Luke Burbank

I was in the Las Vegas airport when I noticed this guy dressed like Superman. I'm talking red boots, blue spandex leggings, a yellow belt, a big S on his chest, and of course, a long red cape. I was struck by how authentic the outfit was and the fact that he didn't have any baggage. No suitcase, no backpack, no wallet, no keys. He looked calm and happy and sort of out of place.

I was in the Las Vegas airport when I noticed this guy dressed like Superman. I'm talking red boots, blue spandex leggings, a yellow belt, a big S on his chest, and of course, a long red cape. I was struck by how authentic the outfit was and the fact that he didn't have any baggage. No suitcase, no backpack, no wallet, no keys. He looked calm and happy and sort of out of place.

Since I was in Las Vegas, I figured he was some performer from one of the casinos who was running late and didn't have time to change or something. I didn't think too much more about him until I was getting on the plane and noticed that there was much more excitement in the air than I'm used to on a flight home from Las Vegas. They were talking about this guy dressed as Superman.

Since I was in Las Vegas, I figured he was some performer from one of the casinos who was running late and didn't have time to change or something. I didn't think too much more about him until I was getting on the plane and noticed that there was much more excitement in the air than I'm used to on a flight home from Las Vegas. They were talking about this guy dressed as Superman.

Turns out he was sitting right behind me. At one point, the co-pilot got on the intercom and announced that Superman's hotel had called, and that he'd left his Pokemon pajamas in his room, and that they wanted to know where to send them. Everyone cracked up, including me. But Superman didn't say anything. He just sat there with a slight smile on his face.

Turns out he was sitting right behind me. At one point, the co-pilot got on the intercom and announced that Superman's hotel had called, and that he'd left his Pokemon pajamas in his room, and that they wanted to know where to send them. Everyone cracked up, including me. But Superman didn't say anything. He just sat there with a slight smile on his face.

During the flight, a steady stream of guys on their way to the bathroom would ask, Hey, Superman, what do you need the plane for? Women tended to ask why he had the costume on. Generally, he kept his answers short and polite. He didn't parade around the plane or call extra attention to himself, and I remember thinking that he seemed pretty normal for a guy in a Superman costume.

During the flight, a steady stream of guys on their way to the bathroom would ask, Hey, Superman, what do you need the plane for? Women tended to ask why he had the costume on. Generally, he kept his answers short and polite. He didn't parade around the plane or call extra attention to himself, and I remember thinking that he seemed pretty normal for a guy in a Superman costume.

My friends and I came up with a theory that he'd lost a bet, so when the plane stopped over in San Jose, I decided to talk to him. His real name is Mark Weisenbeek. I met with him a week later at his condo in Auburn, Washington, a suburb about 20 minutes south of Seattle. He wasn't wearing the costume when I showed up, and I asked him how often he actually did.

My friends and I came up with a theory that he'd lost a bet, so when the plane stopped over in San Jose, I decided to talk to him. His real name is Mark Weisenbeek. I met with him a week later at his condo in Auburn, Washington, a suburb about 20 minutes south of Seattle. He wasn't wearing the costume when I showed up, and I asked him how often he actually did.

Yeah, by the way, they didn't get on your nerves when they said that thing about your Pokemon pajamas? Nah.

Yeah, by the way, they didn't get on your nerves when they said that thing about your Pokemon pajamas? Nah.

His two-bedroom apartment is filled, and I mean filled, with Superman memorabilia. Superman dishes, Superman sheets on the bed, a Superman mouse pad, golf tees, paper clips, you name it. In the living room, just to the right of the TV, hang five Superman costumes side by side. Then there are the Batman masks, probably eight of them, sitting on dummy heads.

His two-bedroom apartment is filled, and I mean filled, with Superman memorabilia. Superman dishes, Superman sheets on the bed, a Superman mouse pad, golf tees, paper clips, you name it. In the living room, just to the right of the TV, hang five Superman costumes side by side. Then there are the Batman masks, probably eight of them, sitting on dummy heads.

It feels like a locker room for superheroes. He started dressing as Superman two years ago after his wife died in a car accident.

It feels like a locker room for superheroes. He started dressing as Superman two years ago after his wife died in a car accident.

Do you remember the first time you wore it out in public?

Do you remember the first time you wore it out in public?

Mark had always been a collector of Superman stuff, but after his wife died, he decided to go for broke and spend most of his money on an original costume from the TV show Superboy. He's only tried that costume on once. It's too special to wear outside.

Mark had always been a collector of Superman stuff, but after his wife died, he decided to go for broke and spend most of his money on an original costume from the TV show Superboy. He's only tried that costume on once. It's too special to wear outside.

Instead, he taught himself how to sew and started making his own Superman outfits, which, frankly, I thought were better looking than the one he bought. Mark also owns a Batman costume that George Clooney actually wore in the Batman movie. He wears Superman in the summer and Batman in the winter.

Instead, he taught himself how to sew and started making his own Superman outfits, which, frankly, I thought were better looking than the one he bought. Mark also owns a Batman costume that George Clooney actually wore in the Batman movie. He wears Superman in the summer and Batman in the winter.

The Batman outfit is made of foam rubber and is warmer, which he needs because he doesn't like to cover the costume with a coat when he goes outside.

The Batman outfit is made of foam rubber and is warmer, which he needs because he doesn't like to cover the costume with a coat when he goes outside.

Mark's attention to detail when it comes to his outfits is incredible. He says that authenticity is the key to being taken seriously.

Mark's attention to detail when it comes to his outfits is incredible. He says that authenticity is the key to being taken seriously.

Does it feel like, have you replaced your wife or the void that your wife's passing left? Have you replaced that a little bit with your pursuit of the Superman and Batman stuff?

Does it feel like, have you replaced your wife or the void that your wife's passing left? Have you replaced that a little bit with your pursuit of the Superman and Batman stuff?

Two or three times a week, Mark goes to bars in costume. I asked if I could go with him to see for myself. He suits up and we climb into his car, a white 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix with customized Superman plates.

Two or three times a week, Mark goes to bars in costume. I asked if I could go with him to see for myself. He suits up and we climb into his car, a white 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix with customized Superman plates.

Is that so your boots don't get scuffed?

Is that so your boots don't get scuffed?

So where do you figure Superman wants to go on a night like tonight?

So where do you figure Superman wants to go on a night like tonight?

Auburn, where Mark lives, is not exactly a hotbed of nighttime activity. Its claim to fame is that you drive through it to get to the area's only Ikea. At night, your options are fast food or a sports bar. We go to a sports bar. As we got closer, I started to get nervous. I worried we were going to get laughed right out of the place. Mark and I were like anti-superheroes.

Auburn, where Mark lives, is not exactly a hotbed of nighttime activity. Its claim to fame is that you drive through it to get to the area's only Ikea. At night, your options are fast food or a sports bar. We go to a sports bar. As we got closer, I started to get nervous. I worried we were going to get laughed right out of the place. Mark and I were like anti-superheroes.

He, a grown man dressed as Superman, me, a grown man following him around with headphones and a shotgun microphone. He was like super geek, and I was his geek protege. We pulled up to the SportsPage pub. Mark was excited. I was worried.

He, a grown man dressed as Superman, me, a grown man following him around with headphones and a shotgun microphone. He was like super geek, and I was his geek protege. We pulled up to the SportsPage pub. Mark was excited. I was worried.

It was Monday, so the bar was only about half full. Most of the people were in their 20s, and they were playing pool. A lot of them had tattoos and piercings. Mark said the crowd looked a little young. He said the outfit does best with people over 40, people who grew up with Superman.

It was Monday, so the bar was only about half full. Most of the people were in their 20s, and they were playing pool. A lot of them had tattoos and piercings. Mark said the crowd looked a little young. He said the outfit does best with people over 40, people who grew up with Superman.

Mark, who doesn't drink, gets a soda and goes straight for the area with the most people, in this case, over by the pool tables. He stands there with his Diet Coke and waits for people to approach. Out of the first six people we talked to, four had the same question.

Mark, who doesn't drink, gets a soda and goes straight for the area with the most people, in this case, over by the pool tables. He stands there with his Diet Coke and waits for people to approach. Out of the first six people we talked to, four had the same question.

I started to feel really protective of Mark. I wanted to explain to everybody the story of his wife dying. I wanted them to like him. But even though I thought things were going badly, Mark was enjoying himself, sipping his Coke and fielding questions about the costume. I should point out that Mark's in pretty good shape. He looks good in the costume.

I started to feel really protective of Mark. I wanted to explain to everybody the story of his wife dying. I wanted them to like him. But even though I thought things were going badly, Mark was enjoying himself, sipping his Coke and fielding questions about the costume. I should point out that Mark's in pretty good shape. He looks good in the costume.

After we'd been there about 20 minutes, we decided to leave. On the way out, we bumped into a group of guys sort of blocking the exit.

After we'd been there about 20 minutes, we decided to leave. On the way out, we bumped into a group of guys sort of blocking the exit.

The guy stood chest to chest with Mark for a second. Mark had told me he'd never had anyone try to beat him up before, and I was thinking this might be the first time. Then, before I knew it, the guy was giving Mark a hug. Not a full-blown hug. It was one of those I'm-not-gay side hugs that guys give each other.

The guy stood chest to chest with Mark for a second. Mark had told me he'd never had anyone try to beat him up before, and I was thinking this might be the first time. Then, before I knew it, the guy was giving Mark a hug. Not a full-blown hug. It was one of those I'm-not-gay side hugs that guys give each other.

Still, it was a pretty big change of attitude for someone who seemed ready to fight 30 seconds earlier. He was saying, dude, it takes a lot of guts to wear that, and that sucks about your wife.

Still, it was a pretty big change of attitude for someone who seemed ready to fight 30 seconds earlier. He was saying, dude, it takes a lot of guts to wear that, and that sucks about your wife.

When people talk to him like this, Mark chalks it up to the costume, but I'm not sure that I agree. I think they actually like him in spite of the costume. He's out there, all vulnerable, with no defenses and no aggression, and he's excited to be in spandex leggings and a superhero cape.

When people talk to him like this, Mark chalks it up to the costume, but I'm not sure that I agree. I think they actually like him in spite of the costume. He's out there, all vulnerable, with no defenses and no aggression, and he's excited to be in spandex leggings and a superhero cape.

It helps that he doesn't seem to notice when people laugh at the costume. He assumes that everyone who approaches him is into his outfit, and it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. He acts like they're into it, and so he acts nice. And when someone acts so nice, it wins them over.

It helps that he doesn't seem to notice when people laugh at the costume. He assumes that everyone who approaches him is into his outfit, and it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. He acts like they're into it, and so he acts nice. And when someone acts so nice, it wins them over.

February 28th was a crap day for Ewan Valentine of Solihull, England. He walked out of his house only to find that his beloved Honda Civic, a 2016 Type R custom racing model complete with rims and a spoiler, had been stolen. I was gutted, he told the BBC this week, and I was determined to get it replaced before one day I have to get something that's a little more family-friendly.

February 28th was a crap day for Ewan Valentine of Solihull, England. He walked out of his house only to find that his beloved Honda Civic, a 2016 Type R custom racing model complete with rims and a spoiler, had been stolen. I was gutted, he told the BBC this week, and I was determined to get it replaced before one day I have to get something that's a little more family-friendly.

February 28th was a crap day for Ewan Valentine of Solihull, England. He walked out of his house only to find that his beloved Honda Civic, a 2016 Type R custom racing model complete with rims and a spoiler, had been stolen. I was gutted, he told the BBC this week, and I was determined to get it replaced before one day I have to get something that's a little more family-friendly.

So that's exactly what Ewan did, jumping on the internet and managing to find a similar car for sale one town over. Valentine bought the car and was feeling good as he drove home until he started noticing things. A candy wrapper on the floor that looked kind of familiar. A peg for a tent that was like a tent he had. Even the car's smell. But that couldn't be, right? The VIN numbers were different.

So that's exactly what Ewan did, jumping on the internet and managing to find a similar car for sale one town over. Valentine bought the car and was feeling good as he drove home until he started noticing things. A candy wrapper on the floor that looked kind of familiar. A peg for a tent that was like a tent he had. Even the car's smell. But that couldn't be, right? The VIN numbers were different.

So that's exactly what Ewan did, jumping on the internet and managing to find a similar car for sale one town over. Valentine bought the car and was feeling good as he drove home until he started noticing things. A candy wrapper on the floor that looked kind of familiar. A peg for a tent that was like a tent he had. Even the car's smell. But that couldn't be, right? The VIN numbers were different.

Well, then he punched his address into the navigation and it was already pre-loaded. LAUGHTER as was his parents' address, as were all of his saved addresses because this was his car. A part of me felt triumphant, said Valentine, but then part of me felt stupid because I had just bought back my own car for 20,000 pounds.

Well, then he punched his address into the navigation and it was already pre-loaded. LAUGHTER as was his parents' address, as were all of his saved addresses because this was his car. A part of me felt triumphant, said Valentine, but then part of me felt stupid because I had just bought back my own car for 20,000 pounds.

Well, then he punched his address into the navigation and it was already pre-loaded. LAUGHTER as was his parents' address, as were all of his saved addresses because this was his car. A part of me felt triumphant, said Valentine, but then part of me felt stupid because I had just bought back my own car for 20,000 pounds.

Uh, this is going to be the outtakes for people that support public radio at a very high dollar number.

Uh, this is going to be the outtakes for people that support public radio at a very high dollar number.

Uh, this is going to be the outtakes for people that support public radio at a very high dollar number.

That would be horribly cruel. Yeah, that would be pretty dark. Lovingly, it's a burger joint. It's a burger joint. Are the people, is their age?

That would be horribly cruel. Yeah, that would be pretty dark. Lovingly, it's a burger joint. It's a burger joint. Are the people, is their age?

That would be horribly cruel. Yeah, that would be pretty dark. Lovingly, it's a burger joint. It's a burger joint. Are the people, is their age?

Oh, okay. Is this a... Robots. It is a robot burger joint.

Oh, okay. Is this a... Robots. It is a robot burger joint.

Oh, okay. Is this a... Robots. It is a robot burger joint.

I'm doing this to work my way through community college.

I'm doing this to work my way through community college.

I'm doing this to work my way through community college.

Wait a minute. Jeff Bezos was being mean to someone?

Wait a minute. Jeff Bezos was being mean to someone?

Wait a minute. Jeff Bezos was being mean to someone?

It's like Janice's browsing history involves zero candy purchases, and one day she goes for $4,000 of dum-dums. That seems, you're right, Shantira, that's something the computer could catch.

It's like Janice's browsing history involves zero candy purchases, and one day she goes for $4,000 of dum-dums. That seems, you're right, Shantira, that's something the computer could catch.

It's like Janice's browsing history involves zero candy purchases, and one day she goes for $4,000 of dum-dums. That seems, you're right, Shantira, that's something the computer could catch.

He only did it 200 times. He did this because the eyelash removal surgery didn't fully masculinize him. Exactly.

He only did it 200 times. He did this because the eyelash removal surgery didn't fully masculinize him. Exactly.

He only did it 200 times. He did this because the eyelash removal surgery didn't fully masculinize him. Exactly.

Bring out the water, Maka said.

Bring out the water, Maka said.

Bring out the water, Maka said.

We got a new pope. Bite me.

We got a new pope. Bite me.

We got a new pope. Bite me.

Do you like to kick it at the Mount Lake Terrace pavilion?

Do you like to kick it at the Mount Lake Terrace pavilion?

Do you like to kick it at the Mount Lake Terrace pavilion?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Exactly. I would like to say, as a podcaster, this is ridiculous. Unless I'm nominated, in which case, let's give it a moment, everyone.

Exactly. I would like to say, as a podcaster, this is ridiculous. Unless I'm nominated, in which case, let's give it a moment, everyone.

Exactly. I would like to say, as a podcaster, this is ridiculous. Unless I'm nominated, in which case, let's give it a moment, everyone.

You're like white water canoeing? That's a sport?

You're like white water canoeing? That's a sport?

You're like white water canoeing? That's a sport?

Yay! Yay! Luke Burbank. Ketchup on a hot dog is now a mortal sin. LAUGHTER

Yay! Yay! Luke Burbank. Ketchup on a hot dog is now a mortal sin. LAUGHTER

Yay! Yay! Luke Burbank. Ketchup on a hot dog is now a mortal sin. LAUGHTER

That will be an interesting data point for the White Sox, who have not been so great recently. Not good, no. To see if their fortunes improve now that they have a direct line. Exactly. The creator.

That will be an interesting data point for the White Sox, who have not been so great recently. Not good, no. To see if their fortunes improve now that they have a direct line. Exactly. The creator.

That will be an interesting data point for the White Sox, who have not been so great recently. Not good, no. To see if their fortunes improve now that they have a direct line. Exactly. The creator.

They've been telling me that for years at the airport. Mr. Burbank, you need a real ID. This does not count that you have a note from your mom, sir.

They've been telling me that for years at the airport. Mr. Burbank, you need a real ID. This does not count that you have a note from your mom, sir.

They've been telling me that for years at the airport. Mr. Burbank, you need a real ID. This does not count that you have a note from your mom, sir.

I have a quote-unquote real ID, but I don't remember what I had to do differently to get that. It was just when I was renewing my driver's license, I think. What is elevating the security of these IDs over the ones that we all have?

I have a quote-unquote real ID, but I don't remember what I had to do differently to get that. It was just when I was renewing my driver's license, I think. What is elevating the security of these IDs over the ones that we all have?

I have a quote-unquote real ID, but I don't remember what I had to do differently to get that. It was just when I was renewing my driver's license, I think. What is elevating the security of these IDs over the ones that we all have?

Catch up on your Judge Judy. Muted.

Catch up on your Judge Judy. Muted.

Catch up on your Judge Judy. Muted.

You know, was it like Tip O'Neill that said all politics is local, meaning, you know, I don't care that much about this story, but based on my track record, talk to me when divorces get more expensive, because that's really my sweet spot. Exactly. Exactly.

You know, was it like Tip O'Neill that said all politics is local, meaning, you know, I don't care that much about this story, but based on my track record, talk to me when divorces get more expensive, because that's really my sweet spot. Exactly. Exactly.

You know, was it like Tip O'Neill that said all politics is local, meaning, you know, I don't care that much about this story, but based on my track record, talk to me when divorces get more expensive, because that's really my sweet spot. Exactly. Exactly.

I see you.

I see you.

I see you.

Shaving... Is it eyebrows? Lower. Okay. Okay. A little bit lower. Soul patch. Higher. Okay. We're narrowing in on it here. Mustache. Eyelashes. Yes. Eyelashes. Eyelashes.

Shaving... Is it eyebrows? Lower. Okay. Okay. A little bit lower. Soul patch. Higher. Okay. We're narrowing in on it here. Mustache. Eyelashes. Yes. Eyelashes. Eyelashes.

Shaving... Is it eyebrows? Lower. Okay. Okay. A little bit lower. Soul patch. Higher. Okay. We're narrowing in on it here. Mustache. Eyelashes. Yes. Eyelashes. Eyelashes.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

That's a very real story.

That's a very real story.

That's a very real story.