The rock bands these days seem like the same bands of a decade ago, only younger. And the same can be said for municipal superheroes. The ones we’ve glimpsed along the skyline at dusk in recent months (yeah, we’re capespotters; go make fun) are decked out like their forebears. But it would take a lot of looking the other way to accept that these are the same heroes, or even blood relations of those heroes.

In Gotham City alone, we’ve seen a younger, blonder Batgirl, the nimblest Robin in decades and what seem to be a plethora of Batmen. Has someone started a franchise?

Alas, not much is known about the habitats and nesting habits of superheroes, especially the more batlike ones. More’s the pity. Over in Metropolis, Superman has subjected himself to numerous scientific tests over the years, and his younger self has even reportedly been cloned. The man himself is currently hiking cross-country, allowing hordes of gawkers the opportunity to observe him and his legendary muscles up close.

Some worry about this preponderance of new batpeople the way we worry about the woods around the city when the deer or bear populations rise.

Batfolks skulk and hide and do their work in secrecy. They have been accused of holding vigilante philosophies and using illegal work methods.

On the other hand, more of a unified bat culture could result in more communication among the heroes, and hopefully more accountability and moral fervor.

Unless bats just don’t swoop that way.