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2015/08/18 08:11:07
Subject: Batman impersonator Leonard Robinson dies in car accident
An American man famed for dressing up as Batman and visiting sick children in hospital has died after he was hit by a car in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Police said Leonard Robinson's car had broken down in the fast lane of a major highway when the incident occurred.
He was struck by his own "Batmobile" after another car careered into it.
Robinson, 51, rose to fame in 2012, when a video went viral of him being pulled over by police because his car had invalid number plates.
Known as the "Route 29 Batman", Robinson had spent the last 14 years visiting sick children in hospital and handing out Batman paraphernalia in full superhero dress.
According to the Washington Post, he sold his commercial cleaning business to help fund his "Batmobile" - a black Lamborghini. The paper said he spent more than $25,000 (£16,000) of his own money on Batman toys, T-shirts and books to give to children.
"I'm just doing it for the kids," Robinson told the paper in a profile of him from 2012.
He also drove a replica of the car from the 1960s Batman TV show, which he went on to use to visit children in hospitals across the country.
His son would occasionally join him on hospital visits dressed as Batman's sidekick, Robin.
Robinson was never charged in the 2012 incident that thrust him into the public spotlight, telling police he was on his way to cheer up children at a cancer ward in a nearby hospital.
Montgomery County police department, to which the officers belonged, said it was "saddened by the news" of his death.
"The footage depicted a positive and humorous interaction between officers and Robinson. It was evident that the officers and Robinson had a mutual respect for each other and the job that each was trying to accomplish that day," it said in a statement.
A number of people have paid tribute to him on Twitter, including the Bowie Baysox - a minor league Baseball team in Maryland - which said: "The Baysox offer heartfelt condolences to Lenny Robinson's family. He appeared as Batman at the Baysox several times."
According to the Washington Post, he was returning from a car show in Virginia when the incident occurred. Police say the crash is under investigation, but no charges have been filed.
.. RIP fella
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
2015/08/18 08:39:49
Subject: Re:Batman impersonator Leonard Robinson dies in car accident
Yeah, he was a local celebrity and I was pretty bummed to hear what happened. He was such a good person.
d-usa wrote: "When the Internet sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending posters that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing strawmen. They're bringing spam. They're trolls. And some, I assume, are good people."
2015/08/18 10:29:39
Subject: Batman impersonator Leonard Robinson dies in car accident
We need more people like this in the world. What a great way to spend you time, money , and energy. My brother told me he met the guy at an event at a hospital where one of his neighbor's kids was being treated for cancer, and was blown away by how excited the kids were to see him.
I'd never heard of him before this news broke.
This is the video reds8n's article referred too. It's kind of funny. I'm sure the cops might of thought they were dealing with a nutter for a little bit:
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2015/08/18 11:48:59
2015/08/18 11:50:30
Subject: Batman impersonator Leonard Robinson dies in car accident
The topic title is somewhat incorrect. In my opinion, a man like that IS Batman, and not an impersonator.
"Through the darkness of future past, the magician longs to see.
One chants out between two worlds: Fire, walk with me." - Twin Peaks
"You listen to me. While I will admit to a certain cynicism, the fact is that I am a naysayer and hatchetman in the fight against violence. I pride myself in taking a punch and I'll gladly take another because I choose to live my life in the company of Gandhi and King. My concerns are global. I reject absolutely revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method... is love. I love you Sheriff Truman." - Twin Peaks
2015/08/19 11:20:32
Subject: Batman impersonator Leonard Robinson dies in car accident
ndreds gathered Wednesday outside of Baltimore to say farewell to Leonard Robinson, better known as the “Route 29 Batman” or the “Baltimore Batman,” 370 miles away, another Caped Crusader was keeping one of his promises.
Robinson, a Baltimore businessman who dressed as Batman and visited children’s hospitals in his replica of the Batman ’66 Batmobile or customized black Lamborghini, was struck by a car and killed Sunday night on his way home from SummerFest in South Charleston, West Virginia. Before he left that event, however, Robinson had a lasting impact on at least one little boy.
Punched by a bully at the bounce house, 8-year-old Jacob from Elkview, West Virginia, turned to Batman for help. “Batman takes Jacob under his arm, leaves kids standing in line,” the boy’s grandmother, Peggy Taylor, told WCHS TV. “They go back to the bounce house, where Batman confronted the bully. “And tells him, ‘Gentlemen don’t act that way. That’s not the way to settle your differences.’ They gave each other a hug and were best of friends the rest of the evening!”
Robinson reportedly told Jacob, who lost his father nine months ago Sunday, that he’d always be there for him, and on Wednesday, another Batman made good on that pledge: John Buckland, the Huntington (West Virginia) Batman, drove his own Batmobile to Dunbar Intermediate School, where he was escorted by Jacob into the gym to honor the boy and deliver a message about bullying and doing what’s right.
Jacob was even given his own key to the Batmobile: “I’m one of the Batman Army now!”
“What happened this weekend with Lenny, the Maryland Batman, and the moment that he had with Jacob — the whole Batman Army and the world needs to be inspired by this,” Buckland said.
Taylor said her grandson fell asleep on the sofa still clutching the Batmobile key.
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
