Real-Life Superheroes
For those who don’t know, there are people in the real world who have decided to take up the mask and cape and pursue crimefighting. These real-life superheroes (RLSHs) patrol the streets at night, looking for crime to stop or report—among other things.
Now, if you’re at all like me, your first instinct might be to laugh at the concept. It’s like when I found out in college that some guys I knew had actually started a Fight Club. Great movie, but doesn’t quite have the same effect in real life. Well, take a closer look at them (the superheroes, not the fight club initiates). You do get your misfits, your nut-jobs, and your egomaniacs—but you get those in office jobs too. (Trust me, I’ve met them.) There are actually quite a few of these guys that are making a real difference.
Take Terrifica. She hangs out around bars late at night and makes sure intoxicated women get home safely. Or there’s Tothian, who breaks up drunken brawls and is saving up to go to Africa and be a freedom fighter. Or there’s Geist, who focuses on disaster relief and helping the downtrodden.
So, if you can’t tell, I’ve actually gained a lot of respect for these guys. Imagine my delight when I found out we actually have our own superhero here in Kansas City: Nyx, recently-elected vice president of the Heroes Network.
Now, I have to preface this next bit by saying that I’ve been giving some thought lately to writing professionally. I’m not giving up my day job, by any means—just a few articles on the side to get my name out there and keep my writing skills sharp. It just so happens that I know someone who writes regularly for The Pitch, a local entertainment mag with good articles and a good following.
So yesterday, I decided to write Nyx to see if I could interview her and write an article about her and this movement for The Pitch. She’s agreed to an interview, but now I’ve asked her if I can go out on a patrol with her as well. Still waiting to hear back on that one. (There was recently an article in Rolling Stone about RLSHs. I’m taking a slightly different angle, focusing on a typical night’s work rather than what they do in their spare time.)
It’s unclear whether or not I’d have to come up with a superhero persona to go on the patrol with Nyx. Just in case, I’m taking suggestions now for name and costume ideas. Just click that comments link below. You know you want to. For great justice.
January 5th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Gosh I hate technology!!! It always take me forever to sign in and I can never remember my password and the one that this it automaticly gives you are crazy! They are all ^%#@0zWW+? Whaa? I have a hard enough time just spelling real words. ANYWAY… Hi! Happy New Year to you, your Wife, and all the kitties. I am glad to see you are following your dream to write. Remember the publishers need you the writers. The guys with the ideas. The ones that can put the words together in a fun and entertaining way. Without us the source runs dry. Also just because one person has written a book on a subject already doesn’t mean you can’t write one on the same subject. In fact they are more likely to publish a book that has already proved to have an audience. I have publish four non fiction books and if I can help at all let me know. Right now I am try all sorts of Fiction. It’s a whole different ball O wax. Ugh! But great too. I am trying everything from silly to horror. Right now horror. So, Boo! As you may know I love comics and I do think we are living in the golden age of the graphic novel.
How about Trashra The woman who runs down the street after the trash that gets blown away!
January 5th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Socko.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Unlike Bev, I’m not going to insult your masculinity and make you a girl superhero — I think Lothar Schadenheimer would be a great name. Your job would be to kick the ass of people who make other people feel sad or badly about themselves by making them watch videos of muppets and Zoe!
January 14th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
[...] A few posts back, I talked about getting an interview with Nyx, a RLSH (real-life superhero) in Kansas City for an article I’ll be writing for The Pitch. I’ve since asked her if I could do a patrol with her, and she just agreed. Not only that, but she alerted me to a SUPER TEAM-UP that may be occurring in May. Several other RLSHs would travel to KC to patrol for a while. Among them is Zimmer, the recently-elected President of the Heroes Network. So this could turn into a much bigger project than I had originally anticipated (in a good way). Needless to say, I’m pretty pumped about it. [...]