Originally posted: http://www.thedailyaztec.com/2011/02/real-life-superheros-patrol-on-campus/
Upset with an apathetic public, these guys took safety in their own hands

While they may not have the superhero powers featured in movies and comic strips, a local group has been braving the streets equipped with bulletproof vests and mace to “take a stand against violent crime.”
Although his “real job” is working as a security officer, Mr. Xtreme is the founder and president of the Xtreme Justice League. The name was inspired by the Justice League of America comic strips, but also because he views what he does as extreme.
“Most people aren’t going to put themselves on the line to help people they don’t know or put themselves in dangerous situations,” Mr. Xtreme said. “I think my views are extreme also, but in a good way.”
He said team members use influences from their choice characters and apply those traits to real life with the intent to stop crime through prevention, physical intervention and community outreach.
This is part of an online movement known as Real Life Superheros, in which individuals and groups perform heroic acts for the community under the masks of their hidden identities, he said.

The San Diego-based group actively patrols the College Area in response to lasts month’s assault of a woman walking home at 3 a.m. near the intersection of Campanile Drive and Montezuma Road. They also patrol areas of Chula Vista beca.
The XJL is comprised of approximately 15 individuals — students, security guards, military and retail workers — who are “running this aggressive campaign” to stop the perpetrators and prevent future attacks by raising awareness of these issues to the public, according to Mr. Xtreme.
“We are all regular people. It doesn’t matter who we are, but it matters what we do. “That’s what is special about our group: it’s a pretty diverse group of people.”
The group acts as a “visual deterrent to crime” during the day, late evenings and late night, based on what they feel is necessary.
According to Capt. Lamine Secka of the SDSU Police Department, the XJL doesn’t seem to have prevented any particular crimes, but the police department stands neutral as it hasn’t been much of a nuisance either.
Although, Secka noted, the XJL’s outfits “can be a bit distracting.”
Real life superheros patrol on campus from The Daily Aztec on Vimeo.
Mr. Xtreme, who based his outfit on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, wears a green helmet and matching cape, level IIIA bulletproof body armor, goggles that conceal his eyes and camouflage pants. Urban Avenger, a newer member who joined the XJL in the summer, dresses in red and black Under Armor items with polycarbonate motorcycle gear.
Each member carries an assortment of self-defense devices and tools that vary from pepper spray, tasers, flashlights, handcuffs and first aid to CPR kits — all of which are legal under full extent of the law, Mr. Xtreme said.
These tools are helpful if the group witnesses a crime and must implement a citizen’s arrest. Based on California Penal Code S.837, a private person may arrest another  in three situations; for a public offense committed or attempted in his presence; when the person arrested has committed a felony, although not in his presence; or when a felony has been confirmed and the citizen has reasonable cause to believe their suspect has committed it.
Though Mr. Xtreme said they’ve deployed their weapons and performed citizen’s arrests in the past, they refuse the title of “vigilantes” because they try to work within reason and not harm anyone.
Urban Avenger said that in October, he helped break up a fight involving a few men outside the San Diego State trolley station. A few months later, the man who was attacked approached him and thanked him for saving his life.
“That was the moment that justified everything we do,” he said.
However, there have been times when members of the XJL were detained by police during patrol because it was not immediately clear whether they were criminals themselves, he said.
International security and conflict resolution senior Amir Emadi said the group has a lot of potential for growth since the city is host to Comic-Con and a strong XJL presence would be good for society.
“The best aspect is it’s an option for those who might be considering joining gangs to join (the XJL) as an alternative,” Emadi said. “You can tell they feel it in their hearts and that makes them real superheros.”
The XJL is seeking to recruit more members from all backgrounds.
“The XJL can’t tackle all these problems ourselves,” Mr. Xtreme said. “We want people to volunteer and get involved so we can make our community safer. Public safety should be everyone’s concern.”

The Guardian
As a member of the community, patrolling San Diego from the shadows, I as the Guardian and our Street Team are now blogging to keep you, our neighbors, “in the know” regarding matters of security and patrol.
Feel free to join our Street Team, whether costumed or not, and make a positive difference.
 

Originally posted: http://www.10news.com/news/26650555/detail.html
Xtreme Justice League Helping Fight Crime In County
SAN DIEGO — A series of attacks in the Chula Vista and College areas have caused a local group to take action. They’re armed with bulletproof vests and mace — and they’re pretty hard to miss.
Mr. Xtreme, who is dressed in a full superhero costume complete with a helmet, a cape and a bulletproof vest, said that he’s tired of seeing people become victims, so he and his crew patrol the streets.
The Xtreme Justice League is dedicated to protecting innocents from villains – villains like the man who attacked a woman near Campanile and Montezuma, by the San Diego State University campus, while she was walking home at 3 a.m. last week. The bruise on Haley’s eye is still visible after she was punched in the face by the man.
“As he punched me I got out of his grasp and ran away,” Haley, who doesn’t want us to use her last name, told 10News.
Attacks like the one against Haley and the recent actions of a serial groper in Chula Vista motivate Mr. Xtreme to spring into action. He calls himself a real-life superhero and he and his crew are on a mission to stop these villains from attacking again.
The Xtreme Justice League wants to stop violence against women so they posted flyers near SDSU and Chula Vista featuring sketches of the man suspected of attacking Haley and the man responsible for groping at least 13 women and girls in the Chula Vista area during the last four months.
Mr. Xtreme has a message for villains: “If we see you out there and you even think about committing a crime, we are going to stop you and we are going to place you under citizen’s arrest. We will slam you on the ground and bring you to justice.”
Mr. Xtreme and his pals are armed with a mace gun, a bulletproof vest, and a Taser. They said all of their weapons are legal, and they’re not afraid to use them.
SDSU student Joel Garcia said, “At first you might think, ‘is this man a mad man?’ but after a while he looks okay,”
The Chula Vista Police Department is remaining neutral on the group but they don’t encourage anyone to confront suspects.
Haley said she’s not the first of her friends to be attacked and although she’s not familiar with the XJL, she’s grateful for their actions.
“I’m glad that people are taking action near the campus to make sure that other students are safe,” she said.
Mr. Xtreme said that he doesn’t have a law enforcement background but he has worked in security before. The so-called superhero said he’s been in a few violent situations but it’s not his intent to harass anyone.
He and his group are patrolling the College and Chula Vista areas into the weekend.

Originally posted: http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=13923977

Originally posted: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/01/slamdance-superheroes/
By Hugh Hart
They might look like comical Comic-Con exhibitionists as they patrol the streets of U.S. cities garbed in utility belts, homemade capes and jerry-rigged masks, but it’s no joke: The crime-fighters portrayed in new documentary Superheroes offer serious threats to urban troublemakers across the country.
Director Michael Barnett and producer Theodore James’ movie, which premieres Friday at the Slamdance Film Festival, sheds light on secretive guardians of the community like Zetaman, Dark Guardian, Master Legend, Lucid and Zimmer.
The clip above offers a glimpse of a San Diego-based caped crusader who goes by the name of Mr. Xtreme. Superheroes gets an encore Slamdance showing in Park City, Utah, on Wednesday.

By Spooky on October 8th, 2010
Armed with a flashlight, a can of pepper spray and a cell phone, the Watchman patrols the streets of Riverwest, hunting for criminals and evil doers. But he’s got a job, so he only plays superhero on weekends.
Although he doesn’t have any real superpowers (or even weapons), The Watchman likes to refer to himself as a real life superhero. Instead of gadgets and weapons, he opted for a simple Motorola phone, which he uses to report the crimes he happens to witness while patrolling. Contacting the police or calling an ambulance is sometimes more important than intervening in person, so he prefers to let authorities handle emergencies.
The 6-foot, 200-pound superhero wears a red mask over half his face, to conceal his identity, so that his family doesn’t have to suffer from his crime-fighting activities. He has always felt that anyone can do something to make our world better, and after contemplating about becoming a police officer, he decided to become the Watchman. While he understands some people may think his superhero outfit is somewhat funny, he’s out there to show people everyone can do their part.
But the Watchman is not the only superhero patrolling the streets at night. He actually belongs to the Great Lakes Heroes Guild, a group of real life superheroes who exchange resources and information in order to make the world a better place.
Most of the Riverwest locals who know about the Watchman think it’s actually pretty cool that they have their own superhero who actually cares about their safety and well-being, but he does get into trouble every once in a while. For example, he once saw four boys leaving an underaged party with a 15-year-old drunk girl. It seemed like they were going to take advantage of her, so he stepped in, but then her big brother came out, who seeing his masked face, thought he was the bad guy and pulled out a knife. All the Watchman could do was jump in his car and get the hell out of there. Not very superhero-like, but even a scared superhero is better than no superhero, right? Wait, that doesn’t sound right…

Razorhawk is organizing a massive homeless outreach event at Comic Con 2011 in San Diego

This will hopefully be the most massive outreach to homeless people in Southern California on the weekend of ComiCon 2011. We hope to get 50-100 heroes and hero support together to reach out to the homeless with food, water and supplies. hopefully making an impact that will be felt everywhere!
Updated information can be found at-
http://www.therlsh.net/upcoming-events-f10/homeless-outreach-358-days-away-t4824.htm
The event will go from 10PM July 22,2011 until 12 or 1 am and will recommence on Saturday afternoon July 23,2011 at Noon and run for 4-6 hours. We are also acceting donations and sponsorship that will help us get more supplies so we can help the maximum number of people.

Further Information
From Atavistik
“Hope alone gets nothing accomplished… you must have the will to make that hope a reality.”
July 23rd (Saturday) 2011 is a day that members of this community will meet at the San Diego Con to both attend the Con and to participate in a joint outreach effort to aid those in need in that area. while the odds are that a large group will be in attendance, many community members will not be able to participate. as such, we kinda figured that it would be cool to supplement the group effort in SD with as many other such handouts as possible anywhere and everywhere we can. anyone interested (I’m even leaning towards non-RLSH and non-gimmick people here) could take the 8-9 months until getting ready to do as much good as they can….. that doesn’t mean you have to save it all up til then either. think about the prime package possibilities people! {sorry, couldn’t help it} and what’s the point? because alone, at best you are seen as a costumed eccentric (not in most instances though ) at the Con, Raz and those guys will be people in costumes…. at a Comic Convention ……. that do some outreach. in costume. if we hit on the same day from the west coast all the way to Lady Liberty, from Tenochtitlan to Barrow and anywhere else that you couldn’t possibly walk from here (okay. so the Statue of Liberty is on an island and most people think Montezuma is a tequila} but you get my point) doing outreach with a flier about the HOPE meet (okay, so I’m not sure HOPE is all caps…. but I like it that way) and a simple explanation thereof, well…… then all you need is contact info and informational links.
since Raz said he’d work up a pdf flier and I have a bigger mouth than my little brother, I’m posting the sign-up sheet. I say “sign up sheet” because people could be interested in helping out, if there’s someone from here already doing this in their area we can direct that help in their direction. if there isn’t, maybe that interested person could get something going anyways…..
in short; outreach/handout, July 23rd 2011, in your town (it’s up to you)……. interested??
More information at: http://www.therlsh.net/bulletin-board-f23/hope-2011-homeless-handout-t6234.htm
 

Originally posted: http://golgotron.com/2010/08/the-people-will-look-up-and-shout-save-us/#more-5398
By Chase
2010 has ushered in the era of the super hero.  Amazing comic book characters are inspiring several franchises in movies, video games, TV and more.  As movie goers, we look to these characters and relate to them, admire them, aspire to be them.  The super hero saves the people and protects their city, but outside of the movies and the comics we have the same problems with crime and poverty and death. We have real-life issues that parallel those of the comic book world.  There isn’t a mad scientist threatening to blow up DC, but there are people getting mugged in the streets, parents losing children to gangs and drugs, people losing everything and struggling to survive on the streets.  The real-life super heroes are out there, but they don’t do it for the fame or because they loved Iron Man 2.  These heroes are out there helping their communities and looking out for the less fortunate.  They are out there with a message, a message that has fallen upon few ears until now.
Ken Goldstein is one of the founders of Planet Illogica.  With his help, Peter Tangen was able to bring about “The Real Life Super Hero” project and voice this heroic message.  While in Vancouver, Peter Tangen, photographer for major movie posters such as Hell Boy and Spider Man, was doing a photo shoot when he met one the many people who exist to help others.  Peter met a man who wears a costume, and goes by his own super hero name.  He helps the homeless, stops criminals, and protects his community.  These super heroes exist all over the world.  They may not have super powers, they may not be able to fly or stop bullets, but they act out of their own volition to help people, even just by getting to know the name of someone homeless.  Good deeds like these happen everyday, most of which go unnoticed.  The heroes have their own personal reasons for taking action but they all share a very real, very inspiring message.  That message is the power of a symbol.  A symbol that doesn’t draw attention to the guy dressed like a super hero, but to the good deeds he does everyday.  The symbol of helping your fellow man and showing that the homeless people you pass everyday on the street are not invisible.  They want people to call the police when they see a mugging instead of closing the blinds.  Drug dealers, gang members, homeless people, they are all still human beings.  Many of these people need help and even a small act of kindness can change their lives.
So how did Planet Illogica offer their support and bring light to the efforts of these super heroes?  They held the launch of “The Real Life Super Hero” campaign with Golden Apple in San Diego during Comicon. Guests got a chance to do a photo shoot with Peter Tangen dressed as their own alter ego super heroes. The event was to announce the launch of the campaign and possible future plans. Unbeknownst to anyone at the launch, except for Tangen, six real life super heroes attended out of costume and under their alter egos.
There are many sites dedicated to the super hero community.  They share stories, philosophies, and encourage others to join their cause and give them advice.  There are many icons in the media that send a different message of what it means to do something heroic.  Kids and adults get inspired by these icons and confuse being a super hero and doing a heroic deed.  “The Real Life Super Heroes” say that you can do heroic deeds everyday with or without a mask.  It is a concern that in the future someone will come along amongst the wannabes and hero fans that will start taking the law into their own hands or declare themselves a “Real Life Super Hero”, then go out and rob a bank or commit crimes at large.  “The Real Life Super Heroes” do not declare themselves as an organization.  They are a collective of people inspired by a message and are taking action.  They all live by a strict code and stress this code to any newcomers.  They ask that if you are planning on taking action that you obey any laws where you live, and to not become a vigilante dealing  judgment and deciding what’s right and wrong.  The heroes say that they do not deem right from wrong, but simply uphold their moral and ethical code.  The websites are a place for newcomers to get information and gain advice and guidance, but likewise if they are joining for the wrong reasons they can be turned away.

Peter Tangen did a side-by-side photo shoot of the super heroes, one in costume and one out of costume (for those who would take off their masks).  The heroes wanted people to see past their masks and look into the eyes of a person looking to help.  The other side was not to compare themselves to Batman or Superman, but to show themselves how the people they help see them.  To the homeless, these people look like shining super heroes.  They extend a hand to the homeless and they see a caped crusader, a savior in a mask with a gentle smile.  The heroes do not judge who they help or who joins their cause.  People of all walks of life put on these disguises because they have been inspired to do something good.  They use their costumes to market good deeds, not to market being a super hero. Even with the colorful costumes, there is still a sense of humility and humbleness.  Heroes have been in the media and have experienced humiliation and being mocked, so of course they became reluctant to use media to spread their message.  Peter Tangen gained the trust of the heroes, understood their message, believed in it, was inspired by it, and that’s really what this project is all about.  The greatest power any of these super heroes have is to inspire.
Many companies and charities love the idea of spreading heroic acts.  From small things such as handing out water to large donations and giving people another chance at life, every day people can become super heroes in the eyes of those in need.  To get involved with “The Real Life Super Hero” campaign or just find out more as it develops, you can visit www.planetillogica.com. You can also visit the heroes community site www.reallifesuperheroes.com.  It’s time for people to believe in something.  One man has the power to change the world.  We can care for those less fortunate, look past them being homeless and see a fellow human being in need.  The idea isn’t to strap on a bullet proof vest and hit the streets with your cape blowing in the wind, but you can take the time to do something heroic.  To become a symbol for good.  To become inspired.

Razorhawk is organizing a massive homeless outreach event at Comic Con 2011 in San Diego

This will hopefully be the most massive outreach to homeless people in Southern California on the weekend of ComiCon 2011. We hope to get 50-100 heroes and hero support together to reach out to the homeless with food, water and supplies. hopefully making an impact that will be felt everywhere!
Updated information can be found at-
http://www.therlsh.net/upcoming-events-f10/homeless-outreach-358-days-away-t4824.htm
The event will go from 10PM July 22,2011 until 12 or 1 am and will recommence on Saturday afternoon July 23,2011 at Noon and run for 4-6 hours. We are also acceting donations and sposorship that will help us get more supplies so we can help the maximum number of people.

 

Originally posted: http://fantastico.globo.com/Jornalismo/FANT/0,,MUL1608987-15605,00-MAIOR+EVENTO+DE+CULTURA+POP+REUNE+MIL+PESSOAS+NA+CALIFORNIA.html
Terminou neste domingo, nos Estados Unidos, a maior reunião de super-heróis do planeta. O encontro foi na Comic-Con, em San Diego. A Comic-Con é o maior evento da cultura pop do mundo. E também reuniu gente que faz histórias em quadrinhos, desenhos animados, programas de TV e videogames.
San Diego, na Califórnia, virou esta semana a capital mundial dos super-heróis. Mais de 120 mil pessoas lotando as ruas e os corredores do maior centro de convenções da cidade, onde realidade e imaginação se misturam.
Prepare-se: você vai conhecer agora o maior evento de cultura pop do mundo. O povo faz fila pra virar zumbi e pra comprar uma infinidade de quinquilharias. Tudo isso ajuda a tocar pra frente um negócio que fatura bilhões de dólares todos os anos. Brincadeirinha cara, roupas, varinha mágica. Só a bola de cristal sai por US$ 150, quase R$ 300. E as bonecas, quase perfeitas, custam até R$ 800.
Quem quiser, sai com tudo o que precisa pra virar o personagem que desejar. Ou, então, para criar novos heróis e novas histórias. E não faltam interessados.
Tudo isso começou lá na década de 60, em uma pequena feira de compra, venda e troca de gibis usados em Nova York, com bancas, que hoje dividem espaço com dezenas de stands que representam a indústria dos quadrinhos, da animação, de programas de TV, cinema e até de videogames.
Um dos maiores negociantes de gibis dos Estados Unidos mostra uma preciosidade: o original do Capitão Marvel, desenhado na década de 60. Preço? US$ 3,5 mil, quase R$ 7 mil.
O comerciante diz: “Nos gibis está a alma de tudo o que se vê hoje no cinema, nas séries de TV e nos jogos eletrônicos”.
Um dos lugares mais procurados por fãs dos quadrinhos é onde estão três brasileiros: Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon e Rafael Coutinho. Eles são famosos nos Estados Unidos.
Rafael, por exemplo, desenha o American Vampire, a primeira história em quadrinhos escrita por nada mais nada menos do que Stephen King, mestre da literatura de terror. Para eles, apesar da presença da tecnologia, os quadrinhos feitos à mão ainda terão muito tempo de vida.
A Comic Con é como um túnel do tempo da ficção. Passado, presente e futuro ao alcance dos olhos e das mãos, como uma réplica de uma das motos digitais de “Tron, O Legado”. Uma refilmagem de um clássico dos anos 90 que ajudou a revolucionar o cinema feito com computadores.
Mas na Comic Con dá pra fazer muito mais do que só tirar fotografia. E que tal fazer parte da cena de um filme que só vai ser lançado no ano que vem?
Sente na cadeira, obedeça ao diretor e pronto. Você está participando de uma perigosa perseguição, no filme Green Hornet, uma versão para o cinema do seriado Besouro Verde, produzido na década de 60.
A Comic Con teve também palestras com gente do mundo dos negócios da ficção. Em uma delas, polêmica! Sylvester Stallone estrela o filme “Os Mercenários”, com cenas rodadas no Brasil, onde ele disse que “teve mais liberdade para filmar cenas de violência”. “Você pode explodir o país inteiro e eles vão dizer ‘obrigado, e aqui está um macaco para você levar de volta para casa'”, falou o astro de Hollywood durante uma palestra. Só depois da repercussão negativa, Stallone pediu desculpas.
É mundo da fantasia em choque com o mundo real. Nas várias festas que aconteceram por causa da Comic Con, uma foi especial. Pessoas normais podem ter seu momento de poder. Até o repórter…
O idealizador do projeto “Super-herói do mundo real”, o fotógrafo Pete Tangen, diz que qualquer um pode explorar seus “super poderes”.
E, se quiser, também fazer parte de um grupo secreto. À meia-noite, eles deixam o bar. E voltam em seguida, com suas roupas especiais. Estes são, digamos assim, “super-heróis de verdade!”, vindos de várias cidades do mundo. Mas em vez de armas e equipamentos sofisticados, eles carregam água e biscoitos. A missão é ajudar gente que dorme nas calçadas.
Porque usar fantasias de herói pra fazer isso? Eles respondem: “É para chamar a atenção para o fato de que dá pra ajudar quem precisa com ações simples”. E qual é o superpoder que está em ação hoje aqui? “É a incrível força da bondade”, responde o mascarado.
English Translation

Biggest pop culture event brings together 120 000 people in California

Anyone who wants it out with everything you need to turn the character you want. Or, to create new heroes and new stories.
Ended on Sunday, the United States, the largest gathering of superheroes on the planet. The meeting was at Comic-Con in San Diego. The Comic-Con is the biggest event in the world of pop culture. And also met people who do comics, cartoons, TV programs and video games.
San Diego, Calif., this week became the world capital of superheroes. More than 120,000 people crowding the streets and hallways of the largest convention center in the city, where reality and imagination intermingle.
Prepare yourself: you will know now the biggest event in the world of pop culture. The people line up to turn zombie and to buy a plethora of trinkets.  All this helps for tomorrow a business that grosses billions of dollars every year. Just kidding dude, clothing, magic wand. Only the crystal ball goes for $ 150, almost $ 300.  And the dolls, almost perfect, costing up to £ 800.
Anyone who wants it out with everything you need to turn the character you want. Or, to create new heroes and new stories.
This all started back in the 60s, in a small market to buy, sell and exchange used comics in New York, with stalls, which now share space with dozens of stands that represent the industry of comics, animation, programs TV, movies and even videogames.
One of the largest comic book dealers in the United States shows a gem: the original Captain Marvel, designed in the 60s. U.S. $ 3500, almost £ 7000.
The trader says: “In the comics is the soul of everything that you see today in movies, on TV shows and video games.”
One of the most sought after by fans of the comics is where three Brazilians: Gabriel Ba, Fabio Moon and Rafael Coutinho. They are famous in the United States.
Rafael, for example, draws the American Vampire, the first comic book written by no less than Stephen King, master of horror literature.  For them, despite the presence of technology, handmade comics still have long to live.
The Comic Con is like a time tunnel of fiction. Past, present and future scope of eyes and hands, like a replica of the bikes digital “Tron, The Legacy.” A remake of a classic ’90s that helped revolutionize the cinema done with computers.
But at Comic Con gives to do much more than just take the picture. And this part of the scene from a movie that will only be released next year?
Sit in the chair, director and ready to obey. You are participating in a dangerous pursuit, the Green Hornet movie, a film version of Green Hornet television series, produced in the 60s.
The Comic Con also had talks with people in the business world of fiction. Sylvester Stallone stars in the movie “The Mercenaries”, with scenes shot in Brazil, where he said he “had more freedom to shoot scenes of violence. “You can blow up the whole country and they will say ‘thank you, and here’s a monkey to bring you back home,'” said the Hollywood star during a lecture. Only after the backlash, Stallone apologized.
It’s fantasy world in shock with the real world. In the various parties that happened because of Comic Con, one was special. Normal people can have their moment of power. Even the reporter …
The mastermind of the “Superhero of the real world,” the photographer Pete Tangen, says that anyone can explore their “super powers”.
And if you want, also part of a secret group. At midnight, they leave the bar. And back then, with their special clothes. These are, shall we say, “super-heroes for real!” From various cities around the world. But instead of arms and sophisticated equipment, they carry water and biscuits. The mission is to help people sleeping on sidewalks.
Why use a hero fantasies to do that? They respond: “It is to draw attention to the fact that it gives to those who need help with simple actions.” And what is the superpower that is at work today? “It’s the incredible power of goodness,” replied the mask.