10 Real Life Superheroes Who Have Actually Made a Difference

Angle-Grinder Man (bbc.co.uk) Location: LondonFighting: Overzealous parking authoritiesSecret Weapon: Angle GrinderTrue Identity: UnknownNot all superheroes work within the bounds of the law. Angle-Grinder Man specifically works against the law where he deems it is being enforced too strictly.Wheel clamps are a common sight on London's crowded streets. Parking spaces are a valuable commodity, and their protection has given rise to an entire industry of private businesses whose sole...Read Full Story

Terrifica Born: c. 1975Location: New York CityReason for Fighting: To protect drunk girls from being taken advantage of by opportunistic menNemisis: FantasticoMeans of Transport: Red High-heeled bootsStatus: RetiredThough she's hung up the ruby red cape, Terrifica is remembered as a New York City superhero with a very practical goal. Keeping vulnerable girls safe from predatory guys.Terrifica, later revealed to be a New York artist named Sarah, patrolled New York City bars and clubs...Read Full Story

Master Legend (Photo from Master Legend's MySpace page) Born: June 27, 1966Location: Orlando areaTeam: Justice ForceFighting Style: Way of the Diamond SpiritMeans of Transport: Battle Truck, Legend CycleSignature Weapon: Master Blaster personal cannon (modified potato gun)Sort of the grandaddy of American Real Life Superheroes, Master Legend is based in the Orlando suburb of Winter Park, and has been active for the better part of the decade.Master Legend received national recognition...Read Full Story

Citizen Prime (RealLifeSuperheroes.org) Location: ArizonaPurpose: To educate children and the public at large on safety and preparednessTrue Identity: Jim, an executive at an unnamed financial institutionMeans of Transport: XterraCost of Costume: $4,000Not all caped crusaders are losers with nothing better to do, and Citizen Prime is proof.A financial executive by day, Citizen Prime donns his $4,000 costume, which includes custom-made breast plate armor, and patrols the streets...Read Full Story

Zetaman (RealLifeSuperheroes.org) Location: Portland, ORPurpose: To protect and serve the communityTrue Identity: Illya KingSuperhero Team: Formerly of The AlternatesCost of Costume: $4,000Zetaman is the epitome of the comic book nerd turned Real Life Superhero.Zetaman, who draws and writes comic books in his spare time, patrols in a costume inspired by his favorite heroes. He carries a collapsible baton, a stun gun, an air horn, a cell phone, and perhaps most importantly, gloves and...Read Full Story

The Real Life Superhero (RLS) pheneomenon has steadily picked up steam over the last decade. Just like in Alan Moore's comic classic Watchmen, otherwise normal people are suiting up and fighting crime.Some have attributed the rise of the RLS to the recent popularity of comic book heroes, while others have interpreted it as a cultural response to the national tragedy of 9/11.Whatever the case, these Real Life Superheroes walk the streets of cities throughout the world (though many are based in...Read Full Story

Troy Hurtubise in his Trojan Ballistics Suit Born: November 23, 1963Location: Hamilton, Ontario; CanadaNemisis: Grizzly BearsPurpose: To invent ground-breaking safety gear and body armorYou May Know Him From: The Discovery Channel, Project GrizzlyNot a superhero in the traditional sense of the word, think of Troy Hurtubise as the poor man's Tony Stark (that's Iron Man for all you non-nerds).Like those traditional heroes, Troy does have an origin story. Back in 1984, while hiking near...Read Full Story

Alain Robert in Shanghai (Reuters) Born: August 7, 1962Location: Worldwide (Based in Paris)Special Ability: To climb up the sides of skyscrapersNemisis: PoliceMeans of Transport: Climbing shoesEveryone on this list has made a difference in some way, but not everyone on this list actually possesses some superhuman power over the physical world.While Alain Robert's ability is no mutant power, it doesn't even seem possible that a human should be able to climb like he climbs. Robert has...Read Full Story

Superhero and his beloved 1975 Corvette Stingray (From his MySpace profile) Born: c. 1969Location: Clearwater, FloridaMode of Transport: 1975 Corvette StingrayQualifications: Navy veteran; Police Academy training; professional bodyguard; training in wrestling and boxingPersonal Style: Loud and proudTrue Identity: Dale PopleIt's a tad redundant to be a superhero named Superhero, but what this Florida crimefighter lacks in creativity, he makes up for in style.Superhero has made a...Read Full Story

Polar Man Location: Iqaluit, Nunavet; CanadaNotable For: Shoveling snow from drivewaysMode of Transport: Not a polar bearSpecial Ability: Resistance to cold and isolationClad all in black and white with his trusty shovel, nary a snow-covered driveway stands a chance when Polar Man is on the case.While a snow-shoveling hero from an isolated Canadian town of less than 7,000 might seem laughable, Polar Man has truly made a difference. Not only does he clear walkways for the elderly, he...Read Full Story