Seattle gets its own superhero team and unmask its leader in court

[The Larch]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15301830

'Superhero' Phoenix Jones: 'I'll keep Seattle safe'

A self-styled superhero known as Phoenix Jones has been unmasked in a Seattle court as he waits to see if he is charged with a pepper spray attack.

Police say Phoenix Jones - real name Benjamin Fodor - attacked four people who had left a Seattle nightclub.

As the court hearing ended, he tore off a dress shirt to reveal his black and yellow superhero costume.

Prosecutors said they had not yet decided whether to file charges, but Mr Fodor vowed to continue crimefighting.

The 23-year-old, who leads the Rain City Superhero Movement, said he was trying to break up a fight. The clubgoers insisted to police they were not fighting.

"I will continue to patrol with my team, probably tonight," he told the Seattle Times on Thursday. "I am just like everybody else. The only difference is that I try to stop crime in my neighbourhood."

During the hearing, a court officer asked Jones to remove his mask. He did so, but then put it back on to speak to reporters.

Seattle Police are not likely to be calling on Mr Jones to help them keep Seattle safe.

"If people want to dress up and walk around, knock yourself out," said police spokesman Mark Jamieson. "Our concern is when you insert yourself into these situations without knowing the facts, it's just not a smart thing to do."

According to the Associated Press news agency, a police report says there have been increased reports of citizens being pepper-sprayed by the would-be superhero and his group.

Although Phoenix Jones "has been advised to observe and report incidents to [police], he continues to try to resolve things on his own," the report says.

Nerdy vigilantism FTW! 

[Josquius]

Wow, look at that hair, the 80s (or is that 90s...) are here to save us all

[The Larch]

Wow, look at that hair, the 80s (or is that 90s...) are here to save us all

Yeah, it's as if the guys from Kid 'n Play had a child together. 

[11B4V]

Typical crappy news article from BBC. 

[sbr]

What's wrong with it?

Is this one any better?

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/13/justice/washington-state-superhero/

Seattle superhero walks free, vows to continue fighting crime

Seattle (CNN) -- Self-styled superhero Phoenix Jones unmasked himself before cameras Thursday and vowed to keep fighting crime after prosecutors delayed a decision on whether to press assault charges against him.

Jones -- who told reporters his real name is Ben Fodor -- routinely patrols downtown Seattle streets decked out in a rubber suit and mask. He was arrested early Sunday on four counts of assault after police said he used pepper spray on a group of people leaving a nightclub. A spokesman for Fodor said he was trying to break up a fight.

Video shot by a documentary crew and posted on Phoenix Jones' Facebook page showed a chaotic scene, with the self-styled super hero being chased by a purse-wielding woman and then shooting what appeared to be pepper spray at a group of people. Fodor was the only person arrested in the incident.

Seattle Police said Fodor overreacted, and asserted that the city is not in need of vigilante crime fighters.

"If you see something that warrants calling 911, call 911. You don't need to dress up in a costume to do that," police spokesman Mark Jamieson said.

In court Thursday, Fodor appeared wearing a hood, which a judge's assistant asked him to remove. Told charges had not been filed against him, Fodor put the rubber hood back on and left the court with a swarm of media cameras following him.

Outside the courthouse, Fodor told reporters he would continue his anti-crime patrols and then removed his hood.

"In addition to being Phoenix Jones," he said. "I am also Ben Fodor, a father and brother. I am just like everybody else. The only difference is that I try to stop crime."

Fodor also said he would invite the public to accompany him on future patrols. He then walked off without taking any questions from reporters.

An Internet search showed Fodor has competed in mixed martial arts events, with a record of 11 wins and no losses.

Kimberly Mills, a spokeswoman for the city attorney's office, said prosecutors will decide whether to file charges against him after they finish interviewing witnesses and complete the investigation into the incident Sunday.

[Darth Wagtaros]

We need supervillains to counter this atrocity.

[Ed Anger]

Typical crappy news article from BBC. 

The Guardian is still worse. They think X Factor being preempted by BASEBALL PLAYOFFS is some sort of snub to Cowell. 

Brits. 

[11B4V]

We need supervillains to counter this atrocity.

we do

[Barrister]

Bah - that dude has nothing on Nunavut's own Polar Man:



Supposedly his fanny pack is filled with cat poop, which he throws at bullies.

[11B4V]

He looks like a Canadian

[Valmy]

I find it rather comforting to know people do more with superhero stories besides just nerd out to them.  Being inspired to be a real hero was supposed to be the original purpose no?  Of course they might want to be a little less literal in their imitation.

[Barrister]

I find it rather comforting to know people do more with superhero stories besides just nerd out to them.  Being inspired to be a real hero was supposed to be the original purpose no?  Of course they might want to be a little less literal in their imitation.

Apparently Polar Man actually does some good - he goes around shovelling people's driveways.   

[Richard Hakluyt]

Tunbridge Wells has a ninja :

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1380610/The-Ninja-Tunbridge-Wells-Pyjama-crusader-launches-vigilante-campaign.html

He has rescued cats and helped old ladies across the road.

[jimmy olsen]

Typical crappy news article from BBC. 

The Guardian is still worse. They think X Factor being preempted by BASEBALL PLAYOFFS is some sort of snub to Cowell. 

Brits. 

I just read a profile of them on John Henry. He bought Liverpool last year, and the way they try to explain the Red Sox and baseball to their readers is hilariously awful.

[Eddie Teach]

Baseball is inexplicable.