Tag Sun

Originally posted: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3449966/Superheroes-teenage-nicks.html
By Vince Soodin

Masked crusaders Night Warrior and The Man In Black, both 18, teamed up like Batman and Robin.
They have already hunted down a suspected drugs gang and tipped off cops about their den in North London.
Hat-wearing The Man In Black said he has been in a few scrapes tackling crime – and was cut on the hand by one thug. But he only uses an UMBRELLA for protection.
He revealed his identity as unemployed Joseph Falica, of Harrow, who started patrols two years ago. He said: “I’m willing to risk my life.”
Spandex-clad Night Warrior, who has joined him on patrol in London, is from Salford, Gtr Manchester. He said: “I’m saving up for a bullet-proof vest.”
Last week The Sun told of at least 16 other real-life superheroes on Britain’s streets.

Originally posted: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3445844/Britains-first-real-life-female-superhero-on-mission-to-rescue-abused-pets.html
By Ryan Sabey and Dan Sales
BRITAIN’S first real-life female superhero emerged last night – and she saves abused PETS.
The mysterious BLACK ARROW claims to have used her secret identity for six years.
She wears a cape and mask and is a carer for disabled adults by day.
The Londoner said: “I make sure people aren’t abusing their animals. I serve justice to those who deserve it. We stand for those who cannot, because we can.”
The Sun has revealed at least 16 superheroes in Britain.
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Another to emerge yesterday was Londoner CAPTAIN CHAMPION who patrols with a Union Flag shield.
His pal VAGUE, 24, is also a crime-buster.
ZEITGEIST, who dons a black mask, claims to have helped “clean up” a bar serving underage drinkers.
Blue-costumed hero ANGLE GRINDER spends days as a Kent odd-job man and nights removing wheel clamps from cars.
KNOW a real superhero? Call us on 0207 782 4104 or email [email protected]
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Originally posted: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3443305/Britain-has-16-superheroes-patrolling-the-streets.html

By Chris Pollard
A WHOLE army of masked crusaders is fighting crime on Britain’s streets at night, The Sun can reveal.
At least 16 amateur super-heroes have been identified.
They have names such as Vague, Swift, Black Arrow, Lionheart and Terrorvision. But researcher Tea Krulos said many more operated in the shadows. He said: “Britain has more amateur superheroes than you’d guess.”
We told last month how chubby bank worker Scott Cooke, 26 – known as The Statesman but dubbed The Phan-tum by The Sun – secretly dons a Union Jack outfit to fight crime in Birmingham.
US author Krulos has investigated such comic-style heroes for years in the States. And he said: “In America we have many, but they tend to seek publicity.
“In Britain it is a very secretive underground society. They do all they can to avoid publicity and communicate online. Whole forums are set up and often they operate in groups. I have spoken extensively to The Statesman, and he takes what he does very seriously.”
Krulos – writing a book on superheroes – said he had spoken to six UK crusaders, and was trailing ten more. He said: “These are normal people wanting adventure and to improve communities. They achieve more than you’d think.”
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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.

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