Title: The Black Coat: …Or Give Me Death #1
Writers: Ben Lichius
Artist: Francesco Francavilla
Publisher: Ape Entertainment

Let’s get right to the meat. The Black Coat: A Call to Arms was a story about a masked man of mystery operating out of early, pre-American Revolution New York. He sides on the side of the Americans who are ready to rebel against England which has earned him the irk of some powerful political figures and a couple of oddballs with other types of power. However, at the end of A Call, he’s gone on to meet his maker as John Cleese might say.

So, what does that leave Lichius and Francavilla with for The Black Coat: …Or Give Me Death? Well, …Or Give Me Death starts off almost right after A Call to Arms ends and somewhat quickly continues on as all of the characters in this game Lichius and Francavilla have created, realize how the new situation changes things. And yes, the Black Coat returns to life (this is a comic book of course) but, at the end of the issue, BC discovers that being not dead does have a price.

Lichius and Francavilla continue with what made The Black Coat a great story to begin with; an interesting story with an interesting background and great art. I find the time of the American Revolution to be very interesting and the guys definitely use it to their full advantage. Also, Francavilla is definitely indie comics’ best artist out there and the black and white perfectly suits the art.

To dicuss.