The phenomenon of “real-life superheroes” is one where fans inspired by superhero fiction dress up in costumes or masks in order to perform community service such as a neighborhood watch or in some cases, actually fighting crime. The whole thing first started in the late 1990s but became so big that a “real-life superhero community,” in the sense of an online subculture, began to develop in the mid-2000s. Throughout this time many real-life superheroes have caught the public’s eye and imagination with their generous and brave actions. On this list, we give you 25 real life superheroes that actually exist.
Zetaman
This one takes his role a little too seriously we must admit and that’s why he patrols the streets of Portland armed with a steel baton and a 30,000-volt Taser. Zetaman roams the streets looking to help any citizen in need. Although he has never needed to use his weapons, he’s always prepared to fight off any criminals who try to stir things up.
Wheel Clamp Man
Wheel Clamp Man is an Australian real-life “superhero” who operates in the city of Perth. He travels the city removing clamps from drivers’ wheels and wears a disguise consisting of a fake mustache (which makes him look like a cross between Freddie Mercury and Borat), along with a green Lycra suit, a red mask, gloves, and a helmet.
The Statesman
This innocent-looking banker by day is a badass crime fighter by night who protects the streets of Birmingham, UK, by stopping drug deals and preventing burglaries. He also sports state-of-the-art gadgets to help citizens in danger and a flashlight to scare off any villains who cross his path.
The Crimson Fist
The Crimson Fist is a very special man who discovered his superhero persona after years of drug and alcohol abuse. By day he’s an IT programmer and by night he spends his time helping the homeless by handing out supplies such as bottled water, socks, and food, using his own funds.
Angle-Grinder Man
Angle-Grinder Man was a self-proclaimed superhero who operated in England. He patrolled by night looking for unhappy drivers who had been clamped and then would set their cars free. He took on clamping firms, speed cameras, and the congestion charge on behalf of drivers. Unfortunately, we haven’t heard any news on him for the past ten years or so.
Terrifica
Terrifica is a retired American superheroine who patrolled New York City for some time before we lost track of her. She’s best remembered for her awesome red suit and blond hair.
Superbarrio
Superbarrio Gómez is a Mexican superhero based in Mexico City who uses nonviolent means to fight crime and corruption with protests, civil disobedience, and political action. He wears a red-and-yellow wrestler’s mask in the tradition of the luchadores, complete with a red-and-yellow suit and cape emblazoned with a “SB” inside a pentagon-shaped shield.
Super Hero
Super Hero is a former professional wrestler who roams the streets of Clearwater, Florida, in his 1975 Corvette and helps stranded motorists. He also teaches young people about road safety and raises money for various charities with a particular emphasis on helping the homeless.
Shadow Hare
Shadow Hare first started life as a crime fighter in Cincinnati in 2005 and became widely known through the news and various videos in 2009. As of 2012, there has been no reported activity from Shadow Hare so it is likely he is now a retired real-life superhero.
The Flashing Blade
Back in 2007 a mysterious crusader suddenly appeared out of nowhere and helped the police catch criminals on a street in South Shields, UK. The “Flashing Blade” ran up to an armed gang that was about to attack two unarmed detectives, slashing frantically with a three-foot sword that cut one of the gang members on the arm. His actions panicked the gang and the police were able to arrest three of them. The officers described him as a white male in his forties, medium build, about 5’10” with a moustache, before he disappeared into the night.
Phoenix Jones
Five nights a week, Phoenix dresses in a superhero outfit of his own creation and chases car thieves, breaks up bar fights, and changes the tires of stranded strangers on the streets of Seattle where everyday citizens see him as their own Superman.
Nyx
Nyx took her name from the ancient Greek goddess and ruler of the night and started her superhero “career” at age sixteen in Kansas. Nowadays, she’s patrolling the streets of New York and helps the homeless and unprotected.
Mr. Xtreme
Mr. Xtreme is an American real-life superhero who fights crime in San Diego, California. He is also the leader and founder of the Xtreme Justice League, which gained attention through the Real Life Super Heroes Project and its website. He got his inspiration for his suit partly from the Power Rangers.
Menganno
Menganno is easily the most famous South American “superhero” and works on the east side of Lanús, Argentina. He fights crime while riding his awesome bike and wears blue clothes, a helmet, and a shield similar to Captain America’s, but with the colors of the Argentine flag.
Master Legend
Master Legend is one of the most famous real-life superheroes ever and rightfully so. A man of strong convictions and morals, he will help anyone who truly needs aid. From charity work to crime fighting Master Legend has done it all. He is also a cofounder of Team Justice, the first non-profit RLSH (Real Life Super Hero) organization.
Lion Heart
The only known superhero in Africa also has an awesome name—“Lion Heart”. Lion Heart has helped save the lives of many villagers by teaching them important but simple things such as how to prevent a lion attack. Additionally, he has started a grassroots movement in Africa through which many people’s lives are being changed for the better.
Life
Even though Life didn’t grow up with much, that didn’t stop him from giving to others. Life is a New York native who tirelessly and selflessly works on behalf of Manhattan’s homeless population, setting a great example for the people of the city.
Knight Warrior
Knight Warrior is a real-life superhero whose base of operations is in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. His mission statement in his own words is: “My mission is to kick ass and chew bubble gum . . . and I’m all out of gum.” All righttttttt, bud.
Geist
Geist is another ordinary dude with an ordinary day job who turns into a badass real-life superhero at night. He patrols the streets of Rochester, NY, and will often prevent crime and graffiti artists from vandalizing city structures.
Dex Laserskater
Dex Laserskater, who has been featured in the Finnish magazine Image, first started patrolling the streets of Helsinki in 1997. He has modeled his eye-catching alter ego after the short-lived comic-book hero Skateman. He specializes in guiding tourists, tipping waiters, doormen, and street musicians, and helping the police.
DC’s Guardian
DC’s Guardian grew up around war veterans and was inspired to serve society in some way. This is how he ended up walking the streets of Washington, D.C., handing out pocket-size versions of America’s Constitution, to remind people not to take their freedom for granted.
Dark Guardian
This amazing dude recently opened up a Superhero Academy, where he teaches children not only how to defend themselves, but also lessons in morality. He is based out of New York, and has been known to work with other superheroes to keep the streets safe.
Captain Australia
Captain Australia fought crime and operated for over two years in Brisbane, Australia. Unfortunately, since July 2011 Captain Australia has been inactive, as both his website and YouTube account have not seen any updates since that time.
Bauhinia Heroine
A masked woman in Hong Kong made headlines all over the country for distributing food and money to the poor at night while dressed in black tights, gloves, and boots, as local people tried to speculate about her actual identity. The woman, who calls herself “Bauhinia Heroine,” after the flower of Hong Kong, said her appearance is inspired by Black Rose, a 1965 film starring Connie Chan Po-chu, who played a woman who steals money from the rich to aid the poor. Ironically, Bauhinia’s act inspired filmmakers and made her story a movie too.
Thanatos
The name Thanatos comes from ancient Greek mythology, and is the personification of Death itself. A sixty-five-year-old man named Thanatos from Vancouver, Canada, helps people living on the streets. After a police officer told him that the only thing some homeless people have to look forward to is death, he figured that, “death better get out there and start taking care of these people.” Mad Respect!!!