| Superhero | |
|---|---|
 Photo by Tony Armer | |
| Vital Statistics | |
| Hero | Superhero |
| Alias(es) | Super Hero, Old Superhero |
| Identity | Public |
| Alter Ego | Dale Pople |
| Category | Public Service |
| Location | Clearwater, Florida, USA 27° 57' 57.07" N, 82° 48' 0.37" W |
| Status | Deceased |
| Superhero Activity | |
| Team | • Team Justice, Inc (former) • Bay Coast Guardians (honorary) |
| Affiliates | Artisteroi |
| Foes | Apathy |
| Actions | Outreach, vehicle patrol |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Outfit | Cape (Red) |
| Colors | Red, Yellow |
| Symbol | Letters "S" and "H" |
| Equipment | Super-Mobile |
| Abilities | N/A |
Superhero was a Real Life Superhero in Clearwater, Florida. He was formerly a member and Chairman of the non-profit organization Team Justice, Inc. He is deceased.
A weightlifter, former pro-wrestler, and Police Academy graduate, he worked in broadcasting when not in his tights. He began using the name "Old Superhero" to reflect his age and time spent in the RLSH community. He patrolled occasionally, but mostly used his non-profit and broadcaster status to provide support to the other members of the RLSH community.
History
First appearing in 1998, he began patrolling Clearwater in his superhero-themed wrestling gimmick. He was a member of the RLSH community for over 20 years. Superhero was prominently featured in the HBO Documentary "Superheroes" and in the Canadian Reality series "TV made me do it." He used a 2000 Corvette as a "Supermobile" and was one of the more colorful characters in the RLSH community.
In 2017, he took a leave of absence from the online community, but resurfaced occasionally.[1].
In September of 2018, the Tampa Bay Times ran an article about Superhero's retirement at age 50.[2]. In December he was made an honorary member of the Bay Coast Guardians.[3][4]
Superhero is the subject of the 2018 documentary "Portrait of a Superhero", as well as the 2019 short film "SUPER!8", both films by Tony Armer.
On July 6th, 2020, he announced he was coming out of retirement.[5]
On July 19th, 2020, Tony Armer posted an announcement about his passing:[6]
Hello everyone, this is Tony Armer. It is with a heavy heart I’m sharing some tragic news today. Dale Pople who many of you knew simply as “Superhero” took his own life yesterday. Dale was a complicated person who struggled with depression for most of his life. There was not one thing that led to his actions but rather years of struggle wrestling with his inner demons.
To many people he was an inspiration, a symbol of hope, he tried to do good in his life and he truly enjoyed and lived for helping others. Like all of us he had his flaws and did a pretty good job of hiding them from the outside world. His bombastic nature, energy, enthusiasm and ability to create friendships was unparalleled by anyone I’ve ever met.
There’s so much more that can and will be said about him but I just don’t have the head space to type it right now. I’ll be sharing more info with everyone soon on what is decided for his memorial. He made me the legacy person for his Facebook page so I’ll share info there as well. Please keep his wife and family in your prayers.
The last thing he texted me was this;
“Tony thanks for being such a great friend. Thanks for giving me a legacy. Not many people could do that and you pulled it off. Break a leg dude”
The legacy he referred to is this documentary I made about him. We touch on the issues he struggled with in this film and the hope was it would inspire people. It takes on a more tragic tone now but he viewed this as his memorial. This is what he wanted to be remembered by. There are a lot of heroes in the world but there really will only ever be one true Real Life Superhero.
https://www.facebook.com/386660465127876/videos/756937044741612/
The August, 2020 edition of online e-zine STAND pays tribute to Dale with an updated logo using his Superhero likeness over the "A".[7]
Gallery
The winning grin.
Portrait of a Superhero promotional poster
Photo: Tony Armer
Superhero poses with his Corvette (circa 2015)
Superhero by Peter Tangen for The Real Life Super Hero Project, 2010
Superhero poster by Peter Tangen for The Real Life Super Hero Project, 2010
Photo: Superhero poster by Peter Tangen for The Real Life Super Hero Project, 2010
Sage Michael, Superhero, Knight Owl, Lady Hero, The Handler, and Gio at HOPE 2011
Superhero and Crimson Fist team up in Atlanta, January, 2013
Superhero, Miss Fit, Artisteroi, Kapes (Photo: Gregg Simpson)
Early Team Justice, Inc group shot.
The wrestling years, late 1990's
Superhero's logo
References
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/notes/dale-pople/its-superhero-and-you-know-what-to-do-one-year-later/1579711245442326/
- ↑ https://www.tampabay.com/features/movies/At-50-Clearwater-s-real-life-superhero-is-hanging-up-his-super-suit_171867156
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/orange.wombat.71/posts/203124070636878
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/BayCoastGuardians/photos/a.582586432199784/582588032199624
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/oldsuperhero/posts/3121557244591044
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/PortraitOfASuperHero/posts/986578781802705
- ↑ https://standsuperhero.wordpress.com/
External Links
2
3
The Real Life Super Hero Project: Superhero
Dale Pople, Clearwater’s real-life Superhero, wanted to help - Tampa Bay Times