# "Batman" is dead **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 17, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093 "2015-08-17T17:12:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/1 "2015-08-17T17:12:32Z")
The 51yo Marylander who dressed up as Batman, drove a customized Lamborghini Batmobile and visited children in hospitals and such… …was hit by a car and killed on Sunday night. He had stopped at a gas station in his BatLambo, given away some toys to children there, and then apparently stopped with engine trouble on the interstate. He was checking out the car when it was hit, killing him. This is just so damned sad on so many levels. Not the least of which is that the world can use more of this kind of high-level prankish fun… and now there’s less of it. RIP, Bats aka Leonard Robinson. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/2 "2015-08-17T17:31:29Z")
[This guy?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MghyXSFBkvc) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/3 "2015-08-17T17:36:03Z")
Yep. I guess it would be a good rule NOT to get out of your faulty all-black vehicle in an all-black outfit while still partly in the fast lane of a highway at night. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/4 "2015-08-17T17:42:18Z")
Seems like he was a sweet guy. Shame that happened. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/5 "2015-08-17T17:51:40Z")
Article about him [Batman Unmasked: Meet Maryland's Hospital Hero - ABC News](http://abcnews.go.com/US/batman-unmasked-meet-marylands-hospital-hero/story?id=16061881) "On March 21, police caught Batman on Route 29 in Silver Spring, Md., outside Washington D.C. He was pulled over because his license plate had no numbers, only the Batman symbol. “It’s a black Lamborghini and a driver dressed as Batman,” the police officer said over the radio. “You can send me Robin if you wish.” " ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/6 "2015-08-17T18:19:45Z")
Sad to hear. The Washington Post did a story about him when he got his ticket. > [@](#): > > When Batman finally reached the elevator for the slow ride up to the cancer ward, I could see his face already sweating behind the mask. He told me he loses 5 to 6 pounds in water weight when he wears the superhero uniform. He paid $5,000 for it. He spends $25,000 a year of his own money on Batman toys and memorabilia. He signs every book, hat, T-shirt and backpack he hands out — Batman. > > Batman is 48. He is a self-made success and has the bank account to prove it. He recently sold, for a pile of cash, a commercial cleaning business that he started as a teenager. He became interested in Batman through his son Brandon, who was obsessed with the caped crusader when he was little. “I used to call him Batman,” he told me. “His obsession became my obsession.” > > Batman began visiting Baltimore area hospitals in 2001, sometimes with his now teenage son Brandon playing Robin. Once other hospitals and charities heard about his car and his cape, Batman was put on superhero speed dial for children’s causes around the region. He visits sick kids at least couple times a month, sometimes more often. He visits schools, too, to talk about bullying. He does not do birthday parties. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/rosenwald-md/post/who-is-the-route-29-batman-this-guy/2012/03/28/gIQA8nPjgS\_blog.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/rosenwald-md/post/who-is-the-route-29-batman-this-guy/2012/03/28/gIQA8nPjgS_blog.html) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/7 "2015-08-17T19:00:53Z")
I just saw a clip of this guy on Caught on Camera, it was police dash cam video of the time he was stopped. Dude even posed with the cops afterwards, at their request. I’m truly sorry to hear of this guy passing. He made a lot of kids happy it sounds like. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/8 "2015-08-17T19:01:30Z")
The hero we needed, not the hero we deserved. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/9 "2015-08-17T19:28:59Z")
Batman killed by his own Batmobile, that was taken out by a Camry. At least it wasn’t a Prius. There is no justice in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/10 "2015-08-18T03:42:53Z")
I’m really saddened. He sounds like he was just a fantastic person. He never publicized himself. He only became known when the police pulled the Batmobile over. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/11 "2015-08-18T03:48:20Z")
Awwwwww… this fucking sucks. :mad:☹ ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/12 "2015-08-18T03:52:49Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Yep. > > I guess it would be a good rule NOT to get out of your faulty all-black vehicle in an all-black outfit while still partly in the fast lane of a highway at night. It’s a shame it was such a dark night. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/13 "2015-08-18T03:56:25Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > > [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > > > Yep. > > > > I guess it would be a good rule NOT to get out of your faulty all-black vehicle in an all-black outfit while still partly in the fast lane of a highway at night. > > It’s a shame it was such a dark night. Did the Batmobile not have hazard lights?? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/14 "2015-08-18T12:19:08Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > It’s a shame it was such a dark night. Too soon for such things, you joker. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/15 "2015-08-19T12:21:46Z")
In an odd coincidence, Yvonne Craig (Batgirl from the '60s TV series) passed away on Monday. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/16 "2015-08-19T14:11:48Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Batman killed by his own Batmobile, that was taken out by a Camry. At least it wasn’t a Prius. > > There is no justice in the world. Joker wins. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/17 "2015-08-27T04:33:37Z")
In case you didin’t see it in Cafe Society: [a poem](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18635333&posted=1#post18635333). ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-is-dead/728093/18 "2015-08-27T12:19:18Z")
I am also sad for the same reasons expressed by so many people here. I hope you all will forgive me for saying that I am also sad because it would seem to be the end of a Lamborghini. Such a wonderful exotic sports car. What a sad way to lose such a seemingly great man - also such a great car. Both are real losses.