If you love spandex, hate evildoers and have a secret lair, you may have what it takes to be a real-life superhero. No longer the stuff of childhood fantasy, many adults are now actively becoming real-life cape-wearing superheroes.
Although Marvel’s superheroes resisted the Superhuman Registration Act (a major plot point in the Civil War series), real-life superheroes have willingly set up their own registry, aptly named the World Superhero Registry. The registry defines a superhero as "...a person who does good deeds or fights crime while in costume."
Besides listing the names, geographically-protected areas, and specialties of real-life heroes, the site also offers legal advice, tutorials (like how to build a net gun) and tips on such things as secret identities and costume design.
Superhero Registries
Global Database of Real-Life Caped Crusaders
Trend Themes
1. Real-life Superheroes - There is an increasing number of adults becoming real-life superheroes, creating potential opportunities in the cosplay and entertainment industry.
2. World Superhero Registry - The establishment of a global database of superheroes opens up opportunities for technology companies in developing platforms for the registry management and maintenance.
3. Superhero-related Services - With the need to maintain secrecy, there is an opportunity for new services that cater to the superhero culture, including costume design, specialized equipment production, and secret identity management.
Industry Implications
1. Cosplay - The increasing trend of adults becoming real-life superheroes presents a potential growth opportunity for cosplay companies in selling superhero costumes and related merchandise.
2. Entertainment - Real-life superhero movies, documentaries, and TV series can be produced, presenting an opportunity for entertainment companies to capitalize on this trend.
3. Technology - The establishment of a global World Superhero Registry presents an opportunity for technology companies to offer services and tools for registry management and related needs.