Batkid Begins

What's This?

By Chris Taylor2013-11-15 20:09:25 UTC

The streets of San Francisco — sorry, Gotham City — went absolutely insane Friday for a 5-year-old boy named Miles.

Miles has leukemia, and his fondest wish was to be Batman for a day. The Make-a-Wish Foundation obliged, setting up several scenarios around the city involving two of Gotham's greatest enemies, The Penguin and The Riddler. At last count nearly 15,000 San Franciscans had signed up online to play the grateful onlookers.

See also: 10,000 Strangers Sign Up to Make One Kid's Batman Wish Come True

Result: cheering crowds comparable to when the San Francisco Giants won the world series.

Batkid's journey began Friday morning, as he met Batman and the Lamborghini Batcar he would be driven around in for the day:

Miles' little brother played Robin:

Miles' reception, everywhere he went, was akin to that for a rock star. Even his police escort couldn't resist grabbing a picture:

At least three news helicopters followed the Batman and Batkid cars everywhere they went:

Batkid's first job: save a woman who had been tied to the cable car tracks by the Riddler.

Less than half an hour later, Batkid apprehended the Riddler in a downtown bank vault.

The Penguin watched on social media in dismay:

We'll follow the continuing adventures of Batkid throughout the day — the Penguin has a few tricks up his sleeve yet.

Images: SF Make-a-Wish, Mashable

Topics: batman, Make a Wish, Social Good, U.S., US & World