The Comic Geek Speak guys are awesome. And they’re big Black Coat fans. Check out an interview they just did with Ben all about the new series. Good stuff!

Sebastian over at Project Fanboy has just posted a review of “…Or Give Me Death” #1-2 that’s now available for preorder through PREVIEWS at your local comic shop (AUG09 0631). Sebastian says: “This comic is simply wonderful. The story moves along in several directions, each adding a little more to the whole. The art fits the book perfectly, giving it an energized look.” Wow! Very Cool. Thanks, Sebastian! Read the rest of the review here!

The time has finally come. “The Black Coat: …Or Give Me Death” issues 1 and 2 can now be preordered in the August issue of PREVIEWS (order code AUG09 0631)! Both issues will be packaged into one monster 48 page swashbuckling fun fest. If you purchased OGMD #1 the first time around, don’t worry; you’ll be getting both issues for only $4.50! And, as a special bonus (and one reason for the delay…), the series finally transitions into the world of color! This marks the first time we’ve used color in a mini. Here are some more details about the book: Issue 1 is written by Ben Lichius and drawn by the master himself, Francesco Francavilla. If you missed it the first time around, this is a great chance to get caught up on The Black Coat and the Knights of Liberty – or more specifically, why the Black Coat is dead, why he doesn’t stay that way, and just what happens to you when you mix in too much alchemy with your science. Oh, and we mentioned color right? Issue 2, also written by Lichius, introduces new series artist Dean Kotz to the fold. “Dean’s an amazing story teller,” says Lichius. “He really knows how to bring the environment, the characters, and the action in a story to life, and he does it all with an amazing amount of detail. There’s so much going on in these pages, and he makes it look so effortless. I think our readers are really going to enjoy the ride that Dean’s art is going to take them on.” So be sure to check it out. Actually, be sure to tell your local comic shop to order it for you. That way there’s no chance you’ll miss one of funnest, most action-packed, spy-thrillers of the year! Here’s all the info: The Black Coat: …Or Give Me Death (issues 1 and 2) 48 pages | $4.50 US In Stores: October 2009 Order Code: AUG09 0631 Synopsis: The Black Coat is back and more unstoppable than ever as ‘Or Give Me Death’ re-launches with an amazing two-issue, 48-page book (in color!) for only $4.50! Written by Ben Lichius and featuring art by Francesco Francavilla (issue 1) and newcomer Dean Kotz (issue 2), it’s time to get ready for all the swashbuckling, monster-smashing, death-defying cloak and daggering you can handle!

The series relaunch will kick off with a monster-sized double feature that combines issues 1 and 2 together – to get old and new fans alike up to speed. Oh, and did I mention the book is now in color? Yes, that’s right. BC will now be fighting actual redcoats! And all this for only $4.50! Regular priced issues 3 and 4 will follow in November and December respectively, wrapping up the series before the end of the year! Thanks again to everyone that’s stuck with us.  There’s more on the way! -Ben

Hey all, It’s that time of the year again: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! This Saturday, May 2nd, is the one day of the year that there is absolutely no excuse to not go to a comic book store. Even though there won’t be a free Black Coat book this year, fans in Durham NC will get a special treat: Ben will out touring all 3 Ultimate Comics store locations! In addition to doing sketches and snacking on frozen treats from nearby ice cream shops, he’ll be signing copies of the recently released Black Coat/ Athena Voltaire One Shot (only $2!) that feature an EXCLUSIVE cover drawn by Ben and are only available through Ultimate Comics. This should be lots of fun, so don’t miss out. Here are the times and places: HWY 54 location (Durham): 11-1 Chapel Hill location: 2-4 9th Street location: 4-6 For directions and more information, here’s the store’s link: http://ultimatecomicsonline.com/ See you there!!