The Avengers

So you’ve been keeping track of the movies coming out of the Marvel Universe lately. You’ve seen both Hulk movies, both Iron Mans (and you’re looking forward to the third one), Thor, and Captain America. You’re probably wondering where the franchise is headed now that “The Avengers” is on DVD. We all know how the entertainment industry has a bad habit of deep-sixing the golden goose, so we’ll have to wait and see. While you’re waiting, you’re probably getting all kinds of questions from friends who aren’t exactly initiates in the comic book world. What’s so hot about a guy who turns into a big green monster when he gets angry, anyway? Well, that can be a little hard to explain to the kind of person who doesn’t already “get it”. If you want to try anyway, I gathered some clips to get you started anyway.

The Avengers

These are a team of heroes whose membership often changes in the comics but whose mainstays include Captain America, Thor and Iron Man. They frequently foil the schemes of major villains to keep Earth safe.

Captain America

Following his successful battle against the scheming of Red Skull, Captain America has been trapped in ice for decades. Returning to a barely recognizable America, he brings his brand of “old-fashioned heroism” to the fight against Loki.

Thor

Having regained his place as a prince of Asgaard, Thor returns to Earth in search of his brother Loki. Finding a resentful brother bent on revenge against Earth, he joins the Avengers to stop his plotting and save Earth from the upcoming invasion.

Iron Man

Still stinging from a negative report filed with S.H.E.I.L.D., Iron Man is reluctant to get involved. He finally agrees when he sees exactly what Earth is up against. That doesn’t stop him from sparring with his fellow Avengers.

Hulk

Now hiding in a remote corner of the world, Hulk has gotten better at his temper. S.H.E.I.L.D. still keeps an eye on him and moves to recruit him when the threat to Earth closes in.

Black Widow

Last seen helping Iron Man in his fight against Whiplash, Black Widow is one of S.H.E.I.L.D.’s top agents. Still struggling with guilt from her troubled past, she has turned to the fight against both the dark underworld she used to serve, and the galactic forces now threatening Earth. As you can see in this video, she can handle herself against any man.

Hawkeye

S.H.E.I.L.D.’s top marksman, Hawkeye makes his own explosive arrows. He has an independent streak that led to his recruiting Black Widow rather than killing her as he was assigned to do.

Nick Fury

Nick Fury is the director of S.H.E.I.L.D. who has turned in a negative report on Iron Man and clashed with Thor. Though forced to officially end the Avengers Initiative, he keeps an eye on its members and is ready to call them together at need.

Loki

“But when do I get my own movie?” Maybe when you quit the resentful younger brother act, kid. Exiled from Asgaard, Loki plots his revenge against Earth with a mysterious ally and may not realize exactly what he’s getting into.

Watch “The Avengers” with Roku

Stream your favorite superhero movies directly to your television with the Netflix-enabled streaming device Roku. “The Avengers” and related characters and imagery belong to Marvel Comics.