The latest movie in Marvel Universe is the much anticipated Avengers (titled Avengers Assemble in the UK and Ireland). The superhero film is produced by Marvel Studios and is being distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, and is based on the Marvel Comics superhero team The Avengers. Not surprisingly with Marvel and Disney involved, and a whole team of superheroes their are plenty of great toys, collectibles, action figures, sculptures, comics, books and other memorabilia available.
Pictured right: Avengers movie poster
The film is written and directed by Joss Whedon and features an ensemble cast that includes Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson.
Pictured left: Hammer Strike Thor Action Figure by Hasbro – Armed with the mighty hammer of Mjolnir, Thor will strike a blow for humanity with this detailed Hammer Strike Thor Action Figure. Pull Thor’s arm back and release to hurl hammer and intimidate his enemies with battle phrases and combat sounds!
In The Avengers, Nick Fury, director of the peacekeeping organization S.H.I.E.L.D., recruits Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk and Thor to form a team that must stop Thor’s brother Loki from enslaving the human race.
Pictured right: D23 Disney twenty-three Summer 2012 Magazine — Captain America — Membership Exclusive Cover – Disney twenty-three Magazine is an all-access pass to the magic of Disney’s past, present and future for members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans. This Summer 2012 issue is dedicated to the release of Marvel’s The Avengers.
Development of The Avengers began when Marvel Studios received a loan from Merrill Lynch in April 2005. After the success of the film Iron Man in May 2008, Marvel announced that The Avengers would be released in July 2011.
Pictured left: Ultra Strike Captain America Action Figure by Hasbro – This detailed Captain America Action Figure puts you in the heart of the battle for the planet. Hear him intimidate the enemy with battle cries. Pull his arm back to send his shield flying, and let the enemy know he will not accept defeat.
With the signing of Johansson in March 2009, the film was pushed back for a 2012 release. Whedon was brought on board in April 2010 and rewrote the screenplay originally written by Zak Penn. Production began in April 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio, in August and New York City in September. The film was converted to 3D in post-production.
Pictured right: Avengers minimates set featuring Hawkeye and Black Widow. There are initially 6 minimates sets in the series including Captain America and Thor, Chitauri General and Footsoldier, Iron Man and Hulk, Maria Hill and Chitauri Footsoldier, Hawkeye and Black Widow, Loki and Nick Fury.
The Avengers premiered on April 11, 2012, at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California, and received positive reviews from most film critics. The film became profitable within its first two weeks of release internationally and has set numerous box records including the biggest opening weekend in North America.
The Avengers Comic The Avengers first appeared in The Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963). The title was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, following the trend of super-hero teams after the success of DC Comics’ Justice League of America.
Pictured left and right: Avengers Assemble #1 – movie tie-in comic and Avengers Assemble variant comic edition
Labeled “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes”, the Avengers originally consisted of Iron Man (Tony Stark), Ant-Man (Dr. Henry Pym), Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), Thor, and the Hulk (Bruce Banner). The original Captain America was discovered by the team in issue #4, trapped in ice, and he joined the group when they revived him.
The rotating roster has become a hallmark of the team, although one theme remains consistent: the Avengers fight “the foes no single superhero can withstand”. The team, famous for its battle cry of “Avengers Assemble!”, has featured humans, mutants, robots, gods, aliens, supernatural beings, and even former villains.
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