“Spider-Man” and “Batman” Team-Up Against Drunken Heckler

What is it about the Big Apple and street performers dressing up as Spider-Man?

Just when you thought you heard the last of the Times Square “superheroes” getting in trouble with the law, we have yet another altercation involving a wannabe Spidey. This time around, though, “Spidey” decided to join forces with a wannabe Batman. Only this time it wasn’t up against The Joker and Carnage but rather a passer-by who, thanks to having a bit too much to drink, decided it’d be a great idea to make fun of them and pick a fight.  As reported by CBS:

The NYPD told the station two men – one dressed as Batman and another dressed as Spider-Man – were arrested Saturday night for getting into a fight with another man in Times Square. Police said the fight started on 44th Street and Broadway after Thomas Rorke, 23, heckled the men portraying the costumed characters.

Jose Martinez, 41, who was dressed as Batman and 35-year-old Abdel Elkahezai, who was dressed as Spider-Man, were all charged along with Rorke with misdemeanor assault, the station reports.

Rorke, a Queens resident, was struck multiple times in the face by the comic book heroes, according to authorities. He sustained injuries to his face and was also hit in the chest. Martinez and Elkahezai said they were also punched in the incident.

However, The Huffington Post, along with The New York Post, went into further detail as to what allegedly happened:

Two costumed characters in New York City’s Times Square were arrested on Saturday night along with a third man for allegedly fighting, according to multiple reports.

The two characters were doing what costumed heroes do these days — hustling for tips on a street corner in exchange for photos — when two men started yelling and gesturing at them.

The New York Post reports that 23-year-old Thomas Rorke allegedly grabbed Batman — aka 41-year-old Jose Escalona-Martinez — from behind and shouted, “I’m gonna f-k you, Batman.” Then, he allegedly grabbed Spider-man — aka 35-year-old Abdel Elkahezai — on the rear.

His Spider Sense clearly tingling, Elkahezai allegedly sprayed Rorke with his webbing, or at least his prop Silly String, the paper reported.

Soon enough, punches were thrown.

Eyewitnesses, including another performer dressed as Spidey, asserted Rorke was entirely at fault:

“He was intoxicated and messing with Batman and they got into it,” said Paul Smith, 50, who also dons the red mask as Spider-Man in Times Square.

“Everybody, no matter what costume they are wearing, has the right to protect themselves. It’s like Stand Your Ground in Florida,” added Smith.

Of course, those of you who have been following previous “spider-crime” news know this incident comes on the heels of New York City initiating a “crackdown” on costumed characters for “aggressive panhandling” as a result of “Spider-Men” getting in trouble with the authorities, and that in response, the costumed characters formed their own “Justice League” (i.e. trade union) called NYC Artists United for a Smile in co-operation with immigrant workers rights advocacy group, La Fuente. Ironically, the local CBS News station interviewed “Batman”, a.k.a. Mr. Martinez “about the issue back in July (sic) [August].”

It’s also being reported that the “Spider-Man” in question already has an arrest record which includes public urination, assault and weapons possession. Although, according to another eyewitness, a “Captain America,” he stated that “Spidey” is:

“…one of the best guys, honest, religious…One of the first guys out here.”

Stay tuned to the Crawlspace for future installments in the ongoing real-life version of Marvel’s Civil War.

Sources: CBS News, Huffington Post, New York Post, NY Daily News