# Self-Appointed Superheroes 'The Viper' Defends a Town in Tennessee By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-07-09 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-viper References: [io9](http://io9.com/5581307/real) & [11alive](http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=146038&catid=186) A 20-year-old masked man patrols the town square in Columbia, Tennessee. He calls himself ‘The Viper,’ carries batons and [ninja stars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wesn-the-cell-shaded-allman), and wears a [face covering](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saint-mxxxxxx) in defiance of the town’s ‘no mask’ ordinance. The townsfolk aren’t sure what do-gooder good he’s doing, but some speculate he may be out to defend the town’s mules -- Columbia, Tennessee is the ‘Mule Capital of the World,’ after all. Be that as it may, the police aren’t impressed. They just want The Viper to go home. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 57% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Citizen Vigilantes:** Opportunities to create business models for public safety through crowd-sourcing and DIY community policing. - **Superhero Culture:** Opportunities to leverage fictional superhero narratives for marketing, entertainment, and merchandise. - **Anti-establishment Activism:** Opportunities to create political messaging and unconventional campaigns targeting the current social and political climate. ### Where This Applies - **Home Security:** Business models that promote DIY home security systems through crowd-sourcing and community-based neighborhood watch programs. - **Entertainment:** Branding and merchandising opportunities for fictional superhero narratives, including games, comics, and collectibles. - **Politics:** Campaigns and messaging that leverage anti-establishment activism for political strategy and unconventional outreach methods. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Superhero Snack Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-ghost-chilli-chicken-wings.md) - [Superhero-Inspired Whiskys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inishtree-speyside-single-malt.md) - [Cartoon Superhero Figurines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crimson-hawk-ranger.md) - [Heroic Bedtime Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bedtime-defenderz.md) - [Sinister Comic Series Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-goblin-helmet.md) - [Upcoming Dark Superhero Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spiderman-noir.md) - [Superhero-Inspired Dramatic Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yancy-street-stomper.md) - [Superhero-Themed Hospital Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sickkids-foundation-ad.md) - [Dark Superhero Water Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/batman-x-air-up.md)