The dreams of many a comic book fanboy were answered today when Marvel released the first official trailer for Joss Whedon's forthcoming adaptation of The Avengers which stars Robert Downey Jr., Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, and others.

Of course, fans were treated to a first look teaser of The Avengers via a little video "button" that followed the credits of this summer's Captain America. But this one's a full trailer that highlights the ultimate comic book geek's dream team with appearances by Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, Nick Fury, Hawkeye and many of the other popular crime-fighting heroes as they square off against an unseen villain(s) who seems to be wreaking all kinds of Michael Bay havoc on the city.

Visually, it's a spectacularly done trailer that gives ample screen time (as ample as can be in a 2-minute trailer) to all the major players without revealing or spoiling too much of the plot. Still to be realized though are all the characters coming together as The Avengers which supposedly will be a bit understated as this is, after all, an origin story.

In the meantime, enjoy the trailer below or head over to Apple to catch it in HD.

The Avengers will hit theaters on May 4, 2012. It will certainly be a long, cold winter for those anxiously waiting to get their geek on.