Dark Guardian
In the shadow world of street drug peddlers, Dark Guardian stands alone as a beacon of light. Seemingly unafraid, he heads out to parks where drugs are being sold in plain sight of passersby and children, and does everything within his power to drive those dealers out of the park—hopefully never to return.
“In [Manhattan’s Washington Square Park], drugs were being traded right out in the open,” he says with a combination of equal parts anger and amazement, “I mean, I thought, ‘this is totally out of control—how could this possibly be allowed? How can it be stopped?’.” And that’s when a superhero was born.
Growing up with a largely absentee father, Dark Guardian felt a keen lack of positive male role models. But with the eventual discovery of the world of comic books, things began to change. “I looked up to comic book heroes,” he says, “what they fought against and what they stood for.” But without a flesh-and-blood incarnation of those ideals in his every day life, he made his share of missteps—some more serious than others. “”But when I discovered martial arts and what it stood for, the power it had to change your life, I wanted to become a better person. And finding my way into the Real Life Superheroes community was a way for me to make up for past mistakes, and make a positive difference in my community.”
“I looked around on the internet to see if anybody else was doing this,” he says, “and when I did, I decided to give it a shot.” He soon found himself in the company of other like-minded heroes, and together, they headed for Washington Square. “We took a cameraman along, just for precautions, since no one will get into a fight with you in front of a camera,” he explains. And despite being cursed out, harassed right back, and even having guns flashed at him, he persisted. Eventually, the police became involved, and the dealers were pushed out of the park. “I can’t claim real credit,” Dark Guardian says, “still, I’d like to think I played a part.”
But his work is more than just in-your-face confrontation. “I like to mix it up—going out into the neighborhood, checking up on people, doing some homeless outreach, visiting kids in hospitals,” doing what it takes to better the world around him. And when he met and fell in love with the woman who was to become his fiancée, he didn’t hold much back about his personal journey. “I told her right off the bat what I do. I didn’t play up the costume thing, necessarily, but I let her know, and she could see the good in it. How could you not fall for that?,” he says with a smile.
In addition to his work on the streets, Dark Guardian is the co-administrator of the highly-active, well-trafficked website, RealLifeSuperheroes.org. The site acts as a clearinghouse and meeting place for other Real Life Superheroes around the globe. Offering forums, galleries, blogs, commentaries, tips and tutorials, it has become a popular first stop for many looking to delve further into this world. “We keep working on a more formal training course, and the ideas get real big. Soon, people will start hearing about it, getting inspired and start doing it themselves.”
“I am a man who will make a difference in this world. Some may call me a hero, a superhero, or a nutjob,” he says, “But I will drive myself into the ground to help make this world a better place.”
Learn more about RealLifeSuperheroes.org at:
www.reallifesuperheroes.org
And join Dark Guardian in supporting St, Mary’s of Queens:
www.stmaryskids.org
Dark Guardian’s Pictures:
Rightous tribute to the founder of therlsh.net!!
DG. . .very sharp. . .
dc
Awesome shot, Buddy! Strong and so dramatic!
Dark Guardian is a great guy and a great friend.
Dark Guardian was one of the first heroes who inspired me to become an RLSH. Very cool guy. And his biceps are freaking HUGE!! Seriously, I’ve stood next to the guy, and his arms are bigger than my head! LOL!
The Good Samaritan has a tiny head!! Seriously, I’ve stood next to the guy and his head IS smaller than DG’s biceps!
I Can’t Wait To Meet You
im a new hero i need more training any sugestions
Its good to see that there are people who actually care. However, maybe the wrongs we see in front of us are the result of bigger issues. Check out this documentary and let me know what you think.
check out http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org where they offer a lot of advice and training information.
thanks
how do i register with the super hero project ? i fight crime in seattle and my face book is phoenix please contact me
just call me z im probally the youngest hero in the country but havin a hard time startin off im 15 and i have been trying to be a superhero for the past couple of years i need a super hero mentor if some one could answer this i would really appriciate this
First of all, I’m Z.
Second of all, go to http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org.
You’ll find everything you need there, in one form or another.
Man you’re awesome I hope maybe one day I could meet you.
Crusader
É bom saber que existem outros super-herois pelo mundo fazendo a diferença. Aqui no Brasil existe uma sociedade de super-herois secretos que agem nos bastidores da sociedade, somos conhecidos como “OS EXTRAORDINÃRIOS” e junto com A “LIGA DOS INCRIVÉIS” procuramos deter os figurões do crime organizado, onde a justiça dos tribunais não conseguem atuar. creio que estamos juntos nessa jornada, com muito esforço consiguiremos mudar o mundo.
Deeeeeeeeeep Respects to you Dark Guardian
Thought you should know, you’re one of my favorites of the superheroes that I’ve seen thus far. One of the only ones that I legitimately consider able to kick ass. Just thought you should know, I was in Washington Square Park the other night… The drug dealers are back. Care to follow up and get rid of the them again? It would be much appreciated!!!
YOU R A BLESSING TO YOUR COMMUNITY!!!KEEP UPI THE GREAT WORK & YOU WILL BE IN MY PRAYER!!!! YOU CAN ALSO FIND ME ON FACEBOOK…HYIOKA SPIRIT PACHECO
hello Dark Guardian my name is nigtfury im from lithuania im 18 im fighting crime about 3 years and about a month i heard about you guys so i think maybe you can tell me how to join in yours team? thanks nightfury…….
Thanks to everyone for their support. I am still working on the dealers out there. The problem in WSP has been there for more years than I’ve lived. There was an organized drug ring that carried weapons and was violent that is now gone. I need to look more into who is out there now. Mostly it has been small groups coming and going. If it is an organized drug ring, I will be diligently working on getting rid of them.
meet the x im a super hero
Be careful out there…but what you’re doing is something that is to be proud of. Thank you for putting your life on the line for those who can’t fight back. You rock and rule, man. Just be careful out there……
[...] so far, the following NINE heroes accepted the mission! Civitron Dark Guardian DC’s Guardian Geist Life Razorhawk Super Hero The Crimson Fist Urban [...]
What does it take to do what you do? And how do you advoid not getting aressted? This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Now I see all of you and it makes me have a fire swell up inside me.
Guardian is my favourite hero,,,man ur life is inspiring,,one day when i come to new york i hope i will meet u
oh and DG keep on doing what you do your doing good i can tell
Im The Punisher, im a SuperHero working in Australia, NSW. And every Hero on this site insired me to be the best I can be.
I watched your program for the first time the other night and was quite pleasantly surprised. It’s nice to see that “Batman does exist. I spent my young life wondering why can’t there be others out there like this. Why do superheros always have to have super powers. Thanks for taking the time to protect all of us. I live in the Metro area so I know that the cops are just too busy.
Just wanted you guys to know that because of the show I was inspired to write a paper about you for my English Comp class. If you wouldn’t mind an interview please reach out.
Thanks again for all that you do!
DG you are strong and a trained martial artist, but when you confront a drug dealer with a gun or knfe, it would be very dangerous… i suggest you get 5 or more partners, so that when you encounter such situation drug dealer would hesitate to shoot… anyway, your costume is cool…
Hay DG, i have over looked every super, and i find you’rs the most inspiring. I’m doing my own chapter in ME and i find more courage by following in your footsteps. keep up the good work!!! yours truely, The U.N.I.T.
I appreitiate you trying to make the world a better place and i think that you being trained with matial arts is great, but that being said Just wondering why you can’t make the world a better place without the costume ect…
Te saluda un superheroe desde México, eres de mucha inspiracion por aqui.Gracias
Te saluda un heroe desde México, eres de mucha inspiracion, te deseo suerte.
You were the first RLSH I had ever herd of. Now I’m one in training.
DG,i first heard about you on g4 underground.you inspired me to become a rlsh.keep up the GREAT work you are doing.BDP