Why I Will Never Be a Costumed Crime Fighter

Anyone who knows me knows that I read comic books. My girlfriend more than anyone would have a few choice words to say about my consumption of comic books, like when she wants me to pay attention to her but I’m busy spending time with Batman, Martian Manhunter or any other costumed crime fighter. Or Preacher, I really like that series as well.

Either way, I look at my military background and have really put some time into asking the question, “Could I do it?” I don’t have super powers, or a lot of money. Not even a gimick and my parents were both alive to raise me. Not exactly super hero material, but I do feel this urge to go help those in need, to fight crime and to help make my city a better place. I also want to lead a normal life on the side, not be a police officer.

Now, as I was trying to come up with my gimmick, which—lets be honest—is the hardest part. It occurred to me, where do I find crime? It isn’t as though I just walk down the street and am stepping over muggers, rapists and murderers. Even the current law enforcement system is largely reactionary. To catch crime at its source would almost require a certain predictive ability. A Tom Cruise movie addressed predicting crimes, but I don’t have a cool computer attached to psychics like he did. I would have to rely on patrolling, which is something that most heroes do, but that is also something that the police do, and it is often more presence patrolling as a deterrent measure. They rarely actually catch crime as it is happening.

I then considered the possibility of monitoring frequencies for calls. But that would require me arriving prior to the police, fixing the issue and then escaping before they get in. I don’t even know if I’m good enough to fight crime, let alone that quickly.

Even if I did succeed there would be the considerations for the legal system. Would my involvement support the criminals in getting off, or receiving lighter sentences as a result of my actions at the crime scene? Not to mention in a society that promotes a victim mentality I do not intend to be the guy that elevates common criminals to celebrity victim status.

There is also the Dexter option, which would require a boat, or some other place to hide the bodies after I’m done with them.

I suppose after all my pining over why I can’t be a superhero I’m left with some cool costume designs and the sinking feeling that I will never be Batman. I am reminded of Boondock Saints, an incredible movie if you haven’t seen it, the first, don’t watch the second. Either way this quote will always stand out as significant.

“Now, we must all fear evil men. But there is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men.”

In the end we can only affect those things within our immediate control. As individuals we are responsible for affecting what we can. Standing up when we have the opportunity, and being the best that we can be. Unless we get super powers, then you have an obligation to fight crime.

#superhero #capedcrusader #costumedcrimefighter #crimefighter