Tag skyman

Originally posted: http://www.federalwaymirror.com/news/132966828.html
By GREG ALLMAIN
Federal Way Mirror reporter
Oct 31 2011
Skyler Nichols, also known as SkyMan, is Federal Way’s very own Real Life Superhero.
Nichols, who recently made an appearance during Federal Way’s Recycle Palooza, hopes to help his hometown in whatever way he can through his alter ego of SkyMan, the Tri-Colored Crusader.
Nichols decided to try and help in Federal Way, after being an active member of the Seattle group of Real Life Superheroes (RLSH), whose most famous member is Phoenix Jones.
“I’ve been operating in the greater Seattle/King County area for 18 months now, and I live here in Federal Way, and I’m really trying to become more local,” he said. “I see Federal Way hurting, and I’d like to help out.”
Nichols, 28, says he sees the effects of the economic downturn on Federal Way, and the effect on some of Federal Way’s residents, such as the transient population. He used The Commons Mall as a glaring example of the slow decay that has overtaken Federal Way and many cities in the Puget Sound area.
“I grew up in this mall. It used to be filled. Now it’s just got anchor stores that keep it going, like Target and Sears,” Nichols said. “It’s sad, this place. You walk through it, there’s so many empty storefronts. Suburbia in general. Auburn, Kent, Burien. We’re all hurting.”
With Phoenix Jones more well known as being a “crime fighter,” Nichols is more interested in helping those who are vulnerable, like the homeless. His own experiences of not having a roof over his head have led him to try and help the most disadvantaged in the area.
“I want to help people…I consider myself a humanitarian first as a real life superhero. One of the reasons I decided to start with charity work and homeless outreach is it was simple, and it was what I could do,” he said. “I was homeless for a time in 2003. I was so drug addled and not wanting to hurt my father anymore, I went and slept under the viaduct for four months. And it’s just…I see these people hurting.”
Nichols is more focused on helping those who can’t help themselves. He said he has patrolled the streets and has even broken up a few muggings in his patrols.
“I have done my fair share of patrolling, so I know what street crime is about. In fact, I’ve stopped a few muggings, just by my presence, and my colorful, exuberant costume,” he said of his encounter with would-be muggers. “They’re like ‘Whoa, who’s this guy in armor and colors?’”
The more traditional idea of a superhero asserted itself in Nichols when he discussed the recent police blotter item in The Mirror regarding a man who was caught masturbating at the public library.
“I read that story, I go to the library at least once a week. If I had seen that dude doing that, he would have gotten a tri-colored talking to,” he said.
One of the largest ways that Nichols had contributed to the greater Seattle and Puget Sound communities was by doing homeless outreach. He would prepare care packages for homeless people. With the economic downturn, and he and his father’s increasing reliance on social programs just to survive, Nichols said his work in helping the homeless has petered out recently. He hopes the community can help with donations or other information, so he can become a larger part of the social fabric of Federal Way.
“I would like donations…I’m a charity-based superhero, but I live on welfare. My cash grant, from DSHS, the funding is just not there. So I haven’t been able to participate or give back in a homeless outreach in several months,” he said. “I don’t have a PayPal account, I don’t really have something to take donations with, but if somebody would come along and give me some guidance on how to take proper donations, that’d be great.”
Barring donations, Nichols is also looking to connect with the community through social media, and to find out about groups and charities in Federal Way where he could help.
“I hope you friend me people, I hope you have suggestions for me for what I can do to help the community of Federal Way, exciting options and organizations and everything. I really want to become a more of a local guy, a local hero,” he said.
Nichols understands that many people are probably dubious of “costumed activists,” as he likes to term it. He said there is an excellent documentary playing in Seattle that explains the ideas and motivations behind real life superheroes. The movie is called “Superheroes,” and will run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at Seattle’s Grand Illusion Theater (1403 NE 50th St., Seattle, WA 98105). The film will show at 7 and 9 p.m. Visit www.grandillusioncinema.org for more information.
Regardless of any of the external attachments of being a real life superhero, Nichols said he’s just motivated to be the best person he can, in whatever way he can.
“All SkyMan really is, is a philosophy of trying to do good, trying to live up to heroic ideals and principles,” he said. “I don’t really like to claim I’m a hero, I like to say I’m aspiring to that…Living my daily activities as a real life superhero has just cemented my firm belief that that’s what I want to do in life. Which is ultimately help people and inspire others to get away from apathy and more into altruism.”
Learn more
Nichols can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/skyler.nichols. To learn more about the Real Life Superhero community, visit www.reallifesuperheroes.org.

Originally posted: http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/06/a_brief_conversation_with_mich.php
By Keegan Hamilton
Just when you think the media coverage of real life superheroes has reached a critical mass (see: Jones, Phoenix), somebody goes and makes a feature-length documentary film about the entire subculture. That somebody is director Michael Barnett, and his movie, titled simply, Superheroes, screens tonight and tomorrow as part of the Seattle True Independent Film Festival. (It’s also been picked up by HBO, and premieres on cable August 8.) Barnett, who is in town and will make a cameo tonight at Central Cinema, was kind enough to offer his thoughts on costumed crusaders and, of course, the Phoenix Jones phenomenon.
Why did you decide to make a documentary about real life superheroes?
Probably the same thing that drew you to it. It was fascinating. I just sort of stumbled upon these adult men who are putting on costumes to fight crime and help their communities. I just couldn’t believe it was real.
What surprised you most about these people?
It’s really tough to generalize. Everybody was so different. I guess what surprised me most was, we sort of went out looking for this pop culture phenomenon and found so many of these guys — there are literally hundreds of them — so we had to weed through the ones who are just online personalities, doing it as a sort of a cosplay thing. Then we sniffed out the ones who are really doing things — Mr. Xtreme in San Diego, Zetaman in Portland, Dark Guardian and Life in New York, and Thanatos in Vancouver — and focused on them.
A lot of people’s first impression when you explain the concept of real life superheroes seems to be something along the lines of, ‘Those people are nuts.’ How did you try and normalize them, or rationalize what they do? Or did you even try to do that?
Our first approach was to try and make people realize that each person is sort of eccentric in their own way, and they have their own reasons for doing what they do. It’s not a rational thing to do, to put on a costume and walk around a dangerous neighborhood. A lot of these guys don’t have proper training to do that sort of thing — some do — but most don’t. And in some states the laws allow them to carry some pretty serious weapons.
The other thing is showing their situation in life. Quite a few of them don’t have the resources to do what they do. But they want to help their community. Some of them were sad — financially, personally, and just in general. But it’s showing that out of that darkness they could rise above and try to do something good. It’s not all cookies and rainbows, though, it’s profoundly sad and tragic on a certain level.
You interviewed Stan Lee — the Godfather of comics, and the and former president and chairman of Marvel — for the film. What was that like and what were his thoughts on these so-called superheroes?
Stan is the man. He’s amazing. He’s awesome. And he’s 88-years-old!
We thought about trying to interview all kinds of figures in the comic world but ultimately we realized there was only one person we needed to talk to and that was Stan. He understands what it means to be a superhero better than anybody. A lot of these guys (the real life superheroes) are very wary of the media and kind of protective of their community. But once they heard Stan was involved it was pretty easy to get them at least on the phone.
Mostly [Stan] was worried that one of these guys is going to get killed or injured. And yeah, somebody is probably going to get hurt. It’s going to be a sad day for the superhero community when that happens but it seems inevitable.
Phoenix Jones isn’t in the film at all. Why? And have you met the guy? What are your thoughts on him and his impact on the superhero world?
Never met the guy, never had a conversation with him. There’s so many of these guys and we were meeting them [Phoenix Jones] didn’t even exist yet. When we were shooting we rolled through the Pacific Northwest and never even heard his name. And then while we were in production he sort of came out of nowhere and was suddenly everywhere. So I don’t know what my opinion is. If he is just in it for the attention it’s a bad thing. But he is trying to be iconic, and for a message of good so that’s a good thing.
Superheroes screens tonight at 7 p.m. at Central Cinema, and Barnett will be in attendance, along with several members of Seattle’s superhero scene. (Barnett notes that two other Seattle superheroes, Skyman and White Baron, appear briefly in the film.) The movie also will also be shown tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at the Jewelbox Theatre and the Rendezvous. Ticket info here.

Originally posted:
By Keegan Hamilton

?Eighteen-year-old Marizela Perez disappeared on the afternoon of March 5 and hasn’t been seen since. Last night, Perez’s family, friends, and supporters–including her cousin, news pundit Michelle Malkin–gathered for a benefit concert and remembrance at the University of Washington’s Ethnic Cultural Center. It seemed more than a little odd when a man dressed all in black and wearing a ski mask first stepped onstage to a say a few words, but by the end of his speech the crowd was genuinely impressed that a Real Life Superhero is helping hunt for their missing loved one.
The man in the mask was Black Knight, a member of Seattle’s so-called “Real Life Superhero” community, who has lately been spotted patrolling the city streets with Phoenix Jones. (Black Knight is not, however, officially a part of Jones’ “Rain City Superheroes” crew.)
Before he got up on stage, Black Knight explained that he read about Perez’s disappearance in the news a few days after it happened. He says he volunteers–both in and out of costume–for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and was moved by the case.
“I contacted some of the family on Facebook,” Knight said. “I started learning about her habits, where she got her haircut, things like that, and following up as best I could. It’s been hard. We haven’t had any leads in the past few weeks.”
Perez was last seen on a surveillance camera inside the Safeway on University Way. She had plans to meet some friends at the library but never showed up. She was reported missing the next day. Police and volunteers initially searched parks in the University District and later Discovery Park. Perez’s family hired a private investigator, and the search was eventually expanded to Southern California, where Perez, a New Jersey native, has relatives. Her case twice appeared on America’s Most Wanted, but to no avail.
The months of uncertain grieving have clearly taken a toll on Perez’s family. Last night, after a slideshow of photos and videos portrayed Perez as a carefree college student who loved art, fashion, and singing along to Disney cartoons, there was hardly a dry eye left in the auditorium. The mood lightened after several musical acts, most of which featured UW students involved in the school’s Filipino community.
When the guy in the intimidating outfit–Black Knight–finally took the stage, he explained that a family friend asked him to join in the evening’s events. He spoke briefly and poignantly, saying that the search “is not just about one person, it’s about one person and all the people she touched along the way.” He also said he has spread the word to other Real Life Superheroes in Vancouver, B.C., and San Francisco to be on the lookout for Perez.
Standing outside later, Black Knight noted that he’s been active in the Seattle and Tacoma area since 2006, four years before the Phoenix Jones media frenzy, but he focuses more on community service work and doesn’t seek publicity. “I’ve always been kind of nervous about that,” he says. “A lot of us try to remain anonymous and obscure.”
Black Knight was accompanied at the event by Skyman, another lesser-known Real Life Seattle Superhero, who says he is committed to homeless outreach. Both men, however, noted they were headed out later in the evening to “patrol the streets for crime” in either Seattle or Tacoma.
Presumably that patrol entailed keeping their eyes peeled for Marizela Perez, known to her friends and family as M.M. As Daily Weekly reported back in March, Perez is:

“Asian female, 5’5″ tall, 110 lbs, skinny build, asymmetrical bob with short bangs and brown/red highlights hairstyle, tattoo on left inner arm with the words ‘lahat ay magiging maayos,’ She was last seen wearing denim jeans, light brown suede laced boots, possibly wearing green eye contacts, possibly carrying a plaid backpack with a Macbook Pro laptop, taking medication for depression.”

Anyone with knowledge of Perez’s whereabouts should contact Seattle Police’s missing persons bureau or contact her family via their website, FindMarizela.com.
Perez’s tattoo–“lahat ay magiging maayos”–is Tagalog for “All will be well.” The words were repeated often last night and hung on a hand-painted banner behind the stage.
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Originally posted: http://www.thejibsheet.com/?p=4652
By Jeremy Graber

Locals call the restaurant and shop area on Alaskan Way “the aqueduct.” The street is lined with businesses such as Red Robin, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, and ferry services which shuttle tourists to and from Bainbridge Island.
To the less fortunate, this area is called home along with other spots across Seattle that provide shelter from the cold and wet weather after the sun sets and the strip closes for the night. These are the people who were unable to get into the many homeless shelters that are found throughout the city.
Many shelters have entrance requirements such as passing drug and alcohol screenings, background checks, and sex offender checks. Those who do not fit the bill find themselves put back onto the streets to fend for themselves.
The Union Gospel Mission Men’s Shelter has room for 209 people per night, which includes 104 homeless people that are part of their residential recovery program, a program created to help those suffering from substance abuse find long-term solutions to attaining a better life.
Among other services, this specific shelter offers occupation counseling, spiritual guidance, and programs specifically designed for women and children. They have staff on duty 24-hours a day to receive donations and to aid in emergency intakes when they have the room.
Late at night a “Search & Rescue” van patrols the streets handing out blankets, food, and clothing to those that are camping in doorways. There are anywhere between 10 and 20 people standing outside of the Mission’s doors on 2nd Avenue, hoping they will be let in or wandering with no place else to go.
If you come back to Alaskan Way after the businesses close, it is painfully obvious that it is not enough to take care of those in need. On Saturday night, two brothers were huddled together with their dog hiding in the bushes under the overpass below the Pike Place market.
“We’ve been homeless for about two and a half years now – only in Seattle for about a year,” the oldest said. His youngest brother claimed to be 18, but it he was obviously far younger. The two had been hiding from the police that force them out of the area during the day.
A coalition of approximately 10 superheroes from Seattle, Portland and Vancouver (Canada) spent close to 18 hours on Saturday handing out food, hygiene supplies, and provisions to the needy which included the two brothers. They pointed out various encampments throughout Seattle where people had been taking shelter.

One such place was under the 6th and Cherry street overpass where at least 30 people were under blankets, sleeping bags, and ponchos. Their possessions were cluttered together in piles of various sizes which indicated how long they had been there.
The encampment was inhabited by those who were sober and those who were obviously not. There was a married couple who found themselves homeless within the past few weeks after they had been evicted. Underneath an American flag, two veterans shared a spot where they racked out for the night.
For two hours, the group of super volunteers unloaded supplies from a minivan and conversed with the inhabitants. Skyman, a native of Seattle, had prepared almost 100 bundles that he called “Sky packs” which contained 2 puddings, a granola bar, two pairs of socks, and hygiene items.
Knight Owl, a superhero from Portland, gave medical attention to a man whose hands were badly injured while defending his possessions from a gang that frequently raids their shelters.
“They come in the night as we’re going to sleep to steal our things,” one of the homeless said. He describes a group of 8 or 9 men that rob and attack them on nearly a nightly basis. He added that “many of the people here can’t get into a shelter because they don’t pass the drug tests.”
The people under the overpass pointed out that it is hard for many of them to stay clean because of a white van that comes by selling drugs. “Those who are struggling with their sobriety find themselves unable to say ‘no,’” commented Thanatos, one of the superheros from Vancouver, Canada.
A spokesperson from the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness said stories like this are all too common. People are assaulted and what little they have is taken from them, sometimes by the people that they share the same space with. “More needs to be done to help them, we just need the resources to get the job done,” the volunteer said.
As federal and state resources shrink, many of these shelters are relying heavily on the donations from their local communities. With a shrinking economy, outreach programs are finding themselves with less and less to work with.

By White Baron
Our unequalled [sic] friend Skyman, semi-newbie Roswell (formerly known as Brother Keeper), and latest addition to the lifestyle, Kitty-Kat went out loaded up with several bags of snack-food, and basic hygiene. More common patrols begin after hours, but we got ourselves started around prime time, finding the usual sleeping places uninhabited. In the future, I think starting later might let us find more of those in need.
Reaching the end of the viaduct, a sight-impaired fellow with a cane had just exited the Ferry, and allowed us to help him find his bus stop. Afterwards [sic], we climbed the hills of Pioneer Square to reach a large regular multiple encampment, and discovered a few sleepers, and 2 or 3 more elaborate tents. The inhabitants, who recognized Skyman and myself, informed us that the police routinely move everyone out of this area at certain times of the day, which forces them to sleep under a nearby bridge, or the nearest wooded areas, or wherever hasn’t been taken by someone else.
We checked the sloped woods near the bridge, and saw no-one. Then, upon shining a spotlight under the bridge, the few camped there waved back to us, thankfully unintimidated [sic] by our attention. The portion of the chain-link fence bent down to allow access to the level area posed a challenge, as it was directly across the street without any signage that permitted pedestrian entrance. Skyman and Kitty took admirable initiative by racing across the busy street to meet the people, who came down to the fence to accept our goods.
Going back through the downtown parks and finding no one else at the time, we wanted to be sure to give the viaduct one last sweep, as it was close to midnight. We found widower Kevin, a man with a foam plastic bed, a wool blanket, a paper grocery bag of his own food, and chapped, cracked hands that startled me a bit. He explained that one heart-attack had bankrupted him onto the street, and having given his house to his daughter and her husband before the medical issues, was simply too proud to go them for help. I asked him what he did need, to which he answered, “Can you give me a new life?” I didn’t know what to say, and waited for the others to start talking with him to cover my embarrassment. He accepted a few band-aids, and reminded us that there were Third World children who would give anything to have what he had.
Perspective.
Finally, back at our starting point, we found 2 people. Kristine, who needed clothes, blankets and socks, provided courtesy of Kitty; and a sleeping man, camped several paces away, who awoke during our interaction with her. She remembered us form the larger meet up a month earlier. Kristine asked us to please stay and watch over her as she slept, and I explained that we couldn’t this time. We were parked close by, and as we were just about to call it a night, we overheard an argument. The man was accusing Kristine of stealing his lighter, and she called to us to intervene. I shone my spotlight just above the man so as not to seem directly threatening. “Listen, we’re not police, but we’re more than happy to call them. Cool it, alright?” He calmed down immediately. We maintained our distance throughout, and saw Kristine move her own gear away into the night.
Update: During the final stretch, Roswell accidently [sic] lost his phone. The next morning, I received a series of calls from our friend Kevin. He had picked it up, and was good enough to offer to return it.

Originally posted: http://www.piercepioneer.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=46c43117-59d4-4394-93c3-ef5f3be9c57d
Throughout Washington heroes are deciding to join “The Real Life Superhero Movement” to do more than keep locals safe
By: Amy Johnson
Posted: 1/27/11
Something epic is happening in the late night, city streets of Washington. Footing around areas like Seattle, Kent and Vancouver are some do-gooders who tackle crime, lend helping hands, bring hope and spread inspiration throughout the night.
What makes these good samaritans unique from all the rest is that they fulfill those tasks while in costume, more specifically in custom superhero costumes.
With names like Knight Owl, SkyMan and White Baron, these “superheroes” are more than what meets the eye.
They don’t pretend to be fantasy like or to have super human power, they are simply real-life heroes making an ethical movement. These ordinary fellows are dedicated to an extraordinary project called “The Real Life Superhero Movement.”
The Real Life Superhero Movement is a community of “superheroes” from all across the United States dedicated to inspiring and connecting to one another and the public.
Reallifesuperheroes.com describes the project to be, “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.”
Though they stay in contact with one another and often patrol together, they are all very independent from each other.
There are many “superheroes” that devote themselves to Washington communities, and a few of those heroes recently met up in Seattle to do some charity and crime patrolling.
Knight Owl, who has been a Real Life Superhero for three years, patrols and works in the Vancouver and Portland areas. His name was not inspired by “The Watchman,” but by more personal reasons.
“Knight as in a chivalrous knight. Their history is something that is really inspirational to me. The ‘Owl’ comes from seeking after wisdom and knowledge,” he said.
Knight Owl is training to be a paramedic. He is EMT and firefighter certified.
SkyMan patrols and works in the Kent area and he received the nickname from his former high school football coach. A former student of Highline Community College, SkyMan is working on transferring to UW Tacoma to study political science and U.S. history.
“I aspire to be a teacher so I can teach youth the importance of history,” SkyMan stated. “Education is necessary.”
Icarus has been a Real Life Superhero for about a year and patrols areas of Oregon. Previously a small-time actor, Icarus now attends EMT school. Icarus also has a history of doing charity work.
“Back when I was doing some acting I helped to raise money at some benefit productions,” Icarus said.
The Dreamer has been a part-time superhero since 2007. He patrols in the Seattle area at night and attends work and school during the day.
White Barron also patrols in Seattle. He has been a “superhero” for two years and is training to be a pilot. He currently has his pilot’s license.
“I would really like to work in the search and rescue field,” he said. His “superhero” name and costume are both inspired by his fascination with aviation.
On a typical night, the heroes will patrol certain areas that they believe are in need of some looking after. Often they will patrol in groups, but sometimes they are alone. They keep their eyes out for anyone who may need help. Whether it be a typical bar fight that needs to be intervened or a homeless person in need of some supplies, the heroes are there to help.
They are all trained in CPR and are Red Cross certified. Most of the real life superheroes also have background experience, like martial arts or military work.
They often carry supplies with them, like first aid kits, to be prepared for any situation that may arise. Not only do they hand out socks and water to the homeless, but they also make a great effort to get to know each of them so that they may further help them.
“Some encounters can be depressing,” said The Dreamer. “You just wish you could do more outreach.”
“A frequent misconception about what we do, is that people expect that our nights are filled with extreme action, or that we are looking for that,” stated Knight Owl. “In reality, we hardly come across an extreme situation and we are not thrilled to find them either.”
There are some who don’t take these superheroes seriously. As they walk around Seattle in their costumes some bystanders antagonize them.
“They look at me like I’m a joke. I mean I’ve had garbage thrown at me, people yelling curses at me or just trying to pick a fight. Some people just don’t like it when others are trying to help,” Icarus said.
“We often see the bystander effect, where people are afraid of helping others, afraid to get involved,” Knight Owl said.
These heroes refuse to stand by and do nothing when someone is in need of help.
“How many times a day do you pass over someone who needs help and it is at no cost to you to help them?” Knight Owl asked.
The Real Life Superheroes explained that their costumes aren’t for personal attention.
“Our costumes are very functional. Some heroes also work as gadgeteers for others,” said White Baron.
“It also helps to bring attention to what we are doing. Not to anyone specific, but just so that our actions and helping hands are recognized for the purpose of inspiring others,” Knight Owl said.
The costumes help citizens feel more comfortable, when being approached, if they can recognize who the “superhero” is. The heroes also get to have a little fun with their costumes too.
“You have to have a sense of humor,” The Dreamer said.
“I don’t take myself too seriously,” Knight Owl said.
When asked about the possibility of a super villain movement forming, Knight Owl replied,
“I don’t believe in super villains. You are either a criminal or you are not.”

Note: This is one of several articles about Superheroes Anonymous 4, a gathering of Real Life Superheroes being held in Portland, Oregon. This series, written by Treesong, is a collaborative project of Heroes in the Night and Song of the Trees.
Today was the final day of Superheroes Anonymous 4. It was hard saying goodbye to people, especially since I had to leave before the final dinner. But since we spent so much of our time together, it feels like we managed to pack more than three days worth of experience into less than three days worth of time.
I stayed out late last night for patrol, then stayed up even later to write about the day’s events. This was almost evened out by the fact that I was able to sleep in until about 7 am this time. I only slept about a total of 7 or 8 hours between Friday and Saturday nights combined, and I believe others slept a similar or lesser amount. As you might imagine, we were all tired — but we were also excited about walking in the Race for the Cure!
We weren’t able to do a big group breakfast this morning, so we ended up eating in a few small groups. I ate breakfast with Zetaman, Apocalypse Meow, and Civitron because we were riding together in the Zetavan. (Yes, Zetaman had a Zetavan!) We ate at this great little diner called Burgerville. At a glance, it looked like it might just be a typical corporate chain restaurant. Once inside, however, I discovered that it was actually part of a chain of local restaurants that focus on local food and ecological sustainability. I’m pretty sure this was the first chain-style restaurant I’ve seen so far where there were separate bins for recyclables, compostables, and disposables, with three illustrated signs to help the novice determine which was which. Portland is filled with many such pleasant surprises, and I hope that I can go back there again sometime just to explore the city more thoroughly.
Once breakfast was taken care of, we made our way over to the Race for the Cure.
First of all, I was amazed with the turnout. I knew that it was going to be big, and it’s not the biggest mass gathering I’ve ever been to. But it’s definitely one of the biggest, which is pretty amazing since it was for a charitable cause rather than a political protest.
Since we were staying in different parts of town and eating at different places, we ended up arriving at different places and times. It took a bit of walking to bring us all together. What started as a few isolated pockets of soon gathered into a prominent cluster of nine Real Life Superheroes plus several other people who were walking with us. Most people were wearing either the Race for the Cure shirts or their own everyday clothes, but there were also a few other costumed activists, including an entire group of Star Wars characters fighting against breast cancer. We have some photos of superheroes and Star Wars characters posing together, although I didn’t get to pose with them because I was busy taking pictures.
The atmosphere was very friendly and festive. My own costume is simple and low-key enough that it wouldn’t have drawn much attention in a crowd of this size and diversity. We were often walking together, though, or spread out into two or three smaller clusters, which added to our visibility. Civitron, Zetaman, and Blue Blaze in particular seemed to catch people’s eye due to the colorful spandex and frequent friendly greetings. In Blue Blaze’s case, it also didn’t hurt that he was often scaling nearby objects in order to gain a new perspective on the scene! Some people simply noticed that we were superheroes and cheered us on or asked to take their picture with us. Others actually asked us for more information about who we were and what we were doing. I can’t remember who was the first person to say this, but after a while, several of us started telling people who talked to us that EVERYONE who was marching today was in fact a superhero. The money raised will be going to prevent and cure breast cancer, so all of us who are supporting the cause are superheroes.
We didn’t end up staying in a group during the walk, due in part to the fact that we all walk at different speeds. I was sometimes floating between the two or three loose clusters of superheroes, as were a few of the others. Zetaman and Apocalypse Meow were generally at the lead, while Skyman was usually bringing up the rear. I’m a pretty fast walker, so I didn’t get to spend much time with Skyman. However, I was impressed with his commitment to keep going throughout the walk. I’ve been the person at the back of the group before on hikes, so I know it can be tough, but he stuck with it.
All in all, it was a great experience. I don’t have the final dollar amount from Zetaman yet, but our team raised several hundred dollars for the cause, and we got to show our solidarity and meet plenty of cool people along the way.
After the walk, I had time for one last meal with Zetaman, Apocalypse Meow, Civitron, Dreamer, and a couple of their friends. Then, it was time to make my way to the train station for the journey home.
Now that Superheroes Anonymous 4 is over, I plan on writing one last entry on the subject. This epilogue will offer my overall summary of how I feel the weekend went, along with some very important thanks to the people who helped make my own participation possible. First, however, it’s time for some much-needed sleep.