18 Nov Batkid: The Hero Social Media Needs
Clark Kent. Bruce Wayne. Miles Scott. You’ve known the first two names for years as the secret identities of two of the world’s greatest superheroes: Superman and Batman. After Friday, November 15, 2013, you have to recognize the third as maybe the greatest superhero of all – Batkid.
Diagnosed with leukemia at 20 months-old, now 5-year-old Miles was given the chance to be Batman for a day when Make-A-Wish Bay Area put the call out to volunteers to turn San Francisco into Gotham City for his wish. Thanks to the real-life “Bat-signal” that is social media, the story went viral, and thousands showed up on Friday to cheer for Batkid as he saved the day and warmed the hearts of millions following along.
To brighten your week, we’ve come up with a list of the top Batkid social media moments from the weekend. Grab your cape and prepare to smile.
When the San Francisco Chronicle ran a special edition newspaper for the occasion – the Gotham City Chronicle.
SF Chronicle prints special edition newspaper for #SFBatKid http://t.co/B9vfPF8Kn4 pic.twitter.com/UoBHiBny1L
— Alex Yudelson (@AlexYudelson) November 15, 2013
When Miles made his Batkid debut standing tall next to Batman.
Reporting for duty! #sfbatkid pic.twitter.com/tMVTP8S8Wm
— Patricia Suflita Wilson (@pilarwish) November 15, 2013
When it was proven that you can’t have Batman without Robin – played by Miles’ little brother.
With little brother aka Robin. Choking back tears! #sfbatkid pic.twitter.com/apIpn9OUYn
— Patricia Suflita Wilson (@pilarwish) November 15, 2013
And of course, you need a Batmobile to be Batman – or Batkid.
Holy Batmobile! pic.twitter.com/btUEJlY2Tp (via @pilarwish) #SFBatKid
— Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) November 15, 2013
When Batkid showed the courage of a superhero and stopped a “bank robbery.”
Here comes the #SFBatkid to stop the robber!!!! pic.twitter.com/yUq0IA2mwc
— Make-A-Wish Bay Area (@SFWish) November 15, 2013
When Batkid stopped for lunch. Because everyone knows superheroes need fuel.
AWW!: Just a couple of superheroes eating lunch #SFBatKid #makeawish –@abc7newsBayArea pic.twitter.com/2TJ1zdPwkF
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) November 15, 2013
When Batkid took it all in, waiting for the next move.
Batman and #SFBatKid surveying Gotham. pic.twitter.com/SeBxApDds8
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) November 15, 2013
When President Barack Obama gave Batkid a #FollowFriday shout-out. More from Mr. President later.
#FollowFriday RT @SFWish: Here he comes!!!! #SFBatkid pic.twitter.com/pMn3gRHcLo
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 15, 2013
When Batkid stood tall against the Penguin. (Can you hear the Hans Zimmer score when you look at this, too?)
He WALKS like a superhero, but can he save @LouSeal01? #sfbatkid pic.twitter.com/XQ3r8z5Pb1
— The Penguin (@PenguinSF) November 15, 2013
When Batkid saved Lou Seal, the mascot of the San Francisco Giants.
SF is safe because of #SFBatkid! Lou Seal is free, and grateful! (@SFGiants) pic.twitter.com/UlkDkZqXCc
— Make-A-Wish Bay Area (@SFWish) November 15, 2013
Oh, and when the President showed up again with his first-ever Vine.
President Obama's message to #SFBatKid —> http://t.co/O7J4XWwYBs
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) November 15, 2013
First Lady Michelle Obama chimed in to cheer him on, too.
Thanks for catching all those bad guys #SFBatKid! You're an inspiration to us all. -mo
— First Lady- Archived (@FLOTUS44) November 15, 2013
When thousands of fans showed up at City Hall to greet Gotham’s hero.
Look at City Hall, ready for #SFBatKid: pic.twitter.com/FKkqVeONCl
— Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) November 15, 2013
And when San Francisco–err, Gotham City Mayor Edwin Lee presented Batkid with the key to the city.
Presenting the Key to Gotham City (thx, @autodesk) to our little hero #SFBatKid for saving the day! #BatKidDay pic.twitter.com/1pjYAyebFs
— Mayor Ed Lee (@mayoredlee) November 15, 2013
When Ben Affleck, the big screen’s next Batman, gave Miles a shout-out, making a lot less Internet noise than when his casting was announced.
Batkid. Best Batman ever. #SFBatKid #MakeAWish @SFWish
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) November 16, 2013
And the shout-out from the original Batman, Adam West.
What a wonderful thing. Relieved that Gotham is safe again thanks to Miles. #SFBatkid #makeawish… http://t.co/xxX4WQSnfy
— Adam West (@therealadamwest) November 16, 2013
Don’t forget Green Arrow actor Stephen Amell, who made this video thanking Batkid for making his job easy.
No crime left to fight. Thanks #BatKidhttps://t.co/P708He9hUC
— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) November 16, 2013
And finally, this image. A photo of a young boy with the courage to fight and beat cancer and the strength to put smiles on the faces of millions.
I just cry. #SFBatKid pic.twitter.com/cOKYg31kJ1
— Nick Hennen (@nicksologist) November 15, 2013
Thanks for reminding us that there really are superheroes, Batkid.
Did you follow the #SFBatkid story? What were your favorite moments? Let us know in the comments below.