A real-life superhero (RLSH) is a person who dresses up in a superhero costume or mask in order to perform community service such as neighborhood watch, or in some cases vigilantism.[1][2][3] Early examples of this type of behaviour are reported from the 1990s, e.g. with Mexico City's "Superbarrio", who in 1997 donned red tights and a red and yellow wrestler's mask in order to organize labour rallies, protest, and file petitions to prevent families from being evicted.[4] A "real-life superhero community" in the sense of an online subculture began to develop in the mid-2000s.[5] Contents

List of notable real-life superheroes Edit

Real-life superhero groups Edit

Reception Edit

Police and RLSH Edit Police response to the actions of real life superheroes is typically negative.[111][112] The police "fear for the safety of these 'superheroes' and argue that sometimes they can get in the way of police work and become a liability".[113] Police have expressed concern that RLSH insert themselves into situations without knowing all the facts and indicate that this is "not a smart thing to do".[3] Police have indicated that super heroes who physically involve themselves in preventing crimes are practicing "vigilantism".[75]

Fictional depictions Edit

See also Edit