Batkid stops crime, steals hearts in SF (pictures)
Make-A-Wish Foundation transforms San Francisco into Gotham City for a day, and Batkid saves the day.
James Martin
James Martin was the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET.
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Five-year-old Miles, battling leukemia, captured the entire Internet's attention today, as Batkid, his superhero alter-ego, raced through a series of blockbuster scenarios around San Francisco, rescuing a damsel in distress, chasing down the Penguin, even receiving a key to the city from the mayor.
Thousands of fans, both of Miles and Batman, came out to cheer on the littlest hero.
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Crowds came out to cheer Miles
Dressed in a custom pint-size Batsuit, and riding shotgun in a Batmobile Lamborghini, more than 10,000 people had RSVP'd to at least one of the day's events around San Francisco.
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Launching into the air
At Green and Hyde streets in San Francisco, Miles vaulted off a trampoline, before rescuing a damsel in distress along the cable car line.
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A damsel in distress
Batkid saved a damsel in distress chained to a big, green detonation device covered in the Riddler's trademark question mark.
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You can do it, Batkid!
Batkid looks out at the thousands of people who have come to cheer him on in San Francisco as part of his Make-A-Wish Foundation dream.
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Save her, BatKid!
BatKid and his assistant race to save the day!
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Rescued
The damsel, saved by BatKid, thanks him as the crowd watches.
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Fans carry BatKid signs
Onlookers are carrying pro-BatKid signs that say "Miles, You're my hero!", "We love Batkid," and "Please save us, Miles!"
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Thousands at Union Square
Police estimated there were 6,00 to 7,000 people at Union Square in San Francisco to cheer on BatKid Miles.
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Ka-pow!
Those who came to cheer Miles on wore Batman shirts, carried sign, hats, and all sorts of Batman memorabilia.
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Crowds gather
As Miles ate lunch at Burger Bar in Union Square, crowds continued to gather and police organized the streets, which were closed to traffic for blocks.
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The Penguin
The Penguin emerges from his lair in a Bentley.
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BatKid enters Union Square
As the Penguin appeared, having captured the San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal, BatKid steps in to save the day, with thousands of fans watching.
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The Riddler taunts the crowd
The Penguin, with Lou Seal tied up next to him in his Bentley, taunts the crowd.
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Crowds at Union Square
Thousands wait for BatKid to emerge from lunch and rescue San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal.
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The Riddler
BatKid, in his custom Batmobile Lamborghini, spies the Penguin, with Lou Seal tied up in his Bentley.
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BatKid's Lamborghini
BatKid, with thousands watching in San Francisco's Union Square, prepares to chase the Penguin in his custom Batmobile Lamborghini.
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Police, Ka-pow
Even the San Francisco Police joined in the fun, taking pictures and making signs for Miles.
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You're our hero, BatKid
Some might say the city needs BatKid more than BatKid needs the city.
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'BatKid Saves City'
The headline on newspapers printed specially for the event reads "BatKid Saves City"
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BatKid fans
Some fans even dressed up in Batman costumes for the day's festivities.
