Putting Sidekicks and other people affiliated with bigger heroes aside, who are some lesser known heroes operating out of cities generally more associated with other heroes?
Like I'm thinking heroes operating out of cities like Metropolis or Gotham who have nothing to do with Superman or Batman.
Let me pick just one example to avoid this turning into a second thesis paper. I'm pretty sure the first one killed part of my brain.
In Gotham City's suburban Gotham Village neighborhood, there's a peculiar ritual among the children of the community. When a crime has occurred, usually a violent crime, most often murder and the crime goes "unpunished" in the communities eyes (Usually due to Gotham being Gotham, a mix of police incompetence, judicial corruption or both) the children will gather on the edge of the village park as the sun sets.
The group is never more or less than 20, holding hands near the park's entrance where they repeat a rhyme.
"Lurks in Shadows. Hides in the park.
Simon. Simon. Simon Dark.
If you're good he'll stay away.
If you're bad he'll make you pay.
Lurks in Shadows. Hides in the park.
Simon. Simon. Simon Dark."
What is assumed to be a nursery rhyme by onlookers is actually closer to a prayer, of retribution. And in that night he will appear.
(The only half clear photo of the "man" called Simon Dark, ripping the roof off the car of local gangster "Cyclops" Vincent who had earlier that week been aquitted of the murder of a local business owner. Vincent was never seen or heard from again and his car was discovered the next day, overturned in a ditch ten miles down)
Simon Dark, whatever he or it is, only operates in Gotham Village and is identified (as much in legend as in fact) with a chalky white face stapled together from multiple humans, red striped shirt and ratty black long coat.
Local folklore identifies his ability to overcome physical damage, superhuman strength, speed and durability, several occult abilities and shapeshifting his face into any one of 20 boys who went missing in the village many years ago.
His is not known to associate with any other heroes or heroic organizations, not even the Bat Family. Neither the Bats nor the City government have ever acknowledged his existence at all.
And yet, when the people of the Gotham Village feel wronged, and that wrong goes unpunished. They gather, 20 children, hand in hand.
And they speak his name. A prayer for retribution.
