Comic Catch: March 10, 2010

ACTION COMICS #887 - Story by: Greg Rucka and Eric Trautmann
Co-feature Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Pere Perez
Co-feature Art by: CAFU
Cover by: Kalman Andrasofszky
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

In this corner – the already beaten, exhausted and bruised Nightwing and Flamebird! And in this corner – the reincarnation of the all-powerful Kryptonian sun god Rao! Place your bets! (Smart money's on the sun god.)

And in the co-feature, Captain Atom has to answer for his past sins by fighting the entire Justice League of America single-handedly!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #624 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Paul Azaceta
Inks by: Array
Colorsw by: Julio Herrera
Letters by: Jason Paz
Cover by: Michael Lark
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The origin of the new Vulture! Who is he? Why does he prey on the city's criminals? And what extreme circumstance could possibly make Spider-Man even consider allying with a creature this deadly? The Gauntlet pits Spidey against his most dangerous foe yet!

BPRD KING OF FEAR #3 - Story by: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Art by: Guy Davis
Colors by: Dave Stewart
Cover by: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

While scouring the Tibetan caverns to obliterate the monstrous frog colony, Liz and Abe face the King of Fear-who's found a powerful new ally in his quest to destroy the surface world!

The B.P.R.D. take on frogs, subterraneans, and giant squid-bots!

DARK X-MEN #5 - Story by: Paul Cornell
Art by: Leonard Kirk
Colors by: Gary Martin
Letters by: Paul Cammileri
Cover by: Giuseppi Camuncoli
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

It's the final showdown between the Dark X-Men and X-Man, all within the mind of Norman Osborn. Can the rag-tag group of villains take down the nigh-omnipotent Omega-level mutant while keeping Osborn sane? Or will this battle be what finally tips Norman over the brink forever?

DOOM PATROL #8 - Story by: Keith Giffen
Art by: Matthew Clark
Cover by: Justiniano
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

A pandimensional wrecking crew has come to Oolong Island looking for something specific, and the Doom Patrol had better find it while there's still an island left!

GRIMM FAIRY TALES #45 - Story by: Joe Brusha
Art by: Ralph Tedesco
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Cover Price: $2.99

What ever happened to Cinderella? Way back in Grimm Fairy Tales #2 we met Cindy, a poor college freshman being tortured by the snobby sorority girls on campus until Sela came to her rescue. Under Belinda's influence Sela transported her to the fairy tale realm and promised to make all of Cindy's dreams come true for a small price...Her Soul. Cindy has been living the good life on campus since she made her deal but when she gets a visit from the Devil's right hand man she finds out the time has come to pay up. Cindy's fate is revealed in this issue...Cinderella Revisited.

JUSTICE LEAGUE RISE AND FALL SPECIAL #1 - Story by: James Robinson and J.T. Krul
Art by: Mike Mayhew
Cover by: Mauro Cascioli
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

Following the stunning conclusion to JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE comes the next epic chapter for the World's Greatest Heroes. What controversial decision has created a split in the League? A new meaning to the term "hunt for justice" creates fear in the villain populace. Plus, a shocking secret is revealed that will change Green Arrow's life forever.

LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS UNLEASHED #1 - Story by: Chris Eliopoulos
Art by: Ig Guara, Chris Sotomayor
Cover by: Chris Eliopoulos, Roger Langridge
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Once upon a time, in a world of super heroes and villains, there lived a team of animals that saved the universe...and no one knew it. These creatures asked not for fortune or fame, merely to help the humans that pet them. But a new threat to the world has arisen, which only they know of, that could change everything...and kill one of them. Join CHRIS ELIOPOULOS, IG GUARA, and CHRIS SOTOMAYOR for an epic tale of adventure, courage...and sacrifice.

POWERS #3 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Michael Avon Oeming
Inks by: Array
Cover by: Michael Avon Oeming
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $.95

Walker's past has come to bite him right in his ##$! big time and it's going to take a @#$@#$ and a $@#$@ to get him out of the !@$#@#$@$@$@. It's another potty mouth chapter in the award winning cops-meets-capes epic saga from the creators of Secret Invasion and The Mice Templar.

PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #2 - Story by: Victor Gischler
Art by: Whilce Portacio
Cover by: Dave Johnson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Witness the birth of the most important super hero team ever in a universe-spanning event that will rock the month of March! Wade Wilson has been tapped to save the Universe, and to do that he’s going to need help. Enter: The sexy-but-insecure Lady Deadpool! The devious-but-lovable Headpool (a.k.a. the Zombie Deadpool Head)! The bratty-but-brilliant Kidpool! And the irascible mutt known as Dogpool! Individually, they’re, well, kind of messed up, but together, they’re the unstoppable force know as DPC.

PUNISHERMAX #5 - Story by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Steve Dillon
Colors by: Will Shetterly
Letters by: Rich Ginter
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

"KINGPIN," PART 5

Witness the birth of the Kingpin. And witness Frank Castle at his most desperate and brutal. The first arc of PUNISHERMAX concludes with death and murder and more death.

SAVAGE DRAGON #158 - Story by: Erik Larsen
Art by: Erik Larsen
Cover: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

“DRAGON WAR,” Part Four
The Vicious Circle has upgraded its most powerful member, and things aren't looking too rosy for Savage Dragon.

SECRET SIX #19 - Story by: Gail Simone
Art by: Jim Calafiore
Cover by: Daniel Luvisi
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Catman's past crawls back to haunt him as Cheshire returns! Could the secret she's carrying spell the end of the Secret Six?

SUPERMAN LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON #1 - Story by: James Robinson, Sterling Gates
Art by: Pete Woods
Cover by: Andy Kubert, Marcos Manz
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The new Superman crossover event "Brainiac and The Legion of Super-Heroes" begins here, in this first issue of a 3-part miniseries! It's New Krypton's worst nightmare as Brainiac attacks the planet, determined to recapture the city of Kandor! But General Zod has been waiting for this moment since Brainiac first attacked Old Krypton – he has a plan to save his people, but at the cost of Earth and the future as we know it! So it's up to Superman, Supergirl, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes to stop the two madmen before they destroy everything!

TWELVE SPEARHEAD - Story by: Chris Weston
Art by: Chris Weston
Colors by: Brian Wilkinson
Cover by: Paolo Rivera
Cover Price: $3.99

Europe, 1945: Captain America leads a mission to destroy the Nazis' missile program...and The Phantom Reporter wants in! An untold tale from Marvel's Golden Age featuring the forgotten heroes who would go on to become "The Twelve"!

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #8 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Takeshi Miyazawa
Colors by: Amanda McMurray
Letters by: Rich Ginter
Cover by: Takeshi Miyazawa
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Spider-Man and his amazing friends are there for the birth of a brand new hero!! Who is he? What is his name? Here’s a hint: It’s a name that will make you burst out in applause!! He’s set to be major player in the Ultimate Universe, so be there as hotshot creators BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN) and TAKESHI MIYAZAWA (RUNAWAYS) bring you his big debut!

UNWRITTEN #11 - Story by: Mike Carey
Art by: Peter Gross and Jimmy Broxton
Cover by: Yuko Shimizu
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

In a city haunted by its own past, Tom Taylor tries to help a very different kind of tormented ghost – and discovers the many ways the dead can threaten the living.

WAKING #1 - Story by: Raven Gregory
Pencils by: Vic Drujiniu
Colors by: Mark Roberts
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99

In the big city, four police detectives investigating two routine murders discover that the victims of these crimes are coming back from the dead in search of those responsible for their murders. Now the detectives are in a race against time to find the source of the recent "wakings." Meanwhile, a father with an incredible ability must choose between avenging his daughter's death or losing her forever. From the writer of Zenescope’s Wonderland trilogy and Image Comics “The Gift” comes a 4 issue mini-series that brings an incredibly fresh and new twist on the zombie genre!

Goodness Gravy! Holiday Out is alive!! Again!!

During the 1980s, author Michael Vance and several well-known cartoonists produced a comic strip, “Holiday Out”, that was syndicated in more than one hundred newspapers, magazine, and fanzines during its peak. Three issues of “Holiday Out” were also published as a comic book by Renegade Press, but the complete run of the satiric comic strip has never been available…until today.

The first issue of “The Complete Holiday Out” has now been published by Main Enterprises.

"I'm excited to be publishing ‘The Complete Holiday Out’, and I thank Michael Vance for the opportunity to let people get a chance to see these rare treasures!" said Jim Main, publisher of Main Enterprises. “The team who produced the comic strip worked so well together in these satiric fantasies. I'm sure many will enjoy these collections of some of the most offbeat comic material ever seen! I'm certain it will do as well as the very successful ‘Forever Green’, which was previously published, .featuring a collection of "Holiday Out" strips and other material primarily drawn by Richard ‘Grass’ Green.”

The first issue of “The Complete Holiday Out” features two comic book stories written by Vance and drawn by legendary artist Richard “Grass” Green (a founder of comics fandom), and Chas Smith.

Vance is also known for his short stories set in the fictional town of Light’s End, Maine. The story drawn by Smith, “Where Bright Angel Feet Have Trod”, is the second Light’s End story ever written by Vance. In addition, it publishes a six page section of “Holiday Out” comic strips

Vance has been published in dozens of regional magazines and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His book, Forbidden Adventures, has been called a "benchmark in comics history". He also has written the comic strip Alley Oop, and comic books including Straw Men, Angel of Death, The Adventures of Captain Nemo, and Bloodtide. His current novel, Weird Horror Tales is available from Cornerstone Book Publishers, bookstores, and on-line retailers like Amazon.com.

“The Complete Holiday Out” #1 is the first of sixteen issues, each a digest-sized comic book. Main Enterprises also publishes Dark Corridor, a horror magazine, and other comic books and magazines. Copies are now available at http://mainenterprises.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=6978423

Meth, Ghost, and Rae - Wu-Massacre

Chris Bachalo, one of the great artists in comics, has branched out into album cover art with Wu Massacre, a Meth, Ghost, and Rae album do out March 30th. For the record, while the album tags them as Meth, Ghost, and Rae, they are more popularly known as Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon. Here is the Album description from Amazon.com:

For the first time, three of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan's most dynamic emcees step out together to create a supergroup with a distinctly shaolin sound. Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon have banded together on their new album of street bangers, Wu Massacre. Joined by fellow Wu-Tang alums Inspectah Deck and Cappadona on several tracks, and featuring production by RZA and Mathematics, Meth, Ghost and Rae's Wu Massacre is guaranteed to satisfy the legions of fans in the "Wu Army." From the soulful street single "Our Dreams," to the thunderous lead-off track "Criminology 2.5," Wu Massacre finds the three hip-hop legends in razor-sharp form.

I haven't heard any of the tracks, but I like that art. Wu Massacre is available for pre-order at Amazon.com.

Comic Catch: March 3, 2010

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #623 - Story by: Mark Waid, Tom Peyer
Pencils by: Paul Azaceta
Inks by: Array
Colors by: Julio Herrera
Letters by: Jason Paz
Cover by: Michael Lark
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The Gauntlet grows deadlier! It's Spider-Man versus Peter Parker when the two sides of Spidey go to war! Pete's a sworn defender of the freedom of the press--but the Web-Slinger needs to contain a certain news item about the new Vulture that could blow the city apart!

CHEW #9 - Story by: John Layman
Art by: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

WTF, vampires?!?!?

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #895 - Story by: Christopher Long
Art by: Dalibor Talajic
Cover by: Humberto Ramos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Off the coast of the Galapagos Islands, something hideous, something so deliciously amoral has vanquished the tranquility and shattered the peace - DEADPOOL! The legend no one can forget has been missing for years...yes, we're talking about It! The Living Colossus, the 30-foot-tall stone statue brought to life by wheelchair-bound Robert "Bob" O'Bryan. Enlisted by O'Bryan's niece, Deadpool takes a dive, plunging down to the ocean floor in search of the stone statue. But something more heinous than Deadpool's thoughts when he's watching lingerie football lurks in the ocean depths. And underwater, nobody can hear your hilarious one-liners!

DETECTIVE COMICS #862 - Story by: Greg Rucka
Art by Jock; co-feature art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

Two mystery cases collide, as Batman gets closer to finding a missing socialite while Batwoman uncovers a gruesome new villain who has grafted knives onto his skin. There will be blood – and souvenirs of victims' flesh – in "Cutter" part 2!

And in The Question's co-feature, the unknown mastermind behind the gun-running scheme hires a professional killer to take care of some unwanted female companionship. When Zeiss sets his sights on Huntress and The Question, bullets will fly and blood will run!

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #9 - Story by: Philip K. Dick
Art by: Tony Parker
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

Rick Deckard is under arrest! Thanks to the notorious Nexus-6 android Luba Luft, Deckard finds himself in his biggest predicament yet. Everything is not as it seems in this exciting issue of the Philip K. Dick masterwork that inspired Blade Runner. This lead-up to the big 10th issue cannot be missed!

FIRST WAVE #1 - Story by: Brian Azzarello
Art by: Rags Morales
Cover by: Neal Adams, J.G.Jones
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

DC's shocking new pulp universe is finally unveiled! In the shadows of the War, the roots of the Golden Tree cabal grew deep into the heart of a fallen world… and the leaders at the heart of this secret organization see no place in their utopia for heroism. Doc Savage, struggling with the loss of his father, has been blind to their advance – until now. Central City's mysterious Spirit has caught wind of their plans as well. But whose side have the Blackhawks chosen? What is the Red Right Hand? And where is the Batman? Eisner Award winner Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS, JOKER) and superstar Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS) craft a DC universe like you've never seen before! It's a world with no supermen, only mortal men… Death can come at any moment, and adventure can still be found at every corner of the map! Will Doc Savage be the first to lead the coming world or the last to be crushed under its heel?

GIRL COMICS #1 - Story by: Devin Grayson, Ann Nocenti, Trina Robbins, Colleen Coover , G. Willow Wilson , Valerie D'Orazio , Lucy Knisley
Art by: Stephanie Buscema, Colleen Coover, Molly Crabapple, Ming Doyle , Nikki Cook , Lucy Knisley
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99

With the most controversial question in the Marvel Universe finally answered right on the cover, Marvel is proud to bring you a celebration of amazing women in comics with the first of a three issue anthology entirely created by the most talented and exciting women working in comics today, including Ann Nocenti (DAREDEVIL), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Laura Martin (SECRET INVASION), G. Willow Wilson (Air), Devin Grayson (Nightwing), Stephanie Buscema (WEB OF SPIDER-MAN), and more! With stories featuring your favorite Marvel characters, from the Punisher to Mary Jane, don't miss what will be the one of the most talked about series of the year! (Please note: She-Hulk would totally win).

GOD COMPLEX #4 - Story by: Michael Avon Oeming, Daniel Berman
Art by: John Broglia
Cover by: Michael Avon Oeming
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

George and Sophia are safe, but Paul can’t leave the monstrous Medusa loose on this unsuspecting world. He must go back and defeat one of the most dangerous creatures of myth and legend! Is she too strong for him now that he is no longer immortal? Can he resist the temptation she brings him from the gods?

GREEN HORNET #1 - Story by: Kevin Smith
Art by: Jonathan Lau
Cover by: Alex Ross, John Cassaday, J. Scott Campbell, Stephen Segovia
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99

The Green Hornet is back and Dynamite is the new home for the avenging hero and his faithful sidekick, Kato (and, the Black Beauty, ‘natch!)!

And we’re kicking things off with a BANG as we launch the first of a new series of adventures starting with the great Kevin Smith. And let’s get it out of the way, right here, right NOW – THE ENTIRE STORY IS IN! Every single chapter from BEGINNING TO END! All 10 issues to this first story arc! Joining Smith in bringing his unproduced screenplay to life is artist Jonathan (Black Terror) Lau as they present the one and only origin of the Green Hornet and Kato. This is the comic book version of Kevin Smith’s unproduced Green Hornet film and has not been seen or read ANYWHERE else! Dynamite is the only place to get in on the action – it all begins here!

GRIMM FAIRY TALES #44 - Story by: Joe Brusha
Cover by: Paul Roper
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Cover Price: $2.99

The root of the classic fairy tale The Devil's Brother is revealed in this issue. Fenton Bruce has been at the right hand of the Devil for over a century. As a reward he's lived a life of pleasure, wealth and excess far beyond that of any mortal man. In return he's been forced to see and do acts of unimaginable horror for more than 100 years. All because of one moment of weakness when he made a deal that was too good to be true. A deal that essentially made him the Devil's brother.

JSA ALL STARS #4 - Story by: Matthew Sturges; Co-feature story by: Jen Van Meter
Art and Cover by: Freddie Williams II; Co-feature Art by: Travis Moore and Dan Green

The All-Stars are forced to team with the Injustice Society against Johnny Sorrow's unearthly accomplice! And only Star Girl knows what she must sacrifice to save friend and foe alike!

The hero and villain team-ups continue in the co-feature, as Liberty Belle and Hourman join their proven enemies Tigress and Icicle, who hold essential clues as to the whereabouts of the ancient mysticism embodied in the Staff of Life!

JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #7 - Story by: James Robinson
Art and cover by: Mauro Cascioli
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

This is the big one! After the catastrophes seen in issues #5 and #6, a hero loses control, leading to an unexpected ending that will fundamentally change the lives of the World's Greatest Heroes forever. This issue launches a major storyline in the DC Universe and is not to be missed!

MIGHTY AVENGERS #34 - Story by: Dan Slott
Art by: Neil Edwards
Cover by: Khoi Pham
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The Mighty Avengers are poised to join the Siege on Asgard, but first they have some pretty huge issues to resolve. THOR vs. the MIGHTY AVENGERS! LOKI revealed! Someone's off the team?! The most insane thing HANK PYM will ever do (and for Hank Pym, that's saying a LOT)! All this and more!

PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #1 - Story by: Victor Gischler
Art by: Rob Liefeld
Cover by: Dave Johnson, Ed McGuinness
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Witness the birth of the most important super hero team ever in a universe-spanning event that will rock the month of March! Wade Wilson has been tapped to save the Universe, and to do that he's going to need help. Enter: The sexy-but-insecure Lady Deadpool! The devious-but-lovable Headpool (a.k.a. the Zombie Deadpool Head)! The bratty-but-brilliant Kidpool! And the irascible mutt known as Dogpool! Individually, they're, well, kind of messed up, but together, they're the unstoppable force know as DPC. Issue #1

PUNISHER MAX BUTTERFLY #1 - Story by: Valerie D'Orazio
Art by: Laurence Campbell
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

A lurid tell-all book leads the Punisher on the trail of a hitwoman marked for death. Who is Butterfly? And will the Punisher be her salvation, her temptation, or her damnation? Author Valerie D'Orazio and artist Laurence Campbell unload a full barrage of mayhem in this blood-soaked one-shot.

SPARTA USA #1 - Story by: David Lapham
Art and Cover by: Johnny Timmons
Publisher: DC/Wildstorm
Cover Price: $2.99

There's never been a more American town than Sparta. In Sparta they believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness through treachery, blackmail and murder – just like the Maestro taught them as he learned it from the U.S. President. Sparta is such a great place that no one ever thinks of leaving. It's been three years since anyone's tried, and he was never heard from again…until today. Today, Godfrey McLaine, the greatest quarterback in Sparta's history, has returned bigger, taller and redder than when he left. He's also armed with a secret that will expose the rotten core of the American Dream.

STEPHEN KINGS N #1 - Story by: Marc Guggenheim
Art by: Alex Maleev
Inks by: Array
Cover by: Alex Maleev
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover price: $2.99

There is something unearthly and mysterious deep in Ackerman’s Field in rural Maine. There is a Stonehenge-like arrangement of seven stones with a horrifying EYE in the center. And whatever dwells there in that strange, windswept setting may have brought about the suicide of one man...and harbor death for the OCD afflicted "N.", whose visits to the field have passed beyond compulsion into the realm of obsession. Based on the chilling short story from the recent Stephen King collection, JUST AFTER SUNSET, this adaptation will provide nightmares aplenty. Just keep counting the stones...keep counting...counting...

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #5 - Story by: Mark Millar
Art by: Carlos Pacheco
Inks by: Array
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: VC - Cory Petit
Covers by: Carlos Pacheco

It’s an all out super hero throw-down! Captain America and The Avengers face-off as the dreaded Red Skull plots universal mayhem! How will Fury’s death squad cope with the legend and his son? The world as we know it is on the line! Join superstars MARK MILLAR and CARLOS PACHECO for the next mind-blowing chapter!

ULTIMATE COMICS NEW ULTIMATES #1 - Story by: Jeph Loeb
Art by: Frank Cho
Colors by: Matteo Lolli
Letters by: Reuben Rude
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

If only a few super heroes survived the Ultimatum -- who is left to become the next super powered team to be reckoned with? The NEW Ultimates! With Thor gone, Loki takes his revenge unleashing the worst of Asgard on Earth. Iron Man must gather the heroes for their biggest Ultimates adventure yet. But who has made the final cut? And who can't be trusted? The Ultimates face evil once again and you'll never guess the new enemies they'll find...or should we say old friends? Superstar creators, JEPH LOEB and FRANK CHO (in his Ultimate Comics debut!) bring you the new face of the Ultimate line in NEW ULTIMATES: THOR REBORN!

Comic Review: Black Salt: The Last Heroes Left #2

Black Salt #2

Writer: Chad Boudreau

Interior and Cover Artist: J. C. Grande

Colorist: Santosh Kumar Rath

Lettering and Production: Michael De Lepine

Publisher: Blackline Comics

A rogue shaolin monk heading an evil criminal empire, a sexy shaolin woman with an unknown connection to the evil monk and a muscular protector both working for US intelligence and both tracking the villain, and US intelliegence beureaucrats gumming up the works: these are the elements bringing us Black Salt: The Last Heroes Left.

Huan Li is the sexy agent with a history with the shaolin monks. Her drive to find Kali, the evil monk, is a force with which to be reconned. Samual Tharpe is her partner and friend since childhood. They make an unstoppable team out to end the malign plan of Kali.

Kali's plan is involves the theft of the M.A.R.S. virus, which can be turned weapon grade and used to devastate large areas. But you get the impression that Kali may have more complex plans than making a powerful missile.

Black Salt: The Last Heroes Left is an appealing story akin to the television show Kung Fu mixed with Mission: Impossible.

Boudreau gives us enough mystery to want to come back for more, and enough action to keep us going while we wait for the next startling revelation. His cliffhanger last page will have you chomping at the bit for issue #3.

Complimenting Boudreau's gripping tale is Grande's dynamic art. It's bright and colorful and you can almost see Agent Li's roundhouse kick streaking across an opponent's chin.

Blackline Comics has, in their own words, "cultivate[s] creator-owned projects produced by the best talent, to be distributed through the unlimited and largely untapped resources of the internet. Blackline launched in December 2008 with the promise of digital comics excitement."

You can check out Black Salt: The Last Heroes Left #1 for free here:

Comic Catch: February 24, 2010

AIRFIGHTERS #1 - Story by: Chuck Dixon, Tom DeFalco
Art by: Oscar Celestini
Publisher: Moonstone Comics
Cover Price: $5.99

They're back! It's an all out air war as Airboy and his Airfighters return to the comic page! This 72-page extravaganza features the all new high-flying exploits of Airboy and his revamped compatriots in their very first Moonstone appearance: Skywolf, Black Angel, Flying Dutchman, Iron Ace, Bald Eagle, and the Flying Fool! Plus, a special tale of Captain Midnight!

AVP THREE WORLD WAR #2 - Story by: Randy Stradley
Art by: Rick Leonardi
Colors by: Wes Dzioba
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

Machiko Noguchi is the only human known to have lived among the extraterrestrial hunters known as Predators -- and she's had plenty of up-close-and-personal experience with another deadly, otherworldly life form, the xenomorph Aliens, hunting the beasts alongside her Predator hosts. Machiko thought those days were long past, but now a long-lost rival clan of warlike Predators has emerged, using specially bred Aliens as weapons, and both Predators and humans are threatened. Now, Machiko must again don her Predator armor and negotiate a possible alliance with the very same race that made trophies of humans for centuries. And when you "negotiate" with Predators, there will be blood!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #622 - Story by: Fred Van Lente, Greg Weisman
Art by: Joe Quinones, Luke Ross
Inks by: Array
Cover by: Simone Bianchi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

As the Gauntlet rages on around him, the spotlight is on Peter Parker’s original archenemy-turned-best friend, Flash Thompson. Since losing his legs in service to his country, Flash Thompson’s not been deterred by his physical limitations. But even a hero can have his limits. Greg Weisman, one of the brains behind the smash TV hit Spectacular Spider-Man, teams with Luke Ross (CAPTAIN AMERICA) to bring a touching story of Flash Thompson coming to terms with his new life. Then, Fred Van Lente and Joe Quinones (WEDNESDAY COMICS) bring Spider-Man face-to-face with Morbius, The Living Vampire!

BLACKEST NIGHT JSA #3 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Eddy Barrows and Nei Ruffino
Cover by: Eddy Barrows and Nei Ruffino; Gene Ha
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

The bloodthirsty combat in Manhattan reaches its stunning conclusion here! Earth-2 Superman returns to prove that the true legacy of the Justice Society of America is death. Can our heroes rise up to defeat their dead mentors, role models and villains? And can even the third- smartest man in the world, Mr. Terrific, devise a way to destroy them - or will Manhattan and the world perish under Nekron's might?

DEADPOOL #20 - Story by: Daniel Way
Art by: Carlo Barberi, Sandu Florea
Letters by: Joe Sabino
Cover by: Jason Pearson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"WHATEVER A SPIDER CAN," PART 2

Deadpool and Spider-Man team up (yes, team up) to combat the unstoppable killing machine known as Hitman Monkey! Yes, Hitman Monkey.

FANTASTIC FOUR #576 - Story by: Jonathan Hickman
Art by: Dale Eaglesham
Cover by: Alan Davis
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

At the bottom of the world, there's a mystery buried deep beneath Vostok station. It's part two of the Prime Elements arc: The Old Kings of Atlantis.

IMAGE UNITED #0 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Erik Larsen, Ryan Ottley, and Whilce Portacio
Cover by: Erik Larsen and Whilce Portacio
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

PRELUDE TO THE CROSSOVER OF THE CENTURY!
Meet FORTRESS, the exciting new character created by WHILCE PORTACIO for IMAGE UNITED! He's trapped in a suit that gives him seemingly limitless power that he can barely control, which leads to a confrontation with the Image Universe's favorite cop: Savage Dragon!

IRREDEEMABLE #11 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Peter Krause
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

Discover more behind the winged behomoth known as Gilgamos, as the newly empowered Charybdis leads The Paradigm into their first real victory! Don’t miss BOOM!’s bestselling apocalyptic superhero ongoing by multiple Eisner Award-winning KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE author Mark Waid.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #36 - Story by: Bill Willingham
Art by: Jesus Merino
Cover by: Jesus Merino
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

The discovery of exactly who was behind the recent attacks on Obsidian and other members of the Justice Society puts the team on the trail of a true Axis of Evil! This means war!

MARVELS PROJECT #6 - Story by: Ed Brubaker
Art by: Steve Epting
Cover by: Steve McNiven, Gerald Parel
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's acclaimed tale of the origin of Marvel continues, as the mysteries of Nazi spies on American shores begin to unravel, and The Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner battle once again in the skies of New York, with devastating results.

NEW AVENGERS #62 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Stuart Immonen, Daniel Acuña
Colors by: Dave McCaig
Cover by: Stuart Immonen
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

SIEGE BLOCKBUSTER TIE-IN!! The New Avengers are being hunted at the worst possible moment. The Hood has powered up his crew in ways that the Avengers can't possibly defeat. But they must find a way in order to save Asgard from Osborn’s advancing forces.

OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z UPDATE #1 - Art by: Tim Truman
Inks by: Array
Colors by: Louis Small
Cover by: Chris Ivy
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The most comprehensive guide to the Marvel Universe marches on in 2010! This 64-page handbook features the first handbook of ALL-NEW PROFILES since 2007, and spans the width and depth of the Marvel U: New characters! Never-before profiled characters! Golden Age! Cosmic! Teams! Mutants! Westerns! Dimensions! And because you demanded it: EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL ART for dozens of profiles! This issue contains everything you need to know about Blue Marvel (Brashear), Cyttorak, Gladiator (Kallark), Googam, K'un-Lun, Midgard Serpent, Nimrod, Percy Pinkerton, Rockman, She-Hulk (Lyra), Western era Tarantula (Riley), Veranke, Xemnu, the Young Gods and dozens more!

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #7 - Story by: Jim Krueger
Art by: Edgar Salazar; Doug Klauba
Cover by: Alex Ross
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $2.99

The Inheritors have fled the battle with the Superpowers and taken the Super Mysterymen back to Swisslakia to educate the state sponsored heroes in their version of the events. Meanwhile, The Big Shots work on their plan to capture Zeus while other members of the team confront Captain Future in a battle that will change all of their lives - and the world - forever! PLUS: The origin of The Face by Ross, Klauba and Krueger!

ROBOCOP #2 - Story by: Rob Williams
Art by: Fabiano Neves
Cover by: Stephen Segovia
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.50

Dynamite's Robocop series is the only sequel to the smash film any fan will ever need! Written with reverence and pure appreciation for the original film, Dynamite's Robocop - under the writing hand of Rob Williams and artist Fabiano Neves - pulls no punches and spares no criminal! This is the Robocop you've been waiting for! This issue: OCP has unleashed the biggest and baddest ED-209 yet, one that even Robocop is gonna have a hard time putting down...

SUPERMAN #697 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Bernard Chang and Javier Pina
Cover by: CAFU
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

"Man of Valor" Part 4! With the Legion of Super-Hero members in the 21st century now revealed to Mon-El, the Man of Valor learns of a greater destiny he and Superboy share; one that ties directly in to the fate of New Krypton and Kal-El!

ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY #2 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Rafa Sandoval
Cover by: Ed McGuinness
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The explosive new mini-series continues!! The super hero survivors of the mysterious attacks on the Ultimate Universe are forced to deal with the damage dropped at their doorstep. But who is behind it all? There's one person who has had just about enough with pain and suffering in life and isn't going to take it anymore. That person is Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman...and she is going to kick somebody's @$#. Join fan-favorite BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN) and rising super-star, RAFA SANDOVAL (AVENGERS: INITIATIVE) as they bring you the next mind-blowing chapter!

WALKING DEAD #70 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
Cover by: Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Behind these walls everyone has their place; everyone has their job. There is no danger, there are no threats... everyone has hope. Will it last?

WE WILL BURY YOU #1 - Story by: Brea and Zane Grant
Art by: Kyle Strahm
Cover by: Ben Templesmith
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99

1927: The first talkie ended the silent film era, the first man completed a solo transatlantic flight, and...a zombie virus decimated the human race. Two unlikely heroines use their unorthodox skills to survive as a zombie infection spreads through the streets of New York and beyond. Brea Grant (Heroes) and Zane Grant promise the worst breakup ever and an epic beginning to this historical horror miniseries.

WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF #1 - Story by: Paul Grist
Art by: Paul Grist
Cover by: Paul Grist
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

BEGINNING A BRAND NEW ERA IN THE LIFE OF BRITAIN'S GREATEST HERO!
Castletown is home to giant robots, vampire reporters, victorian escape artists and also Britain's Greatest Hero. Welcome to the Weird World of Jack Staff! John Smith is a builder. He also seems to be a superhero, only he doesn't know about that. The only thing he knows is that a lot of people want him dead. And the only weapon he has to protect himself with is a wooden stick…

X-FACTOR #202 - Story by: Peter David
Art by: Bing Cansino
Cover by: David Yardin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

It's all been building toward this: A suicidal assault on Castle Doom in the heart of Latveria as the unlikely trio of Monet, Shatterstar and the Thing go head-to-head with the guy who has his own complete country. Meanwhile, who or what exactly was buried in that lonely grave? And did Madrox arrive in time to make a difference? Plus, Franklin and Valeria Richards are on the run from the most unexpected enemy of all, and the only person who can defend them is...Strong Guy? Part 3 of "The Invisible Woman has Vanished!" Get it before it vanishes off the shelves!

X-MEN LEGACY #233 - Story by: Mike Carey
Art by: Clay Mann
Cover by: Adi Granov
Cover Price: $2.99

The most powerful villain the X-Men has ever faced is back. PROTEUS has returned and he is more powerful than ever! Now the X-Men must stop him where he died: Muir Island. Failure is not an option as this madman makes his move to block the X-Men from stopping Selene and her plans in Necrosha.