Hi, Folks:

Yesterday, when I wrote about real world superheroes, I didn’t realize that I might be onto something really interesting here. I’m going to make an effort to cover this movement as it develops. I don’t want to encourage any one to endanger themselves or others, or take up vigilantism, but I think there is something to be said for these colorful people trying to become symbols of justice. As a group, the superheroes have taken to calling themselves “Reals.”

One thing I would like to clarify: As the co-writer of Johnny Saturn, I am quite sure the proper name for these would-be do-gooders is Mystery Men. But, that is an archaic term, and the term “superhero” has more weight these days, so what can I do. I’ll call them superheroes, though they would be better labeled mystery men.

Here is a news story about these phenomena.

Here’s another one.

Here is a website devoted to more of the superheroes, http://www.citizenheroes.com/. From what I can tell, Citizen Prime is funded and has a budget for fancy film intro. They even work some special effects into the mix. I haven’t figured out if this venture is a celebration of public service, or what, exactly. It may simply be an individual or group’s attempt to empower people by making them aware of their neighborhoods.

If you want to go where the Reals are hanging out, that would be Myspace.

More as this story develops.