Paramilitary Vigilantes "Soldiers of Make Believe Justice"

Paramilitary Vigilantes - when commanding a citizen to obey, are committing a form of arrest, for which there are Tort responses available to citizens wishing to find justice. You don't have to obey X-Alts, Vigilantes, or Superheroes, and if they so much as impede your freedom, or through their threatening behavior you feel impeded, you are encouraged to sue them for false arrest, and imprisonment. They can't touch you.



Courtesy of mediathatmattersOn YouTube

Note this quote;
“I look at it like a homeland soldier who has stickers on his helmet,” explains Zero, a tall, good-looking, blond-haired man. “I’m an artist. I’m a fighter. I’m a radical. I’m in a state of unrest.” He pauses. “I’m trying to promote a new term instead of ’superhero’: X-Alt. It’s short for Extreme Altruist. I think it’s going to open a lot of doors for people who don’t want to be directly linked to the superhero stigma.”

From source;
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/11/amazing-adventures-of-phoenix-jones/


"Soldiers" enforcing their pretend understanding of justice. Remember - if you encounter a superhero, X-Alt, Creative Altruist, ArchAngel, RLSH, or whatever - you are a Citizen. You have rights. Be safe first, but observe, report, and press charges against any leotarded, body armored, cape wearing, hooded vigilante who dares infringe your rights as an American Citizen. Put these dangerous people behind bars where they belong before they hurt anyone.

They want to be "soldiers" and fight America? Then fight back. Take our country back from the vigilantes. The laws of our democracy work better and more frequently, than vigilante justice ever has.

You don't have to live in fear of superheroes any longer,
-Lord Malignance

Vigilante Man

Courtesy of wudunion on YouTube. 


A crowd of concerned citizens confront Vigilante Man on his claims of Crime Fighting, and ask for proof. Like all the vigilantes, when asked for proof, or confronted By proof, they run away. The Minutemen, The New York Initiative, The Klan. All groups see injustice, and all believe they have some special responsibility that others are not able to see. That only by putting on their special get ups and getting their weapons, they can "solve" problems by taking direct action. By judging others, without the consent or a mandate from the people. They prefer to think not what the law allows, but what the law can't stop them from doing. They're sneaky, and that's your first clue, what they're doing is not something to be proud of. The need to sneak.  

A reminder of what vigilantes DO. They judge others by their own pretend understanding of justice, and then punish those they think are unworthy. It always starts out with "heroes" shedding fake tears for the love of the country and the things that only they can change.

Because they "just care more" than everyone else. They're altruists - doing it out of the "Good" in their hearts with their weapons and "bullet resistant" vests. And if people don't agree with them? Then those people are ok to hurt.

It is NOT ok to hurt anyone. 
Find a better way. 



-Lord Malignance

GREEN GOBLIN: Anger Management with The Green Goblin

Courtesy of MakeEmLaughFilms on YouTube

Cameo of the Green Goblin;

Meet the Justice League - Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.1 and 5.2.

Courtesy of stpfeil Youtube. 

Now YOU Can Experience Superhero/X-Alts Patrol: It's Like Being There!

Super Zero
Get More: Super Zero

Courtesy of Spike TV

It is so Hyper Realistic - it's like you get to feel just what it's like to be an X-Alt "on patrol". One almost expected to see Spray Painted Motocross "Armor". 

Phoenix Jones - Thinking About Suing Seattle For His Arrest?

City Won’t Charge Phoenix Jones

CRIME   November 23, 2011 at 3:32 pm Jonah Spangenthal-Lee

Phoenix Jones has something to be thankful about this Thanksgiving: City Attorney Pete Holmes says he will not file charges against the masked crusader though Holmes called Jones “no hero.”

As first reported by PubliCola, Jones—aka Ben Fodor—was arrested by Seattle police last month after he allegedly pepper sprayed a group of men and women near Pioneer Square.

Jones eventually unmasked himself following a court hearing on the case, revealing his identity as mixed martial arts fighter Ben Fodor. In the weeks after his arrest, Jones was fired from his job working with autistic children.

When PubliCola contacted Jones about Holmes’ decision Wednesday afternoon, Jones was elated to hear the news and asked whether we were joking.

Jones says he’s now planning to “explore legal action” against the police department. ”I’m going to have to seek some way to make myself whole again,” he says.

“The judicial system did it’s job. I’m ecstatic I’m not being charged,” he said. “I lost my job, people call me by my real name on the street, criminals say they know where I live. it’s affected my life, and for something I didn’t do.”

Jones says he’s now planning to “explore legal action” against the police department. ”I’m going to have to seek some way to make myself whole again,” he says.

Jones has maintained he was rushing to the aid of a group of people involved in a fight during the pepper spraying incident, and claims the officers who arrested him had a “vendetta”.

Vendetta or no, City Attorney Holmes says he’s dropping the case against Jones due to “proof problems.”

A statement from Holmes says Jones’ claim that he was coming to the aid of people at the scene of the incident complicates any potential charges, and notes that prosecutors were also unable to locate two men involved in the melee.

“It is unlikely a jury would find beyond a reasonable doubt that Fodor intentionally sprayed all of the people at the scene,” Holmes said.

In his statement, Holmes also took a parting shot at Jones: “Mr. Fodor is no hero, just a deeply misguided individual. He has been warned that his actions put himself in danger, and this latest episode demonstrates that innocent bystanders can also be harmed.”

Shameless Screen Grab courtesy of Publicola. 

One points out his quote above; 

“I lost my job, people call me by my real name on the street, criminals say they know where I live. it’s affected my life, and for something I didn’t do.”

One has pointed out the ramifications of being a vigilante previously, in quite a few places. His "surprise" at the legal and real consequences of his own actions is poorly acted pantomime. Now if he wants to really be surprised, wait until the state removes his children from his home, because they're living in an unsafe environment. Seeing as how he now admits that criminals tell him they know where he lives.

It's the children One is most concerned with. Their safety must always come first, whenever there is any doubt that they could be put in peril. And One reminds readers, No one is going to "take" his children. All Phoenix Jones must do is be a responsible parent, quit cage fighting random innocent citizens for his documentary fame, and put his family's safety above his fantasies. Basically - and surprise adults out there everywhere who have had to overcome this challenge themselves; He needs to "Grow Up". 

-Lord Malignance

Episode 2: Evil Blood Runs Badder

Episode 2: Evil Blood Runs Badder

Courtesy of RedBaroness1000 on YouTube


And Episode One: Kidnapped

Courtesy of RedBaroness1000 on YouTube

One is deeply honored to have been given the opportunity to participate, and extends true gratitude to Octavius Fong, the Baroness, Kaptain Blackheart, Golden Don, Professor Plague and Henchman.


One is imagining that right about now, somewhere, there is a website aborning....

-Lord Malignance

New Villains

Greetings,

New Villains, coming forward to accept the challenge of Villainy and explore the joy of Evil;

Doctor Sinister

Source Doctor Sinister on YouTube


ScorpionMonkey

Source ScorpionMonkeyofEvil on Youtube

and the Kaiser of Crime

Source Colorado's Own Villainous Son, Nagneto


May all your plots go unthwarted,
-Lord Malignance

Notes in Villainy

Three points and an apology;

1) Ubermas is upon us! By tradition established last year, Ubermas begins when a Villain declares that is has, and this declaration has been made by another Villain, and acknowledged by Oneself. And posted on this other Villain's blog, a new tradition added. It's the most Evil Time of the Year, and you Villains are all invited to bring something to the Tradition. It's a Villains Holiday - there are no rules, only traditions. The traditions that continue are the traditions that are most fun. So, let's begin this season of Opulence, and Selling out with Evil Cheer.

2) One has been swamped, and SciTech Saturdays, have been suffering for it. One is actually doing Villains work, and riding ponies in Facebook. So, the blog has taken a little drubbing. It is not intentional, and for this, you have my apology. There's cool stuff in the works though.

3) One cannot speak highly enough of the work of Villains. There are new and exciting things going on which are soon to be appearing to a wider audience. You will find your patience rewarded many times over.

So, to Villains old and New, may you all have an Evil Ubermas!

-Lord Malignance

Why is Lord Malignance always beating on the Soft Heads?

Why does One kick the asses of some Superheroes/X-Alts?

It's the "Chain of Command". You dump on the ones on top - the "leaders" or the ones flapping their lips the most, so they can take that information down the line.

Now superheroes/X-alts, claim they're not responsible for the actions of others. And yet, they put on capes and prance around pretending to offer "security". Which IS, taking responsibility for the actions of others. Don't make me post Interviews and videos. They're out there by the handfuls. You CAN take responsibilities for the "knife wielding drug dealer"/scared kid in the park you surround 10-1*, but you can't talk to your own group? Why kind of manbaby ineptness is that? And the excuse "superheroes can't control their own members" is a weak excuse. You want empty platitudes posted? Which two leaders, say things like this;

"Rainbows and sunshine, Sugar and lollipops. Only YOU can make a difference".

You know the two. The two that hide when confronted. And what do they offer in way of responsibility? "Oh, I can't talk to anyone. All I can do is mouth vacuous inanities to fake it".

So, when you say One has an obsession. Check your ego at the door. You're being called on your fictions, because you are Packaging, Selling, and Exporting Violence. Plain and simple. Make your excuses to other superheroes/x-alts, they eat that stuff up with a spoon.

One isn't THAT stupid.

 ·  · Reshare · 6 minutes ago

• • 
    

    Lord Malignance ‎* According to the factualy reported account in the book "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones and the less amazing adventures of some other real-life superheroes".
    
    http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Adventures-Phoenix-Jones-ebook/dp/B005ZOCFNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322460728&sr=8-1
    

    
    

    The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones: And the Less Amazing Adventures of Some Other Real-Life Sup

    www.amazon.com
    

    Bestselling author Jon Ronson walks the mean streets of America where he finds real life, modern day superheroes. Fighting crime, saving old ladies, and chasing away drug dealers – all while wearing a mask and a cape. Phoenix Jones patrols Seattle, masked, muscles rippling, while corner bo...

The New York Initiative and Accurate and Factual Reporting

Greetings,


Ever notice how patterns appear? You hear one thing repeated over and over, and you can't help but notice? Submitted for your consideration:


The New York Initiative and Multiple Professional Sources, reporting first hand observed Facts and reporting them honestly;


1)
Successful writer Jon Ronson, author of "Men Who Stare at Goats", and his ebook "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones: And the Less Amazing Adventures of Some Other Real-Life Superheroes", claims specifically; "The NYI is headed by Dark Guardian" (page 352). Zero claims to look at playing superhero games as "being a homeland soldier". That 10 of them screaming at a suspected drug dealer "This is a drug-free park" and "People not drugs!", were following Dark Guardian and his crusade against suspected drug dealers. But afterwards, Zero begged the writer NOT to write the truth about what screwups they are. Because if the drug dealers ever found out the truth, then the drug dealers will realize they can completely eliminate any superheroes at any time they wish (Page 366).
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/11/amazing-adventures-of-phoenix-jones/#more-86243


See the excerpt more fully here;
http://www.lordmalignance.blogspot.com/




Jack and the Skateboard Crime Fighters claim that the New York Initiative don't in fact go after drug dealers;
"Friday nights activities were to enter the park and assist Dark Guardian on his quest to clear it out of violent dealers carrying weapons... my stance and the rest of the teams stance has always been clear on this, we do NOT pursue drug dealers, and ESPECIALLY not pot dealers, as they pose no immediate threat to others. I believe in personal freedoms, and as long as these people harm no one, there is no reason for us to be involved.

This is point one to be covered as libel, it was made ABUNDANTLY clear that we DO NOT pursue pot dealers. Our actions obviously seem to have spoken otherwise about pursuing drug dealers this night, and for that I am still very, very irritated, but the marijuana point was made clear.

It is an outright lie.

I had made it clear with DG that I and other members were extremely uncomfortable with his "washington square park dealers" mission, as in the past, and I was only going to make sure that his back and more importantly, Ronson's back was safe. Ronson was provided with a level IIIa, stab and bullet resistant vest we borrowed from member Thre3 at the suggestion of Peter Tangen, a close friend of the NYI and Phoenix Jones supposed "publicist". I assigned myself and Short Cut as his guardians in the field and allowed DG to lead the rest of the large crew. I was playing damage control."
Source




Dark Guardian one of the leaders, if not THE leader of NYI does in fact go after Drug dealers;
http://vimeo.com/3930286
http://vimeo.com/3529737




There are any number of these videos. There's one out there, where he uses his Megaphone of Screeching, to menace another "suspected" drug dealers.

2)
'Crazy cool'

Around us in the South Bronx is evidence of drug dealing.

Deaths Head Moth thinks the group's presence stops criminal activity

"Little crack baggies," explains Deaths Head Moth. "They're about the size of a postage stamp."

It's a quiet patrol though, and the team think their presence has stopped deals from going ahead.

"They'll see us and take off running," says Samaritan. "They go to the dark corners that all insects retreat to."

"We're doing something," adds Zero. "It's better than sitting on our asses and complaining about it."

Source BBC and professional journalist Dave Howard

Zero claims Dave has misrepresented them - that he's a reporter who didn't in fact report the facts. http://lordmalignance.blogspot.com/2011/11/open-letter-to-ray-legal-defense.html

3) "Take, for instance, a Brooklyn team called the New York Initiative, profiled this week in New York Press. The four members of the Initiative –a reference to Tony Stark’s post-Civil War, pre-Secret Invasionefforts to put a superhero squad in each of the 50 states? — act like bodybuilders with a purpose. And then they pack (non-lethal) heat.

Initiative member Z brandishes “giant ax handles bound with duck tape” and a cane that doubles as a club. He’s also got — in reserve — a legally dubious arsenal that includes ninja throwing stars and what author Tea Krulos describes as “stun knuckles (that make a loud zapping sound), throwing knives and spiky hand guards that look like something Genghis Khan would brawl in.” A battle ax appears to be merely for display."


Source Wired Magazine and Successful Wired writer Spencer Ackerman, and Author Tea Krulos


With Jack's denial;
1. Ask Tea Krulos if any of that stuff is used on patrol. He'll tell you. Nowhere in the story does it say that stuff is used on patrol. Tons of guys across the country have stuff like that in their house. Do they use it? Nope. And if we even took it outside we'd be arrested. And we haven't been. And we have been outside... I have cited evidence on that. So your point is shut down. Source




4)
The HBO documentary "Superheroes", numerous film makers, fact checkers, and legal experts


Jack's Denial;
"HBO movie misrepresents us. The truth will come out in the next press. And i cannot accept fault for Lucids actions when I was not present for filming. Take it up with him. I asked him not to do that, but he is an adult and thus must lead his own path and take accountability for his own actions. It is a bad example, agreed."We presented certain things to the doc makers, and they edited it the way they wanted to. I've told you this. Won't argue this point point anymore with you. It is what it is, and we're working to change how we've been represented.

(Jack is of course referring to the Illegal Archery Practice of the NYI on their rooftop in the Bronx. Just think: Arrow off the roof, into a pedestrian below. That's NYI "protecting people".). 
Source

When experienced professionals follow the New York Initiative, and observe them and their actions and words, with trained eyes, and report the truth, the New York Initiative Spin Doctor, Jack Cero, comes out and calls the professionals who report truth, "innacurate", and various other names impugning their unbiased professionalism. Damaging their reputations and opportunities for future business success. Why, a misstatement from the New York Initiative, and they might be held for libel - the active and purposeful attempt to disparage the reputation of a professional. Best make sure you don't throw around the word Libel, unless you really, really, know what you're talking about. 

5) Like when he spins this story about the Police conspiring to hide the imaginary successes of the New York Initiative; 

"The authorities say crime fighting should be left to the police, although the New York Police Department refused to comment on the group's activities.

Zero is scornful. "Check the stats," he says. "They don't show up.""Source

Or Lucid's claim that the police and the government can't be trusted; 
Source

It seems the New York Initiative, besides Packaging, Selling, and Exporting Violence, are also very worried about suppressing and hiding the truth.

One would like to thank Silver Sentinel for Enabling me to go out and find greater and greater amounts of New York Initiative malfeasance. Unlike a post on your Facebook page buried in a day by hypocritical platitudes, these are googleable. If you suppress the truth, to protect the product "Superheroes", you take something you claim to believe in, and make it dirty and empty. You can't feed a dream lies and deception, while people's lives are at stake, and ever hope to create anything worthy.

One is a Villain, and One has more faith, that superheroes. 

-Lord Malignance

Book Endorsement

Greetings,

One cannot say enough about the book "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones: And the Less Amazing Adventures of Some Other Real-Life Superheroes" by Jon Ronson. 

Naturally, wary of superhero attempts to cover up the truth about them, One wanted to read any reviews. There's one negative review, but it seems to be legitimate - the book (priced for 2.99 for Kindle) appears to be slight, and while it says fairly positive things about Jones, it paints a true picture of the New York Initiative and other superheroes. Needless to say, as it IS the truth, it makes them look like dangerous fools. 

But Jon Ronson - why does that name sound familiar? Then One Googled. Mr. Ronson is an established writer who wrote the book "The Men Who Stare at Goats", a book that was later turned into a Hollywood blockbuster starting George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, and Ewan McGregor. He certainly knows how to research and write about subjects that catch his journalistic attention. 

He's also written;

• The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry (Riverhead Hardcover – May 12, 2011) ISBN 978-1594488016
• What I Do: More True Tales Of Everyday Craziness (Paperback – Picador/Guardian Books – November 2, 2007) ISBN 0-330-45373-8
• Out of the Ordinary: True Tales of Everyday Craziness (Paperback – Picador/Guardian Books – November 3, 2006) ISBN 0-330-44832-3
• The Men Who Stare at Goats (Hardcover – Picador – November 19, 2004) ISBN 0-330-37547-4
• Them: Adventures with Extremists (Hardcover – Picador, 2001) ISBN 0-330-37545-8, (Hardcover – Simon & Schuster, 2002), ISBN 0-7432-2707-7 (Paperback – Simon & Schuster – January 1, 2003) ISBN 0-7432-3321-2

Clubbed Class (Hardcover – Pavilion Books Ltd  – October 27, 1994) ISBN 1-85793-320-6

(Shamelessly Screen Grabbed from Wikipedia) .

Published works on Crazy Organizations ("Men Who Stare at Goats"), "the Psychopath Test", "True Tales of Everyday Craziness", and "Them: Adventures with Extremists". And now a book on Real Life Superheroes. Does anyone else notice a similarity between subjects? Craziness and Extremists - with Superheroes. 

Now Mr. Ronson, is just everyday folk. He's got a job and a family (One imagines), and he doesn't dress up to frighten and intimidate citizens with weapons and body armor. He's just a person from the outside, looking in at superheroes, and describing honestly what he sees. And apparently, it doesn't look very good for the New York Initiative, or Real Life Superheroes.

One is downloading it shortly, to read and write a review based on my first hand experience with superheroes, and One hopes you will read his book too. $2.99 on Amazon for Kindle (you can read on your computer, by downloading the kindle client). 

Enabled to uncover the dirty secrets superheroes try so hard to hide,

-Lord Malignance

Thanksgiving at the Lair

Greetings,

So, Thanksgiving is past. A pile of dishes await me, because One doesn't have a minion any longer. Even the Minion In Training - Diabolical Madame X, does not do dishes. Bah!

But it was fun, and a very Evil time. This year, Diabolical Madame X came over - because while One's Lair is her storage facility for all her house items... she does not live here. She was only 50minutes late. Yes.

While One was waiting and the feast cooled on the Dining table, Comrade Cocoa expressed his desire to go outside. When Comrade Cocoa (the Ninja pooper) expresses such a concern, it is wise to pay heed his desires. While out on the compound, One caught the eye of the Supervillain whose compound is closest to my own, known as Baron Von Apocalypse. He of the barking mutant dogs. Many great and terrible campaigns have been fought between us, because really, who does Mutant Dogs?

However, in the spirit of the day, and as One had space in the dining hall, and food-a-cooling, One invited him over. Yes! The target of many a midnight Garbapult launches. The domicile under occasional Roof Mounted Petawatt Laser targeting.

It turns out his first name is "Steve", he's a teacher, and he has an extensive library (which could not possibly match my own - though he appears to have quality over my quantity). Eventually, Diabolical Madame X showed up, and she, myself, Comrade Cocoa, and Baron "Steve" Von Apocalypse shared Thanksgiving. The meal went long into the night, and we shared a 2007 Italian Chianti. One thought it went well with the meal, but apparently no one else did. Because they are apparently Canadian and European wine snobs.

Tonight, One will drizzle the cooking fat over an excessively nasty smelling load of garbage, light it on fire, and use the Garbapult to launch it onto his compound - just to let him know that One still seeks his doom. One might even take out one of his Mutant Mongrels.

What Villain does mutant dogs, anyway?

-Lord Malignance



Winner of this year's Grandmaster Calamity's SuperVillain Challenge: Colorado's Own Nagneto ! (Picture in Facebook).

Ubermas is coming upon us, and as tradition holds, a Villain must name the day the celebration begins. One said last year, so One cannot again (unless no one steps forward). Prepare for fun.

Don't forget to pick up your copy of "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones: and the Less Amazing Adventures of some Real Life Superheroes", only 2.99 on your Kindle. Apparently, some very true, first hand anecdotal experiences with the New York Initiative are included. Ron Johnson (the Author) also wrote the book "The Men Who Stare at Goats" which was recently turned into a blockbuster movie staring George Clooney, Kevin Spacey, Ewan McGregor, and Jeff Bridges. A major author offers his opinion about the RLSH and New York Initiative. Maybe it too, will become a movie? Pick your copy up today! *


* This advertisement for the book "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones: and the Less Amazing Adventures of some Real Life Superheroes" brought to you by the Enabling powers of Silver Sentinel.

Superheroes and X-Alts; The Truth (Upcoming Book)

Book Excerpt: Narcissistic Superheroes in Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones

• By Wired Staff  
• November 22, 2011  |  
• 6:30 am  |  
• Categories: Books and Comics

With homemade costumes inspired by comic book characters, real-life superheroes are springing up around the country to fight crime and sometimes handle more mundane tasks like handing out sandwiches to the hungry.

In his new e-book The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones: And the Less Amazing Adventures of Some Other Real-Life Superheroes, Jon Ronson chronicles the real-world exploits of Ben Fodor, aka Phoenix Jones, a self-appointed crime-fighter who was arrested earlier this year in Seattle. Here is an excerpt from the e-book, which is available Tuesday.

Real-life superheroes like to portray their motives as wholly benevolent, but if they were being driven purely by philanthropy they’d have become police officers or firefighters or charity volunteers. Something else is evidently propelling them — a narcissism. It’s an odd sort of narcissism, of course, when the narcissist disguises their face, but the lust for fame and glory is unmistakable.

Only one of them, however, is achieving it: Phoenix Jones.

Back in Seattle he said he knew why he, alone, has captured the public’s imagination. It’s his bravery amid a community of superheroes who talk the talk but in practice basically don’t do much more than hand out food to the homeless.

“When you wake up one day and decide to put on spandex and give out sandwiches, something’s a little off,” he said. “I don’t call them real-life superheroes. I call them real-life sandwich handlers.”

Jon Ronson investigates real masked crime-fighters in The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones.
Photo: Barney Poole

In fact there’s only one other crew out there actively looking for dangerous scrapes, and that’s the NYI — the New York Initiative. And so, in the days before returning to Seattle, I e-mail to ask if I can join them. I receive a very non-comic-book response. Yes, I can, but only if I accord them “professional respect by cooperating with our scheduling and more importantly our tactics in the field…. A bulletproof vest will be available for your use…. The scheduling is not negotiable. — Zero, co-founder of the New York Initiative.”

We meet for a strategy briefing outside a movie theater near Washington Square Park, Lower Manhattan, at 10 p.m. There are 10 of them. They don’t look much like superheroes. They look quite intimidating, in fact, like a street gang, or some kind of private security detachment dressed entirely in black, with only cursory flashes of color.

“I look at it like a homeland soldier who has stickers on his helmet,” explains Zero, a tall, good-looking, blond-haired man. “I’m an artist. I’m a fighter. I’m a radical. I’m in a state of unrest.” He pauses. “I’m trying to promote a new term instead of ’superhero’: X-Alt. It’s short for Extreme Altruist. I think it’s going to open a lot of doors for people who don’t want to be directly linked to the superhero stigma.”

“Is any of this because of Phoenix …” I begin.

“We’re not going to comment on Phoenix Jones,” snaps Zero, shooting me a look.

Before Phoenix came along, Zero and his crew — headed by the veteran superhero of nine years’ standing, Dark Guardian — were America’s most famous RLSHs. But these days the media don’t really want to know them.

They put a bulletproof vest on me and the night’s maneuvers begin. The plan is to confront the pot dealers in Washington Square Park, those men who sell to the students at the adjacent New York University.

We enter the park at 11 p.m. It is all very quick and efficient. A dealer is standing alone, looking incredibly startled and upset to see 10 frightening men rushing toward him.

“Are you the police?” he says, in a small voice.

The superheroes surround him, shining torches in his face, screaming, “This is a drug-free park! A drug-free park! People, not drugs!”

They look like a pack of dogs chasing a fox. The dealer practically chokes with fright.

“You don’t know anything about me,” he shouts, running away onto the Manhattan streets.

Even though the operation seemed to me to unfold with a textbook precision, an embarrassed-looking Zero asks to speak to me quietly.

“It was a disorganized clusterfuck,” he says, evidently furious with himself, like a virtuoso opera singer who does a flawless performance and then beats himself up. “Please don’t write about how disorganized we were. If the dealers read it they’ll think they can take us.”

My night with the NYI leaves a bad taste in my mouth. These men just seemed menacing, with no fun to them. I don’t want my superheroes to be bullies. I want goofy charm. When Phoenix Jones walks down the street, passersby point and laugh and gasp. Whereas all the NYI seem to get are anxious sideways glances. I agree with Zero: there’s nothing superheroish about them at all.

Excerpted from The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones: And the Less Amazing Adventures of Some Other Real Life Superheroes by Jon Ronson, by arrangement with Riverhead Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA). Copyright © 2011 by Jon Ronson.

• PREVIOUSLY
• Related Links by Contextly

• Trailer: HBO Documentary Profiles Self-Taught Superheroes
• Real Life Superheroes Gear Up With Ninja Throwing Stars, Ax Handles, ‘Stun Knuckles’
• Masked Superheroes Patrol Cincinnati Streets

Tags: book excerpts, New York Initiative, Phoenix Jones, real-life superheroes, The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones

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  Shameless Screen Grab courtesy of Wired Magazine
  
  Must get this book! Multiple copies. It looks like it could be portraying superheroes in a realistic light. And really, isn't it all about the Truth being known about superheroes? Instead of listening to their spin, and fanciful (yet bereft of any proof) stories? Time to look at them honestly for what they are. And don't let the superheroes try and cover up and hide the truth being known.
  
  Thanks also to the superhero "Silver Sentinel" for enabling me to overcome superhero suppression of truth, and redouble my efforts to expose the criminals and those who cover up their actions. 

-Lord Malignance