Do you think it's possible for "superheroes" to exist in the real world?

Question

I'm actually thinking of guys like Batman and Robin, the Green Arrow, etc. People without any supernatural powers, just smarts, athletics, a sense of civic duty, and a crapload of money to afford all their neat gadgets.

The Sacrament: Why yes, yes I am bored. How did you know?

Answer 1

Why not. If I was a billionaire playboy that's what I'd do. They'd call me the white avenger and my utility belt would carry 32 different cans of silly string to confound my opponents.

(wait, I've just been informed that 'the white avenger' sounds like a Klan name so I'll be the Stringed Slayer)

(Wait, again. I've just been informed that the Stringed Slayer sounds like a b-movie seriel killer so I'll be Canned Justice)

Answer 2

I believe that is possible for superheroes to come into the real world by scientists inventing some weird, magical, space-time distorting machine which can distort the very fabric of space and time which may create an interdimensional vortex into the real world as we know it! If my birthday comes up, I will have Superman, Batman, the Green Lantern, Captain America, Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, the Fantastic Four, and the Sailor Scouts over to my house and bring me some cool presents like a large fireworks display in the sky, a room makeover, and a million dollars! Oh, man! This would be sooo cool!! And, so cool, indeed!!! When bad guys are around, Superman, Batman, the Green Lantern, Captain America, Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, the Fantastic Four, and Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts will use their superpowers to rid the world of criminal injustice and restore peace and harmony back into our war-torn world!!

Answer 3

First, it's great that many people mentioned the military, civil servants, and parents as "Superheroes".

I think it IS within the realm of possibility that certain type of vigilantes can exist, but not to the degree where they are using colorful costumes.

If they did exist, I'm certain they would use better disguises, along the lines of S.W.A.T. gear, and would have to have access to funds to operate anonymously and/or within a group of likeminded people.

As others mentioned, there are some limitations physically, but bear in mind how athletic and strong our military personnel are, and the things they do where most "normal" healthy people can't. Same goes for the civil servants, such as the S.W.A.T. and police forces.

I think that is what is so appealling about characters like Green Arrow, Batman, Capt. America, Arsenal, Huntress, etc., is that they are within the realms of possibility. Each has a specialty, and other than being exaggerated physically, and/or with their abilities, they could be like you or me in most regards.

Answer 4

Not possible to have someone of that caliber. Anyone with that type of money wouldn't give a hoot about saving the world. As well as, their bodies are to old for the acrobatics. All the rest of millionaires have to play next season to try to get that bonus or get traded and take a pay-cut. But then again, if there was a person just for that purpose the government (FED's,C.I.A.,SSI) will rush the spot in fear of what could expose them. Just think of little stuff. You see how Fed's rushed that religious group in Florida and they didn't have two nickles to rub together.

Answer 5

Well, there was Captain Sticky, back in 1974, a real-life, 380 lb. California layer named Richard Allen Pesta, who put on a costume to alter the course of history. His gimmick was his sticky gun, which fired peanut butter and jelly.

Then there was the Human Fly, in 1977, This was supposedly based on a real person, whose name was not reveealed, under a special deal with Marvel comics. This man was a movie stuntman who was severely injured in an accident. Supposedly he would never walk again, etc., but drove himself to achieve and succeeded. Because of his extensive scars (burns?) he wore a mask and his face was never shown. He used gadgets built into his gloves and boots to scale buildings, etc., hence the name. His intention was to inspire others who had severe injuries not to give up at the physical therapy and rehabilitation. Somehow, he kept on running into crooks and having to help rescue people.

(I don't know if Marvel actually did this, but in the storyline, supposedly all the money he made from capturing escaped criminals, etc., after his modest living expenses, was donated to help the disabled.)

There may have been other examples of public-minded citizens who helped their fellow man in times of emergency, but these are the only ones I know of.

If you read Watchmen, there is a point at which Hollis Mason, the retired Nite Owl, wrote in his journal (speaking of Hooded Justice) "The first masked adventurer outside comic books had been given his name. Reading and re-reading that news item, I knew I had to be the second. I'd found my vocation."

Despite the attempt in the New Frontiersman (an obvious copy of the Weekly World News, portrayed in Watchmen) to liken the masked adventureres to the Ku Klux Klan (headline: Honor Is Like the Hawk; Sometimes It Must Go Hooded), from our privileged position as the readers, we know that Mason and most others like him had good motives.

Eclipse Comics' The Masked Man is similar, just a guy who wears a mask (not even a costume, appearing just in his shirt sleeves.) He is sort of a 'human interest' hero; they focus more on the people whose lives he affects rather than on his heroics.

Who among us has NOT wanted to run into a nearby alley, or phone booth, and change to help out in time of trouble...? I think it is a very human impulse.

Haivng said all that, I want to take my hat off to the REAL heros among us, the police, firemen and emergency medical technicians, especially the part-time and volunteer ones. These are the ones who run at a moment's notice to save someone's life, sometimes at the risk of their own.

If you are interested in saving lives, preventing crime if possible and stopping it when necessary, and helping people, I can think of no better career to get into. You may not get comic books written about you, but those whose lives you touch will never forget you.

Answer 6

Yes, it's possible, but NOT to the extent of Batman and Robin; probably more along the lines of the Boondock Saints; but I think there would be a manhunt for them to be bought in for vigilantism.

Answer 7

I think superheros exist in the real world. We call them Hero's like the firefighters during 911 or those who went above and beyond for those affected by hurricane Katrina

Answer 8

i think of that an entity that we sense and is airy permeates this worldwide and we are component of it. style of an electric powered smart potential. Its all in a measurement distinctive than ours and the regulations of nature are enormously distinctive than ours. what's in the Bible is an attempt to humanize this stress. The writers have been constrained of their realm of exact exploration. they simply had plenty to circulate on. each lifestyle has some thing in uncomplicated with yet another lifestyle ,a protracted history of understanding that a stress or God is recent. each observed that stress in any different case. some societies started saying that their cultural regulations have been god given and this gave some credence to their regulations.

Answer 9

Everyone wants to be accepted and raised up. Everyone believes they are right. Deep down, good people want to be praised for doing good things.
Even if someone existed that could rise above our human nature there are a billion other people who yearn to discover what we don't know (ie- who is the face behind the bat suit.)

Answer 10

yes, there are a lot of people who risks their lives or their own personal social life to help others like doctors and cops. But it would be nice for superheroes to exist, like the ones in the comic books. the thing is, I doubt wealthy people would give a damN about it......