Archives June 2010

I have had a hard time as of late. It could just be me, but I see stagnation in our community. This could just be a break in the constant drama we usually are consumed in, but I just feel like things are sagging. Maybe this is the summer feel, maybe it is something else.
I just feel hard to be motivated at this point. Down on my spirits if you will. I am working to get the rally organized and trying to do meetups, but there is just this burning itch that says it is not enough, that urges me to go on forward. But I do not feel it.
With the advent of the new Heroes Network comes and opportunity to build. There has been a tremendous amount of influx and reorganizing on RLSH.net as well, but despite this I still just feel that at this point, we have hit a level.
It is a time of regrouping, reorganization, and, in a lot of ways, rest. Many RLSH have retired from public eye, and the private organizations among us are coalescing in their own hidden ways. Meets are being organized, things are on the verge of occurring, but as of right now, I see very little actually happening.
This could just be my interpretation, but I believe that we are seeing a new growth in the way our wacky world works.
In the beginning days, we saw individuals all arising to the same idea: dress up, go out, and help people. With the information age fueling connectivity between people it was not long before we saw groups form. Small, private, and hard working, these groups set the tone and bars of expectation.
It was not long before these small groups gave way to larger groups, and all the drama and fragmentation we have seen from their formation. We saw things go two ways: private and public. One side embraced the idea of individuals, the other of community. Both brought different things to the table, but the fall of these two systems is once again imminent. Why is this so?
We are going mainstream.
Deny it all you want, but interest in whatever the hell you call what we do has risen to popular status. With the exposure brought on by the Mr. Tangen’s project, movies, ads, and general interest by the media, we are now stepping out of the shadows into a greater one: that of the public.
RLSH.net alone has seen a tremendous boom in users, and many are staying and contributing. Other sites are springing up, and as I have said before we are all starting new projects and paths it seems. We are at a new age of public involvement with what we do, or at least dangerously close to the cusp of such.
I do not state any opinion with this. This is merely the marking of a growth our lives. It is important to note things, and I believe that if anyone else feels this same stagnate quiet of reorder and growth that I do, then we are at a very interesting time indeed, my friends.
I will post tomorrow about summer patrols. In the meantime, reflect on where we are. As the old saying goes, you have to know where you have been to know where you are going.
Stay frosty.
Written by Mr. Jack
Original Content –  http://maskedmusings.blogspot.com/2010/06/shadow-on-sun.html
 

Real life superheroes ( RLSH ) are a growing Movement of cyber escapists who crusade only online alongside creative activists hitting the streets with new names and outfits.
It’s an exciting time to help stretch the ( usually, yawn! ) concept of concerned citizenship into broader, bolder forms.
As usual I caution against inevitable cultural blowback. I don’t do it as a kill joy nor being a hater. I just look at trends in related fields and consider us with this in mind.
Because we haven’t amassed a series of high profile civil rights violations like 1990s Bounty Hunter Scare ( a RLSH related field if EVER there were one ), there haven’t been Congressional hearings and states tripping over themselves to slap down varying degrees of regulation.
Currently unlicensed and potentially unlimited, we are largely self-policed and advise ourselves on legal and other vital concerns. While a host of RLSH books have been written with many more pending, we don’t have a hand book per se ( though Knight Owl’s RLSH Manual serves admirably ) or defined industry standards.
As private citizens being conscious of HUGE criminal and civil liabilities this caveat keeps the vast majority of us out of trouble. Related fields like private security and bounty hunting have copious case law chiefly documenting false arrest; impersonation of officers and excessive force cases.
Unlike government counterparts, when a security officer; bail enforcement agent and especially a real life superhero grabs the wrong person or unlawfully inflicts injury, he/she QUICKLY goes to jail and has roughly a year to plan his/her defense before a potentially skeptical court.
There’s very real legal risk in being a RLSH. Keep in mind most of us don’t have official status with the local PD like some versions of Batman or Doc Savage commissions from the NYPD and feds of his pulp novel America. Ideally we can work on establishing relationships with law enforcement to avoid future conflict.
We’re still fleshing this role out. Kinks remain to be smoothed out but a doctrine ahs been established. We’ve also grown to include conventional concerned citizens in what I term RLSH-inspired community coalitions ( RICCS ) to patrol the streets and dispense food supplies alongside our colorful peers.
The devil is in the details and regarding the real life superhero Movement, it remains to be seen what ultimate form our details will assume. We’re still a work very much in progress.
That said, there remains very real legal risk in being a RLSH.
Ask an attorney or visit RLSH sites where you can e-mail or chat with experienced folks about this one-of-a-kind lifestyle.
*Informative RLSH sites include:
Superhero Law
Real Life Superheroes
Superheroes Anonymous
Heroes In The Night
Real life Superhero Project
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-developemnt. http://www.captblack.info.
 

Protect Your Neighborhood By Joining The Real Life Super Hero Project
Jun 23rd 2010 By: Josh Wigler
If you’re a comic book fan, chances are very high that you’ve dreamed of being a superhero at some point in your life. It’s a wish that nearly got David Lizewski killed over the course of “Kick-Ass,” but don’t look at that horror story as your example – look at The Real Life Super Hero Project instead.

Initially conceived by photographer Peter Tangen as a way to visually document the actions of real life self-proclaimed superheroes, The Real Life Super Hero Project has since evolved into “a living, breathing community that inspires people to become the positive forces for change we all can be.” In other words, we’re not talking about guys who go out and bring their fists to bear on criminals everywhere – these superheroes are cleaning up the streets through charity work, community service and other similar acts of neighborly kindness.
You can check out the project’s official website for profiles on some of these heroes – such as Life, a bowler cap wearing defender of Manhattan’s homeless population – and more information on how you can contribute to the growing network of real life superheroes.
Original Content – http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/06/23/the-real-life-super-hero-project/

Website documents life with real-life superheroes
Posted on June 21, 2010 – 01:09 PM by JK Parkin

No doubt you’ll remember the various news stories that started popping up over the last year or so about “real life superheroes” — nonfictional, Kick-Ass-esque folks donning costumes to help their communities and fight crime.
Photographer Peter Tangen started a site where he’s shining “some light on this new breed of activism and altruism” with a new website called “The Real Life Super Hero Project” that features videos, feature stories and Alex Ross-inspired portraits of the heroes.
“Now, what began as a gallery exhibit, has come to serve as the launching pad of something far greater—a living, breathing community that inspires 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,” the site reads. They also have an active Facebook page, and you can check out a trailer for the site after the jump.
Originally posted –http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/06/website-documents-life-with-real-life-superheroes/

By Tea Krulos
Since it was Father’s Day yesterday, I decided to take a look at some real life superheroes and their superhero children. Unlike Hit Girl in Kick-Ass, real life superhero kids tend to be mild mannered and trained in how to use butterfly knives.
Many real life superheroes that have children cite them as a reason for what they do- they want to make an attempt to make the world a better place for their children and inspire them.
The offspring inspire their super parents in return.
Silver Sentinel, for instance created his persona based on a superhero story he and his daughter created together.

Kid Civitron
Civitron is from New Bedford, Massachusetts and his 6 year old son has adopted two different hero personas- Kid Civitron and Mad Owl. Civitron explained the origin of Kid Civitron in a phone interview.

“When he was three he was playing with these two little Lego action figures and one of them wore a little helmet and the other was red with black hair. And these two little guys were going on an adventure. And he was playing by himself and I was in the doorway watching him, and he was playing out the adventures of his dad, Civitron, and his dad’s friend, Citizen Prime (a RLSH from Salt Lake City). That afternoon he comes up to me and says ‘Dad, can I be Kid Civitron? My powers are I can run really fast and I can climb mountains.’ I was really shocked, I was really amazed, I never even really thought about it.
He designed his own costume and drew it out. His original suit was yellow, with a red cape; he said ‘when you think Civitron, you think fire!’ So he picked fire colors. He has a mask with a light bulb on it, because he has good ideas. So I got him a cape with fire on the back, and he became Kid Civitron. After that, he found another mask that looked like owl eyes or bird eyes that were angry and he became the Mad Owl and that became his superhero persona. And the Mad Owl became the defender of animals. Any animal in trouble any animal lost.”

Mad Owl got to live out his mission with a stranded turtle at the park.

“We were out on a water bottle mission to the park and he found these two little girls by the pond. And he ran up to them and said, ‘what are you two doing?’ They said, ‘we found this turtle in the parking lot, and we’re trying to get it out of the parking lot and back into the water.’
“They didn’t want to push it or pick it up, or hurt it. And he said, ‘well, I’m a superhero, so I can help.’ They came up with the idea that they would all walk together and take really tiny steps behind the turtle. And as they walked, I don’t know how long it took them, a very long time, taking tiny little steps behind the turtle to get it back into the water from the parking lot.
It’s funny, I think of the scope of accomplishments and the perspective of age, talent, whatever, and he’s done a lot more than I have, just by doing that!”(Laughs)

I asked Civitron if he hopes that Kid Civitron will continue to be a RLSH as he grows up.

“It is up to him. If he wants to do it, that’s great, but the costume part, the superhero part, that’s personal. I don’t want to force that on someone if it is not truly them. I don’t want to be that crazy pageant parent with training and stress. I want to treat it as something positive that could enrich his life. Not something weird and out of the ordinary, but something positive.
It is ok to be creative; it is ok to take that power and control of your personality. Be true to yourself, and do the things you think are important and not think it is weird or odd. I think it has worked. He is really, surprisingly sure of himself. Even where he feels that if he’s not good at something, he is comfortable and confident enough to feel that to know that, and he is ok with it.”

Danger and Wonderboy
The Watchman, my hometown hero here in Milwaukee, decided to get his sons involved with his superhero act, letting them participate in charity events. They thought of their own names- Danger and Wonderboy. The trio delivered a supply of toys together to the Gingerbread House, a non-profit that gives low income families donated gifts for the holiday season. The Watchman told me about this in person and in an e-mail filling me in on how his end of the 2nd Annual Great Lakes Heroes Guild Christmas toy drive challenge was going.

“I’ll have about $100 to buy toys with. I’ll probably be dropping them off either (December) 19th or 20th. I’m still planning on taking my boys along for the drop, but I have to come up with costumes/uniforms for them. The oldest is sticking with the “Wonderboy” name, while the other one has chosen “Danger” as his name.”

He chronicled the mission in a YouTube video, panning over the stock of My Little Ponies, X-Men, Iron Man, and Star Wars action figures, Barbies, G.I. Joes, iTunes gift cards(“older kids often get overlooked” Watchman noted) and video games .
From his lair in his basement, Watchman described the charity.

“The gingerbread house takes care of needy families. They donate toys to families whose parents don’t have enough money to provide toys as presents for their children. This year they served 600 families. That is up quite a bit from last year. I was fortunate this year in that I was able to triple what I was able to do for them last year.” He also introduced Wonder Boy and Danger.
On their very first mission, they helped me donate the toys, they helped me carry them in a dropped them off at the gingerbread House. Good job kids, I’m very proud of you.”

“I think it is important to help out, especially around Christmastime. You’re never too young or too old to be a hero.” Wonder Boy says to camera.
“It’s good to give to people who don’t have enough. I hope we made a difference.” Danger adds.
Blue Girl
BloodRaven is a 21 year old from Waldorf, Maryland. She is trained as an EMT and going to school for criminal justice. She described her transformation into a superhero in an e-mail interview.

“I became a masked hero during the summer. My boyfriend decided he didn’t have time for me, so I became preoccupied with other things and as a consequence, almost forgot about him, LOL. Learning everything it takes to be a productive RLSH distracted me from problems in my own life and switched the focus to the world in general. I’ve always been interested in justice work, super heroes, comics… it was a natural switch.”

Besides patrolling her campus, she does litter pickups with her two and a half year old daughter, Blue Girl. As a single mother, it is clearly about connecting in a fun way and establishing a mother-daughter bond.

“(One of the most rewarding things is) teaching Blue Girl what’s right and what’s wrong. She won’t ever litter. She picks it up and puts it in the trash if she sees it. She’s two and a half. She knows about bad guys and that heroes are good.”
Getting kids involved, even at this small level, could do wonders for crime rates and litter rates in the future. The problem is that kids don’t really care these days. No one explains why something is wrong, or why something is right. They don’t get that littering is bad because it kills plants, or that it could hurt animals. They’re just too lazy to find a trash can. I wanna do something to change that. Break the cycle. Kids are much too spoiled these days.”

I asked BloodRaven if she would like to see Blue Girl grow up to be a RLSH.

“I’m not sure. I definitely want Blue Girl to be involved in the community, no matter where we are living. All kids should be. I wish my parents had brought that on me as well.”

I think this will be a great follow up story for my future self- will these kids grow up to be real life superheroes like their parents- or will they pull an “Alex P. Keaton” choosing an opposite path…like the path of a supervillain?! -dun dun DUN!

Message from Motor Mouth-
Independence Day this year happens to land on a Sunday so with Saturday
nights being normally busy, Saturday July 3rd will probably be
exceptionally busy this year with it being a holiday weekend and all
I would like for as many real life superheroes as possible to hit the
streets doing what we do best: helping out our little corners of the
country. Do your handouts, patrol your areas, keep an eye out, and do
what you do.
I would also like to make this an annual thing of sorts. This will mark
the second year we’ve done it in the Bay Area where I live & I honestly
think it would make for a great new tradition for & in what we do.
-Motor Mouth-

 

Originally posted: http://maskedmusings.blogspot.com/2010/06/awareness-3-masked-humility.html
By Mr. Jack
The mask does not make you, you make the mask.
Sometimes in our little community of costumed crazies we sometimes come to think that we deserve more attention and respect than we actually deserve. Let us be very clear: you are a person who is dressing up in homage to fictional cartoon superheroes who goes out and attempts the delusional, yes delusional, fantasy of helping and fixing the world’s problem dressed as such. This is what we do. Nothing more, nothing less. Some of us do it better than others, some of us worse. Some of us actually were born to do it, while some are born to destroy what others have created. In the end, however, we all do this same one thing.
Sometimes, however, caught up in our great delusional fantasy we become arrogant, and desire more value of our person than is worth others. And the issue here is desire. Desire poisons that which you try to purify. Have any of it in your life, and it seeps into the vessels of your actions and ruins them.
For those of us with “secret identities” this desire is actually a great temptress, because while great things can be done by anonymous people in masks no one will actually care that you did it. Secrecy is a great tool in our trade, and can be employed and exploited. It helps us to be confident, keeps us out of many troubles, separates a life we wish others to not be involved with. But with secrecy we may also desire the possibility of power. Since no one knows you, you can act as you wish, do as you please, and belittle whomever you desire in your great quest for the greater good.
This is wrong. Again, the whole desire thing eventually ends up corrupting every aspect of your intentions until none are left. But there are times when we are so tempted to reveal, so questioned by everyone around you for your worth and responsibility that you may want to just drop the facade and admit what you do.
The offer is tempting, and the dramatic reveal of it all can be quite exhilarating. It is one of the greatest “up yours.” Someone gets into a fight with you about your lack exhibiting anything beyond normal functions, and you have that ace up your sleeve that you know will garner everyone’s awe and admiration.
But it is not worth it. If you have chosen to keep your identity secret it is probably for a very good reason, and things done in the moment with such brashness never turn out well. Besides, if you really need your work as a great big Real Life Super Hero to speak for your entire character, then you obviously have a long way to go to fulfilling yourself as a person. Deluded we may be, but help is what we do. And the absolute first person you must always seek to help is yourself. Not at anyone’s expense, not for petty desires, but because you want and know you can achieve that “something more” you may dream of.
If you are only noble and great while in the mask of anonymity then you are a fraud, plain and simple. The point of a secret identity should be to experiment and push yourself to new levels. Take the opportunity of being anonymous to really try and be kind. After all, you are not you. You have a blank slate when as an anonymous pseudonym with a mask and spandex. Take the chance to explore what you could be a little, and then take those things that your learn and try putting them in every facet of your life.
Getting back to the humility we all should carry, I would like to put forth a list of tips and things that all RLSH should follow when out working in order to help them stay within the reality of our fantasy, and to keep ourselves humble and others accepting of our cause.
Mr. Jack’s Masked Manners
-Always address police officers as “Sir” or “Ma’am.” Respect their authority! Show your fellow helpers (including firemen, doctors, technicians, etc.) your sense of respect for their jobs and you will get respect for yours most often. It is not a one hundred percent thing though, but it does help always in the long run.
-Greet people on the street. When out on patrol, say hi to everyone you meet. Make eye contact, smile, and tell them hello or good day. The power of such a simple gesture like a smile or a wave is one that can change worlds. If people see such a friendly figure dressed up, they begin to question their own masks that they wear. Win over your public not for personal desire for fame or the like, but because it will help you get your message across better and be able to help people and open new doors to love.
-Always maintain composure. A lot of things happen when you are out in full gear, and most of them revolve around people trying to put you down or try and break your focus and composure. Part of being on your guard revolves around not allowing things to get under your skin. When I was with Silver Sentinel, Zetaman, Dark Guardian, Meow, Hunter and Tothian in New York one of the biggest things I admired about all of them was how great they were at just letting things roll off their armor. Silver Sentinel is a great example, as he often plays into what people say. Remember “If you are going to tell someone the truth, you’d better make them laugh. Otherwise they’ll kill you.
-The customer is always right. In all honesty of you are doing your job right then you are basically the equivalent of a service employee, and as such, you must cater to the customer. I cannot specifically give an example for this because there are so many. If someone wants something, you have to do your best of fulfill it because that is the standard which needs to be held. By all means do what is right, but make it seem like it was the customer’s idea. Charisma helps.
-Right is right only when it is nice. Yes people need wake up calls. Yes, people need help to get off the street and be warned about the dangers that fill their life. But think about this for a moment: if you had some guy off the street come up to you and start lecturing you on errors of your way and the virtues of living right would you really instinctively give him your time and listen? Now add in that that guy is dressed in spandex and a cape and calls himself Justice Avenger Supreme. You now see the absurdity of it. Yes, our mandate is to help, but for gods’ sakes do not be belligerent and in people’s faces unless there is no other way. Rude and noisy should always be a last resort to the virtues of gentle, kind care.
-Hold yourself to the standards you seek of others. If you have unrealistic expectations then you are doomed to fail. In other words, if you think that you can go out and stop crime when you are publicly intoxicated or driving like a maniac or carrying lethal weapons without a permit then you are now the problem others have to help. Lead by example and you will most likely not be questioned for your worth of actions.
-Finally, and this is a small but big thing, look in a mirror when you are dressed up. Yes, it is nice to admire how awesome you look, but this is not my intention for this specific manner. Look in the mirror to see what others will see of you. If you cannot look in the mirror and trust the image you see then neither can anyone else. Appearance is one of the most paramount aspects we should worry about in our community, not again for personal gain, but to be symbols. We wear what we wear to draw attention, to inspire, to help. If you cannot trust who you see in the mirror, change it in some way to make it so you can.
~~~~~~~
Awareness Challenge 2: Think Before You Act
I mean this for every part of your life. Before you take an action, just take a nanosecond and think about what you mean by it, what it will actually do, and how it will be perceived. This sort of thought checking is difficult to maintain for a long time, but with practice it can become second nature. By just slowing down your thought process to “proofread” your action before it happens, you can determine a better course of action for it, which may indeed be the one you had already set. But never underestimate the power of such thought. It may be the difference between you making peace between two people or throwing the first punch. The choice, as always, is yours.

Geist is an interesting guy, even among fellow real life superheroes ( RLSH ).
We’ve never communicated except by e-mail and an ocassional IM chat. I stay current on his media appearances and consider him a modest standard bearer for this very unusal lifestyle.
What I like most is how he sold a comic book collection to finance his new role as a masked activist. His portfolio includes assisting flood victims; regularly helping the homeless and ongoing donations to various people in need. Geist is always somewhere, helping somebody.
He’s like a one man Red Cross and Justice League all rolled into one green outfit.
Among the better known RLSH, Geist still maintains a low key profile. His shades and scarf gimmick has ” pulp novel ” written all over it. As someone pulp-influenced I like the regular clothes look as much as costumes.
Geist is the kind of subtle humanitarian our Movement should celebrate. He doesn’t toot own horn nor could ever be accused of vigilantism. He’s become a presence who makes himself known and disappears. He’s definitely got the mystery man part of the RLSH role down pat.
Don’t be surprised if he pops up on the Comments section of an online story congratulating you. That’s the kind of guy he is.
His balanced approach invites study by anyone considering becoming a RLSH or even those already active.
So many lives can be touched with a little money and time invested. Do yourself a favor and google Geist.
Those already familiar know what I’m talking about. Newcomers are in for a real treat.
Geist was one of the first RLSH I researched after going public like this. All I can say is he’s a quiet force for good.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info

Originally posted:http://www.the-biomatrix.net/way-of-the-superhero.htm
By By James Carrales Lira AKA Vampireto! of Biomatrix.net
‘The way of the superhero’ is something I like to talk about a lot (believe me, I never stop!) and to me consists of taking three aspects that a superhero has (and that I admire) and to imitate them in real life. These are a strong body, outstanding mind, and a great style. That’s why, as a fan of superheroes, I came to see the Real Life Super Heroes community (RLSH) as role models for the age of the hero. At first I was surprised that more people shared my enthusiasm; that there are people that are brave enough to put on a costume and go out and try to change the established status (yes! I’m talking about you Mr. Hero!). But did they have what it really takes? Sadly, as I came to discover some do, but others… not so much! It’s as if they just act super when they have the costume on, and that’s a shame! A hero most be a hero all the time – like a state of mind if you like. This might be why many also seem a little out of shape – YES , GOOD PHYSIQUES ARE IMPORTANT. Didn’t want to mention it but, it certainly does make people feel safer than if they’re next to a wimpy superhero. So to better know if they have not just the ‘Heart of a Hero’, but also the body and mind of one too, I talked with one of them to discern if my doubts were justified!
For all of you, here is Dale Pople – AKA. ‘Super Hero’:
Hello Super Hero and thanks again for taking time to answer my questions… first of all:
I’ve heard that the hero persona must be a better version of yourself, one that improves on whatever flaw one has. For example: if you lack confidence then use your alter-ego to find that inner strength that’s missing. Is that true?
That’s possible, but everyone is different, so it may apply to some but not others. I’m pretty much the same guy in or out of my suit I think. Although some people have said my voice gets a little ‘Deeper’.
Do you exercise constantly? If that’s the case can you tell us your normal routine?
I have been a weightlifter since I was 17 and always liked to train heavy, I even ended up power lifting (see MySpace video) nowadays I do a few days a week of kettle bells as well. I hate to say it but although Batman & Superman are built like Bodybuilders I think a real Superhero would do a lot more kettle bells than just about anything else. The give you strength, Endurance, Cardio, agility, all of it. So that’s what I recommend as a ‘Superhero Workout’ nowadays.
Do you think it would be wise to improve first your civilian background (your secret identity, if you like) to make a better SUPERHERO in the future? Is it worth it waiting until you get stronger or its ok to train while patrolling the streets?
Well, I’m an odd case. I was in the military, always worked out, even went thru the Police academy & was a Pro Wrestler before becoming a Superhero. So I ‘groomed’ myself for this lifestyle for a long time without really knowing it. I was also almost 30 when I did (I’m 41 now) as for a younger guy? I’d say yeah, go ahead & do it but keep learning & training as you go.
Everybody talks about taking martial arts, self-defence lessons or preparing for physical confrontation for their crime fighting quests. Is that really as important for a superhero as everybody thinks? How many times have you used your fighting skills on a real situation?
Hardly ever, BUT that being said I’d rather know how to fight & never need it then need to fight & not know how. Take something. No art is going to hurt you.
Some say that the best way to improve you is in a competitive atmosphere. Does being on a sport team would improve you as a Superhero? I think no, a Superhero has to have a ‘Put the other guy over’ attitude. Like a Pro Wrestler. That’s why I was a better wrestler than a Football player or something (I’m not into sports) so I’d say no.
What sports do you recommend for developing your strength? Or you speed? What about your agility and reflexes? Is there any kind of super-training that let you develop all of these aspects at once?
See above (Kettlebells – check them out on YouTube)
Do you think that the general RLSH community needs to make an improvement into their own physical aptitude?
Eh, not really, most guys train somehow, there are a few guys who I wish would put some more meat on there bones, but they’re young and are trying so I don’t hold it against them.
Do you have any health advice for those who are starting training?
Pick up some magazines like Muscle & Fitness, read the routines, I used to have a CPT, Hire a trainer & have him show you around the gym, you’ll make gains quicker if you have a clue what to do. Watch the other guys & ask questions.
Another great fundamental part on the ‘way of the superhero’ is the awesome minds that some of them have (say Batman, Tony Stark, Sherlock Holmes, etc.), and everybody knows that Spiderman always wins because under the whole spider-like package (I mean his powers not his package…) there’s a genius. So…. Do you think it’s important to hit the book and, improve your mind?
You forgot Reed Richards & Hank Pym (now the Scientist Supreme) but at any rate yeah, improving your mind is paramount. Learn your local laws so you don’t break any. Maybe study profiling, I study a LOT of criminal cases (Columbine, the North Hollywood shootout etc) and history in General. I feel History is the best teacher.
Do you exercise your mind to become more capable in helping others?
Nah, I feel that’s instinctive, you either stop at accidents or keep driving, it’s two different types of people.
Do you know of any exercise to improve your memory?
Huh?
What about the skills you need to know on daily basis in the superhero world? Say fist aid or mechanics? Is there any other that you think would be useful? What about public relations?
PR is a HUGE one, I get asked to represent the Superhero community on a VERY regular basis, but I have a unfair advantage as I have worked in broadcasting for 15 years. I’m a extrovert, & enjoy the public a great deal. A Lot of the guys who do this seem to be very introverted & I have no such problem. Just to be fair I’ve also been asked NOT to on a few occasions.
And the final part: the style! Yes, my friends, the style! That cool thing that great characters have that make them immortal legends (or at least famous enough to be on the big screen); the ability to reinvent yourself, to create your own new persona, your own code of honour – and then to follow it to the end. Superheroes have it and so you do. But with great style comes great individuality. You must be original. You must not copy others (Do you see Wolverine asking Ironman about fashion tips? (Iron Wolverine? Hmm… interesting!)). Yeah it’s hard, but at the end you will feel great to know that you stand out from the rest.
Well, just about every great superhero design has been done before, so you’re going to borrow unintentionally or not. I AM very different from the rest of the pack in the fact that I am VERY colourful, that seems to be frowned on pretty badly by the bulk of the community. Most of the guys seem to think ‘The more black the better’ I blame the new batman films personally.
Did you design your own costume?
Yes.
What where you thinking while designing it?
Function, colour, Classic Superheroes
Why don’t you use a mask? Does it have anything to do with being more easily trusted by the people?
I’m in Florida, masks are hot, they are also not nearly as convenient or practical as comics make them seem. Somebody can crank it, then you’re blind & in trouble. they also limit your vision. I just don’t like them.See aboveMy suit was built with Florida in mind. It’s all heat friendly, even the gloves are ventilated.
Do you consider the practical value of it when making it?
How do you fight against the heat or cold with that costume on?
What are the materials you used?
Spandex & lycra mostly.let’s see. Stun gun, 37mm shot cannon, bear mace, ASP Baton, Mag light, Body armor, Bokken, sonic grenade, scanner, GPS. Exacto knife, multi tool etc.
Do you use any kind of gadgets? If that’s the case can you name them?
Do you make your own gadgets? Or have someone make them for you?
No, some guys make their own but I’m very ‘Soviet’ with my equipment. I like proven reliable tech.
Do you think it’s important to develop you own tech no matter the time it takes to achieve it?
No
If that the case what gadget would you like to have?
A Phaser
Having a trademark gadget is awesome (batarangs, web-shooters,) do you know any RLSH that has developed their own gadgets?
Yes, The EYE makes a ton of his stuff. and Death’s Head Moth actually has Motherangs!
Do you know what TRANSHUMANISM IS? In that case would you consider it as an important part into a superhero’s life-style?
You got me on that one, & I didn’t want to Google it because that would be cheating & I’m a superhero LOL

Silver Sentinel; Super Hero and I, among others, are part of what Silver calls ” Golden Age ” real life superheroes ( RLSH ).
Growing up in the 60s and 70s, we’re spiritual uncles for a current RLSH Movement populated by mostly 20 somethings.
I like being a Golden Ager. I always admired Golden Age heroes of my time more than modern ones. Younger RLSH probably perceive the 1980s America where we came of age the same way we viewed the 1950s: a distant time of chic glamour and two fisted crusaders. For my age group Peter Gunn; Untouchables or Sean Connery James Bond reruns epitomized cool television heroism.
RLSH these days could say the same about Phillip Michael Thomas/Don Johnson Miami Vice episodes ( yes, it was on TV before becoming a Jamie Foxx movie, lol. ) or 1984’s cult classic movie: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The Eighth Dimension.
We’re from an era of a Cold War; high top fades and day glow fashions. I marveled at 1930s gangland violence. Young RLSH could do the same at documentaries about the 80s-90s Crack Wars or cinematic classics like Colors and Boyz N Tha Hood.
As a Golden Ager I grew up during a time when macho was still socially acceptable and our new wave activism has stood the test of time to now be considered ” Golden Age ” by peers a couple decades our junior.
I unapologetically believe in civic duty. I promote standing up to crime and reaching out against poverty. Discrimination is an old sparring partner and like past civil rights marchers and nationalists who inspired me, I too refuse to remain silent when prejudice is on the loose.
My RLSH approach combines NAACP/SCLC-style advocacy with creative activism enshrined by comic book icons like the Justice Society of America ( a model for my Street Team of America ) or Story Studios must-read Johnny Saturn epic.
There’s a heavy pulp novel influence to my work and always acknowledge Doc Savage and his Famous Five as prime examples of what a RLSH-like group of uncostumed crusaders would be.
Add The Avenger and Justice Inc.; Buckaroo Banzai; the Hong Kong Cavaliers and his Blue Blaze Irregulars alongside Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack to the list. I believe in having friends with whom you can save the world.
I’m old school. The 21st Century is a little light on values for my tastes. As a visionary I love its multi-media technology but work to upgrade people to keep pace with rapidly advancing technology.
The Golden Age school of thought provides contemporary RLSH with proven perspective on how to go about this very unusual brand of activism.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info.