The Real-Life Superhero Universe: Bananaman!

It's a special edition of Real-Life Superheroes, as we take a look at British sensation (and recent World Record setter) Bananaman!  From the BBC (interspersed with my own commentary):

A man who took part in the London marathon dressed as Bananaman has set a new record for the fastest runner dressed as a cartoon character.

ME: Bananaman is a long-running superhero parody published in Great Britain. Poking fun at characters like Superman and Marvelman (a Captain Marvel knock-off) Bananaman gains (and augments) his powers by...you guessed it...eating bananas.

Darren Stone, 22, from Taunton, Somerset, took three hours, 36 minutes and seven seconds to complete the race.

ME: "Taunton"?  As in "smelly Hothian beast of burden"?  Oh, wait...that's "tauntaun". Carry on.

"You go through moments when you slow up and other runners tap you on the back and say 'come on Bananaman you can do it' - it's unreal," he said.

Mr Stone's achievement has been confirmed by Guinness World Records.

ME: Is it safe to say that the Guinness Book has now officially run out of ideas for world record categories?

"I checked on the internet because I wasn't sure how the other cartoon characters had done," he said.

"I scouted out before that Danger Mouse would be my main competitor but I have heard that I've got the record," he added.

ME: Danger Mouse--yet another British cartoon character.

Darren Stone completed the marathon in three hours, 36 minutes and seven seconds.

ME: So there you go: the time for all of you challengers to beat!

Mr. Stone, who runs a cafe in Taunton town centre, said he chose to run as a cartoon character because his business is next door to a fancy dress hire shop.

ME: My guess is that a "fancy dress hire shop" translates to a "costume shop" here in the States.

"They wanted me to run as Buzz Lightyear but the costume was too heavy," said Mr Stone.

"It was so hot that once I started sweating the suit just doubled in weight anyway," he said.

ME: Bananas and intense body odor.  Not a good combo.

"I'm in a world of pain now but finishing was the best feeling I've ever had.

ME: Yeah....kinda like that time I stopped pounding my head with a hammer.  Best feeling I've ever had. 

Mr Stone, a semi-professional footballer, has raised £1,400 for the St. Margaret's Hospice in Taunton but hopes to reach his goal of £2,000.

ME: In all seriousness, THAT'S some truly heroic work!  Great work, Mr. Stone!

Comments

[Nate Fakes]

Lol. Wonder if he will be racing again next year in the same outfit?