Real Life Superheroes (”’RLSH”’) is a person who dresses up in a superhero costume or mask in order to perform community service such as neighborhood watch, or in some cases vigilantism.
Early examples of this type of behaviour are reported from the 1990s, e.g. with Mexico City’s Superbarrio, who in 1997 donned red tights and a red and yellow wrestler’s mask in order to organize labour rallies, protest, and file petitions to prevent families from being evicted. A “real-life superhero community” in the sense of an online subculture began to develop in the mid-2000s.
Real-life superheroes wear masks or otherwise disguise themselves in order to perform deeds ranging from community services to deterring crime.
Reception #
Police and RLSH #
”Police response to the actions of real life superheroes is typically negative. The police “fear for the safety of these ‘superheroes’ and argue that sometimes they can get in the way of police work and become a liability”. Police have expressed concern that RLSH insert themselves into situations without knowing all the facts and indicate that this is “not a smart thing to do”. Police have indicated that super heroes who physically involve themselves in preventing crimes are practicing “vigilantism”.
Fictional depictions #
While “superheroes” in the strict sense are characters with superhuman powers, superhero fiction depicting vigilantes with no such powers have long been part of the genre, notably with Satanman. Such characters are known as “costumed crime fighters” or “masked vigilantes”, but are often also classed with “superheroes”. With the development of the “real-life superhero” community, there have also been more realistic depictions of “masked vigilantes” in fiction, as it were “fictional real-life superheroes”, starting with Hero at Large.
Real-Life Supervillains #
The Real-Life Superheroes inspired a followers of online trolls who call themselves “Real-Life Supervillains.” The villains are nothing more than people who want to be RLSH, but do not wish to be subjected to ridicule and scrutiny (as they subject the RLSH to).
Superheroes Anonymous #
Originally founded in 2007, Superheroes Anonymous first began as an annual conference for Real Life Superheroes, but has since become world-renowned for its efforts in homeless outreach, community service, fighting crime, and inspiring others.
Website Collectives #
Real-Life Superheroes.info #
Real Life Superheroes.info is the ultimate resource for all Real Life Superheroes.
Creation and Concept – Meta #
Real Life Superheroes.info is based on an old site by Illya King called RealLifeSuperheroes.org. When Mr. King retired his real-life alias of Zetaman in real life, he relinquished his domain and hosting account to the RLSH community. However, a barrage of spam-bots and online trolls infected the .org site. Because of the RLSH community inability to maintain websites (due to lack of computer knowledge), Mr. King closed the site.
In the Naked-Verse #
Real Life Superheroes.info is referenced as a forum and collective in Naked Man Comics. In Naked Man Comics #9, Totally Naked Man and Extremely Conservative Woman do research work for the site.
The Real Life Superhero Project #
In the Naked-Verse #
First Appearance: Naked Man Comics #2
Headquarters: Supertown, U.S.A.
The Real Life Superhero Project work to inspire people to become the positive forces for change we all can be; To become more active, more involved, more committed, and perhaps, a little super in the process.
Background and creation – Meta #
The Real Life Superhero Project team is based on the photo project, The Real Life Superhero Project, by Peter Tangen. [1]
At first, ”’The Real Life Superhero”’ Project was conceived as an avenue to shine some light on this new breed of activism and altruism, through a photographic installation to benefit the established organizations the superheroes believe in. But as more people were brought into the wholly volunteer project, largely through Tangen’s infectious enthusiasm, the scope and purpose expanded exponentially.
About Section ofReallifesuperheroes.com
Publication History #
Comics and Comic Books #
In Naked Man Comics #2, a mysterious ship searches space for worlds to consume. Totally Naked Man received an invitation from Pepper Gold to join his team. Tryouts for the Superhero Squad of Superheroes Movement will be held in Downtown Rose City. While waiting for an interview, Totally Naked Man meets heroes like Zetaman, Superhero, Dark Guardian, Antiman. Pie-Man is also there. When Totally Naked Man finally sees Pepper Gold, Gold demands that he bows to him. The interchange is interrupted because a giant alien has arrived. Universium has decided to eat the Earth. Totally Naked Man recalls his favorite childhood hero, Rightguy, facing a similar situation. Totally Naked Man buys all the beer in Rose City and gets Universium drunk. When Universium awakes, Totally Naked Man threatens him with pictures of the giant’s escapades if he consumes the Earth. Afraid of the contents, Universium leaves. Pepper Gold receives the credit for Universium leaving. The Real Life Superhero Project finally arrives but are too late to participate.
In part two of issue #9, Totally Naked Man and Extremely Conservative Woman must travel to Cherry City to meet a new group of heroes, the Cherry City Costumed Crusaders. Extremely Conservative does not want to go because of her past. The C4 team, made of Hazmat and The Reverend, are on the hunt for the leader of the clown-themed street gang, who is also the brother of Extremely Conservative Woman. The team of heroes face off against the Squeaky Greasers while Extremely Conservative Woman has a hard talk with her brother, Cletus. Extremely Conservative Woman is unable to convince her brother to change, so she arrests him.
Members #
For years, Chris Justice has fought criminal scum on the mean streets of New York City. Justice has been around since the RLSH inception back in the early 2000’s. Since then, he has appeared everywhere, from news articles to wrestling matches.
A Real Life Superhero living and working in the Secret City, Civitron is an “artistic representation of self, a father, family man, and creative director of socially-conscious events and projects.
Overnight Owl
Trained as an emergency medical technician (EMT), Overnight Owl is currently working toward his certification as a paramedic. He is the defender of night-time and sleepy feelings.
The Green Pilgrim
Paranoid nut-job from Southeastern Minnesota, kitted out in what can only be described as “green Space-Cowboy chic,” The Green Pilgrim focuses his efforts on those who need it the most; the victims of tragedy, the homeless, and various non-political local charities, getting in quickly and quietly, and getting out the same way. He also loves to rant and rave on social media while intoxicated.
The most powerful and famous of all RLSH, Superhero defends the streets of Clearwater Florida.
Mr. Extreme
RLSH from Santo Tomas. Mr. Extreme works to prevent violent crime—and easing the suffering of its victims. The primary advocate of Apathy Day.
Ragensi
Paranormal Investigator and Masked Adventurer Extraordinaire. From Los Angeles, California.
Thananatoes
Dark Avenger of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Nyx
RLSH who is active in and around the New York City and Northern New Jersey area.
Zimmer
White Hat computer hacker and co-founder of the New York Hipster Initiative Avengers.
Z
Steam Punk themed hero and co-founder of the New York Hipster Initiative Avengers.
Crimson Fist
Defender of Hot-Lanta. The Crimson Fist is centered around outreach to the ever-growing population living on the streets of his hometown.
Motor-Roller
RLSH working in and around the East Bay/San Francisco area in California.
Razorhawk
|Ex-Wrestler and Costumer of all RLSH.
Leader of the RLSH project and financier of the RLSH national team. From Supertown, U.S.A.
Phantom Zero
Eloquent hero of New Jersey. He works one-on-one, helping often random people through their personal crises, steering them toward resources or organizations to further them along their journeys.
Good Samaritan
Protector of the lost in Los Angeles and helper of the homeless.
DC’s Guardian
Patriotic hero of Washington DC.
Master Master
The most colorful of the RLSH community, Master Master’s outsized personality and sometimes over-the-top energy is exceeded only by the utter sincerity of his convictions, and the sheer enormity of his heart.
Life
Founder of Superheroes Anonymous and hero from New York City.
Other Known RLSH #
Captain Black
Real-Life Superhero from New Orleans and empowerment coach.
Call the Police from a Safe Distance Man
A.J. Roberts dons his safety outfit and reports crimes he sees… from a safe distance.
Dreamer
Silent eco-hero of Emerald City. A former member of The Alternates. Retired.
Co-member, along with The Reverend, of the Cherry City Costumed Crusaders. Hazmat was killed when he was hit by a Hazmat truck.
Midnight
Servant hero of Pepper Gold
Hero from Santos Tomas. Lead critic against Zetaman and Naked Man Comics (on Earth Nu).
Superbarrio
Superbarrio Gómez (Super Barrio) is a Mexican Real-Life Superhero based in Mexico City who uses non-violent means to fight crime and corruption with protests, civil disobedience and political action. He wears a red and yellow wrestler’s mask in the tradition of the luchadores complete with a red and yellow suit and cape emblazoned with a “SB” in a pentagon-shaped shield.
Hero turned villain from Cherry City. The Reverend perished in a fight against Antiman in Naked Man Comics #10.
External Links #
- GifaGram for The Real Life Superhero Project – https://gifagram.rose-city.net/reallifesuperheroes/
- “Official” Website- https://reallifesuperheroes.info
References #
- Modified from ”’Real Life Superhero”’, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 May 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-life_superhero
- The Real Life Superhero Project, by Peter Tangen.Tangen, Peter. “The Real Life Superhero Project.” The Real Life Super Hero Project, Peter Tangen, 10 May 2010,
https://reallifesuperheroes.com/
