Slapjack, Nyx and Phantom Zero

What strange times we live in. In a couple months, the movie Kick-Ass comes out in theaters. Personally, I'm planning to go check it out. There are real life superheroes, or RLSHs, for short. There is a registry of superheroes, and I've personally known a couple, one of whom more or less retired from superhero work and now runs a charitable organization- you can check out the former Stonemason's site at www.saskatonianhelp.org as well as offer assistance where needed.
Youtube is also chock with people showing off their superhero skills and/or strange apparel- some are well-known, and pretty much accepted as a part of the scenery- some of the more well-known ones are Phantom Zero, Nyx and Slapjack, and many have been noted in the papers or news media. Most are just ordinary people who wanted to do something for the community- many do volunteer work, or set up volunteer organizations where none existed. Others have martial arts and/or weapons training, and put this to use in vigilante applications. Can't say I officially condone the use of weapons or violence, so use at your own risk, guys.
So what would inspire someone to do this? I would imagine the reasons are as different as the people themselves. Anonymity is a really useful component, it seems. First, a legend springs up much quicker around a masked figure cloaked in mystery than it does about someone you may know, and besides, there's the psychological factors too- masks mess with people's minds. We're so used to seeing faces that when those faces are concealed or altered, we rarely remember anything but the mask. Also, some of this may be of questionable legality, though it seems most heroes either work with the police or allow the police to take over when the time comes. Besides that, being anonymous conveys a feeling of power, and also protects one's identity should the need arise.
In regards as to why do heroes fight crime, there are also many different reasons. Perhaps because the police aren't always there- a lot of heroes are basically street patrols, calling in police assistance where and when needed. Others live in communities with limited police forces, or higher crime areas. Still others are just plain nuts. But whatever the reasons, being a superhero is technically within your legal rights, as long as you are aware of all laws such as trespassing and wearing a mask (some businesses will not let you keep your face covered on their property, the exception being religious reasons), as well as concealed weapons and use of force. You are technically allowed to use force to defend yourself- when it comes down to defending other people, the law gets a little gray.
At any rate, it seems this aforementioned movie is based on real events- if it inspires someone to become a superhero, as did Watchmen, then good for you! It seems in recent years there have been a lot more of these superheroes, and this is probably not a bad thing. Better to serve your community in a funny costume than not at all! Should you be inspired to put together a costume and go fight crime, remember, the weapons are real, and so are the bad guys.