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Image: Captain America
Marvel Studios
Captain America isn't afraid to wear the red, white and blue.
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updated 7/23/2011 6:03:19 PM ET 2011-07-23T22:03:19

The problem with the summer of the superhero movie is there are so many superhero movies to keep straight.

Next up: "Captain America: The First Avenger," which throws its mighty shield into the ring on Friday.

Here are some cool things to know about the film that isn't Thor. Or Green Lantern. Or X-Men: First Class. Or...

RELATED: Say, do you know what your superhero name is?

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1. It's Got Good Buzz
"From everything I'm hearing, 'Captain America' is a pretty good movie," Hollywood.com box-office analyst Paul Dergarbedian tells us. Accordingly, he expects the flick to sell tickets more like the worldwide hit "Thor" than the worldwide dud "Green Lantern"--even if the Captain does have the toughest competition of them all: the history-maker "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."

Video: Watch the 'Captain America' trailer (on this page)

2. It's Not Being Treated Like the Ugly American
Who says France doesn't love us? As reported last week, only three foreign countries, Russia, South Korea and Ukraine, are excising Captain America from the title, and selling the movie to their audiences as simply "The First Avenger."

Slideshow: Best and worst superhero costumes (on this page)

3. It's a Fitness-Buff's Dream (or Is That Nightmare?)
Maybe you've heard? Star Chris Evans got a tad ripped to play the star-spangled, World War II hero. But maybe you haven't heard (or read on Superhero Hype) that digital-effects artists unripped Evans in order to make him believable as the pre-transformed, 98-pound weakling, Steve Rogers. (All those pecs--gone! The horror!)

Interactive: Evolution of the movie (and TV) superhero (on this page)

4. It's a Must-See for Anybody Who Plans on Seeing 'The Avengers'
If you've never opened a comic, watched an Avengers cartoon, perused the insanely complete Marvel Universe Wiki and/or have lived under a rock, then the following may be a spoiler: Per superhero lore, Captain America gets frozen in the sea only to be unfrozen decades later by Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and friends--aka, The Avengers. So, yeah, we're betting Captain America will feature a setup for Joss Whedon's all-star team-up flick due out next year. (Real-deal spoiler alert: Spinoff Online claims it's got the goods on exactly what's going to be teased--and when.)

Story: Why 'Batman' is way cooler than 'Captain America'

5. If You Start Wondering if J.D. Salinger's Son Looked Much Like J.D. Salinger, Then You're Watching the Wrong Movie
Granted, we have no idea how you'd find the 1990 "Captain America" in a theater this weekend, but stranger things have happened--like, the low-budget 1990 "Captain America," starring Matt Salinger.

WATCH: Get your Captain America sneak peek here!

© 2012 E! Entertainment Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Video: Evans: It was 'terrifying' being Capt. America

Photos: Best and worst superhero costumes

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  1. Old-fashioned 'America'

    In the 2011 film "Captain America," Chris Evans' costume is meant to resemble a World War II airman's jumpsuit, director Joe Johnston told Entertainment Weekly. It's modest and practical, a far cry from the tight Spandex sported by many heroes. Evans told MTV News the costume was "not comfortable" but that the redesigned version he wears in "The Avengers" is more more modern and "looks fantastic." (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
  2. Costume of the gods

    "Thor" isn't just a superhero, he's a Norse god, and his armor and cape reflect that. The L.A. Times reported that Chris Hemsworth was so afraid he wouldn't look strong enough to play the role that he worked out too much -- and for a while, his costume was too tight. He reportedly backed off on the workouts and his costume was altered to fit. (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
  3. Cold as ice

    January Jones looks breathtakingly cold as Emma Frost in 2011's "X-Men: First Class." Jones told MTV her favorite costume from the film involved a fur cape. (20th Century Fox) Back to slideshow navigation
  4. Not easy being 'Green'

    In 2011's "Green Lantern," part of Ryan Reynolds' glowing costume was CGI-generated, a decision which did not delight fanboys. (Warner Bros) Back to slideshow navigation
  5. I am 'Iron Man'

    Anyone could be inside Robert Downey Jr's "Iron Man" costume, but it's still recognized as one of the cooler hero costumes in recent years. You may also see it at your doorstep come October -- it's a popular Halloween choice. (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
  6. Regular Joe

    Some superheroes don't really need Spandex. Seth Rogen pretty much just donned a mask to play 2011's "Green Hornet." (Columbia Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
  7. Does whatever a spider can

    We're used to seeing Spider-Man in red, white and blue, but in 2007's "Spider-Man 3," Peter Parker's suit mysteriously changes to black, bringing out the dark side of the hero. (Sony Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
  8. Bluer than blue

    In 2000's "X-Men," Mystique's blue skin sets her apart from the other heroes. (20th Century Fox) Back to slideshow navigation
  9. Most embarrassing costume ever?

    Yes, that's George Clooney in the costume on the left, starring in 1997's "Batman & Robin." For some reason, the costume sported visible nipples, one of the oddest choices in superhero costuming ever. In the photo at right, Michael Keaton wears a more traditional batsuit in 1989's "Batman." (Warner Bros.) Back to slideshow navigation
  10. Mrow!

    Some of the more notable comic-book costumes for women are that of slinky, sexy "Catwoman." Here, Michelle Pfeiffer plays her in 1992's "Batman Returns," while Halle Berry shows a little more skin in 2004's "Catwoman." Obviously, the costume designer took the words "cat suit" to heart. (Warner Bros.) Back to slideshow navigation
  11. A classic

    Few superhero costumes stand the test of time as well as that worn by the late Christopher Reeve in 1978's "Superman." (Warner Bros.) Back to slideshow navigation
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  1. Paramount Pictures
    Above: Slideshow (11) Best and worst superhero costumes
  2. Marvel Entertainment
    Slideshow (31) Hollywood’s shirtless studs
  3. Image:
    Universal Pictures
    Slideshow (22) Summer blockbusters

Timeline: Evolution of the movie (and TV) superhero

From George Reeves' tights-wearing "Superman" to Chris Evans' hunky "Captain America," the size and build of cinematic heroes has changed over the years.

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