Many of you will have heard of Superbarrio before. Because for the past ten years, he's been an active symbol of protection for the poor and working class in Mexico City. Participating in protests and leading petitions, he is a needed by the needy and works for the working. But how did he choose his name?

I opened my eyes and found myself as you see me with a voice telling me, 'You are Superbarrio...I can't stop a plane or a train single-handed, but I can keep a family from being evicted.

But could Superbarrio (translating to 'super neighborhood') be Superbarrio without his world-famous, rhyming counterpart, Super Mario? Of course not. He'd just be Super Sweet Fat Guy. So thank-you, Nintendo, for all you've done. And Superbarrio, you're alright, too.

10 Real-life Superheroes [via neatorama]