Times Square became a superhero battleground when a pair of costumed “crime fighters” traded punches with an angry passer-by — and Spider-Man even slung a web in self-defense.
José Escalona-Martinez, 41, was dressed as the vigilante crime fighter Batman and his buddy, Abdel Elkahezai, 35, was playing the web-slinging super hero Spider-Man when two rowdy men began heckling them at around 10:25 p.m. Saturday at 44th and Broadway, cops said.
Midtown law-enforcement officers needed to break up the scuffle between the costumed characters and their nemesis — Thomas Rorke, 23.
All three were charged with assault in the incident. But the superhero duo later claimed the whole messy slugfest was the fault of Rorke, saying he sexually harassed them. Elkahezai said Rorke grabbed Escalona-Martine, from behind and began to straddle him while screaming, “I’m gonna f–k you, Batman.”
When Spidey tried to shoo away the unruly duo, Rorke turned his glad hands toward the web-slinger and grabbed his buttocks, Elkahezai said.
Spidey then sprayed Rorke with his web — shot through a bottle of Silly String that he carries as a prop — and Rorke started throwing punches.
“They forget we are people,” Elkahezai complained about the rowdy tourists and pedestrians.
The Times Square super heroes were both charged with assault and harassment at Manhattan Criminal Court Sunday night. Elkahezai was released, while Escalona-Martinez was held in lieu of $750 bail.
Rorke, who cops said was charged with assault and released, could not be reached for comment Sunday night.
The incident comes amid a wild summer for Times Square’s costumed characters — including childhood idols such as Iron Man and Elmo, among countless others — who have experienced a series of busts for allegedly groping tourists and berating them for tips.
The pestering has gotten so bad that council member Andy King has proposed the panhandlers be required to pay $170 for a two-year license. King, a Democrat, proposed new legislation Wednesday that would require the brazen buskers to register with the Department of Consumer Affairs if they wish to continue posing with tourists for tips.