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Move over Hiro! These are Real Superheroes.
9/14/2007

Move over Hiro, Claire, Peter and Niki – there're some new superheroes in town and these caped crusaders are for real! From the truly courageous to the utterly odd, average men and women from New York to the UK are donning capes and masks to do good deeds and daring acts of bravery.

We're not sure why this gallant trend is happening. Maybe some are hoping for fame or fortune? Maybe some want a spot on Stan Lee's series, "Who Wants to be a Superhero?" Or maybe this chaotic world has just created a need in some to fight for truth, justice and the right to a snow free driveway.

This wildly eclectic group may span the globe but their quest to do something worthwhile and their love of spandex has formed a common bond. There's even a World Superhero Registry website that helps bring these spectacular citizens together.

The WSR website, with the tagline "Coming out of the Phone Booth," is run by Arizona-based superhero Kevlex and sets forth strict guidelines on the superhero way of life (e.g., a superhero must fight for the betterment of humankind and have a well thought out costume) and provides photographs and information about several of these modern day crusaders. Maybe it all sounds a little goofy at first, but these heroes are really trying to help the world and make a difference.

There's the crime-fighting super-vixen, Terrifica, who dons a blond wig, red cape and a shiny gold Valkyrie bra and patrols New York City's bars to protect intoxicated women from potentially abusive men.

Supersqueegee and Captain Xavier Obvious patrol New York City doing good deeds and random acts of kindness. They hand out water when it's very hot, visit hospitals and collect money for various charities.

Heading north there's the Canadian superhero, Polar Man, who shovels driveways for the elderly. Rumor has it that he has engaged in some serious snowball fights with the forces of evil.

Staying north, there's a new superhero on the block in Rochester, MN. This masked man goes by the name of Geist and his anthem is the theme music to Johnny Quest. Geist wants to help the Forgotten – those overlooked by society. He has dropped off food to the homeless, made donations to flood victims, and written the city council complaining about an unsafe crosswalk. Geist hasn't found any crime to fight yet, but he's on the lookout.

And, of course, there is the website's own superhero creator, Kevlex (his name is a blending of Kevlar and spandex), who patrols the occasionally mean streets of Phoenix once or twice a week (less in the summer because it can get real hot and sweaty in his skin tight costume).

Three of the more forceful heroes are Chris Guardian, Tothian, and the Mysterious Samurai – they have put themselves in danger to fight and defeat dangerous and lawbreaking foes. Tothian, for example, is a martial arts expert who has broken up fights and escorted women home at night.

And then there's the truly outrageous UK superhero, Angle-Grinder Man. Wearing a blue leotard and wielding a saw (or grinder), he searches for unhappy motorists who have been "clamped" by law enforcement and then sets their cars free. As he proudly proclaims, "I may not be able to single-handedly and totally cast off the repressive shackles of government, but I can cut off your wheel clamps for you."

Who needs a silly cheerleader when we already have a group like this to save the world?