Superheroes liven up election

There's something about a British general election that brings out oddballs, loons and eccentric buffoons who dream of making it to parliament.

In the runup to polling day on May 7, Britain's stuffy politicians are sharing the hustings with quirky candidates poking fun at the whole election ritual.

And in a campaign derided as flat and stage-managed, the new arrivals are bringing some much-needed merriment to proceedings.