Costumes and Capes: Real Life Superheroes on the World Superhero Registry

Human evolution has finally taken a turn toward spandex. Superheroes aren't just in movies; there are actually 200 registered real life superheroes on the World Superhero Registry.

You might think that this surge in superheroism might have something to do with all the movies that are out. It does, but there was also a surge soon after 9/11.

Do you have what it takes to be a registered superhero? Here are the rules according to http://www.worldsuperheroregistry.com

Costume: The purpose of a costume is not simply to protect the identity of the Real-Life Superhero from criminals that might seek revenge, but to make a statement both to the evil-doers that you fight against and to the world at large: you are not simply someone who happened upon crime or injustice and made an impulsive decision to intervene. You have vowed to actively fight for the betterment of humankind and to serve as an example for others. The costume of a Real-Life Superhero must be of sufficient quality to show some care went into its creation.

Heroic Deeds: The purpose behind becoming a Real-Life Superhero must be for the benefit of mankind, and the Heroic Deeds must be of sufficient degree as to exceed normal everyday behavior. If proof of Heroic Deeds is not present, a listing may still be added to the Registry, however, it may be marked as "inactive" or "unconfirmed" in the description.

Personal Motivation: A Real-Life Superhero cannot be a paid representative of an organization, not even a benevolent one. The motivation to become a Real-Life Superhero must come from the individual: not an advertising gimmick or a public relations campaign.

Carrying guns, knives or other weaponry is also frowned upon because it means that members can be arrested for vigilantism.

The most active superhero group is in Salt Lake City. They're known as the Black Monday Society. They're not four color heroes. Instead they look more scary than heroic. This group patrols the city streets.

"We're not out running around fighting bad guys like in comic books. We're out there to be a symbol for the people for the community to show that if you don't like what your community is, you can change it," said Ghost of Black Monday, during an interview with the local FOX station.

Instead they help drunk folk and escort them to the bus station, and scare young thugs away when they're doing something wrong.

"Just like a neighborhood watch, only we have fun with it," they said.

Check out the superhero registry to see if you've got a hero in your town. Mainly they work as symbols of hope rather than actual crime-fighters, and some of them are just registering for fun.

So it seems that real life superheroes aren't busting up drug rings and going all Batman on the mob. It's a little disappointing, but realistic.

I have visions of the future though. If this trend spreads, then maybe, just maybe, we'll get a superhero that lives up to the comic books.