MOTIONARY MEDIA

The nefarious Dr. Lupus, rumored to be attending the event.

I think the organizers of Motionary Comics (see previous entry), myself included, were worried that the local media wasn't picking up the story of our interesting and unique event.

"Where's the beef?" I said, using an 80's catch phrase. Well, we ended up doing pretty well. The first entry was a small blurb with a picture in the calendar section of the Riverwest Currents. The weekly Shepherd Express listed us in their two page "pick of the week" spread yesterday. Media sponsors Yelp.com included us as their featured event this week (HERE), and the heroine known as Yelp Girl will be attending the event.

Today we had a triple whammy:

Myself and Moct art director Chad Edwards appeared on WUWM's program "Lake Effect," interviewed by host Bonnie North: HERE

RLSH critics, but also stand up guys, the Milwaukee AV Club gave the event a boost in a write up by Matt Wild: HERE

And also a write up by our friends at Third Coast Digest, penned by DJ Hostettler: HERE

Tomorrow is the big day!

MOTIONARY COMICS IN MOTION!...

Illustration by David Beyer, Jr.

...AND OTHER COAST TO COAST REAL LIFE SUPERHERO UPDATES!

This Friday, April 29, will be a monumental day for local artists and real life superheroes alike. Motionary Comics 2.0 is set to roll. We have a huge crew of painters, wranglers, choreographers, actors, writers, photographers, directors, and lots of helpful people ready to roll and create a giant, wall sized comic mural.

You can get a good run down of the participating artists in a rundown HERE.

The giant six page comic is written by yours truly, Tea Krulos, and will star Milwaukee RLSHs The Watchman and Blackbird. Not only will those two be there, but so will fellow RLSHs Geist of Rochester, MN, Electron, of Madison, WI, as well. There is also speculation that Citizen and Abyss of Chicago and newbie heroes Shade and Crimson Crusader will also be there! That is up to 8 heroes- quite a line up!

Also present will be Matthew Pniewski and his crew, who are working on a documentary about Midwest RLSHs titled More Than Just a Mask.

In writing this comic, I've been using the Marvel style, which Stan Lee describes as a process in which he gave the artists the idea of the storyline, and after they drew it he rolled with the mood of the art and wrote the captions and dialog. The seed of the idea of the storyline actually comes from The Watchman and Blackbird. They were walking through the woods to drop some supplies off at a homeless camp, when they heard eerie noises in the distance. Blackbird remarked that "it sounded like a werewolf."

With the assembled heroes present, we hear that we might be hearing from the comic's supervillain as well, the evil Dr. Lupus, who created his army, Team Werewolf, in his labs high atop Mount Lupus. Hopefully there won't be too much trouble.

In reflecting the charitable nature of the RLSH, we decided we should raise funds for a charity at the event. Producer Kurt Hartwig has a connection to United Way, so we decided to go with that. Chang Beer generously stepped in as a sponsor and will be donating a dollar from each beer sale to the cause (and we're told they are sending their own Chang Beer superheroines!) We are also doing a silent auction to raise money (got something to donate?)

Also, I'm looking forward to the last method we have to raise funds- the ending of the comic story. The audience will be able to vote on the end of the story by putting money into either Jar A or Jar B to vote on the "smiley face emoticon" ending or the "nuclear apocalypse" ending. I got this idea directly from the Batman A Death in the Family storyline, in which DC Comics had readers vote on whether the Jason Todd Robin should be killed off by calling a hotline.

Now some of you readers who aren't from Milwaukee might be like, yeah, yeah, superheroes, werewolves, raising money for United Way- that's all great but I'm (somewhere else). Well, I'm glad to say the whole thing will be streaming live on the internet all evening, so you can take a peek at what is going on and how the comic is progressing. The camera will be running about 6PM--? CST here:
www.livestream.com/motionarycomics

More media on this event should be appearing on this over the week, updates will be posted on this blog as they arrive.

MORE RLSH NEWS

NYI CONTINUES CRAIGSLIST CAMPAIGN

The New York Initiative released a press release that described their Craigslist campaign to reach potential victims of a serial killer called the Long Island Killer. Heroes in the Night first reported on this HERE and since then the story has been picked up by the Village Voice (HERE) and the Daily Mail, which is a British newspaper (HERE)as well as other websites and blogs.

The NYI has a Facebook page HERE where you can find more info and pictures of the group. Updates on the group's efforts will be posted here in the future.

RAIN CITY STINGS HEROIN DEALER

In Seattle, Rain City Superhero Movement members Phoenix Jones and Pitch Black made the news again by apparently capturing a heroin dealer, according to a report by Seattle Crime.com. The report says Pitch Black, who was undercover, was approached by the dealer. He and Phoenix Jones detained the man until police arrived and booked the man with a drug charge. Stay tuned- I'm being told there is possibly video of this. Full story HERE.

XTREME JUSTICE LEAGUE INVITED BY DEPUTY MAYOR TO SPEAK AT PUBLIC EVENT

Mr. Xtreme and Urban Avenger of the Xtreme Justice League, gathered attention in January for handing out flyers and patrolling to try to help nab the Chula Vista Groper, a molester terrorizing women of the Chula Vista area.(which I blogged about HERE) Deputy Mayor Rudy Ramirez has invited the duo to speak at a May 2 "Public Office Hours" in the Chula Vista City Hall. Joining the heroes will be the Deputy Mayor, the Chula Vista Police Department, and a martial arts instructor. Full press release HERE.

NYI REACTS TO LONG ISLAND KILLER

NEW YORK INITIATIVE POSTS MESSAGE TO POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF LONG ISLAND SERIAL KILLER

In December a story slowly started to unravel after four body remains were found hidden in the woods near the beaches of Long Island. The discovery of more remains (up to nine total), some identified as prostitutes, led to a gruesome reality- a serial killer, commonly known as the Long Island Killer is at large and murdering prostitutes.

The New York Initiative is a group that focuses on crime fighting and community outreach and I've been following what they've been up to for some time. I wrote an article on the group in July 2010 and wrote a brief update on the group in an entry last month (HERE).

In reaction to the Long Island Killer, the NYI posted a message on Craigslist (the same channel the killer found his victims on) addressed to prostitutes, offering protection and safety techniques. The original, unedited message follows...

To all Ladies: Free Protection and Safety System, (Long Island Killer) - m4w - 29 (NYC)
Date: 2011-04-16, 3:48PM EDT

Hello, pretty lady!

I’m writing you on behalf of a group called the New York Initiative (We are not affiliated with law enforcement), and with the hopes that I’ve created a system that will help keep you safe when you go on dates! You can find our facebook page through Google, as well as Google us with the words New York Press or Superheroes Documentary 2011 to find out what we’re about (Craigslist doesn't allow me to post our URL)…yes, we look a little funny, but believe me when I say that we are all quite competent and capable of doing the things we say.

So with that out of the way, let me just get down to business… The Long Island Killer is out there. He’s a scary bastard, and it’s starting to seem like he is focusing on you pretty ladies because some people are slower to report you missing, and also because apparently the law doesn’t respect your personal choices and that means cops are slower to follow through when it comes to you. Well, I’m here to say FUCK THAT. We respect you as human beings, we believe in personal freedoms and think that you’re doing something that is absolutely your choice to do.

So rock on, ladies…We are on your side. With that said, we are here to help.

In lieu of this, I have devised two systems that will keep you safe… both law-enforcement free, but one meant specifically for you to do on your own, with a friend, and the other which offers our very distinct and unusual services (free of charge, of course).

OPTION 1: Whenever you have a date, make sure a friend knows the address you’re going. Have them write it down in a book made specifically for this purpose, with the times and dates included. If you can, when on the date, text your friend with the address you are at or the general area in case your date takes you somewhere else than he had earlier specified , and let your date know that a friend knows exactly where you’ll be if he starts to get “funny”.
Give your friend hourly updates on your location so if anything goes wrong, they can send someone to help you faster. We realize that this could alter the mood of your date, but in these crazy times, a pretty lady that’s ready is a pretty lady that’s alive. If your date watches the news at all, he will understand. Be wary if he doesn’t.

OPTION 2.If you absolutely don’t have a friend to help you with this, you may use the services of the New York Initiative as your personal log book, as well as your rescue team in the event of an emergency. If you choose to do this, we will provide you with a number to call and a few one-number or one word codes you can say or text to us so that we can contact someone to assist you with a possibly violent date. Another idea is keeping us on speed dial, and if things get weird just call us and let the line open. We’ll know what’s going on immediately.

We also have other techniques which we can explain to you after confirmation via phone.

We will react quickly and without hesitation every time, using our considerable contacts to the full extent of their reach.

We also want to extend to you our services as the NYI: Namely, practical martial arts training free of charge, as well as improvised weapons training free of charge (i.e. pens, phones, keys)…Add to this basic to advanced survival skills, or pretty much anything else you want to know about that will keep you safe out there.

We care about you. We want you alive, in this world, just like everyone else. Because you’re a human being, and you are deserving of love. The NYI loves you, and we’re here to bust the asses of any asshole trying to hurt you.

This is just one of the ways we can get the Long Island Killer off the streets, as well as make what you do safer.

Let me say one more time that we won’t involve law enforcement unless you are in serious danger. The logs will be kept personal and private, because what do the police need to know about your personal life, right? It’s just a date, for cryin’ out loud.

Be safe out there, whatever you choose. You are no longer alone.

-Zero and the New York Initiative

P.S. If you have any other ideas that we can help with to keep you safe out there, don’t be afraid to ask!

HERO PROFILE #68: Iron Lamb

Operates out of: Zoetermeer, Netherlands

Activities: Patrols pastures of Zoetermeer with a remote controlled robotic sheep to protect sheep from assailants

Equipment: Robotic sheep is equipped with cameras and warning system

Quote: "I felt the sheep needed a protector against humans trying to do bad things to them."

Author's notes: I've been introduced to a lot of unique characters in the world of RLSH, and Iron Lamb of the Netherlands is definitely one of them. Upset by a string of sheep mutilations, the man behind this invention decided it was time to defend the sheep...with an iron hero in their image. You can read more about this straight from the Sheep's mouth in the previous entry, "I AM IRON LAMB."

I AM IRON LAMB

MAN, MACHINE DEFEND DUTCH SHEEP...HEROES IN THE NIGHT HAS EXCLUSIVE FIRST PICTURE OF LAMB OF STEEL

Real Life Superheroes exist all over the world, and many have adapted the concept to fit into whatever needs they see in their own corner of the earth. Take for example the Iron Lamb of The Netherlands, a RLSH unique for two reasons:

1. The name refers to a collective of a remote controlled robot and the man who invented and operates it.
2. This man and machine's mission is to defend sheep.

The Iron Lamb machine was just recently completed, and Heroes in the Night was offered to debut the first photos of the invention here today.

The Iron Lamb origin story was also described by the man behind the project:

"It all started around May 2008. In the meadows around Zoetermeer, a brutal attack on a sheep took place. It wasn’t the first time- in 2006 a sheep was set on fire with gasoline, and in 2007 two 2-days old lambs were killed by hammer blows on the head. This the police found a sheep beheaded and hung at a tree. We don’t have animal cops (like in the U.S.) and the police had other priorities, so I decided to help out and began patrolling the meadows in civilian clothes, armed with a camera. The attacks occurred on weekends and in a small area so I thought I got a good change of catching a glimpse of the one that was behind this all.

Another attack took place in August 2009 while I was out of town. Don’t know if I could have caught in in the act if I was there or not, but a lamb was tied to a picnic table and was cut from head to groin. Autopsy on the poor creature revealed that it was done while the lamb was still alive. In May 2010 a guy was caught and confessed to the mutilation and killing of 2 sheep and 3 lambs. He was sentenced to 3 weeks of jail and a fine of 500 euros.

This sentence was based on the fact that he was booked for trespassing and property damage (the animals). Nothing was said about the cruelty of his crimes and the fact he had fun seeing those lambs suffering. Just property damage."

Iron Lamb says these events inspired him to become a protector of the sheep, but a couple of obstacles were in front of him.

First, there are mask-laws in the Netherlands so try to use a secret ID could give me problems. Second, the things are happening in the fields and if I would enter the fields, according to the Dutch laws I would be trespassing myself.

How would I do my “thing” and still act according to the laws of my country? Then I got an idea from a source most of us are using as an inspiration source. A comic book. I read the DC book, “Kingdom Come” wherein Batman is an broken old man. He doesn’t go out on patrols anymore but uses remote-controlled batdrones he controls from the Batcave.

I asked a hypothetical question to a friend of mine who works at a law-firm (not telling him about my plans) and learned that the use of a remote controlled device was a way to surpass my problem and was in the limit of the law.

Now with the idea of creating a remote control robot, there was now the thought process on what the creation would be.

One night I saw the first Iron Man movie. There was a scene wherein our armored hero protected a village from thugs invading it. He just jumped in and protected them against the evil that was done against them. I decided I would built an Iron Lamb. I have based the Iron Lamb on the gray armor Tony Stark used in his first 2 adventures.

I now patrol with the Iron Lamb at weekends. The iron lamb uses non-lethal weapons, has a camera and uses warning equipment to make a possible crime more visible for everyone living close to the meadows.

MOTIONARY COMICS 2.0 ANNOUNCED...

flyer art by David Beyer, Jr.

...WALL SIZED COMIC BOOK MURAL WILL STAR MILWAUKEE RLSHS BLACKBIRD AND THE WATCHMAN IN A FICTION STORYLINE

Motionary Comics is a collaborative art project to create a giant wall sized comic mural. The first round was held last year and riffed off of the classic fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin. This year the comic story will be written by Tea Krulos with improvisation by the collaborating artists. The event will be held 5PM until bar close at Moct Friday, April 29.

Chang Beer is sponsoring the event and a percentage of beer sales of Chang (and additional funds raised) will be donated to United Way.

The cast:

Producer: Kurt Hartwig
Creative director/letterer: Tea Krulos
Choreographers: Dan Schuchart and Monica Rodero
Paint crew: Carri Dahl, Andrea Toussaint, and Nathan Stuber
Illustrators: Matt Chic, David Beyer Jr., Christopher Macdonald, Pietro Norante, Dan Hernandez, and Michael Cothroll
Photography: Kelly Crandall
DJ: Dori Zori
Bar coordinator: Chad Edwards

The Watchman and Blackbird both will be making an appearance at the event, and an invite has been extended to other Midwest RLSH.

In addition, there will be a few surprises throughout the evening. The event will be well documented and photos/ video will be shared here in the future, along with media we pick up along the way.

Scientific American X-ALT article

On March 9, I posted an entry titled "Introducing X-ALTS" which discussed some Real Life Superheroes' decision to drop the RLSH title and adopt a new one. That new term was "X-ALT" and was influenced by an article by science writer Andrea Kuszewski (or, as I've nicknamed her, "Professor X"*) titled "Addicted to Being Good? The Psychopathology of Heroism."

The article deals with what Andrea calls "Extreme Altruism." After posting about the X-ALTS, I decided to write Andrea and see if she would be up for answering some questions for me. I was delighted to hear that she was working on a follow up piece for the Scientific American website titled "Walking the Line Between Good and Evil: The Common Thread of Heroes and Villains."

In addition to expanding the thoughts from her previous on article on the subject, she also mentions RLSHs and the Heroes in the Night blog.

I'm excited to announce that Ms. Kuszewski has agreed to do a Q and A here on the subject sometime in the future. Stay tuned.



*Although Andrea probably shares more in common with one of her favorite X-Men- Jean Grey aka Phoenix (pictured above)