Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it is a group of Spandex-clad do-gooders attempting to perform heroic deeds in Sutton town centre.
Organisers of the Take Part, Take Pride festival have agreed to hold auditions next month to find a sidekick for the real-life superhero SOS.
The winner will help SOS, recognisable by his yellow outfit and industrial ear protectors, to make Sutton and Epsom safer, kinder places.
Costumed candidates must first demonstrate powers more befitting the X-Men than the X Factor as they tackle an assault course and an expert judging panel.
SOS said: “Well, one thing is for sure: the streets of Sutton will be safe.
"Everyone, at some point in their life, has dreamed of being a superhero, so this is a day to throw on a cape and mask and live the dream.
“What I am looking for in a sidekick is an imaginative and interesting persona and guise.
"Superpowers are not always essential to be a superhero, look at Batman.
“Everyone does, however, possess hidden talents which may or may not be used as a crimefighting force, these could be an interesting basis to your character.
"Take Squeegee Man, for instance, a New York-based superhero who cleans the windshields of cars.”
Sutton SOS Factor will add a comic touch to the week-long festival when it conquers the main stage, near Waterstone’s, from 4.30pm on Sunday, July 12.
Watchmen wannabees need a costume and a demonstrable superhero talent, as well as the necessary agility to complete the assault course.
Each must prove their superhero status by answering a question posed by SOS, before the judges consider the originality of their characters.
As part of their prize, the winning crimefighter will then be invited to turn on the town’s Christmas lights with SOS, who has advertised his services in local shops.
To enter the superhero tryouts, email sosmykindofhero@googlemail.com, with a full superhero name and contact details.
- The Incredibles - leading Sutton SOS Factor contenders.
Flash Panther - A 6ft 5in mixed martial arts maestro from Epsom Downs, trained in the art of southern tiger crane kung-fu. Has an aptitude for all things “frowned upon”, such as picking locks and making smoke shields.
Kid Carnage - Hi-tech crimebuster, bristling with gadgetry and claiming a genetically enhanced ability to produce Vitamin D. Also possesses a high pain tolerance, a slew of witty retorts and Word and Powerpoint 97 skills (no Excel).
Transit Man - Sutton-based internet icon whose battles against the supervillain Evil Les are chronicled on the YouTube website. Known for donning a black cape, mask and customary yellow marigolds for his side-splitting exploits.
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