Hitting bin Laden where it hurts ... right in the kisser!

Looks like Batman isn't the only super hero going after bin Laden. TightLip Entertainment will debut a new title in May, Freedom 3, which features a group of heroes fighting the al-Qaida. From the press release:

TightLip Entertainment is set to publish the most politically explosive comic book ever produced, Freedom 3 #1. Publisher Rick Olney released a preview of the comic book cover for Freedom 3. The image depicts the super hero Globe, a member of the United States Marine Corp secret unit Freedom 3, punching Osama bin Laden in the face.

In fact, the cover of Freedom 3 pays homage to the most recognized Captain America cover. The Joe Simon and Jack Kirby Captain America #1 cover (March 1941, National Comics) shows the red, white and blue clad Captain America punching Adolf Hitler in the face.

The Freedom 3 cover drives home the parallel between World War II's Adolf Hitler and today's al-Qaida's Osama bin Laden. "During this day, when times are just as turbulent as when the attack on Pearl Harbor led America into tough times; it becomes every American's responsibility to not lose sight of what makes freedom special", Publisher and writer Rick Olney said.

Freedom 3 is about three United States Marines, who through Project Freedom, take on characteristics and abilities in their efforts to serve under the United States Constitution.

Globe (powered by terra firma), Eagle (a winged telepath), and Anchor (a fiery fem with a touch too much) makes up the trio of freedom fighters. "...the members of Freedom 3 get handed an assignment no Marine would refuse; to hunt down and capture Osama bin Laden!" Rick Olney said.

Freedom 3 is penciled by Jim (One Shot Press, Trinity Comics) Taylor. He didn't know if he was up to the task. "First off, I was a bit daunted, I mean, taking on a cover of legends in the field like Kirby and Simon? But, I totally understood where Rick (Olney) was coming from as far as the intent of the cover, and the relevance of it in today's world experience."

While on the other hand, Freedom 3 colorist; Dash (Savage Dragon: GodWar, SuperPatriot: War on Terror, Outlaw Scorn 3030 AD) Martin was totally pumped about the book. "It's about time someone did it. No sense in modern stories STILL revolving around Hitler when we have a current real world baddie."

TightLip Entertainment Creative Director and Freedom 3 inker, Jeff (Faust, Big Bang Comics, FemForce) Austin realized that, "Patriotic covers have a long tradition in comics." TightLip Entertainment will continue that tradition into the new millennium. Jeff Austin is also pleased about what isn't on the cover. "No bar codes on covers," he said. "Correcting 30 years of stupidity in the field...It was a mistake to slap a big bar code on the cover. It blunted the impact of the image."

The three-issue story arc "What Price Freedom" begins in May. The 28-page full color comic book will retail for $2.95. Freedom 3 will be available for pre-orders when the TightLip Entertainment web site goes online April 15, 2006.