Truth is so often stranger than fiction. In America the number of people dressing up in spandex and rubber and going out into the streets as real life superheroes is fast growing.
In an article in the Times Online we learn that “There are, according to the recently launched World Superhero Registry, more than 200 men and a few women who are willing to dress up as comic book heroes and patrol the urban streets in search of, if not super-villains, then pickpockets and bullies.”
But this quote from the article pretty much summed up the whole concept for me:
Artemis of San Diego reported on his blog that he had heard a woman screaming outside his home but by the time he had dressed up in his costume the police were already there.
Especially when you couple the above quote with this one:
“I was out every night, 8pm until 2am, hanging about all the bad corners and nothing happened, nada, zip,” recalled Mr Invisible. “It was raining: even the drug dealers were at home. And often cops are just too good at their jobs.”
Life ain’t like the funny books, kids.
Hat tip to Dogmatic for pointing out the article.
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Ok, your choice. See you there. We’ll make sure it’s a patrol that night, so no big deal if you choose not to show up. I imagine you’re grandstanding to dominate this conversation anyway.
We won’t be wearing masks. And I’ll bring gloves so we don’t get arrested for assault.
You might want to pack a mouthpiece. We only have one for each of us, and I’m not paying for your dental work.
Pictures, at least. Preferably video, please.
We have a few very small video cams, and definitely more than a few cameras. If the guy actually shows up, we’ll get something.
Good man. Give us a link here as and when if you’d be so kind.
Oh, that’s sad. So instead of a real life superhero it’s just a pack of dudes walking around at night?
So, it’s like every other night in NYC. Quite handle-able!
Alright, the jig is up, “Dude, I seriously don’t dig the tights” is me, NiteWatch, a bahamian Costumed adventurer. Dang it RG, you had to figure and spoil things… Anyway, yeah, Z is right, we’re everywhere. Some of us take it vigilante style, while others such as Z and soon to be me, will be taking the radical approach to things. I do support Z’s point of view as well as I see the mainstream hero’s own as well. Z, I’d love to also see that video as well. By the way, I found this site by searching for other RLSH.
Lol. Stand by for a great video, Alan. I’m going to have fun with this one.
Spoken like a true hero?
Standing by.
Hahaha!
Change of venue, little fella!
Park entrance at E 9th St and Ave A. Same Z Time, Same Z Channel! Remember; red shirt, flashlight! Bring even MORE friends, if you like… why stop at just the four of you? And bring all the cameras you can muster! The more the merrier!
Never claimed to be a hero. You guys keep getting that wrong. I’m just a dude doing a job.
And remember, it’s not a gang fight, it’s a sparring match… or five. You bring any weapons into the park and we’ll bust you just like any other guy.
You attack us with said weapons, and we won’t be friendly anymore.
And let me make this clear… this sparring match serves two purposes: Some good sparring (maybe), and us stepping out of the shadows to dispel any doubts.
Don’t worry, my mysterious vigilante friend, no one doubts your ability to wander around at night with your friends. No doubts to dispel! I’ll bet if I applied myself, someday I could aspire to do the same!
No more talk. See you wednesday. We’ll have video whether you show up or not.
You sure fling around the “no more talk” a LOT. How many times have you sworn NOT to post on here, only to keep posting over and over and over and OVER?
Eeeeeeeego!
Ego trumps all.
What if I DIDN’T show up? What would you have video of? An empty street?
How am I supposed to know it’s you? I mean, you’re too scared to walk around with your costume on, right? If you think walking around in a costume is going to attract attention in NYC then you need to learn a few million things about NYC… especially the Village.
Hee hee!
Be there or don’t be there. Up to you.
Your commentary has no effect on me.
…so…did anyone show up for your little show down?
It’s tonight.
…meanwhile, this Prankster person sent me a friend request on Myspace disguised as an Asian girl. And is now suddenly a “super-villain”…
So I’m not sure if this is a sparring match or something else.
Guess we’ll find out tonight.
They didn’t show up. Left a note, though. Pretty cliche. If you still want the video, let me know.
They left a note? What did it say?
Blah blah Im smarter than you blah blah You are nothing blah blah. Don’t remember. Threw the note in the trash.
A lot of talk about how much of a cock I am, from what I recall. Don’t really care. They didn’t have the balls to show up, and didn’t have the brains to have anything fun set up.
I’m done with it.
Looks like they were just a keyboard warrior after all. Oh well.
I think I’m a little disappointed, honestly. I was expecting more from this. If nothing else, then at least a good challenge.
Lucid was ALL ready to go.
Quoting Lucid: “This guy seriously thinks its a remarkably difficult task to not show up and write up some note in crayon? What a fuckin’ Ding-dong.”
Sorry, had to share that.
Hmmm maybe they had people with cameras Z.
Maybe the whole thing was to bait you out and get lots of pictures? Perhaps they even shadowed you and followed you back to the Z cave?
Your tagged vigilante. Now go forth and continue your mission but do take in mind when you screw up your mask now means nothing.
Z, do not be brought down, keep on fighting the good fight. Those who disagree with you had better been helping out citizens and making their communities better. Other wise they’ll just be another empty barrel making a load of noise.
We thought of all that, PK. Even if you’re not talking out of your ass, go ahead and try to bring us down. Post our faces on the internet. Revealing our secrets means nothing to us. We’ve done nothing wrong.
I’ll say it one more time: You. Can’t. Stop. Us.
Backing us into a corner only makes us stronger. We’re not like the spandex-fetishists in the RLSH community.
The mask never meant anything. It’s the man behind it that’s the key, always.
You have a lot to learn, man.
Hello, I am a new rlsh. I have a few things to say. Why the hell are they making a movie? It’s just going to make us look like shitbags and wannabees! And why is the term “real life” superheroes? Is it too shocking for the human race to find out that a few people decided to be superheroes? By the way, just because, I’d like to point out the disgraces in the rlsh community. Shadow Hare has a gay name. He attends public fairs and such and just stands there, taking pictures with children. What the fuck!? A superhero isn’t a freaking mascot! Next is Anglegrinder Man. All in all, he’s just a criminal. And I’m glad that Terrifica retired. I mean, how the hell is a pacifist supposed to fight crime? Another thing. Why do alleged rlsh have Myspaces? IPs are traceable. (Wow, that’s a ‘no shit’ fact.) And yes, we must break certain laws in order to do what we do.
You’re right about all this stuff, save one thing: IP’s are easily hidden through proxy servers.
IP’s are easily hidden through proxy servers
As long as you trust the guys who run the proxy’s!
so, it seems after an extensive amount of research that a large % of the rlsh community are :
1. overweight and unfit – Makes it a little hard to run down those criminals.
2. wearing costumes sewn together from bedsheets and Halloween costumes. – Not really “protective”
3. making videos and posting them on you-tube telling of all the wondrous things they can do to help and all the dangerous things they will do to “criminal scum” – I am yet to see ANYTHING other than picking up trash and feeding homeless.
- Now I’m not trying to offend and it’s not that I don’t think these acts of service aren’t valid and extremely helpful and generous to your community. Your not really “Super Heroes”. Wearing a uniform and picking up trash…I think that’s community service. it’s a punishment lol.
The term Superhero, and don’t quote me, means one exhibiting extraordinary powers or abilities. Don’t bore me with semantics or the lists of non-powered comic book characters.
All I’m saying is I out of every person in the world would probably be the most ecstatic to see a REAL super hero join the ranks of civility and empower the human race with Goodness, and righteousness…. but I am afraid that day is yet to come.
If you don’t have the ability to take down the criminal underworlds, and I mean the lot because once you start they’ll all want you (and take it from me it ain’t hard to find someone these days.) Then you probably should re-evaluate your position and perhaps lose the cape and join a charity league where you service could do more good.
The first fool who goes out and tries this for real and ends up dead (and you will) all the false promises to the children of the world will be shattered. You may be doing damage without even knowing it by building up false dreams in the growing youth. They need real role models.
Then again when superman finally does show up, what an amazing inspiration it would be.
And you know what… some times there may be people with extra-ordinary abilities but their too damn scared off being ostracized that no-one ever knows they existed.
I know your hearts are all in the right place, but maybe you need to have a little think.
Good luck in this sad world, hope you all find a little light.
P.s.
If anyone ever finds proof please post it I would love to believe.
Woah… quite a long argument there people! Sorry if I sound insulting, but this argument sounds…childish. It’s like a schoolyard argument!I doubt that all of the commentators here are adults (I’m surly not), but let’s just drop the topic, eh?
But its still quite entertaining!
And isn’t the term here “vigilantes”? Isn’t that illegal?
And how are we helping society if we beat up a portion of it?
Just raising a point…
So you admit you’re not an adult, then you try to tell the adults what to do (that being to drop the subject) THEN you raise a new point.
Well done.
Thanks (that’s not sarcastic, right…?)
But yeah, I see the flaw…(whoops…)
But hey, shouldn’t children also have a say occasionally? (Ageism?)
No. Children should be seen and not heard. This society panders way too much now to children. The Internet belongs to the adults. Go sit in your corner until we tell you you can get out of it.
“To be seen and not heard”-How would we do that on the internet? Post a picture? What would be the point of that?
Panders:
1. To act as a go-between or liaison in sexual intrigues; function as a procurer. …What? I wouldn’t want to be in that society…
2. To cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses. …What?
AGEISM!
Yes, I think just like there is a legal age to drive, and a legal age to drink and smoke, there should be a legal age to surf the web and talk to other people on it. Twenty-five would be my preference, but… there are some pretty cool people a little younger than that.
Just think, if you couldn’t post on the internet until you were an adult, think of all the retarded things you’d avoid saying and saving for posterity in pixel land.
Yeah, I guess the last statement is agreeable (Why am I semi-arguing about a topic that isn’t related to the article?).
But again,some students may need to use the internet for researching topics for their schoolwork.
Also, you’re only looking at the youth who post/”say” messed-up things. And what about the adults who still act childish?
Pixel land.
I’m just yanking your chain. You came on here all big and puffed up and I thought I’d play. LOL.
Hmm. It is a shame that because of people like Shadow Hare, what once could have been may never be. Sure, going on patrols on the streets like a moron is absolutely going to make people feel safer. All it’s going to do is bring laughter towards the poor “hero”. Yeah, handing out food to the homeless is great, but you don’t need to wear a fucking costume to do that. That’s called being a productive member of society, not a RLSH or whatever bullshit they’ve decided to call themselves now. If they want to help people in need out, then by all means, go ahead.But if you are like me, you will go to the root of the problem, the origin, and eliminate it. In a few years, you will likely hear about me on the news. Unlike these “RLSH”, materialistic pricks, my goal is not to be famous. It is to take down anyone who is wronging the innocent, hurting the defenseless. I do not intend to do this with pepper spray or a tazer. I will not hesitate to break a law in order to catch these people. At no moment will I think twice about the value of the life I am about to take. To me, the lives of these rapists, murderers, psychopaths, gangsters are nothing. I will do what I must. And please, before you criticize me, think about this: I am not crazy (lol). I am not kidding. And I will not back down.
Oh cool. A psychotic vigilante killer, just what we need.
Thanks, I’m sure that killing a few people will vastly outweigh the number of people you could influence if you found some middle ground between the RLSH and the civvie.
I’m sure that satisfying your personal hungers also outweigh the needs of humanity, which I’m ALSO sure that need is, of course, to be inspired and influenced by more murder and violence. Because humanity needs more violence in their lives.
You need to take a good look at the state of the world. You need to think creatively, because what you’d be doing by killing people is ensuring that you’d do a personal job on a very small scale, never creating a larger movement or lasting message other than a cautionary tale.
Also, if you’re going to do this, you should probably shut the fuck up about it.
….:)
This discussion board has amused me for quite sometime now, your back and forth …what’s the phrase, trolling?
It amazes me what things a person would write, whilst safely in their home, or at an internet cafe. Oh I’m going to take peoples lives, I’m going to clean up this town… yadda yadda. Now please forgive, I’m not trying to goad or entice a reaction here, I myself even hide behind a small level of anonymity, I’m simply…observing.
I pose a question however, being that you are all very passionate about the subject. – A real-life, costume wearing, WORLD NEWS making, super energized, Altered human being – something incredible, like….the ability to withstand gunfire on their bare skin or…the skill to channel electric currents from the earth through their body…what would this mean to all of you? SERIOUSLY?
What – Would – Your – True – Reaction be to such an appearance. Would you rejoice in your child hood dreams coming to life, would you feel empowered to “join the fight” or would you feel belittled at the fact that, that which you aspire to be like, is finally right there in front of you and you can’t really match up.
And what if this person chose the side of self gratification over the survival of our species. What if they were a “villain”?
Do you really think you would have a chance at standing up to them with such overwhelming and unimaginable power? Honestly?
with your…pepper spray?
Again I realize I can sound arrogant, I’m not trying to say your all talk or that I want to gain a rise out of you but what I want is for all of you to take the time to stop and think about things from another angle.
The challenge is to take what we view as fantasy and look at it as a reality. Then you get real answers to unreal questions.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
p.s. Rain…some advice, regardless of whether you are a small child trying to be amusing or a grown adult trying to do something you’ll regret, there is a good chance you have no idea what it is like to take someones life with intent, and our history is filled with the tormented souls of those who do. So before you write callous words like that again perhaps you should talk to some world war veterans and see if they think it was cool. Even if they did think that the enemy were ‘bad guys’.
Actually, every veteran I’ve talked to said almost the exact same thing:”Those bastards deserved it.” So no, they didn’t consider it ‘cool’, they considered it ‘what had to be done’. And both of your posts (Z and John) just prove even further that America is not what it used to be. Now, everyone is just a bunch of pussies. People who are rapists, murderers, etc, they DO NOT deserve any more life! They deserve a bullet in the head and a ‘Welcome’ card to Hell!
The world is a very violent place.It always has been, and always will be. So, Z, instead of doing stupid shit like going on patrols, look for trouble. Now, when I say that, I mean that if you see something bad happening, then get in there and kick some ass! Criminals are just like dogs and bullies. They only pick on the weak. Once someone either teaches them a lesson or beats the shit out of them, they stop! So now you get to stfu for even calling yourself a ‘rlsh’.
I can’t believe this thread is still going. It’s like the thread that wouldn’t end.
I know. In the world of real life super heroes, this thread’s special power is Zombie!
No on ever goes around claiming they’re a real life zombie.
laws and justice.
oxymoron ?
The main issue with Real Hero’s in general is that . to be fair and just isn’t enough in todays world. there are too many bad guys that hid behind the laws , and continue to do what can be considered evil . a rapist can be not guilty but far from innocent.
I’m not a hero but to watch a crime and not get involved is the mark of a coward.
bravo to those with balls enough to don spandex. or not and get ivolved in defending the truely innocent
Okay? If I was a “superhero” I’d certainly wouldn’t be in forums writing about it much less being registered as an RLSH, neither would I be making youtube videos asking for response, I would be investigating criminals or criminal organizations and try a way to stop them turning them over to the police with evidence when possible, not trying to convince them by saying “If you don’t stop your illegal activity I’m going to break your legs next time.” or something like that, not to mention all the dangers of fighting crime or the cost of equipment to do it competently and have a decent uniform that doesn’t look like an anime convention reject.
First of all, Jim, I applaud you for making statement about the anime convention rejects. Second of all, I agree that it is stupid to make Youtube videos asking for help, when someone could just as easy send a friend invite, get their email and find out where they live. Although, there is nothing wrong with posting on forums. The only wrong part is people like Z saying that they hunt down criminals.The difference between me and him is that I have the guts to pull the trigger. Now Jim, you said that the cost would be difficult to pay. Well, some laws have to be broken to mend others. In these difficult times, we must make sacrifices for the greater good.
Oh shit, sorry about my previous posts’ typo(s).