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HBO's 'Superheroes' Profiles Real-World Costumed Vigilantes

New documentary on real-life superheroes premieres tonight on HBO.

No Caption Provided

The idea of real-life superheroes isn't something new. We've heard mention of actual people dressing up and fighting crime. HBO is premiering a documentary on these real-life superheroes (RLSH) and their attempt to save humanity.

Debuting tonight, August 8 from 9:00-10:30 ET/PT exclusively on HBO, real-life caped crusaders wearing masks, homemade costumes and fancy utility belts from New York to San Diego are profiled.

It turns out there are currently more than 300 registered superheroes in the United States. How and where they become registered is something you'll most likely have to watch in order to find out. The documentary includes candid interviews, patrol footage, archival material and motion graphics.

Along with spotlights on some of the country's more famous masked heroes such as San Diego's Mr. Xtreme and members of Brooklyn's New York Initiative (N.Y.I.), there's also interviews with Stan Lee, Lt. Andrea Brown, a 24-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department and Robin Rosenberg, a clinical psychologist and expert on the psychology of superheroes, both real-life and fictional.

== TEASER ==

The documentary will re-air on HBO, as well as on HBO2. Check out the trailer.

Would you ever consider being a real-life superhero?

105 Comments

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TheLastLantern

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Edited By TheLastLantern

Why can't they just start a neighborhood watch like everyone else?
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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

SMH

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They Killed Cap!

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Edited By They Killed Cap!

...Dang I wish I had HBO...
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NightFang3

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Edited By NightFang3
@TheLastLantern said:
Why can't they just start a neighborhood watch like everyone else?
Because that's to normal for them. 
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thorwhore

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Edited By thorwhore

 
And once again...I'am cursed with the fact that I dont have HBO.

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Puvi2Groovy

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Edited By Puvi2Groovy

We are in dire need of superheroes in London with all these riots atm. JLI anyone?

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the_fallen11

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Edited By the_fallen11

hey at least they will have one thing in common with comic book heroes....they die often. only their will be no ''aftermath one shots" for them.

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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini
@the_fallen11 said:
hey at least they will have one thing in common with comic book heroes....they die often. only their will be no ''aftermath one shots" for them.
Zingo!!!!
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texasdeathmatch

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Edited By texasdeathmatch

oooo this actually looks really interesting. Definitely going to check this out tonight...If I'm not watching Breaking Bad.

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pixelized

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Edited By pixelized

I do believe they are a product of the, "Timeout" form of punishment.

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Fantasgasmic

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Edited By Fantasgasmic

saw this story on io9 a few days back. I believe their title was "everyone in this movie will die." Granted, we ALL will eventually, but they meant... you know. The kids in Brooklyn look like they could put up a fight, but i really think that guy in the silver BMX pads(?) probably has Asperger's, and the guy with the "supermobile" has a midlife crisis. There was a trailer with the silver padding guy listing all his superpowers and running across the street between cars, but it was marked as private.

      Longer Trailer
  These guys seem slightly more apt to survive. 
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tonis

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Edited By tonis

just set the dvr and got a half hour to wait, thanks for the heads up G-Man :)

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Pizawle

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Edited By Pizawle

Cool. Will check it out.

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King Quisling

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Edited By King Quisling

HA! Know what I'm doing tonight.

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Doctorchimp

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Edited By Doctorchimp

It just started..
 
Already this Xtreme guy is apparently a manchild who watches Power Rangers all day in his broken disheveled home.
 
Normal people look up at heroes and want to be cops, agents, soldiers, or doctors...
 
This dude needs help. Oh and now we have Stan Lee to give us his two cents. Amazing.

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CrimsonInuTears

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Edited By CrimsonInuTears

I love the fact that the cops just overlook the fact that vigilanteisum is STILL illegal. ^_^

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Icon

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Edited By Icon

These people represent fandom taken a little too far.

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Doctorchimp

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Edited By Doctorchimp

Not only does Master Legend keep frozen Bolis in the back of his raper van to give kids treats....he also drinks one for the road when he can.
 
GREAT

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Musedp

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Edited By Musedp
@pixelized said:

I do believe they are a product of the, "Timeout" form of punishment.

I believe SUPER Nanny was the first of the real super hero, she favored that particular form of punishment, I wonder if that's the method these guys use when they catch "Super Villains?" ... "C'mon Hobgoblin! into the nuaghty corner, that's not acceptable!"
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Bestostero

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Edited By Bestostero

I actually would like to see this, but alas no hbo... to be honest, im not sure why i still have cable, i never watch tv and it just takes me moniessss!

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Ruvik_

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Edited By Ruvik_

they going get kill
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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini

Watching now...wow

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goldenkey

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Edited By goldenkey

dorks, they're just dorks. 
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jordama

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Edited By jordama

I really respect people  that do actually try to be a real life superhero, but some of the people in the trailure seemed crazy

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the_stegman

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Edited By the_stegman  Moderator

it's times like this i wish i had HBO...oh well, i'll just watch it on the internet tomorrow 
 
 
GOD BLESS THE DIGITAL AGE

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Feliciano2040

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Edited By Feliciano2040

When Stan Lee tells you you're screwing up, you better listen.

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Burnstar1230

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Edited By Burnstar1230

And once again, the day is saved, thanks to Captain Extreme-O, who has stopped the jaywalker from crossing a rather busy street during happy hour.
 
Meanwhile, in the real life, men are talking to women and vice versa

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christopherson329

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Virgins assemble

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thedevilhunter

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Edited By thedevilhunter

kick-ass any one?......so anyway i think the best hero should be someone that is great at parkour, is a day job as a cop, is has a crazy high IQ

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jNerd

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Edited By jNerd

Thanks G-Man, I'm going to watch this tonight. I wouldn't have known it was on if it wasn't for you!

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iLLituracy

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Edited By iLLituracy

Don't berate them for doing something most of you are scared to do or doing something that makes them happy.

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deactivated-5f797850d03c6

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:sigh: Sadly, I think about it way more than is actually healthy. I missed the first showing but I am recording the next one in the morning. I am a bit afraid I'd be convinced and try to do this. Seriously.

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I'maDC/ImageGuy!

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Edited By I'maDC/ImageGuy!

Who watches the neighborhood watch comity? Someday all of the sins and corruption of middle class suburbia will foam up , the soccer moms and girls scouts will look up and ask polity "Will you please get my cat off of that tree?" and I'll whisper no.  

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Lance Uppercut

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Edited By Lance Uppercut
@iLLituracy said:
Don't berate them for doing something most of you are scared to do or doing something that makes them happy.
Exactly. Honestly, these are people that wanted to see a change and they're acting on it. It takes more balls then most have. 
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Burnstar1230

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Edited By Burnstar1230
@Lance Uppercut said:
@iLLituracy said:
Don't berate them for doing something most of you are scared to do or doing something that makes them happy.
Exactly. Honestly, these are people that wanted to see a change and they're acting on it. It takes more balls then most have. 
How many of them are professionally trained to handle every situation possible? Comic books are not a complete reliable source for fighting crime. No one has made fun of them for actually helping people, that's fine and very noble, but dressing up in outfits that serve no purpose other than to  draw attention to them is rather pointless.
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SpidermanWins

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Edited By SpidermanWins

I want to do that now =)

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Lance Uppercut

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Edited By Lance Uppercut
@Burnstar1230 said:
@Lance Uppercut said:
@iLLituracy said:
Don't berate them for doing something most of you are scared to do or doing something that makes them happy.
Exactly. Honestly, these are people that wanted to see a change and they're acting on it. It takes more balls then most have. 
How many of them are professionally trained to handle every situation possible? Comic books are not a complete reliable source for fighting crime. No one has made fun of them for actually helping people, that's fine and very noble, but dressing up in outfits that serve no purpose other than to  draw attention to them is rather pointless.
Such as? A lot of beat cops aren't trained to handle every single situation that comes up either. They're just paid better and get to carry a gun. That being said, they wanted to see a change and they're acting on it in what they believe the most efficient way possible. No one berates you for your choices. 
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lostlantern13

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Edited By lostlantern13
@I'maDC/ImageGuy! said:
Who watches the neighborhood watch comity? Someday all of the sins and corruption of middle class suburbia will foam up , the soccer moms and girls scouts will look up and ask polity "Will you please get my cat off of that tree?" and I'll whisper no.  
I laughed.
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telvisnostic

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Edited By telvisnostic

I'm going to have to catch the repeat. 

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RedheadedAtrocitus

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interesting. Wish I actually had HBO to watch this now.

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U R Sofa King We Todd Did

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now i'm only 15 minutes in right now so maybe things will turn around but this documentary seems to really be portraying these people as 2 parts insane for every 1 part pathetic. i mean going out and doing good is great but the way they do it and how they believe in it seems incredibly delusional.  
 
EDIT: he just said he had honest to God superpowers and keeps "tastiful"  treats in his windowless-unmarked-van for children

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FNspiderdan

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Edited By FNspiderdan

cant wait for this haha. makes me want to put on a mask

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Rudyftw

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Edited By Rudyftw

That's AWESOME! 
 
RUDY APPROVES!

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ArtisticNeedham

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Edited By ArtisticNeedham

I saw the guy with the "Super Mobile" at the comic con.  I thought he was a cosplay guy.  Almost took his picture.
 
Seriously though, I agree with Stan Lee.  I worry about them, and their safety.

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goldenkey

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Edited By goldenkey

I take back what I said earlier about these people being dorks.  They're trying to do something good.  Most of them were stupid as hell how they approached it and Im surpised we didn't one get himself killed on the doc from being so damn stupid.  They are all strange tho.  ALL OF THEM.
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ARMIV2

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Edited By ARMIV2

We talk all day long about heroes, but when some guys dress up and try to be... 
 
 Man, I wish I had HBO now.

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MoonKnightFan123

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Edited By MoonKnightFan123

I have been hyped for this!  
 
@TheLastLantern said:

Why can't they just start a neighborhood watch like everyone else?
Because they want to get violent?
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.Mistress Redhead.

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The BBC has this as well, I think we started it TBH

Its terrible.. truly terrible..

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tonis

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Edited By tonis

I have to admit, there's a part of this I really liked.

and a part that made me think of where this goes from here that's still going hmmm.

My initial guess is this is only the beginning :)

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TheBlueAngel93

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Edited By TheBlueAngel93
@.Mistress Redhead. said:

Its terrible.. truly terrible..

Agreed. These aren't superheroes, these are just fat people and/or people with no life dressing up and taking their neighborhood watch to the extreme.