Batman Drives a Lamborghini?
March 28, 2012 11:37 AM   Subscribe

You may have seen the news footage about a guy in a Batman suit being pulled over in suburban DC. It turns out that there is a lot more to the story.
posted by COD (74 comments total) 80 users marked this as a favorite
 
Wow. A real hero.
posted by Curious Artificer at 11:41 AM on March 28, 2012 [10 favorites]


Awesome. Purely glorious.
posted by effugas at 11:42 AM on March 28, 2012


Update: The Caped Crusader was actually pulled over Wednesday. In 2011, the motorist was assisted by police when his Batmobile got a flat tire, according to Ellicott City Patch.

So... the Batmobile lost a wheel?
posted by maryr at 11:42 AM on March 28, 2012 [92 favorites]


Just this morning, my wife and I were having the "what would you do if you won the lottery, after you paid off the student loans and bought a house?" conversation.

I don't know that I'd do this specifically, but it is all kinds of awesome.
posted by gauche at 11:43 AM on March 28, 2012 [7 favorites]


Wow is right.
posted by Ironmouth at 11:43 AM on March 28, 2012


I hope he only speaks in the Christian Bale growl, and to introduce himself he grabs the ill child by their collar and shouts "SWEAR TO ME!"
posted by Think_Long at 11:44 AM on March 28, 2012 [22 favorites]


This looks to be a fun article to write.
posted by shakespeherian at 11:44 AM on March 28, 2012


The little boy didn’t want to say goodbye, but his mom told him, “Batman needs to go fight the bad guys.”

The little boy cried.

“I want to go help him fight the bad guys,” he said.

His mom said, “You need to go help your sister fight cancer.”

Batman sped away.


Tears.

And it's good to see heroes in this world making kids feel like kids when it's so hard to remain that when you know that you very well might die.
posted by inturnaround at 11:46 AM on March 28, 2012 [19 favorites]


crying
posted by facetious at 11:48 AM on March 28, 2012


Tears
pretty much. Good story.
posted by k5.user at 11:49 AM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


Dear Fates,

If you let me win the Mega Millions on Friday, I promise to start Batman, Incorporated based on this guy's model.

yrs,
r i b
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:50 AM on March 28, 2012 [25 favorites]


This is all fine, but why in West's name would you buy a Lambo instead of a Barris Batmobile?
posted by entropicamericana at 11:52 AM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


That dude is more Batman than West, Keaton, and Bale combined.
posted by whuppy at 11:54 AM on March 28, 2012 [15 favorites]


The second story says he's got $250K building him a Batmobile.
posted by maryr at 11:54 AM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


This is all fine, but why in West's name would you buy a Lambo instead of a Barris Batmobile?

Because this is serious visiting-cancer-patient-kids Batman, not camp joke Batman.

(not campist)
posted by chavenet at 11:55 AM on March 28, 2012 [5 favorites]


He took the elevator? Feh, that's not how the Real Batman would do it.

That guy is awesome. I wish there were more stories about rich people doing good deeds.
posted by bondcliff at 11:55 AM on March 28, 2012 [4 favorites]


"Sir do you know why I pulled you over?"
"Because I'm the goddamn Batman?"
posted by danny the boy at 11:57 AM on March 28, 2012 [14 favorites]


That dude is more Batman than West, Keaton, and Bale combined.

You forgot Clooney!
posted by perhapses at 11:57 AM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


You forgot Kilmer!
posted by entropicamericana at 11:58 AM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


The world needs more people like this.
posted by WinnipegDragon at 12:00 PM on March 28, 2012


You forgot Clooney!

You forgot Kilmer!

Nah. Those never happen'd.
posted by grabbingsand at 12:01 PM on March 28, 2012 [8 favorites]


Great story.
posted by cell divide at 12:02 PM on March 28, 2012


For the record, I did *not* forget Clooney or Kilmer.
posted by whuppy at 12:02 PM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


Batman overheard a mother tell someone that her toddler was going home the next day, and holding the toddler, and hugging him gently, Batman said, "I'm really glad you are feeling better."

WHY DO I READ THESE THINGS AT WORK?!

sniff
posted by WinnipegDragon at 12:03 PM on March 28, 2012 [4 favorites]


He spends his money on comic-book cosplay and custom exotic cars, and his time making desperately sick children happy. Who says new money doesn't have taste?
posted by Slap*Happy at 12:03 PM on March 28, 2012 [26 favorites]


I assume he sounds like Kevin Conroy.
posted by shakespeherian at 12:03 PM on March 28, 2012 [5 favorites]


There's something in my eye
posted by EatTheWeek at 12:04 PM on March 28, 2012


Does it make me an awful person that I was disappointed to find the "lot more" link was to a feel-good human interest story, and not some wretched tale of depravity?

Yes. Yes it does.
posted by slogger at 12:05 PM on March 28, 2012 [13 favorites]


That dude is more Batman than West, Keaton, and Bale combined.

You forgot Clooney!
posted by perhapses at 2:57 PM on March 28 [+] [!]

You forgot Kilmer!
posted by entropicamericana at 2:58 PM on March 28 [+] [!]


Didn't forget shit.
posted by Fizz at 12:07 PM on March 28, 2012 [5 favorites]


Slogger, I clicked in for a story about a Republican congress-critter stalking his male page named Robin, but stayed for the schmoopy.
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:12 PM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


Thanks for posting the followup story. I will always think of Lenny as BWB from now on (Busted While Batman).
posted by Lynsey at 12:12 PM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


WinnipegDragon: Batman overheard a mother tell someone that her toddler was going home the next day, and holding the toddler, and hugging him gently, Batman said, "I'm really glad you are feeling better."

WHY DO I READ THESE THINGS AT WORK?!

sniff



Yeah, I definitely can't handle this at work.
NSFW (not safe for waterworks)
posted by herbplarfegan at 12:13 PM on March 28, 2012


No need to dis actors to praise this awesome guy, is there? haha I get it but still
posted by rahnefan at 12:17 PM on March 28, 2012


We seriously need a new tag. NSFCB - Not safe for cry babies.

Excuse me, I have to go blow my nose.
posted by Brodiggitty at 12:17 PM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


Tears. Running down my face. At work. Thank you, COD, this is awesome.
posted by cereselle at 12:19 PM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


It's amazing how many resources there are for sick kids at some hospitals. In four days here earlier this year, we saw musicians, therapy animals, rambling toy carts, fully-stocked playrooms, hospital-wide video bingo, you name it. Plus "coat rack" rides (IV pole) down the halls. (And everything turned out fine :)
posted by gottabefunky at 12:23 PM on March 28, 2012


When you wonder what making a difference looks like, there it is.
posted by roboton666 at 12:29 PM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]



This guy's anti-capitalist socialism is just what is destroying this country.

He probably doesn't even check to see if the kids have valid insurance cards.

Keaton was the best batman by far, aside from Adam West. I will tolerate no more discussion of it. END OF LINE.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 12:30 PM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


When the 1% are ransacked - he shall be spared.
posted by jnnla at 12:30 PM on March 28, 2012 [4 favorites]


Jokers emerged instantaneously.

Brilliant!
posted by latkes at 12:33 PM on March 28, 2012 [5 favorites]


Dude owns. Dude so fuckin' owns.
posted by Sternmeyer at 12:35 PM on March 28, 2012 [5 favorites]


Is this where I can mention that the hildrens' hospital where he volunteers looks like the fucking death star? No wonder Batman's frequently seen speeding toward the place...

I drive by there pretty frequently, and while it's pretty cool architecture, it's quite possibly the most striking example of an architect profoundly failing to comprehend the way in which his building was intended to be used.
posted by schmod at 12:36 PM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


Someone asked where Robin was, and Batman replied, “Home studying for the SATs.”

Love it.
posted by futz at 12:38 PM on March 28, 2012 [6 favorites]


When a little girl ran away, perhaps a bit scared, Batman said, “That’s the story of Batman’s love life.” (He is divorced.)

!
posted by munchingzombie at 12:47 PM on March 28, 2012


Dang.
posted by Splunge at 12:54 PM on March 28, 2012


"Because I'm the goddamn Batman?"

I take heart in the fact that no matter how stupid and misanthropic a comic book writer is, no matter how awful a story he writes, he simply doesn't have the power to tarnish characters like Batman or Superman. Batman will always be a good guy who visits sick children and tells Robin to stay home and study for the SAT's.
posted by straight at 12:54 PM on March 28, 2012 [5 favorites]


“Lenny,” he announced. “B, as in Batman. Robinson.”

BRB changing middle name
posted by penduluum at 12:59 PM on March 28, 2012 [6 favorites]


I just hope someone over at DC (or whoever owns the specific rights) doesn't decide this is infringing and shuts him down. Good deeds should trump trademark and copyright, and someone who performs such should be protected from such. But, I give it a few weeks at most before some lawyer or beancounter decides this isn't making them money and serves a cease-and-desist notice.
posted by Blackanvil at 1:10 PM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


Blackanvil, if that were true, how could Spider-Man and Wonder Woman (mentioned in the article) exist? Do they pay a licensing fee? If so, surely Batman could afford it.
posted by desjardins at 1:17 PM on March 28, 2012


There's something in my eye, too.
posted by ericb at 1:26 PM on March 28, 2012


baawww
posted by LobsterMitten at 1:29 PM on March 28, 2012


As Batman wandered around from child to child, I asked him, “Isn’t this hard?”

His children are healthy. My children are healthy.

“We are very lucky,” he said. “All I can say is we are very, very lucky.”



This guys completely and totally Gets It.
posted by inigo2 at 1:32 PM on March 28, 2012 [8 favorites]


This page has audio of a 911 call reporting his breakdown with the flat tire, featuring a great Maryland accent. Of course since that happened on Halloween I imagine folks may have been a little less surprised...

"Nice."
posted by zoinks at 1:35 PM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


I wonder what would have happened if he'd visited Wesley Willis in the hospital.
posted by Lou Stuells at 1:40 PM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


Blackanvil, if that were true, how could Spider-Man and Wonder Woman (mentioned in the article) exist? Do they pay a licensing fee? If so, surely Batman could afford it.

They were paid actors. Their agency almost certainly pays licensing fees and signs lengthy contracts about what the performers can and cannot do in costume.
posted by Etrigan at 1:56 PM on March 28, 2012


I work in a children's hospital and see kids like the ones described in the article every day. We also bring in various people to cheer up the kids and their families, but nothing like this guy. That really put a smile on my face; thanks for sharing it.
posted by TedW at 2:07 PM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


Racking sobs over here. DAMN YOU BATMAAAAAAAAAAN!
posted by Doleful Creature at 2:17 PM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


while it's pretty cool architecture, it's quite possibly the most striking example of an architect profoundly failing to comprehend the way in which his building was intended to be used.

it's a children's hospital. what child wouldn't want to be treated in a space age death star mirrored wizard of oz diamond as big as the ritz wonderland? with balloons and clowns on the inside?
posted by chavenet at 3:15 PM on March 28, 2012


Other rich people: This is what fulfillment looks like.
posted by basicchannel at 3:32 PM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


His son sometimes accompanies him as Robin? I want a Batman dad too!
posted by orme at 3:35 PM on March 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


That dude is more Batman than West, Keaton, and Bale combined.

You forgot Clooney!
posted by perhapses at 2:57 PM on March 28 [+] [!]

You forgot Kilmer!
posted by entropicamericana at 2:58 PM on March 28 [+] [!]


I did forget. Thanks for reminding me.
posted by holdkris99 at 3:38 PM on March 28, 2012


Reminds me of why I once read comic books. Thanks.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:48 PM on March 28, 2012


I hope he's not handing out copies of The Widening Gyre because I don't even have cancer and that shit still put my recovery back by months.

(This guy is a legend.)
posted by tumid dahlia at 4:03 PM on March 28, 2012


If he's handing out Batman Adventures trade paperbacks to those kids, we may have identified one of the Tzadikim Nistarim.
posted by Slap*Happy at 6:21 PM on March 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


But, I give it a few weeks at most before some lawyer or beancounter decides this isn't making them money and serves a cease-and-desist notice.

Even if the people at DC have hearts of stone and care only about money, what this guy is doing is the best imaginable PR for the brand, handed to them on a silver platter for free. They must surely see that his actions are pure gold for them.
posted by Sangermaine at 7:30 PM on March 28, 2012 [3 favorites]


I was feeling like a huge dour sourpuss all "YEAH YEAH YEAH BUT HOW MUCH CANCER COULD THAT FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS HAVE CURED MR. BATMAN HUH HUH RIDDLE ME THAT!"

Then I thought, hahahahaha come on are you kidding this is awesome.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 9:22 PM on March 28, 2012


I've volunteered at my local children's hospital for their Christmas party which involved dressing up as cartoon character. As Sangermaine says, the brand-holders were happy for the PR.

What I learned from it:

You're going to be asked to sign autographs in character. You should probably practice this beforehand, particularly if your costume involves big puffy hands that make it hard to grip a pen.

You will probably be prepared for the sick kids to be heartbreaking. You will not necessarily be prepared to deal with their healthy brothers and sisters who have been on their best behaviour for god knows how long and finally have an opportunity to blow off steam.

The quality of your costume matters, (which is why the guy in the link is so awesome). The kids don't necessarily believe you really are your character, but they sort of want to. They'll stand there and critically appraise you, looking for evidence that you are just a normal person in a cheap costume. If they find it, they'll have this momentary 'A ha!' and then they'll stop smiling. A five-grand batsuit has to be way more convincing than your average rental.

They'll also interrogate you trying to catch you out, which is why it's so important to know all the canon for your character. Batman is an awesome choice of character, because it means kids won't be asking you every five minutes to prove you can fly.

You'd better have somewhere really secluded to get changed. You don't want kids seeing a cuddly cartoon character walking into the bathrooms and be replaced by a skinny girl all sweaty and red faced like she's been wearing a fatsuit for three hours and carrying a suspiciously bulging rucksack. A Batmobile and a dramatic exit is so much better!

When you've done a long stint in the costume it feels weird to be dressed like a regular person again. Why isn't anybody trying to take my photo? Where is the crowd of people wanting to hug me? Where are all the smiles? Why am I suddenly so unloved? It fades in a minute or so, but it can feel genuinely startling at first.



Anyway, a while after the event, I had a Christmas card forwarded to me. It was a print-at-home deal addressed, not to me, but to my character. On the front is a picture of me in costume with my arm around one of the kids and he has the biggest grin on his face. That's why one of my Christmas cards is still on display even through it's almost April.

Long live the Baltimore Batman.
posted by the latin mouse at 12:13 AM on March 29, 2012 [20 favorites]


I've got five dollars towards the purchase of this guy's new Batmobile. Not kidding. Five dollars. Somebody finds me a way to donate to the cost, and these here five dollars are his.

Mostly 'cause I learned much of my code of ethics from Adam West in tights and a shiny cape, and I'll be damned if I can find a person more fitting to take up the cowl than this guy.
posted by Graygorey at 12:32 AM on March 29, 2012


Fizz: "That dude is more Batman than West, Keaton, and Bale combined.

You forgot Clooney!
posted by perhapses at 2:57 PM on March 28 [+] [!]

You forgot Kilmer!
posted by entropicamericana at 2:58 PM on March 28 [+] [!]


Didn't forget shit.
"

Well, if you didn't forget shit, then you would have remembered Clooney and Kilmer.

Just sayin'...
posted by Samizdata at 7:56 AM on March 29, 2012


Oh. My. God. I *SAW* this guy!! I have photos!! My husband and I had gone down to DC to visit my dad and were having lunch with him and my uncle when I looked out the window and incoherently babbled "it-it-IT'S BATMAN!!!!" (with more excitement than a 24-year-old woman should realistically display in such a situation). We all proceeded to stare, gaping, while he wandered around across the street with a shopping bag in hand, clearly looking for an address. Then, to our pure, unbridled joy, he crossed the street and began to come toward us. I happened to be sitting next to the camera bag and everyone started screaming "GRAB THE CAMERA, GRAB THE CAMERA!!!" So I started snapping frantic photos of the Bat as he came nearer and nearer – suddenly he saw us, waved, and then, all class, responded to my unbridled squees with a Batly salute. None of us could keep from giggling about it for the rest of the day, including my uncle, who has worked in close quarters with more than one U.S. president.

So yeah, I'm going to have to agree – this guy is the Batmanest Batman *ever*.

(Will post photos later if you guys want to see!)
posted by Mooseli at 8:01 AM on March 29, 2012 [3 favorites]


We want to see Mooseli!

This is awesome. Batman rules more than he even knows.

A couple years ago, I spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital. We're talking whole months of my life, at a time, in a bed with tubes running out of me. I was in my early-mid30s at the time. The only thing that really cheered me up were the volunteers. The ones who came in with their dogs (all hospitals should have therapy dogs to come in, you can't feel but so bad when a sweet dog is loving on you,) the ones that just asked if you needed a book, a drink, anything they could get you, the clergy, etc all made the days easier.

Baltimore Batman goes above and beyond all that. I wonder if he has any clue on how much it has to help all the kids who he goes to see? I want to give him a great big hug and just tell him thank you.
posted by SuzySmith at 1:43 PM on March 29, 2012


You know, I was mildly against charities like Child's Play and whatnot for a long time; I thought the money would be better spent on a cure or whatnot.

Then my twenty year old younger brother got a brain tumour. Non-cancerous, and prognosis is very good, full recovery expected, but he didn't have the energy to *do* anything. He couldn't go out to class, he couldn't go out with friends, the radiation just sucked everything out of him.
He could play games though; He beat about everything in our library, even the bad ones. Then traded them in and beat more. He also read a lot of books, including one I lent him (A first I believe), and elevated his love of movies to cinophile levels.
Then his concentration got worse, and he had to give up on most games (Skyrim took too much focus, then after a while so did Red Dead Redemption), and he had even less to do.
Things are getting better again, but man. Remember; He is a legal adult, with wide ranging interests, and while sick *at home* he couldn't fill his time. Even now I still try and think of things for him to do that he would enjoy.
But one thing he told me a couple times; He had to be well enough in March to play Mass Effect 3, which seemed really unlikely for a while.
He has beaten it twice so far.

Now I'm thinking if he were 15 years younger. He wouldn't have the appreciation for fine films, and you can only watch so much TV anyway. He wouldn't be able to read most of the books he is reading. His motor skills would be even worse, so even more manual activities would be out. I can see why it is such a big thing to keep kids active and interested. Batman coming to visit? I'd love that as a kid.

Dear Batman guy: You rock. Keep it up.
I think you should have someone fix up your suit though; there are some technologies divers use to keep cool, mentioned in the nuclear diving thread. Why don't you get those put in your costume? I'd hate for someone as awesome as you to die of heat stroke.
posted by Canageek at 7:54 PM on March 29, 2012 [2 favorites]


Montgomery County Police just released a video of the traffic stop.
posted by azarbayejani at 8:39 AM on March 30, 2012


totally crying

plus i love that the cops don't make him take off his mask, very cool.
posted by windykites at 4:41 AM on April 3, 2012


« Older Summer, Buddy Holly, the working folly / Good...   |   Pop! ... Pop! Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments