New ‘Marvel: Avengers Alliance’ Game Images Reveal More Characters, Gameplay

Nine more of the initial 28 playable characters from the upcoming Facebook RPG Marvel: Avengers Alliance have been announced. New screen shots from the game show Daredevil, Dr. Strange, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Black Cat, She-Hulk, Sif, Spider-Woman and War Machine in action against the likes of the Wrecking Crew, the Executioner and Bullseye. It's another taste of what's to come in the title, which will see players build three-hero teams to clash with bad guys for in-game upgrade currency known as "ISO-8" -- portions of a power source caused by a cosmic event known as "The Pulse." None of that really seems important compared to the reveal that Luke Cage (and presumably others) will have access to a fighting move dubbed "Face Punch," though.

There's still no firm release date for the game, but it seems likely it'll arrive before The Avengers film arrives in theaters on May 4, even if they're not directly related.

What most potential players are most curious about is how sophisticated the gameplay will turn out. Screen shots are nice for determining the gist of the graphics, but the fluidity of actual combat animation will be interesting to see once Disney and Playdom release a full trailer. My expectations for the sound effect for "Face Punch," are pretty high.

Take a look at the new Marvel Avengers Alliance screens below.