Super Real: rise of the real-life superhero

I am obsessed with Batman — severely, disgustingly obsessed.

I’ve steadily been burning through the comics for years now. I have donned the cowl on more Halloweens than I haven’t, and indulged in the rubber nipple fest that is Batman & Robin more than I should have.

About the only thing I haven’t done in my fevered love for Batman is actually go out and seek vigilante justice, which is surprising because part of my fascination with Batman stems from his relative grounding in reality. He’s not an invincible fancy boy like Superman. He’s troubled and traumatized — void of superpowers and mortal.

I’ve thought about it though — thought about whether it would be possible to do as Batman has done.

I resolved that it would be extremely difficult, if not next to impossible because a slew of variables would have to come together — the money, the genetics, the all-consuming drive. Outside the world of make-believe, I figured it just couldn’t be done, which is why I was shocked to find-out it was being attempted.

People are dressing-up — not necessarily as Batman but nonetheless dressing-up — in an attempt to fight crime.

In the perilous world, the real world outside comic book panels and movie frames, there exist people who dress-up in homemade suits — complete with utility belts equipped with mace — even when it’s not Comic-Con or Halloween.

They break-up fights and give-out sandwiches to the homeless. They even send drug dealers scattering from public places by approaching them, surrounding them and drawing attention to them with chants — “This is a drug-free park” — and noise.

These individuals are deemed “real-life superheroes,” and they have two big groups in separate cities. One group, called the Rain City Superhero Movement, is based in Seattle, and, the other group is called the New York Initiative.

The real-life superhero most dominating the media is Phoenix Jones, the leader of the Rain City Superhero Movement. While there are many others real-life superheroes, Phoenix Jones — sporting his gold and black rubber suit — has managed to become the poster-boy for the self-styled superhero movement.

Ironically enough, I first heard about Phoenix Jones when I came across a news story in October of 2011 regarding his arrest.

Apparently, Phoenix Jones unleashed a can of pepper-spray in an attempt to break-up a fight, but the group pressed charges against him for assault. The entire spectacle was caught on a cell-phone camera, and made the rounds on YouTube.

In the end prosecutors did not file charges against him.

While in court Phoenix Jones was forced to remove his mask, revealing his secret identity — 23 year old Benjamin John Francis Fodor. Fodor donned the mask to exit the courtroom as Phoenix Jones, only to dramatically take it off again once outside and reveal his identity to the public.

Phoenix Jones also has a fan page on Facebook with nearly 41,000 “likes”, where he posts daily updates about his adventures fighting crime.

At first I couldn’t believe any of it, but there was a lot of information readily available.

I found websites dedicated to the real-life superhero phenomenon, news stories, magazine articles, video interviews and my favourite — message boards filled with self-stylized superheroes trading tips, stories of their exploits and even gossip about others in their community.

Sure it’s not quite Batman vs. the Joker, but I found it to be strange and charming like any other subculture.

There are critics of the movement who claim real-life superheroes are narcissistic, because if they wanted to be true altruist heroes they’d become police officers or firefighters and the entire concept (dressing-up to fight crime) is driven by lust for fame and glory.

These critics might have a point, after all Phoenix Jones does maintain a fan page with daily updates.

There is gossip on message boards and blogs by superheroes that hint at the jealousy stemming from Phoenix Jones’s growing celebrity. This hint of jealousy was reinforced by the reactions of other real-life superheroes (specifically members of the New York Initiative) to Phoenix Jones’s run in with the law. All were highly critical of him, and some were even catty in their condemnation of Phoenix Jones. There was no sympathy, which surprised me because I expected some sort of unity and support, considering that they are all supposed to be “superheroes.”

I am still not sure what to make of the entire real-life superhero movement. I am a little put-off by the hints of jealousy within the community, and the lack of unity — it goes against the very ideals of heroism.

I am confused by the application of “superhero” to individuals without superpowers. What warrants the “super” qualifier without at least “super” feats or actions? I hope it isn’t because of the costumes and emulation of comic-book archetypes.

That said, as heroes or narcissists, nothing can take away from the fact that Phoenix Jones and others like him devote chunks of their life to doing-good.
It might not be completely altruistic goodness, but it is goodness nonetheless. In that regard at least, they are heroes.

4 Comments on "Super Real: rise of the real-life superhero"

  1. A man gets arrested, gets his two noncombatants beat up, and the other RLSH (including my team, the New York Initiative) speak out against the reckless behavior, and this is somehow “unheroic behavior”?

    You’d rather us blindly support each other, an old frat-level idea akin to the code of public silence that’s worked so well for corrupt politicians and police?

    I don’t see that as heroic. Someone takes up a dangerous vocation, without training, and then gets people injured… all while trying to gain some sort of whacked out celebrity status, you better be ready to take the heat.

    The NYI gets the same press offers that PJ does, and turns them down. Its not about jealousy. If we wanted that level of mindless fandom, lacking in accountability and common tactical sense, we’d have it.

    What we do goes back farther, and is deeply ingrained in the power of personal dignity, and private victories. Human connections.

    Friends, not fans. Humans, not heroes.

    And this year, we change everything. Stay tuned.

  2. And by the by…

    The concept is replacing corrupt politicians, philandering and violent sports stars, and fame leeching musicians who glorify crime culture as the heroes of this country. We may not be the best thing going, but the idea sure as hell isn’t going to work unless we’re doing it responsibly. Believe it.

  3. Hello Zero, thank you for your comments. Please find my response below:

    I think it is unfair to compare Phoenix Jones to, “corrupt politicians and police.” I feel that the reactions from his peers (like the ones from the NYI that I mentioned in my article) were incredibly harsh – considering that his group in Seattle is doing what your group in NY does.

    If Phoenix Jones was claiming to be a real-life superhero, but was adding bad to the world and got caught, I would support the reactions. I however do not think the reactions reflect well upon the community, when he made a mistake trying to do good.

    For someone like myself – who is looking at the real-life superhero movements from the outside – it is hard to believe in a community of heroes, when they are critical of their own members for making mistakes.

  4. Phoenix Jones got his two noncombatant tagalongs hurt. Did nothing to stop it. Actually escalated the issue to the point that the assault took place, all in the name of fame.

    To me, someone that purports to be something noble that he isn’t, says he has skills that he doesn’t, puts others lives in danger all to satisfy his need for fame is worse than someone just being straightforward about being a self obsessed jerk.

    Because someone like that can justify himself into doing anything.

    But its fine, it all comes out in the wash. Just don’t expect silence when we see wrongs.

    We don’t claim the title, but a real “hero” doesn’t stay silent for a false unity.

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