A masked vigilante is striking fear into the criminal element. No, that isn’t the plot to the next Batman movie, but it’s the story of a real-world guy in the town of Columbia, Tennessee.
A self-styled super-hero who calls himself the Viper is patrolling the public square of the town. Armed with plastic sticks and ninja throwing stars, this costumed hero is looking to find crime and report it to the authorities.
Dressed in green and black tights and a mask, Christian Tyler Hardee, caught the attention of the Columbia police last week as he patrolled near the Bike Shop on the town’s square.
The aspiring superhero assured police he was working for good not evil. He told officers he was on the prowl in search of crime to report.
Christian Tyler Hardee, a self-professed comic book fan, said he knows he’s just a regular college student without super-human powers, and his behavior might be viewed as strange by some. But for Hardee, dressing as a superhero is a way to inspire the community to stand against wrongdoing and perform acts of charity.
“I am just a guy trying to do what is right, in tights,” he said.
“I don’t know. He needs something to do. Probably needs a job. I hope he’s looking out for my benefit. I hope he’s guarding my store,” said A.C. Howell, owner of the bicycle shop.
Columbia Police Lt. Michelle Jones said the department does not need the assistance of a superhero to keep the city’s streets safe. She discouraged the public from patrolling the streets while dressed in costumes.
“We always encourage the public to be good witnesses but not actively get out and look for crime,” she said.
Police determined Hardee was not breaking any laws, other than a city ordinance that prohibits wearing a mask that obscures the face in public. He was advised of the ordinance and was not cited.
Jones said detectives interviewed Hardee and encouraged him to stop his patrols. Investigators are worried he could frighten the public or hurt himself or others.
Hardee said he will continue to look for crime but without the full costume. To date, he has not stumbled upon criminal activity.
The 20-year-old studies chemistry and art at Union University in Jackson. He hopes to land a job with his chemistry degree, make some money and then embark upon a career as a comic-book artist once he is financially secure.
“I am not out of touch with reality. … I am just a normal guy,” he said. “I know what happens in the movies doesn’t happen in real life.”
He also wants everyone to know he is not trying to inspire children to follow in his footsteps, and he did not don the costume in search of publicity.
“If I wanted attention, I would go streaking or something,” Hardee said.
Well that’s about 12 different kinds of awesome. 😀
Is this the beginning of a Watchmen-like era?
. . . although, if I see a masked individual sporting sticks and pointy metal things coming towards me, I might be inclined to exercise extreme prejudice.
This will end badly.
He needs an arch enemy perhaps the eagle??
There’s already a couple of others doing similar things. Mostly they “patrol” and call the cops when they see stuff, though.
*eyeroll* Yeah, there’s a whole subculture of these nimrods now. It’s getting so a hard working supervillain like myself can’t make a nefarious living. But, in the words of Dark Helmet, “Evil will always triumph, because good is dumb.”
God bless you Viper. I hope you have enough “skills” to keep you safe. In the “Dark Knight” flick the Joker did a number on some “vigilante” Batman. There ARE some real life JOKERS out there……..
Wow, that is too cool! I think he is just being a cool guy who is changing up the look of the neighborhood watch, lol
I personally think it’s GREAT what he’s doing. I was born & raised in Columbia, Tenn and the crime rate is horribal there. He hasn’t broken any laws in my opinon. There’s sooo much trash around that court house, I think they need all tha help they can get. Keep on rocking!!! Your my HERO 🙂
I have lived in Columbia since i was 11 and i think i might know who he is i have narrowed it down to 3 possible choices. Jamie Hilton your right Columbia crime rate has started to climb dramatically for the past year ever since the police have started cracking down in Mt. Pleasant and if you know columbia then you know the repuation of Mt. Pleasant