Photos: Batkid saves San Francisco

Batkid
Miles Scott, dressed as Batkid, right, walks with Batman before saving a damsel in distress in San Francisco, Friday, Nov. 15, 2013.
Jeff Chiu/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A 5-year-old Northern California boy who has battled leukemia for years became a darling of social media and attracted thousands of fans at home and around the country -- including the president -- as he took on the persona of his favorite superhero.

Dressed in Batman's signature cape and mask, Miles Scott faced foe after foe around San Francisco on Friday, drawing huge crowds and fulfilling his greatest wish in the process. Miles was able to fulfill his wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the city and volunteers who stepped forward to help.

The White House sent out a tweet encouraging Batkid to "Go get 'em!" and in a video recording, President Barack Obama said, "Way to go, Miles! Way to save Gotham!"

Batkid was called into service by Police Chief Greg Suhr and spent the day zooming from one "crime scene" to the next. Accompanied by an adult Batman impersonator, Batkid rescued a damsel in distress from cable car tracks, captured the Riddler as he robbed a bank, and saved the San Francisco Giants mascot -- Lou Seal -- from the Penguin's clutches.