I was sitting at dinner with a group of people I meet once a week. The topic turned to Avengers (I wonder why?). I was the lead geek at the table. It is a loud interesting group with different perspectives an opinions so I had to keep it brief before I lost their attention. Here are some of the questions I tried to answer and add some fun facts:

(Hadn't seen the movie.) How did Captain American return to modern times?

The Super-Soldier Serum prevented him from aging so he was in something a like a cryogenic state until they discovered him. (Not sure if cryogenic is the right state and explaining how he was found in the comics would take too long.)

Who is Hawkeye?

For the purpose of seeing the movie, he is a guy with a bow. He has a problem with authority figures in the comics.

Who is the Black Widow?

For the purpose of the seeing the movie: A former Russian spy. She was originally a villain featured in the Iron Man comics (I am sure I messed that up a little) a Soviet Spy. Marvel was looking for a bad-ass female hero who didn't look like a wasp, who was the original token female character.

Who is Bane?

The guy who broke Batman's back and spirit in the comics. The mask pumps something like super soldier serum/steroids into his system. The co-creator of the character is from around here.

Who is Talia Al Ghul?

Ra's daughter and leader of the League of Assassins when her dad isn't being resurrected. (That's the best way I can describe her.)

And that was how long the conversation stayed on super-heroes and turned to the Hunger Games and the last Harry Potter movies. I know I botched a ton of facts but I needed to keep it simple. I am betting many people here a hitting the movies tonight with non-comic fans with lots of time to kill before the movie starts. I know I started a similar topic a while ago, but this time I am interested in how people describe comics to people who don't want history lessons, just fun facts. What are the things that movies miss/gloss over that you want other people to know about the most?