The Black Coat: A Call to Arms

The Black Coat

by Ben Lichius, Francesco Francavilla (Illustrator)

Follow the adventures of The Black Coat as he battles the British and forces of the occult in Pre-Revolutionary War New York City. Filled to the brim with explosive action and pulp-style adventure, Chris mcCroskey of Komikazee.com says, "The Black Coat is by far one of the best period comics I have ever read!"

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics

104 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2006

Reviews

[Jemir · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you took elements of the "Scarlet Pimpernell" mixed it with "Zorro" (though that character was probably influenced by aspects of the Pimpernell's story as well) add elements of "Sleepy Hollow" and the video game series "Assassin's Creed" (though the reviewed book definitely predates the former and possibly the ladder) and you have portions of the settings that make up "The Black Coat."

Set in New York in 1775 the inevitability of what will one day be called the revolutionary war looms. In this brimming chaos British forces, thieves, murderers, pirates and demonic monsters of legend find their overt and clandestine efforts thwarted by the mysterious Black Coat.

Secretly aided by Benjamin Franklin (A sort of Jim Gordon to his Batman) and a network of combat specialists under his command called The Knights Of Liberty Black Coat fights against corruption while a re-animated, indestructible, madman (a sort of blend of Dr. Frankenstein and his hulking creation) hunts him.

Figure anyone that liked Pirates Of The Carribean (which I only put in because I kept hearing Orlando Bloom's voice in my head when reading Black Coats' dialogue) or even swashbuckiling tales in the Robin Hood, Zorro or Indiana Jones mode will enjoy this.

[Chad Jordahl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story outline is fine, but generic. I thought the setting (18th c New York) sounded interesting for a comic, but the execution didn't work for me. There are pirate-y dudes, a bit of steampunk tech-before-its-time, and supernatural elements. The dialog often made me feel like I was eavesdropping on weekend larpers. Kinda dumb action sequences -- a couple of times I actually chuckled out loud at the lameness. The art in the first chapter was very carefully drawn with lots of detail but it gets rougher starting in chapter 2. You can see the artist rushing through the pages to meet a deadline.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A swashbuckling good time! Thoroughly enjoyed this, and for an added touch the interior art is black and white which actually helps set the atmosphere.