The Real Life Super Hero Project was an effort by Peter Tangen started in 2010 to catalog the Real Life Superheroes movement as it grew. Previously, all known imagery of the RLSH were a result of amateur or homegrown efforts at photography or art. The RLSH Project made the technical and artistic skills of a professional photographer available to the RLSH in general so many members of the community eagerly collaborated with Peter Tangen to be included in the project. As a result, a major hub of the online RLSH community was created at RealLifeSuperheroes.com in order to showcase the results
Mission Statement
The impetus for the RLSH Project can be described in Peter Tangen's own words:
Superheroes have historically been an instrument in relaying pro social values. Not surprisingly, the same values that make a hero today are the same in the late 1930s when the first comic book superheroes were being invented: trustworthiness, bravery, selflessness, and passion. These hallmarks of fictional iconic characters are the same that the Real Life Superheroes strive to embody.
Life has indeed imitated art as conscientious citizens in superhero attire have descended upon their communities, intent on making a difference. They are bringing superheroes from the comics into the real world. The Real Life Superheroes is a culture that works in a fun, exciting, and inspirational fashion to make the world a better place. We are using the iconicism of comic book superheroes to make a difference, inspire others, spread a positive message, and call attention to issues in our communities.
The Real Life Superheroes work to make the world a better place by doing civic activities, charity work, public safety patrols, hospital visits, school talks, distributing wanted and missing person fliers, helping the homeless, community clean-ups, and more. From crime fighting to charity work real life superheroes seek to help make a positive difference in their communities.
Our main objective is to inspire others. We hope through our actions we can inspire others to go out and do good, help others, and stand up for what they believe in. There is a hero in everyone and we need to bring it out to help make this world a little more super. Let out your inner superhero and join or support our cause. [1]