In the mid-2000s, the Real Life Superhero Movement emerged on the Internet. It has brought together hundreds of activists who create images for themselves and patrol the streets, break up fights, provide humanitarian assistance to people and cooperate with the police. talks about seven real-life superheroes, their motivation and childhood.

Superbarrio Gomez

One of the first known superheroes in real life was the Mexican activist Superbarrio Gomez. The character was created in 1987 by the Barrios Assembly, which fought for affordable housing for homeless people after the Mexico City earthquake. Inspired by the Mexican national hero El Santo, Gomez regularly organized rallies and protests, at which he appeared in a red and yellow mask and red leggings. He explained the essence of his work in an interview with Unity.

“We are asking for loans for land plots and for the construction of new housing for 50 thousand people from all over Mexico City. We also fight for democracy and teach people to fight. Poor people should be able to live decently, said Superbarrio.

- I am just like the rest of you. You are my strength. I cannot lift a car, stop a train, or catch a falling plane. Nobody can. But together we are capable of confronting any problem. "

Previously it was assumed that activist Marco Raskon Cordova was hiding under the guise of Gomez. But later, researchers found out that he only participated in the creation of the character - and who played the role of the superhero is still unknown.

Gomez gained his greatest popularity in 1996, when he declared himself a presidential candidate and held mock campaign rallies in the United States and Mexico. The memory of this character has been immortalized in several books, comics and documentaries.

Master Legend

Unlike his colleagues, Master Legend from Orlando (USA) worked with government and law enforcement agencies. The character, played by American Steve Vincent, appeared between 1982 and 1985. He helped veterans, homeless people and children, wore a black and silver suit and rode a minivan he called the "van of justice."

“Most people like me,” Master Legend told Rolling Stone in 2008. “They see me as a person who is trying to do something good for others.”

Superhero co-founded Team Justice, a non-profit organization that helps those in need. In 2004, during Hurricane Charlie, a superhero cut trees on roads so that relief trucks could pass through them. He also participated in the liberation of people who were trapped in their homes.

For his social activism, Master Legend received the Florida Police Department Medal. In 2009, he said that as a child he became a victim of a molester and since then has been striving to help the defenseless. To do this, he trained at the Red Cross, worked as a bodyguard for a private detective to study his methods of work, and also helped the police find evidence and investigate cases. In 2017, Amazon filmed The Legend of the Master of Legend, featuring John Hawkes as the protagonist.

Mr. Xtreme

In 2006, San Diego-based security guard Mr. Xtreme joined the Real Life Superhero Movement (RLSH). He also founded a separate organization, the Xtreme Justice League, and became its leader. When choosing his costume, the superhero focused on the Power Rangers.

Mister Extreme's identity has not been revealed. In an interview, he admitted that he was bullied and abused as a child. As part of his activities, the superhero patrols the streets, breaks up fights and distributes food to the homeless. The most famous Mister Extreme was made by the investigation into the case of 14 murders - he appeared on local television live and handed out posters about the search for the criminal. In an interview with GQ, Mister Extreme said that for the first time he saved a person's life even before the foundation of his movement.

“In 2001, while patrolling with another group, we saw a guy trying to kill a woman in an alley. We intervened and drove him into a corner, provided the victim with medical assistance. He was jailed for 34 years on multiple charges. It was the motivation to help people all my life, ”said the superhero.

According to Extreme, attention to other people's problems works for him as therapy - after experiencing childhood abuse, he sometimes experiences depression. And helping others allows him to feel his productivity and importance to society. In the summer of 2020, a message appeared on the Xtreme Justice League Facebook page that Mr. Extreme had left the organization.

“He is moving away from the real-life superhero community and prefers to live his own life,” the message says. “What he does will depend on him. We wish him all the best. He deserves a rest. Our team will continue to work in San Diego. ”

Life

Superhero Life began helping the homeless in 2007 by giving them LifePacks with basic necessities. He explained that there were few crimes in his area, but many in need.

“Everyone always talks about criminal patrols, but I lived in a fairly safe area, but with great homelessness. I started talking to homeless people and they opened up to me. Then they asked me to bring them socks. Then they said they needed a bar of soap and a razor, ”Life said. "I want to have a specific goal to feel like I've done something important."

He also revealed that he wears a superhero mask to win over immigrants who do not understand his language.

“Symbolism is a huge part of what I do. I deal with many people who are illegal immigrants who have lost their jobs and become homeless, collect bottles or something like that. And in their broken English, they ask me where am I from - from the government or from the Church? Then I put on a mask and say that I am a superhero. ”

Life is now covering her humanitarian work on her Twitter page. There he is signed by his real name - Chaim Lazaros.

Super Hero

Before becoming a wrestler, police academy graduate and weightlifter, Dale Pople worked in radio. Born in 1969 in a small Florida town, he was raised by strict parents and was an outcast at school. As a child, Popple was a big fan of Godzilla and Batman - science fiction and comic books allowed him to distract from the harsh reality. In the early 1990s, he created an image for himself, called himself Super Hero and began collaborating with Master Legend.

“I didn't grow up in the best family. Financially, we belonged to the upper middle class, but let's say my upbringing was kind of offensive, ”Popple told GQ. “I don’t want what happened to me to happen to other people. This is one of the reasons why I am interested in helping children. Many of those who do this are likely to have been ostracized as children. "

For 20 years, Superhero patrolled the streets, helped those in need and participated in children's birthday parties as an animator. He was featured in the HBO documentary "Superheroes", the TV series "Canadian Reality", the documentary "Portrait of a Superhero" and other projects. In September 2018, the Tampa Bay Times published the news of Superhero's retirement at the age of 50. On July 18, 2020, 51-year-old Pople committed suicide. Superhero's memory is kept on his Facebook page with many photos and posts.

Geist

Superhero Geist joined the RLSH in 2007. Like many of his colleagues, he faced violence and hardship as a teenager. According to Geist, he considers it his duty to help people without hope and basic human resources.

“When I was 20, I had to choose between school supplies and food. This experience instills in me sympathy for such situations, - said Geist. - And then a period of introspection happened in my life, and it became clear to me that I was not realizing my full potential. I realized that there are people with more serious problems - and I have to help them. "

The superhero is engaged in humanitarian activities, because "the police are best suited to fight crime." He explained that he hides behind a mask and keeps his identity a secret, since he does not need attention to himself.

“Thanks to my accomplishments, I feel better. We've all made mistakes, sometimes we have things in the past that we need to fix. So perhaps there is some redemption here, "Geist explained the motives behind his activities.

Judging by the superhero's Facebook page, he continues to provide humanitarian assistance to people. Before the New Year, Geist donated "several funny books, toys and other things" to low-income children.

Insignis

Salt Lake City-based tattoo parlor owner Dave Montgomery joined the ranks of superheroes in the mid-2000s. He took his pseudonym Insignis (English - "outstanding"), and after a while changed it to Nihilist (English - "nihilist"). The superhero explained that he began this activity after recovering from alcohol addiction.

“After I quit drinking, I got very bored and wanted something more. I came across real superheroes on the internet and was amazed by them. They just dress up and walk the streets helping people. I flew into this environment almost instantly ",

- told Insignis.

Together with colleagues, he patrolled the streets at night, and thanks to the costumes, people immediately identified them as superheroes.“We just walked the streets, looking for situations in which it would be useful,” he shared. “I came up with the Black Monday Society. This is a group of people who take the worst day of your life and stop it - are you going to do something stupid, get drunk and beat up an old lady, or need help on the street. If it's the police, they'll throw you in jail. If this is us, we will simply intervene and help you. "

The superhero explained that the respect of those around whom was given help gave him strength. In 2011, Montgomery officially retired. He is a single father and wants more time to raise his daughter.

bbabo.Net