weekly
publiciation.
[34]
MSN mentions Master Legend, Captain Prospect , Geist , Tothian, Captain Jackson, Nyx,
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.
[35]
Dark Guardian and Citizen Prime were featured on the Premiere episode of the G4 show, G4
Underground starring Morgan Webb http://g4tv.com/g4underground/splash.aspx
Cincinnati, Ohio-based NBC affiliate News 5 WLWT reported on
[36]
Shadow Hare. This was
later rebroadcast on CNN
Dark Guardian, Life and Phantom Zero were featured on WPIX channel 11 The CW affiliate as
they patrolled New York City.
[37]
News clip shown featured Dark Guardian confronting a drug
dealer courtesy of Superheroes Anonymous film crew. [1]
CNN featured an article on Scott Woods, Dark Guardian, Mr. Xtreme and Superheroes
Anonymous.
[38]
J une 11, 2009, CBS The Early Show interviewed Citizen Prime as well as showcase footage of
Civitron, Dark Guardian and Life as they patrolled New York City.
[39]
Dark Guardian, The Deaths Head Moth and Z were featured in the J uly 2009 British edition of
FHM magazine.
[40]
The Watchman and MoonDragon were featured in the August 2009 issue of Milwaukee
Magazine written by Tea Krulos.
[41]
In November 2009, Mark Concannon of WITI (TV), the Fox Broadcasting Company affiliate in
Milwaukee, WI, interviewed The Watchman and showed him on a patrol of the city.
[42]
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.
[43]
Geist was featured in the May 2010 edition of Empire Magazine in a sidebar article, "The Real
Kick-Ass,"
[44]
Captain Ozone was featured in the May 2010 issue of SFX Magazine.
[45]
The newspaper This is Local london did a article on SOS, a UK superhero who crashed the
premiere of the film Kick-Ass.
[46]
CNN.com did an article called "Amid hard times, an influx in real superheroes" which featured
Geist , Life, Mr. Ravenblade, Mr. Xtreme, Dark Guardian, Amazonia and Crimson Fist .
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/06/04/real.life.superheroes/index.html
NBC News ran a story on J uly 7, 2010, 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
Real-life superhero - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_life_superheroes[21/03/2011 22.39.55]
do what was right in tights. [2]
NY Press ran a story called Brooklyn's Own Superheroes on J uly 13, 2010 About the New York
baised Real Superheroes Z, Zimmer, Tsaf, & Lucid all members of a group called New York
Initiative [3]
The Province In Vancouver ran an article on 8/10/2010 called Costumed Superhero offers a
helping hand in the Downtown East Side featuring Thanatos A Real Life Superhero who helps
the homeless of that area. [4]
SUPERINTERESSANTE MAGAZINE in Brazil posted a article in their J une 2010 issue on The
Real Life Superheroes The Eye , Entomo , Terrifica , Superhero and Superbarrio [5]
thesundaypaper.com ran an article on 11/14/2010 about Two Real Life Superheroes Crimson Fist
& Metadata in Atlanta that help the hnomeless in their area.[6]
On November 19, 2010, multiple media outlets including PerezHilton.com began reporting 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, Penelope
and Phoenix Jones, the Guardian of Seattle.[7]
On November 25, 2010, komonews.com ran an article about a group of Superheroes in the
Seattle Area Called The Rain City Superhero Movement Featuring Buster Doe, No Name,
Troop and Phoenix Jones, the Guardian of Seattle. Who patrol looking to prevent crime. [8]
On December 3, 2010 Telemundo ran a news piece about Dragonheart , a bilingual Real
Superhero who operates in Miami Florida[9]
Oklahoma's newson6.com ran a story on the real life superhero movement on 12/17/10[10]
Captain Ozone was featured in the J anuary 2011 French edition of Koikispass Magazine [11] .
Zimmer a Real Life Superhero was featured on Fox 13 Utah for his part in the documentary
"Superheroes" that played at the 2011 Slamdance Film Festival [12]
Gaytimes.com in the United Kingdom did a article on Zimmer the New York baised Real life
Superhero on 1/25/2011 [13]
CBS8.com Ran a news article about Mr.Extreme. A Real Life Superhero in Chula Vista California
who was conducting a manhunt for a criminal known as "The Chula Vista Groper" on 1/27/2011
[14]
MSNBC Ran a News Article on the Real Life Superhero Community Featuring the Documentary
Film Superheroes on 2/14/2011 [15]
Thejibsheet.com Ran a article on 2/15/2011 about a group of 10 Real Life Superheroes in
Seattle trying to help the homeless prevent their belongings from being stolen by gangs.
[16]
Inside Edition did a report on 2/16/2011 called "Nationwide phenomena Real Superheroes fight
crime"
[17]
newsoftheworld.co.uk Ran a News Piece about The Statesman A Birmingham Banker who
becomes a real Life Superhero at night to fight crime. [18]
The Columbian Magazine Semana Ran a news article on The real Life Superhero Movement or
Superheroes without Powers on 3/1/2011 [19]
The British Tabloid The Sun ran a Article on Britans Real Life Superheroes such as The
Statesman,Vague, Swift, Black Arrow, Lionheart and Terrorvision on 3/2/2011 [20]
For attention or to highlight a cause of significance to them, some people name and/or garb
[edit]
People who emulate established superheroes
Real-life superhero - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_life_superheroes[21/03/2011 22.39.55]
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.
[47]
Members of the advocacy group Fathers 4 J ustice staged an incident at Buckingham Palace by
dressing as Batman and Robin and draping a banner reading "Super Dads of Fathers 4
J ustice."
[48]
Main article: Local hero (Japan)
In J apan, the concept of the "local hero" is similar in concept to "real-life superheroes", however
these characters are created entirely for entertainment purposes and appear in martial arts shows. As
superhero manga are rare in J apan, local heroes are instead modeled after the superheroes from
tokusatsu, J apanese live-action science-fiction/fantasy television programs (examples known in the
west include Ultraman and the Power Rangers).
1. ^ Nissen, Beth. Firefighters: Ameri hotdog ca's real-life superheroes , CNN. Published November 1,
2001.
2. ^ Lacote, Pierre (April 2005). "Fight Zone 07".
3. ^ Robinson, Bryan. Meet the Sex in the City Superhero , ABC News. Published November 5, 2002.
4. ^ Merchant, Brian. Climate Change? This Looks Like a J ob for Captain Ozone, Environmental Hero .
TreeHugger. Published September 28, 2008.
5. ^ Reporter (J anuary 2008). "Hier Sind Helden".
6. ^ 'Superhero' takes on clampers , BBC. Published September 16, 2003.
7. ^ Defender of justice Superbarrio roams Mexico City , CNN. Published J uly 19, 1997.
8. ^ Fallon, Daniel. Net crusaders , The Age. Published J uly 31, 2004.
9. ^ Miller, Mitchell. 'Metro Woman' Enlisted to Help Purple Line , WTOP-FM. Published April 6, 2005.
10. ^ Leonard, David (2007-05-04). "Tampa Bay's real life "Superhero"" .
11. ^ Schrank, Delphine. Public Service With a Side of Spandex , The Washington Post. Published
November 23, 2007.
12. ^ Masked Heroes Give Gifts To Homeless , Central Florida News 13. Published December 26, 2007.
13. ^ Superheroes Bring Christmas Cheer To Kids , Central Florida News 13. Published December 26,
2008.
14. ^ Look Up in the Sky... , ABC News. Published J une 15, 2007.
15. ^ Pitkin, J ames (2008-03-05). "The Adventures of Zetaman" .
16. ^ Kissee, Anita. 'Zetaman' fights homelessness with courage, sacrifice, cool costume , KOMO-TV.
Published April 28, 2008.
17. ^ Constant, Paul. SLC Superheroes: The Black Monday Society keeps an eye out for street crime so
you don't have to , Salt Lake City Weekly. Published May 1, 2008.
18. ^ The Black Monday Society , KSTU Fox News. Published April 10, 2008.
19. ^ Weichselbaum, Simone. Real-life super heroes prowl New York streets helping the homeless , Daily
News. Published October 9, 2008.
20. ^ Perilli, Benedetta. Sul web, in lotta contro il crimine sono i supereroi della vita reale , La Repubblica.
(Italian) Published December 31, 2008. Retrieved J anuary 15, 2009.
21. ^ Episode 7: "Supereroe a Gomorra" , Sugo. (Italian) Published March 4, 2009.
22. ^ Ciavatta, Stefano. Super Entomo, l'eroe di Napoli e le sue ronde , Il Riformista. (Italian) Published
March 15, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
23. ^ Entomo, supereroe napoletano , Il Mattino. (Italian) Published March 16, 2009. Retrieved March 16,
[edit]
"Local hero"
[edit]
References
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_life_superheroes[21/03/2011 22.39.55]
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Superhero fiction portal
2009.
24. ^ Sicurezza in citt: a Napoli invece delle ronde c' Entomo il supereroe , Panorama. (Italian)
Published March 16, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
25. ^ Meet Razorhawk , Fox News. Published December 30, 2008.
26. ^ Parking Angel Fights Traffic Ticket Cops , CityNews. Published J une 25, 2007.
27. ^ Lee, Trymaine. Dressed for Halloween? No, to Clean Up Times Sq. , The New York Times.
Published October 29, 2007. Retrieved J anuary 24, 2009.
28. ^ Davis, Kristina (2009-01-17). "Homemade heroes offer low-level law enforcement" .
29. ^ "Cops not fans of real-life superheroes" . UPI. 2009-01-18.
30. ^ Kowal, Rachel (2009-01-02). "Steet Superheroes" .
31. ^ Mick, Hayley (2009-01-03). "Capeless Crusaders" .
32. ^ CBS News Atlanta (2009-02-09). "Atlanta's Superhero Helps Homeless" .
33. ^ Atlanta's Superhero Helps Homeless
34. ^ Warner, J oel (2009-03-11). "The astounding adventures of the Wall Creeper, Colorado's own
superhero" .
35. ^ O'Connel, Chris and Muehlhausen, Nicole (2009-03-25). "Meet real life Twin Cities super heroes" .
36. ^ flack, eric (2009-04-27). "Cincinnati Superhero Patrols Streets Fighting Crime" .
37. ^ Tyler, Vanessa (2009-05-14). "Real-Life 'Super Heroes' Aim to Make a Difference" .
38. ^ J ohnson, Craig (2009-06-04). "Amid hard times, an influx in real superheroes" . CNN.
39. ^ "Superheroes get Real" . CBS News. 2009-06-11.
40. ^ Woodfin, J osh (2009-08-09). "Hero Complex".
41. ^ Everyday Heroes
42. ^ Real-life superheroes on the streets in your neighborhood
43. ^ Skau, Minna (2009-12-31). "Virkelighetens superhelter".
44. ^ Williams, Owen (2010-05-10). "The Real Kick-Ass".
45. ^ Farley, J ordan (May 2010). "We Can Be Heroes".
46. ^ Sutton superhero gatecrashes Kick-Ass film premiere
47. ^ Frenchman held for climbing skyscraper , The Tribune. Published J une 2, 2007.
48. ^ "Rooftop protest by 'caped crusaders' BBC News. 2003-10-21. Retrieved on 2006-06-03.
Real Life Superheroes
Real Life Superhero Wiki
Categories: Superheroes
[edit]
External links