Heroes, villains swarm annual Comic Con

The biggest comic book convention in the world was held, San Diego Comic-Con International, but, besides comics, it also brought news on video games, movies and television.

Panels are held every day, in which actors and directors discuss what they've been working on without giving away too much information.

Marvel Comics' film studios were leading the pack with news, focusing on their films "Thor," expected to be out next summer and "Captain America: the First Avenger" to be released sometime in 2011.

However, the company's biggest announcement was the finalized cast for the team film "The Avengers."

To be directed by Joss Whedon, the film will see Robert Downey Jr. reprise his role as "Iron Man" Tony Stark, as well as Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson returning to their roles from the franchise.

Even though their films aren't out yet, actors Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans will be playing Thor and Captain America, respectively.

Newcomers to the Marvel movie-verse will be actor Jeremy Renner, star of "The Hurt Locker," as purple-clad bowman Hawkeye and Mark Ruffalo replacing Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner, better known as The Hulk.

"I think it's well-known that Jeremy Renner is joining us as Hawkeye, which is so exciting for me and the rest of the cast," said Whedon to OnTheRedCarpet.com, referring to rumors about the actor's casting that had been swirling before the convention's start.

Warner Brothers also held a panel on their DC Comics-based film "Green Lantern" featuring the movie's stars Ryan Reynolds, Mark Strong and Peter Sarsgaard, among others.

Although there weren't any large announcements about the film itself, footage from the film was released, focusing on the constructs that the Green Lantern can create, as well as some of the aliens and villains that will be featured in the movie.

There was also a tender moment between a young fan and star Ryan Reynolds who recited the oath that is identified with his character, much to the audience's delight.

Outside of comic book-based films, there was also a video released of Johnny Depp, in character as Captain Jack Sparrow, giving the viewing audience some information about his next adventure for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," discussing the inclusion of both zombies and mermaids and ending the message with "Bloody Mary's all around, its on the mouse."

Television was also a big thing at the con, and, while comic books received a large amount of focus, there were plenty of other shows hosting panels.

AMC showed the first snippet of footage for their show "The Walking Dead," based on the Image Comics series of the same name, as well as announcing new cast members for the show.

Another Image Comics series, "Chew," will also be receiving the television treatment.

Tech channel G4 announced that in 2011 they will air four anime-influenced series based on Marvel comics franchises X-men, Iron Man, Wolverine and Blade, each show lasting 12 episodes each.

Science-fiction show "V" discussed their plans for the next season as focusing on aliens fighting humans, as well as why aliens came to Earth in the first place.

Making a return appearance was Fox show "Glee," a show that has been welcomed by many due to its use of popular geek icons such as Joss Whedon and Neil Patrick Harris.

Quite a few of the musical show's plans for next season were revealed as well, plot lines such as gay teen Kurt getting a boyfriend and an episode based on Britney Spears.

"The second season is designed to be a little more intimate," said show creator Ryan Murphy during the panel, discussing how there will be more characterization of the cast as well as the introduction of family members.

Cartoons also received attention, with shows "Young Justice" and "Transformers: Prime" both revealing information about the characters that will be featured on the shows.

The video game news at the convention was dominated by Japanese giant Capcom.

They started off the convention by announcing two new characters, Thor and Amaterasu, for the game "Marvel vs. Capcom 3."

"Mega Man Universe," a series that had been teased before the convention, was given its first official coverage, allowing players to customize the playable version of the Blue Bomber.

"You'll be able to play as the Mega Man of your dreams," said Keiji Inafune, Capcom's Global Head of Production, during the panel.

The company also announced another crossover game, "Street Fighter X Tekken," where Street Fighter characters such as Ryu and Chun-Li will face off against Namco Bandai's Tekken warriors such as Kazuya Mishima.

Meanwhile, Namco Bandai is also developing their own version titled "Tekken X Street Fighter," with each company using their popular art styles and combat systems in their own version of the game.

However, not everyone had a good time at the convention.

Universal Pictures had their panel interrupted when two men started to fight during it, the fight ending when one man stabbed the other in the eye with a pen, according to San Diego police.

The identities of the men have not yet been released.

The next San Diego Comic-Con International will be hosted from July 21 to July 24, with the official Comic-Con website teasing that online registration will be opening soon.