I was never a regular reader of Marvel comics, or DC comics for that matter. I read Batman comics, and the occasional issue of Spider-Man, so I really had no expectations or hopes for Marvel’s self-produced series of films that began four years ago with 2008’s Iron Man. That turned out to be a great movie (and pretty much all of its greatness was on account of Robert Downey Jr.’s brilliant lead performance). Since then, four other Marvel movies (all of which take place in the same continuity) have been released to varying degrees of success. I enjoyed all of them on some level, but none were the equal of Tony Stark’s first adventure.

Well, that’s changed with the release of Marvel’s The Avengers, the superhero team-up that brings Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, and various agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. together for an epic battle against alien forces brought to Earth by villain Loki (Thor’s half-brother). Not only is The Avengers similar in tone to Iron Man, but it manages to be even more impressive than that film in a few key areas. Continue Reading