There is already plenty of excitement about Matthew Vaughn’s comic book adaptation Kick-Ass, and four freshly-released character banners offer further opportunity to whet your appetite ahead of the movie’s scheduled April 2010 release date.

Based on the Marvel published series by writer Mark Millar and artist John Romita Jr., Kick-Ass revolves around unremarkable New York teenager Dave Lizewski, who decides to suit up and mimic the heroics of his comic book idols. Dave initially receives a battering for his troubles, but is soon capturing the public imagination, as the enigmatic Kick-Ass. He subsequently encounters copycat costumed do-gooders, as his antics become something of a phenomenon.

The posters depict the primary quartet of costumed would-be superheroes to feature in the movie. First up is the Red Mist, played by Superbad’s McLovin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

Then there is the central figure of high school student Dave Lizewski, aka Kick-Ass. The movie’s lead role is being filled by Aaron Johnson, who can also soon be seen as a young John Winston Lennon in Sam Taylor-Wood’s Nowhere Boy.

Chloe Moretz wields the blades of juvenile death-dealer Hit Girl…

…and the Ghost Rider himself, Nicholas Cage appears as Hit Girl’s father, Big Daddy.

Kick-Ass represents a debut comic book-derived outing for Layer Cake director Vaughn, following his withdrawal from X-Men: The Last Stand and Thor. The buzz around the film has been steadily building in recent weeks, and it looks as if the source material’s idiosyncratic take on the now well-familiar superhero formula could result in a movie which yes! Kicks some ass! See what I’ve done there…

Sources: IGN, Collider