With the iPad’s official US launch occurring over the past weekend, PBS Kids and Marvel Comics are throwing their hats into the iPad App ring.

The Marvel Comics App provides readers with a new digital comic experience with access to more than 500 comic titles including Iron Man, Captain America, and Hulk, all of which are presented on the iPad’s full color screen and clad with enhanced viewing options. Marvel worked with Web 2.0 recommendation platform ComiXology to develop the app, which also offers a recommendation-based search engine and comic shop locator. Readers are able to preview three pages from the publications available before making the US$1.99 purchase for each comic. The app is available for free on the iPad App Store on iTunes.

With the Super Why! App, PBS Kids has developed a literacy tool suited for the iPad’s large screen and multi-touch interfaces. Based on the preschool series from Out of the Blue Enterprises, the Super Why! App is designed to help children read through four interactive literacy games using main characters from the TV series Alpha Pig, Princess Preso, Wonder Red, and Super Why. The app was developed as part of PBS Kids’ ongoing involvement with a US Government program aimed at building readings skills of children aged two to eight. The App is available for US$2.99 from the App Store on iTunes.