Black Jack begins in London in 1749 on a Tyburn Monday, a day when convicted criminals are hanged. Young Bartholomew Dorking, known as Tolly, joins the crowd gathered to witness the day's entertainment. Tolly is asked to guard the gigantic corpse of Black Jack, hanged as a highwayman. But Black Jack, who inserted a metal tube in his throat before the hanging, unexpectedly revives and runs from the law, taking Tolly along to help him until he regains his strength.

As the two work their way south to the seacoast, Black Jack tries to continue his thieving, murderous career. They spend some time with a traveling fair that stops in towns to sell trinkets, cheap jewelry, and a supposedly magical elixir. Tolly and Black Jack's adventures also take them to the elegant mansion of a wealthy family, a frenzied insane asylum, and a ship captained by Tolly's uncle.

Garfield...