book titled El Gato Negro in 1993. Garza realized how serious Dominguez was and agreed to collaborate on a new Relampago series with a planned cross-over issue featuring their respective heroes. This collaboration never came to be however, with the death of Judge Garza in 1995. Fictional character history Shot while robbing an elderly man's home, Marcos Zapata escaped from the scene of the crime severely wounded. Having heard of the dark arts practiced by La Bruja Mendoza, Marcos stumbled to the Mendoza's doorstep. Pleading for help, the young bandit died on her doorstep. Realizing an opportunity, La Bruja revived Marcos before death could claim him. She bathed him in special lotions, fed him bitter broths, and applied herbs to his body. Soon after, Marcos discovered himself to be an "invincible man", having super strength, super speed, and invulnerability. His physical appearance changed as well, making him more athletic and physically attractive. His life now belonged to La Bruja Mendoza, who bade him to steal for her. Believing he owed her that much, Marcos stole for the old witch. He eventually grew tired of stealing and was intent on leaving the witch. Mendoza herself was brutally beaten by thieves intent on stealing her ill-gotten goods. Left for dead in her burning home, Marcos managed to save La Bruja Mendoza. In her final moments of life Marcos pleaded, "These powers, this strength, are these gifts permanent or are they only temporary?" But Mendoza's pain proved too great to bear, her last words being "The powers are as permanent only as..." The following week, Marcos would arrange a proper burial for Mendoza with the aid of a local church. Renouncing his checkered past, Marcos decided to use his new-found gifts for good, creating the alter ego of Relampago and fighting against crime. Powers, abilities and resources Relampago’s powers include superhuman strength, increased speed and agility, as well as near invulnerability. The extent of his superhuman strength and invulnerability are not known but he has been shown to stop a speeding vehicle with his bare hands as well as recovering quickly after falling from tremendous heights. While unable to fly, Relampago is able to leap to great heights and distances and has been known to use a grappling hook to scale tall buildings. References Azteca Productions characters Comics publications