Comic Title: Vigilante #45
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: September 1987
On Sale Date: June 2, 1987 Newsstand Date June 2, 1987
Source: DC Releases, #40

Shipping Date May 12, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #118

Newsstand Date June 2, 1987
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #702, #704

Copyright Date May 12, 1987
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1987
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Shipping Date May 12, 1987
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #702, #704

Cover Price: $1.50
Page Count: 32
Editor: Mike Gold

Title: "Black Thorn"
Pages: 27

Feature(s):
Vigilante (Adrian Chase Post-Crisis)

Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Tod Smith
Inker: Rick Burchett
Letterer: Albert Tobias De Guzman
Colorist: Robert K. LeRose

Feature Character(s)

• Vigilante (last appearance in Vigilante #44; next appearance in Vigilante #46)

Supporting Character(s)

• Negative Woman (last appearance in Secret Origins Annual #1; next appearance in Vigilante #46)
• Harvey Bullock (last appearance in Vigilante #44; next appearance in Vigilante #46)
• Black Thorn (next appearance in Vigilante #46)
• Harry Stein (last appearance in Vigilante #44; next appearance in Vigilante #46)

Villain(s)

• Reimer and his men (arms dealers; no further appearances)
• Juke (a criminal; dies in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• An unnamed police chief (no further appearances)

Comments:
This story continues in part in Vigilante #46.

Synopsis:
Vigilante returns to New York City to investigate a series of murders committed by a villain known as Black Thorn. His questioning leads him to an arms dealer who is murdered by Black Thorn. Vigilante does not see the killer, who then follows him to a safe house.

Later that night, Black Thorn knocks on Vigilante's door and introduces herself. Adrian is surprised that she is a woman. Instead of fighting, the two have sex. Black Thorn then leaves while Vigilante is sleeping.

In the morning, Vigilante is conflicted about Black Thorn. She is a killer, but so is he. He finds her again on a rooftop where she kills another criminal. They proceed to fight this time. Vigilante is paralyzed by a toxin and left for the police while Black Thorn escapes.

Back in Washington, Harry Stein conducts an anti-terrorism conference and meets Harvey Bullock from Gotham City.