What may be two of the biggest and most anticipated superhero movies ever are both hitting theaters everywhere next summer, and they are competing on every possible front. We are of course referring to classic fanboy battle of Marvel vs. DC, or in the case of their upcoming respective films, The Avengers vs. The Dark Knight Rises.

Disney and Warner Bros. both held back when it came to showing off their flagship blockbusters at Comic-Con but there's no shortage of marketing materials and spoilers coming out of each film's production anyway, and by that I mean viral marketing, unintentional viral marketing as a result of shooting the films public. Today's addition to the library of candid unofficial set photos and videos focuses in on a scene of The Avengers featuring Thor and Captain America fighting together in costume.

The Pittsburgh production of The Dark Knight Rises introduced us to Bane and Catwoman in costume along with the film's iconic vehicles, revealing several key moments and plot points of the film. For The Avengers, we're learning more about the team's battle with a mysterious new foe...

Before moving on to the goodies, be forewarned that all of what you'll see below is entering spoiler territory. You may be familiar with the characters and costumes of Chris Hemsworth's Thor and Chris Evans' Cap, but what's occurring and who else is involved has only begun to unfold in the public's eye and some may wish to save the surprise until the official trailer for The Avengers or until the movie debuts next May.

*

**

***

**

*

*SPOILERS*

*

**

***

**

*

Below is a gallery of photos, followed by three videos of our heroes in action.

 

Captain America isn't feeling too great and it's self-evident as to why - Falling through windows onto cars even hurts super soldiers. Now for videos of the first Avenger and the Asgardian Avenger in battle:

Some of the most fun and exciting moments of The Avengers will be when the team forms to fight a common threat together, and this is our first hint of that happening. The best part for me is seeing Evans and Hemsworth laughing and chatting it up in between takes, showing the team dynamic working both on and off the screens. That and Thor bringing hammer time to that sedan. Car, meet Mjolnir.

If you missed the, check out the previous set photos of Chris Evans in his Captain America costume, also fighting stuntmen in mo-cap suits. Those images also reveal one of the enemy's weapons, hinting that these are likely the long-rumored Skrull or Kree alien forces.

Who do you think The Avengers are fighting and how will they look compared to their designs in Marvel Comics?

The Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston and Stellan Skarsgard. It is of course written and directed by Joss Whedon, opening in theaters on May 4, 2012.

-

Follow me on Twitter @ rob_keyes.

Sources: Splash News, NewsNet5