The arrival of X-Men: Days Of Future Past leaves James wondering: are we suffering from superhero overkill?

Superheroes and more superheroes.

Oh, and supervillains as well.

Superheroes and supervillains and some of the superheroes are teaming up with other superheroes and assembling superhero teams.

Likewise, some of the supervillains are getting together with other supervillains to create supervillain supergroups.

Erm, S.H.I.E.L.D.?

I think this is what scientists like Bruce Banner or Reed Richards call exponential growth.

Significant proliferation has occurred and, as a result, were seeing more superheroes than ever before.

Were going to need more films to fit all these extraordinary characters in.

It also, perhaps most crucially of all, requires the good will of audiences.

We already know thatX-Men: Apocalypseis due in 2016.

I think this is what scientists that scientist undoubtedly Dr Hank McCoy call X-ponential growth.

Meanwhile, Marvels rival publishing house DC Comics also have their eyes on aggressive expansion in the movie sphere.

(renewed for a second season).

Have we gone too far with the whole superhero thing?

Cough, Tony Stark, cough cough).

Its obvious that the Marvel Cinematic Universe phenomenon is the influential impetus that has galvanised other studios to action.

Observing the huge popularity, profit-generation and creative vigour of the MCU, this follow-the-leader strategy is easily understandable.

I distinguish the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the exception that rules not something exceptional that should become the rule.

Not every idea or brand entity needs to evolve into an elaborate multiverse.

Who stands out when everyone is outstanding and when outstanding becomes normalised and mundane?

The future is full of superheroes, but it feels more pea-souper than super from this perspective.

Maybe we need to swap our superheroes for something or someone else.

Erm, hail Hydra?

James Clayton is the hero you deserve, but hes not the one you need right now.

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You canread James last column here.