“There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people, to see if they could become something more. See if they could work together when we needed them to fight the battles that we never could.” 

– Nick Fury

In these troubling times, these words ring true. They might not be the world’s greatest heroes, or even heroes at all, but they’re all we have. The crazies of College Park come out when our fellow Terps are in the direst of situations.

Red Guy, Astronaut, Clown, Riddler, Spider-Man, Pogo Guy, and a man with a tuba. These seven nutjobs founded a coalition to defend campus from impossible threats. Some are villains (and no this isn’t some fucking suicide squad), some are heroes, and some are bisexual. Regardless of their backgrounds, these costumed characters rise up to the occasion when no one else will.

Administration and the police are criticized for falling short. It’s time for a change. These people close the gap, within their legal ability. Their combat effectiveness is yet to be evaluated, but their cultural and social impact is immense.

One has to wonder what comes next. Batman? Superman? Gordon Ramsay? That Green Duck guy? Testudo’s abandoned brother Carl? Even more Spider-Men, Spider-Women, and Spider-Neutrals? All are welcome to the team, because we are all together at UMD. Some may call them college kids in costume. I personally call them superheroes.

Image Credits: The Red Guy himself