Real-Life 'Kick-Ass' Strikes Again in Seattle

Originally posted: http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/01/05/real-life-kick-ass-superhero/

There is little that is as entertaining or bizarre as the existence of real life superheroes. In a society that often feels completely fueled by popular culture (there are a staggering number of people who study blueprints of Captain Kirk’s Enterprise, after all), the idea of people actually strapping on tights and body armor and going to war with doing battle with the criminal world feels, well, inevitable. Terrifyingly so.
A few months back, we told you about the Rain City Superhero Movement, a superhero team consisting of masked avengers like Thorn, Green Reaper, Catastrophe and Thunder 88, who have pledged to rid Seattle, Washington through the use of tasers and public safety education. Now, they’ve officially gone big time and have a piece in the British tabloid The Sun recounting their various exploits.
The piece centers on a particular masked vigilante with the most excellent name of Phoenix Jones, whose costume is Batman-esque yellow and black armor (complete with utility belt stocked with tasers and mace), who patrols the rain-soaked streets of of Seattle in a Kia driven by an unknown woman — who we can only hope is his infinitely understanding wife or girlfriend and not his mother.
Phoenix Jones definitely sees himself as the real deal, having been stabbed and nearly shot in the line of duty. He’s obviously proud of his work: “When I walk into a neighborhood, criminals leave because they see the suit. I symbolize that the average person doesn’t have to walk around and see bad things and do nothing.”
But don’t just take his word for it! A local named Dan told The Sun that when he walked in on his car being stolen, Phoenix Jones arrived on the scene and chased the criminal away. However, one has to wonder — just how stupid and/or brave do you have to be to dress up like a comic book character and battle crime? What do the cops think of this?
Says police spokesman Jeff Kappel: “There’s nothing wrong with citizens getting involved with the criminal justice process — as long as they follow it all the way through.” In other words: “Have your fun, but please, please, please, for the love of God, don’t get yourself killed. Okay? Thanks.”
Phoenix Jones insists that the Rain City Superhero Movement consists entirely of people with military or mixed martial arts backgrounds and that they can hold their own. Though he does add that local superheroes Captain Ozone and Knight Owl are not members of the official Movement and should be “ignored.” Care for the safety of less qualified vigilantes or sour grapes? And while we’re asking rhetorical questions, how long until Phoenix Jones gets capped by a strung out junkie who doesn’t have the time or sense of humor to deal with a real life “Kick-Ass”?
For pictures of Phoenix Jones and the full story (which is just a bizarre read), head on over to The Sun. For more information of real life superheroes, make sure you check out the World Superhero Registry.