The Real-Life Superhero Project

The Real-Life Superhero Project

By Aimee Mahmoud
Every now and then, we hear about certain individuals on the news that simply renew our faith in humanity - but how often does one hear about a group of costumed vigilantes patrolling the streets in search of wrongs to right and handing out provisions to the homeless and ill? Pretty much never, which is why it may come as a shock to find out about a "Real-Life Superhero Project" that has been stealthily going on in cities across America and the world for little over a decade. That's right - a real subculture of masked superheroes taking it upon themselves to fight crime and involve themselves in community service. They adopt their own unique crime-fighting personas and aliases, going as far as to incorporate body armor and bullet-proof vests in their superhero costume designs, and often get-together with other like-minded heroes in their area for nightly patrols and charity drives. Just recently, Redding reports that costume-clad activists in Chicago took to the streets in below-zero weather to supply the city's destitute with essential cold-weather articles like blankets, socks, instant coffee, and non-perishable food items. One of these heroes, Crusader Prime, a 40-something man from Indiana dressed in a thrift-store trench coat, feodora hat, and red spandex morphsuit, was witnessed hauling a a wagon laden with emergency goods.
He spoke to journalists about the kind of work he and his associates, Patchwork and "The Variable" do in their down time, adding that very few real-life superheroes choose to involve themselves in vigilante justice, preferring to go the humanitarian route and volunteering at their local hospitals and soup kitchens instead (though still being cautious not to divulge their true identities). Indeed, any of these costumed crusaders looking to be the next Batman can expect to land themselves in a lot of trouble - vigilante crime-fighting is considered illegal in most countries, including the U.S. One prominent RLSH, Benjamin Fodor alias "Phoenix Jones" has been involved in several altercations where he has attempted to break-up fights and drug deals - only to end up in handcuffs. Overall police and legal law enforcement reaction to these masked heroes has been negative, and many have suggested that these RLSHs go about combating petty crime the wrong way, putting themselves and others in danger without knowing all the facts. Some heroes claim their activities have been met with disapproval from civilians who label them "kooks in costume".
The Real-Life Superhero Project homepage details the profiles of several heroes and their mission statements, as well as allowing would-be RLSHs and fans to interact. Most visitors and commentators to the site are teens and comic-book fanatics expressing their support, some detailing how the existence of costumed do-gooders has changed their world-view and given them the hope that things do indeed get better. And one can't help but stop and marvel at just how generous some of these individuals can be: Since the mid-1990's New York City-native "Terrifica" has made herself available to patrol local nightclubs, parties, and bars to help prevent intoxicated women from being taken unfair advantage of. In Finland, "Dex Laserskater" has become something of a local commodity who assists citizens, tourists, police officers, and even goes so far as to tip waiters, street musicians, and doormen at every turn. Dressing up in a cool outfit and hitting the streets to give evil-doers a taste of their own medicine is a thrilling prospect for millions of kids, teens, and even grown adults out there looking to do something meaningful with their run-of-the-mill lives. It's important, however, to follow by example and not go the all-out warrior trail - stick to doing good within safe boundaries like any altruist would: rescue kittens from trees, participate in your neighborhood crime watch, administer first-aid to the injured, and help out at your local children's hospitals! Top it all off with a DIY getup and your comic strip artist idols will be nodding in approval - in spirit , of course!