Mr. Xtreme
If doing good starts with the willingness to try, Mr. Xtreme, a Real Life Superhero on the ground in San Diego, California, was born willing. Extremely so.
From his formidable body armor (“It’s kind of a hodgepodge”), to his daunting pinhole goggles (“It definitely takes some adjusting to,” he admits), everything about him is extreme. Like his belief in the power of the individual. His engaging at every level in the affairs and well-being of his community. Or his passion for preventing violent crime—and easing the suffering of its victims. Because while he may have derived his basic inspiration from the comic books, TV shows and movies every Superhero cites, the deeper reasons for his taking to the streets are intensely personal.
“I’ve been a volunteer crime-fighter for more than 10 years now,” he says, “but the thing that really made me get involved in this is that I myself have been a victim of violent crime and have also come from a struggling background. I’ve been jumped by gang members, bullied at school…,” he pauses for just a moment, “and I was molested as a child,” he reveals. But from the gauntlet of those experiences, Mr. Xtreme was born. “I wanted to do something positive, heroic and also as a way of protest against indifference in society. People are being victimized, and I feel that someone has to take a stand. Someone has to stand up and put a stop to it.”
To that end, he formed The Xtreme Justice League, and together with other like-minded Real Life Superheroes in the southernmost part of his state, goes on patrols, participates in outreach efforts to boost volunteerism in his neighborhood, and looks to make his city a safer place all around. “We’re a tight-knit group of guys who get together several times a week, sometimes two of us, sometimes by myself, and sometimes there’s more of us for special events like when we did a big homeless outreach at ComiCon here in San Diego, or went up to L.A. for the AIDS Walk with Team Being Alive.” And while the efforts of his Xtreme Justice League may not always meet with stunning success (“some are outright failures,” he says candidly), there are some initiatives that Mr. Xtreme can point to with a justifiable sense of pride.
“I’ve actually saved a life volunteering, so I know from true experience that what we do is very valuable and meaningful. If I was not there, this person might not have lived. So even if some people might think it’s ridiculous, I know it’s not.”
Still, Mr. Xtreme sometimes does have to face his doubters. “There are gonna be people who are receptive, and others who are gonna be against it, and others who just don’t care. I just want to get out there and do it. I’m not going to change who I am, so they can accept that this is who we are and what we do, or they can take it or leave it. Hey, I could wear a three piece suit there’s still gonna be people who are skeptical,” he states.
“I think the most misunderstood part of what I do with The Xtreme Justice League is saying that we’re vigilantes. We’re not that, we don’t violate people’s rights and we’re not here to look for fights. We’re here to prevent crime and empower people to prevent it themselves by being seen. We’re showing the community that they can take a stand, not be prisoners in their own communities,” he continues. “This is what you can legally do to prevent crime. Yeah, we draw on the influence from those fictional comic book vigilantes, but we know what’s real. What we can and can’t do.”
And the one thing Mr. Xtreme knows for sure is that at the end of every day, there is a new one. And a chance to get out and try again.
Join Mr.Xtreme in supporting Chelsea’s Light Foundation:
www.chelseaslight.org
Mr. Xtreme’s Pictures:
What is going to be done about the Home less murders in S. CA
Hi there, My name is Kane Farnell as you can see. I’m 16 years old and I live in the United Kingdom, Manchester. Just recently heard on the knews of what people like you are doing and how you have inspired many people across america and now obviously the world. It’s great that your helping people when the police are not around, I really do. But don’t you think the costume’s aren’t a little out there? Don’t get me wrong I think there cool, I just mean you don’t want to be attracting attention from those idiotic men and woman who will try to stir shit up with you. This was just a point out of something that may or may not help you in the future, Good look and take care. Seriously be carefull.
I was saddened to read the response of Mr. Man. I think he is still in the dark about why you do what you do. Yes, we need the police and firemen and ambulance workers and all, but there is a need for the super, the over the top, the unexpected and hoped for. I think that real life Superheroes are exactly what the world needs and I commend all of you for your diligence, heart and belief that every effort changes the world in a positive way. I’m glad you’re out there!
i watched a video about you and i think you are a comic book geek but your doing a good job at it.
I think the story of how you took personal hardship and transformed it into a reason to do good is really inspiring. I love the profile and the photos. Congratulations Mr. Xtreme! Good work Peter!
I used a fake name because I am in a Leauge of Hero’s and I was wondering if you had any tips for the League of Hero’s and I. I am 17 years old. I was starting a Leauge of my own in Pennsylvania. I go out every night and I potrole our town untill 4:30 am. We are all makeing a difference together. The police are always thanking us and telling us to stay safe. Contact me if you ever need any help.
Dear Mr. Xtreme,
I’ve been following u, kick-ass (both the movie and the comics) and have decided to help join the movement. i will soon become fully suited, jest waiting on the money flow. i have already stopped a small number of crimes. I’m still in training. i try to go patrolling once a month, but I’ve been busy. i would like to know of some other superheroes in my area. Please reply back.
-Eclipse
mr.xtreme,i,like you,am a survivor of child molestation.and,like you,i’m a r.l.s.h.an old friend once told me to”hand loose,do’nt get shook,bam with the bamboo & do’nt let the bastards,put you under.i did’nt let them.I’AM STILL HERE!
oops,i met hang loose,not hand loose.(HAHAHAHAHA!)
Be carefull out there, bud.
If anyone is in the UK and wants to team up let me know
also booked to go to the US in New York at some point
So if you see a guy looking like a Purple RedMist then
be sure to tag along
For all you people who say, oh you are just striving for attention, or you are just trying to live out a pathetic childhood fanasty, shutup! These people go out of their way to help others and they ask nothing for it. If they like the attention, so what? They themselves, as a person, aren’t getting attention. They are drawing attention to the program and everything it stands for. If you have the audacity to sit behind your pathetic little computer and complain about that… wow… You must be jealous that you don’t have the balls to do something that great.