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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 is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
James Martin
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SF cheers on a hero

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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2 of 21 James Martin/CNET

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.

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