Like a plague of locusts, the superhero movies descend on us this summer. August brings us "Hancock," with Will Smith as an alcoholic, irresponsible and quite unfunny superhero; "The Incredible Hulk," which is practically a remake of 2003's "Hulk (presumably Ang Lee's version wasn't stupid enough); and "The Dark Knight," Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated followup to "Batman Begins" (2005). Right around the corner, in September, is the launch of a new superhero movie franchise, Marvel's "Iron Man," with Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role.

Are we witnessing some sort of peak? Or is this the future of cinema, endless comic-book adaptations with $100-million-plus budgets and advertising campaigns as all-powerful as their masked avengers?

When did geek-boy culture take over the movies, anyway? Once upon a time, the original, campy "Batman" TV series was a cultural touchstone for the lunchbox set, while "Spiderman" and "Batman" alike were Saturday morning cartoon fodder for the kiddies. Comic books were best left behind at a certain age, unless one wished to wind up a FYOV (40-year-old virgin). When did superhero fare start being pitched to adults?