Looks like this is what it’s come to–taking their cue from comic books, average citizens (of the genus Humanus baboonus) are donning masks and costumes to fight crime. His breath “fogs the winter air as he surveys the frozen Minneapolis skyline, searching for signs of trouble. His long duster flaps in the breeze as his eyes flick behind reflective sunglasses; a wide-brim hat and green iridescent mask shroud his identity from those who might wish him harm…”. That’s the superhero Emerald Enforcer. According to the article he uses “smoke grenades, pepper spray, a slingshot, and a pair of six-inch fighting sticks tucked into sturdy leather boots. Leather guards protect [his] arms; his signature weapon, an Argentinean cattle-snare called bolos, hangs from a belt-holster.” There are supposedly up to two hundred such superheroes in America. Read more
They’re out there, guarding you 24/7; they are the brave street superheroes
See slide show of real life superheroes
Incidental intelligence question: Why do so many superheroes insist on wearing their underwear on the outside of their costume?
UPDATE: here’s another link, describing real life homeless superheroes.
UPDATE: from Rolling Stone Magazine
Hey here’s a Dragnet episode (from the late sixties) on the this very subject–right HERE.
Here’s an update, this one from Ohio:
Update (7/10/09): Superman and Batman battle law enforcement in NYC..
Hey, that’s me (the one dressed in green. And I’m afraid that I need to correct you. My name is Geist. Emerald Enforcer was a nickname that Ward, the writer of the article came up with. Kind of like Caped Crusader, get it?
Take care and do good,
Geist
OK Geist, but I prefer the Emrald Enforcer.
Please note that Hobo Days has now moved and the ‘Real Life Hancock’s’ article can now be found here:
http://homelesstales.com/2008/08/real-life-hancocks-homeless-heroes/
Hey whatsup, Geist? My name is Jesus Warrior. I am a superhero in North Carolina. I am just leaving message to everyone that my friend, Pheonix and I are protecting and saving people lives in different states. I am in North Carolina and Pheonix is in Massachutes. I love doing this. God bless.
No prob, ‘Cynic. A name is just a name and I have a pretty good sense of humor about the good that I’ve done and continue to do.
And JW, keep on doing some good in this world. While as an RLSH, I can’t condone one religion over another, I think that deep down, they’re all good stuff when they don’t get contaminated with politics.
I hate to tell you guys that I only came back to this site because an RLSH friend said that he did a Google for “superhero AND underwear” (for his wife) a came up with a couple of pics of me. And of course, I was like, “WHHHAAAAT?”
Now I know, I guess.
As far as I remember, this was a fun article and smartly-written. Like I’ve said, I have no prob with someone having a some good-natured fun at my expense. I DO realize that what I do might seem silly to many. But I also do a lot of good. The people who know, already know and I won’t clutter up your forum with it.
Rock on, Folks!