For this alternate history challenge, can you come up with a plausible, realistic timeline (i.e, no superpowers, guns still exist) in which vigilantes, or 'costumed heroes', akin to the 'Watchmen' universe, are actually a widespread cultural phenomenon? And where would be the most plausible place for the practice of 'costumed heroism' to become a respected, lawful institution? The USA, as in the Watchmen universe? Meiji-era Japan, perhaps (as an effort to redefine the role of the 'Samurai', or attempt at their revival in a crimefighting/peacekeeping role, rather than simply abolishing them as IOTL)? Or places like Somalia and the DR of Congo, in Sub-Saharan Africa in the present day (where policing by the authorities effectively doesn't exist- e.g, movements like these, but with better PR and celebrity status)?