What is "The Avengers?"

In the comic books, The Avengers is a team of several different superheroes that band together to face a larger-than-life threat. Owned by Marvel Comics, the Avengers originally consisted of Ant-Man, Wasp, Thor, Iron Man, and the Hulk. It is kind of like Marvel's version of the Justice League - you know, the much better superhero team made up of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, etc. "The Avengers," set to release on May 4, 2012, is directed by Joss Whedon (of "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" fame) and stars Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Evans.