JOPLIN, Mo. — The summer blockbuster season will be defined by super skills and colorful costumes.

The first act of the season brought “The Avengers,” a record breaker at the box office that brought together Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, the Incredible Hulk and several other heroes to protect the Earth.

But not even that movie’s all-star cast could build as much anticipation as “The Dark Knight Rises,” the final chapter in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Also set for release is another reboot of the webbed wonder’s story in “The Amazing Spider-Man.”

This season isn’t all about superheroes in stretchy pants, however. Other big films include a sci-fi thriller with “Alien” origins, a new chapter of the Jason Bourne story, a new Pixar film, a crime drama packed with outstanding actors and a retelling of a president’s pre-political life (it involves vampires).

Here’s some of our anticipated blockbusters for the summer movie season:



Prometheus

Release date: Today

Rating: R

Director Ridley Scott has said that “Prometheus” isn’t exactly a prequel to his terrifying, genre-breaking “Alien.” Decades before the Nostromo landed on that fateful planet, the crew of the Prometheus embark on a deep-space mission after discovering instructions in archaeological sites.

What the crew finds has serious implications for not only themselves, but the rest of the world.

Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron and Idris Elba star.



Brave

Release date: June 22

Rating: PG

Pixar has a stellar reputation for excellent story-writing and beautiful animation that looks good in two or three dimensions.

“Brave” is about a princess who defies custom and brings chaos to her kingdom. When she gets a chance to make a wish in order to undo a curse, she relies on her bravery and archery.

Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Craig Ferguson and Robbie Coltrane provide voices for the main characters. What makes “Brave” different from other Pixar movies? John Ratzenberger might use a Scottish accent.



Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Release date: June 22

Rating: R

Before Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, he saved the world from vampires. Didn’t learn that in school, did you?

Based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, the story features Lincoln’s early days spent avenging his mother and bashing bloodsuckers.

Benjamin Walker plays Lincoln. The movie also features Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Alan Tudyk and Rufus Sewell.



The Amazing Spider-Man

Release date: July 3

Rating: PG-13

Apparently, one reboot wasn’t enough. Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” from 2002 featured the origin of Peter Parker’s web-slinging alter-ego. Along the way, the movie helped usher in a new era of comic-book movies made with fans in mind, featuring solid writing and heavy reliance on source material.

Whether Marc Webb’s reboot, “The Amazing Spider-Man,” can do the same remains to be seen.

Andrew Garfield plays the web-slinger in the story, in which Peter investigates what happened to his parents and how he got his spidey senses.



The Dark Knight Rises

Release date: July 20

Rating: PG-13

Eight years after Batman took the blame for the crimes of Harvey Dent (aka Two-Face), a new criminal named Bane begins a plan to destroy Gotham City. Bruce Wayne feels compelled to again don the cowl and assist the police in the fight.

The movie is the final chapter in Nolan’s vision of a realistic Gotham City, erasing the hideous, gaudy Gotham envisioned by Joel Schumacher.

Christian Bale returns as the gravelly-voiced crimefighter. Tom Hardy takes on Bane and Anne Hathaway plays Selina Kyle / Catwoman, who gets involved in the fight.



The Bourne Legacy

Release date: Aug. 3

Rating: PG-13

When the events of “The Bourne Ultimatum” expose the CIA’s Operation Outcome, the operation is shut down. Naturally, that means killing the agents who are part of it.

Based on the world created by Robert Ludlum and expanded by Eric Lustbader, “The Bourne Legacy” stars Jeremy Renner as Cross and Rachel Weisz as Snyder.

It also features Edward Norton, Joan Allen and David Strathairn (who recently came to Joplin to perform a reading of the Book of Job).



The Expendables 2

Release date: Aug. 17

Rating: R

The beefcakes are back for another round of ‘80s action, only this time with more computer animation.

The Expendables reunite for what should be an easy paycheck, but one of their own is murdered after —you know what? We don’t care about the story. It’s about Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jet Li and Arnold Schwarzenegger doing epic things and reciting pithy lines.

Only this time, Chuck Norris gets involved.



Lawless

Release date: Aug. 31

Rating: Not available

A bootlegging gang living in Depression-era Franklin County, Va., are threatened by authorities enforcing Prohibition, who also want a cut of the gang’s profits.

The film is loosely based on “The Wettest County in the World” by Matt Bondurant, whose elders were members of the gang.

Directed by John Hillcoat, the movie features a cast packed with talent, including Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska. It also stars Shia LaBeouf.