Batman is a superhero who doesn’t have actual super powers. He’s lacking Superman’s x-ray vision or Spiderman’s ability to scale buildings. Batman is just naturally brave with a kick-ass cape and rockin’ taste in cars.
But, thousands of children and their parents would disagree with that not-so-super assessment. They would argue that Batman kicks ass and is way more powerful than his counterparts. And they should know, because they’ve met him in person.
A man dressed as the Caped Crusader swept into the lives of countless sick kids; transforming a scary hospital visit into a happier experience. Complete with a shiny, emblazoned Batmobile, Batman (yes, he only answered to “Batman”) was equipped with a big bag of Batman treats and even emulated Batman’s voice.
A total whack job, right?
Actually, no.
Yes, it seems a little cray-cray on the surface. But you gotta respect the hell out of a guy who elected to spend his days making public appearances at hospitals, libraries, schools—anywhere children needed a reason to smile—as Batman. In particular one who did it anonymously and without compensation.
Now, he would probably say he was paid in smiles and kind words but the truth was, he didn’t want or need appearance fees. He was independently wealthy and was paying it forward one pediatric ward at a time.
We learned this and more as a 2012 traffic stop finally outed the man behind the mask. A hilarious, grainy dash-cam video showed officers interrogating Batman on the side of the road and running the personalized license plates of the Batmobile. And they couldn’t keep a straight face.
The odd scene went viral and Lenny Robinson (a.k.a Batman) became an internet sensation. Whether he liked it or not. Although his charity work was centered in Washington, DC and Baltimore, his generosity gained him an international cult-like following.
That’s because Robinson was all in. His custom leather and neoprene outfit would make any Hollywood costume designer drool. The personalized Batmobile was a true machine, thrilling kids and many a dad as well.
And the part of the whole get-up that was 100% genuine? His heart. Kids can sense an impostor a mile away and yet he made children and adults of all ages believe.
But the harsh reality is that even Batman is not invincible.
The night of August 18, 2015, the Batmobile had engine trouble on a rural Maryland highway. Robinson got out to investigate and was struck and killed by another vehicle as he stood on the shoulder of the road.
As the news spread, condolences came in from around the world. Friends, family, emergency personnel, police officers and many of the patients he befriended attended his funeral.
Laurie Strongin, founder of Henry’s Hope, a children’s organization, worked closely with Robinson and summed him up in a Washington Post article, “Whenever I asked him to do anything, he always said yes… He was magic.”
Turns out Batman had super powers after all.