Read the label, baby. I'm a working man again. 
Seven Soldiers: Manhattan Guardian #1 is an issue of the series Seven Soldiers: Manhattan Guardian (Volume 1) with a cover date of May, 2005. It was published on March 23, 2005.
Synopsis for "Part One: Pirates of Manhattan"
In the subways of Manhattan, homeless citizens have banded together creating "pirate gangs", most notably the rival factions belonging to No-Beard and All-Beard.
While waiting at a station, Soapy, a member of All-Beard's gang, is attacked by No-Beard and his pirates, who are in search of a map of the secret New York Subway system. However, the last map is actually tattooed on the back of Soapy, which No-Beard proceeds to rip off.
Jake Jordan is an unemployed and disgraced former police officer, who left the force after killing a young boy he misidentified as the murderer of his partner. On the suggestion of his fiancee's father Larry, Jake applies for a mysterious job at the Manhattan Guardian tabloid newspaper.
Once he enters, he is attacked by terrorists disguised as receptionists, and is forced to fight through the building while simultaneously being guided by its owner, Ed Stargard. Stargard explains that he is everywhere in the building, but his "brain" is on the 23rd floor.
Suddenly, Jake's elevator is hacked and he is faced with fighting Stargard's brainwashed bodyguard; who happens to be a "golem". Jake defeats the monster by smearing the runes on its head, and defeats the terrorists only to be congratulated by Ed, who reveals that the terrorist attack was a staged interview.
Impressed with his conduct, Ed offers Jake the job: To be the newspaper's very own Superhero/Reporter, The Manhattan Guardian. This surprises Carla, his fiancee, who supports his newfound happiness.
The next day, All-Beard's gang holds Larry and Carla hostage at a subway station, prompting Jake to go after them as the Guardian. Guardian clashes with All-Beard's gang, but not before they kill Larry and kidnap Carla. Jake hangs on to the gang's subway car as they speed through the tunnel.
Appearing in "Part One: Pirates of Manhattan"
Featured Characters:
- Manhattan Guardian (Jake Jordan) (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Ed Stargard (First appearance)
- Newsboy Army (First appearance)
- Edward J. Lincoln (First appearance)
- Newsboy Army (First appearance)
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Carla Marcus (First appearance)
- Soapy (First appearance; dies)
- Larry Marcus (First appearance)
- Golem
- Mister Miracle (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Manhattan, New York
- Manhattan Guardian Building (First appearance)
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue is part 3 of the Seven Soldiers storyline and the story continues in Seven Soldiers: Zatanna #1
Trivia
- During his meeting with Jake, Ed notes that he had bought the rights to the Guardian name from Project Cadmus, who had sponsored the original.
- Ed Stargard mentions that the "building is his body" and his "brain" is on the 23rd floor. His secret is revealed in Seven Soldiers: Manhattan Guardian #4.
- A radio report mentions that Shilo Norman (Mister Miracle), will be attempting to escape from an artificial Black Hole. This scene is played out in Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #1.
- Jake mentions that with accepting the Guardian job, he gets a horse. he eventually rides this horse in Seven Soldiers of Victory #1.
See Also
- Cover gallery for the Seven Soldiers: Manhattan Guardian series
- Images from Seven Soldiers: Manhattan Guardian Vol 1 1