Alternate universes and super powers may be limited to comic books, but costumed crusaders are everywhere in the real world. If they aren’t fighting crime, they’re doing good deeds, raising awareness, helping the downtrodden, setting an example, steering kids in the right direction, and generally making the world a better place, each in their own strange way. Here are a few that are based in the southern part of the United States.
Master Legend
Orlando, Florida
Master Legend goes on missions to find and help the homeless of Orlando. He began his superhero career in Winter Park, Florida. He works together with other Florida superheroes in both his missions and his music, as several heroes has formed a band called the Justice Force. The article The Legend of Master Legend was printed in Rolling Stone in 2008 and is reposted online at Real Life Superheroes. See a video featuring Master Legend at vimeo.
Danger Woman
Atlanta, Georgia
Danger Woman calls herself a “karaoke crimefighter”. She’s also a disability rights activist. Danger Woman is autistic and use her trusty microphone to give evil a headache with her singing. Her life and crusade against disaba-phobia (the fear of disabled people) is the subject of a documentary called Disabled But Able to Rock! Watch the trailer at YouTube (warning: singing). You can keep up with Danger Woman’s activities through her MySpace blog.
Superhero
Clearwater, Florida
Superhero may have a generic name, but he’s well known in Clearwater. A former professional wrestler, he roams the streets in his 1975 Corvette and helps stranded motorists. He also makes appearances to teach road safety and to raise money for various charities with a particular emphasis on helping the homeless.
Hardwire
Greensboro, North Carolina
There’s not a lot of information on Hardwire, except that he used to go by the name Point Guardian and he’s retired from the superhero scene. Hardwire appeared as himself in the 2008 movie Your Friendly Neighborhood Hero.
Daddy Man
Zachary, Louisiana
Daddy Man is a role model. His alternate identity is Ivy Butler of Zachary, Lousiana. He created the superhero persona first as an inspiration to his seven children, and became a hero to other children, then a role model for other fathers. You can keep up with Daddy Man’s activities on his blog. Butler is the subject of the book The Chronicles of Daddy Man. Hear what Daddy Man has to say at YouTube.
Enigma
San Antonio, Texas
Enigma patrols San Antonio looking for any opportunity to do good. He posts his exploits at MySpace, where you can read about an incident earlier this year where he stopped a pair of car thieves. Enigma also lends his powers to environmental causes.
The Viper
Columbia, Tennessee
The Viper is a 20-year-old college student who dresses in green and patrols the streets of Columbia, Tennessee. The local police aren’t impressed, and in fact warned him against wearing a mask in public. The Viper says, “I am just a guy trying to do what’s right in tights.” Columbia citizens think it’s kind of neat to have a superhero in their small town.
Amazonia
Ocala, Florida
Amazonia has been working as a superhero since 2002, beginning in Lowell, Massachusetts and worked in both New York City and Ocala, Florida. She is now based in an “undisclosed location”. Amazonia patrols the streets looking for opportunities to help people and takes part in activities such as blood drives, helping the homeless, and environmental activism. Read more on her blog.
DC Guardian
Washington, DC
DC Guardian is part of the Capital City Super Squad, a group of nine superheroes who patrol Washington. An Air Force veteran, he hands out copies of the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights to remind everyone of what it means to be an American.
KnightVigil
Tampa, Florida
KnightVigil also goes by the name Darian VanLansing, although that’s not his true identity. He is a Christian superhero who works to provide needed food and clothing to the children of migrant workers in Florida.
The Crimson Fist
Atlanta, Georgia
The Crimson Fist turned to his superhero practice after years of drugs and alcohol. By day he’s an IT programmer; by night he spends his time helping the homeless of Atlanta. He patrols the streets and hands out supplies such as bottled water and socks to those in need, using his own funds. He wishes he could do more:
“I think for the most part, it makes me feel good to do it, as selfish as it sounds. The biggest motivation is just helping people, it’s enjoyable to me,” he says. “And if it means a little sacrifice, I’m OK with that. Because if I didn’t do it, I wouldn’t feel whole.”
Coming soon: Real World Superheroes from other parts of the US and the rest of the world.
Comments (21)
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Cincinnati briefly had a superhero, Shadowhare, but he seems to have disappeared. Hopefully he didn’t have an encounter with a super-villain!
posted by LawMonkey on 8-17-2010 at 11:27 am
I can’t believe that you failed to mention the fact that Danger Woman has a song written about her!!
Danger Woman by the Aquabats! is on their fourth album “Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2″
Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myths,_Legends,_and_Other_Amazing_Adventures,_Vol._2
posted by Lola on 8-17-2010 at 12:06 pm
All of this is well and good, but I wish these people realized that these deeds can be done without dressing up like a complete jackass. There’s nothing wrong with helping the homeless in jeans and a t-shirt.
posted by Red Bunny on 8-17-2010 at 12:33 pm
Lola, I didn’t mention it because I didn’t know. However, the song can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPFI6E0c61A
posted by Miss Cellania on 8-17-2010 at 12:40 pm
@ Bunny – aww, where’s your sense of adventure and fun? I have an alter-ego too: “Daddy the Clown” – very scary to coulrophobes. Boo! HAHAHA!!
see – madeja laugh.
posted by Jon on 8-17-2010 at 1:41 pm
Red Bunny, chances are no one would even pay attention to the good deeds of these people if they didn’t add a little fun to it. I think it’s awesome.
posted by Laura on 8-17-2010 at 1:50 pm
DC is in the South?
posted by B-Doc on 8-17-2010 at 2:07 pm
Yes, DC is in The South.
posted by Miss Cellania on 8-17-2010 at 2:14 pm
@ B-Doc–DC is below the Mason-Dixon Line seperating Pennsylvania from Maryland.
posted by Wayne on 8-17-2010 at 2:35 pm
south india?
posted by conrick on 8-17-2010 at 2:43 pm
Thank you for correcting a grave error in judgment. I read that RS article on Masters of Legend and completely assumed it was humor. So you’re telling me the guy is real?
posted by Mike on 8-17-2010 at 2:58 pm
the timing of this article was perfect…. I just watched KICKASS this past weekend! too funny!
posted by motorkitty on 8-17-2010 at 4:21 pm
Part of the Mason-Dixon Line actually runs through south Jersey, near Atlantic City! Found that out last New Year’s Day when we went out for breakfast and past a sign that said “Mason-Dixon Line.”
posted by Berbert on 8-18-2010 at 8:08 am
What the eff is with all of the Florida, particularly west coast Florida, particularly the greater Tampa Bay area? I live here, I know it’s weird, but thanks to this article, I just realized it is even slighter weirder than I previously thought.
posted by Zoe on 8-18-2010 at 10:49 pm
Viper protects Columbia?
From what? Runaway mules on Mule Day?
posted by Patten on 8-19-2010 at 3:20 pm
Master Legend also thinks he’s the archangel Metatron, can summon a legion of angels using voodoo, and believes homosexuals should be put to death.
I’m extremely disappointed that Mental Floss would feed into that monster’s ego by featuring him on the front page.
posted by Agent Beryllium on 8-20-2010 at 11:06 pm
hi. . .just wanted to say thanks for the plug. . .and to address the question of why a costume. . .it brings a bigger spotlight to what needs to be done. . .we pass things everyday. . .and never notice them. . .when a costumed individual is there. . .it breaks us your routine. . .and you notice what’s going on. . .it’s just a way of brining attention to any given situation. . .
dc
posted by DC's Guardian on 8-24-2010 at 5:25 pm
I feel that DC’s Guardian summed it up the best. So many complain of a lack of “help” in the communities and the world. As a whole no one notices the people in regular street clothes striving to make a difference in their community. It has been said in many ways that everyone wants a Superhero in their life. A Superhero helps you to see that there is still hope in this world. I did!
posted by Daddy-Man on 8-27-2010 at 1:08 pm
Missing One in Prichard Al.a suburb of Mobile Al. calls himself THUNDERBOLT
few have heard of him only a few actually have seen him,appears only the badguys get to see him the most! He’s been bashing them for i estimate 15 years or so,highly secretive,no one knows his identity. I know one girl who he stopped a robbery where her mother worked,heard of several other robberies he has foiled,captured burglars,caused the arrest of numberous drug dealers,found and fought it out with a gang who were car jacking people,lots more.not youre armed with a billy club and mace type,heavily armed,with body armor and batman type gadgets.Has even came to the aid of several old people being beaten and robbed. Gary
posted by Gary on 10-23-2010 at 7:59 pm
just
posted by Gary on 10-24-2010 at 11:12 am
I was googling for Thunderbolt and found your site! It had a comment on him! I never would have believed it if i hadnt seen it with my own eyes!We don’t have anything much like this in Mobile,Al. But there he was! I was sitting at a red light sorta worried as i was in a bad part of town,wanted to get on out of it as fast as possible and across the street two guys were trying to force their way into a car with a young girl looked about 22. I was unsure what to do and before i could do anything this van came flying into the parking lot and this guy in costume jumps out and rushes the two guys and sprays one by pointing his arm with something he had attached to his wrist,he went down and the other it looked like he tazered him.The girl he was trying to see if she was ok but took off tires burning rubber,she was to scared to realize he saved her meanwhile both guys had gotten to their feet and took off running.I asked him who he was and he said Thunderbolt but didnt want to talk,said he didnt like media and got in his van an left.I asked the store guy if he saw what happened but he didnt since it was on the side of building he did say the girl had came in asking directions because she was from out of town and lost.I just never seen anything like it! It was great,called the police but they didnt take me serious! So what the hech! he didnt need the grief anyway as he said he didnt like media.But i gues there is some who care enough not to stand on the sidelines and watch someone get hurt!There are real superheros!
posted by Tom on 3-13-2011 at 8:26 pm