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Count
A sci-fi reimagining of the greatest revenge story of all time: The Count of Monte Cristo. 1 VOLUME RELEASED - INDEPENDENT STORIES. Framed for treason and wrongfully imprisoned at the hands of a jealous and corrupt magistrate, Redxan Samud escapes his breathtaking hovering prison colony with only one thing on his mind: Revenge. Posing as a Man of Status with a newfound fortune and his Automaton Retainer Unit (Aru) by his side, Samud sets out to dismantle the lives of those who have wronged him. But when innocent lives start to get caught in the middle of his quest for vengeance, he will have to decide between using his new fortune for the good of the people or to pursue the revenge he so desperately desires.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2021
9 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 3, 2021
This sci-fi reimaging of The Count of Monte Cristo was a blast. All the elements of the original story are there but also spaceships, robots and floating islands. Moustafa smartly does not mess with the high points of the original. (And why would you? The original is a classic story of revenge.) He just accentuates it with some cool world building.
May 20, 2023
The Count of Monte Cristo is a revenge story that has been adopted numerous times over the years, and for a reason. It's a classic by Alexandre Dumas. Ibrahim's adaptation takes Monte Cristo into the future, a Sci-Fi world resembling that of Dune (sans sand worms and dunes and noble houses... well, without everything that makes Dune, but you get my drift). It's a well thought world of which we only see glimpses unfortunately and I would love to see more of it. Ibrahim sticks to the core story of original material, stripping as much as he can of it in order to fit everything into a 140 pages long graphic novel so if you're a prude who likes to yap about missing things in the adaptation, this is not for you. If you haven't read Monte Cristo, you'll probably find this graphic novel a bit short and lacking character development, so skip it. This is a well drawn and good written adaptation of original, which would be great if only it was made a serial of at least 3 issues. Nonetheless, worth reading.
March 21, 2021
Certainly an adaptation of a classic will have elements of that classic, but “Count” doesn’t just call upon Dumas, but is also evocative of Frank Herbert, Alex Raymond, and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Swashbuckling adventure in a beautifully designed pulp science fiction world, this one is well worth your time.
June 7, 2021
I did not know this was a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo going in - I haven't read the classic, I just try to pick up new graphic novels/comics as they come out.
Not being familiar with the story, I wasn't really invested in any of the characters and thought the story was moving way too fast. This is only a little over a hundred pages and I think it really could have benefited from more space.
Not being familiar with the story, I wasn't really invested in any of the characters and thought the story was moving way too fast. This is only a little over a hundred pages and I think it really could have benefited from more space.
November 13, 2020
A solid re-imagining of the classic The Count of Monte Cristo comes to life in graphic novel form. This time it is not set in the past, but in a distant dystopian future, where our protagonist is betrayed when a man of noble birth becomes jealous of his relationship with a woman they both love. Good fight sequences and an overarching middle-eastern influence keep the story familiar, but give an entirely new spin.
July 2, 2023
In a futuristic take on "The Count of Monte Cristo", a young man is framed for smuggling and imprisoned, returning years later as a man of means to seek vengeance on those who conspired against him.
This graphic novel is solid, well-written and with detailed and appealing art. Initially, the story stayed close enough to the source material that I felt Moustafa would have done just as well with a straight adaptation of the original. As the story progressed, however, it became clear how the use of futuristic technology made it possible for the story to swing in new directions and interesting new plot points to be introduced.
While I still prefer the original, this take on the Domas classic is still enjoyable and produced well, a worthwhile spin on the original.
This graphic novel is solid, well-written and with detailed and appealing art. Initially, the story stayed close enough to the source material that I felt Moustafa would have done just as well with a straight adaptation of the original. As the story progressed, however, it became clear how the use of futuristic technology made it possible for the story to swing in new directions and interesting new plot points to be introduced.
While I still prefer the original, this take on the Domas classic is still enjoyable and produced well, a worthwhile spin on the original.
March 22, 2021
I’m constantly excited about graphic novels and generally underwhelmed by the end of them. Such was the case here. “Count” is a futuristic retelling of my favorite book, “The Count of Monte Cristo.” The story was ok and the pictures were decent. This may be more on me than the graphic novel. I’ll probably pick up another graphic novel in a year, read it, give it three stars.
April 9, 2021
A terrible fanfic.
A story about revenge and the sin of pride, turned into a generic adventure.
Edmond Dantes (aka Count of Monte Cristo) and Rodion Raskolnikov - imagined themselves equal to Providence, considered themselves entitled to judge and execute people. Both acted on the basis of purely personal motives; neither the one nor the other was motivated by some super-personal idea - neither service to the deity, nor the improvement of society, nor anything like that. And both deeply repented and renounced their chosen path when completely innocent people died as a result of their actions. Raskolnikov could not bear the pangs of conscience, having killed Lizaveta, and in the end turned up to confess to the police; and Dantes, who successfully took revenge on his sworn enemies, suddenly spared the main culprit of his misfortunes - Danglars - only in order to calm his conscience: an innocent child unexpectedly fell victim to his combinations, which had previously amazed only villains worthy of death.
Despite the purely personal motivation for their actions, both main characters tried to embellish it in their eyes with illusions about the super-personal nature of their mission: Monte Cristo inspired himself and those around him that he was an instrument of divine justice, and Raskolnikov sometimes fantasized about the good deeds that he would do with the money taken from the old woman-pawnbroker. Both Raskolnikov and Monte Cristo not only repented of their murders: they both fell on their knees before the God, confessed their insignificance to him and repented of the sin of pride.
Clinging to the tragic Christian humility that unites two so different writers - the gloomy, ponderous Dostoevsky and the outwardly light, cheerful Dumas - that is achieved through the suppression of pride.
A story about revenge and the sin of pride, turned into a generic adventure.
Edmond Dantes (aka Count of Monte Cristo) and Rodion Raskolnikov - imagined themselves equal to Providence, considered themselves entitled to judge and execute people. Both acted on the basis of purely personal motives; neither the one nor the other was motivated by some super-personal idea - neither service to the deity, nor the improvement of society, nor anything like that. And both deeply repented and renounced their chosen path when completely innocent people died as a result of their actions. Raskolnikov could not bear the pangs of conscience, having killed Lizaveta, and in the end turned up to confess to the police; and Dantes, who successfully took revenge on his sworn enemies, suddenly spared the main culprit of his misfortunes - Danglars - only in order to calm his conscience: an innocent child unexpectedly fell victim to his combinations, which had previously amazed only villains worthy of death.
Despite the purely personal motivation for their actions, both main characters tried to embellish it in their eyes with illusions about the super-personal nature of their mission: Monte Cristo inspired himself and those around him that he was an instrument of divine justice, and Raskolnikov sometimes fantasized about the good deeds that he would do with the money taken from the old woman-pawnbroker. Both Raskolnikov and Monte Cristo not only repented of their murders: they both fell on their knees before the God, confessed their insignificance to him and repented of the sin of pride.
Clinging to the tragic Christian humility that unites two so different writers - the gloomy, ponderous Dostoevsky and the outwardly light, cheerful Dumas - that is achieved through the suppression of pride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2023
Read Harder 2023 - Task #22 ALT {comics team}
This book had me impressed, until it moved away from the novel and devolved into a generic rebels vs empire battle
This book had me impressed, until it moved away from the novel and devolved into a generic rebels vs empire battle
July 4, 2021
Though inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo, this story barely has time to check the main events of its inspiration. It jumps around a bit too fast, employing deus ex machinas. Let's mark them with DEM like we have before, shall we? Artwork-wise, the comic is impressive, but little else is memorable about it.
March 26, 2021
I expected a good adaptation like the movie The Prisoner of Château d'If (Узник замка Иф) which is the best film version of the book, but I found something mediocre like the 2002 version.
A bad union of graphic novel clichés with holywood clichés that influenced the author.
I really like Tolstoy's writing method, he used real life examples to build his characters. Who knows if the author had used the example of Alexander Issaiévich Soljenítsin in the construction of the protagonist, his behavior, metality and his relationship with the two wives, the story would have been better. Another paradigm would be Olga of Kiev for his brutal revenge.
The author should read more Dostoevsky and read less graphic novels and watch less hollywood films.
Substitute a story of moral corruption, sin and redemption for a generic adventure.
Edmond Dantes (aka Count of Monte Cristo) and Rodion Raskolnikov - imagined themselves equal to Providence, considered themselves entitled to judge and execute people. Both acted on the basis of purely personal motives; neither the one nor the other was motivated by some super-personal idea - neither service to the deity, nor the improvement of society, nor anything like that. And both deeply repented and renounced their chosen path when completely innocent people died as a result of their actions. Raskolnikov could not bear the pangs of conscience, having killed Lizaveta, and in the end turned up to confess to the police; and Dantes, who successfully took revenge on his sworn enemies, suddenly spared the main culprit of his misfortunes - Danglars - only in order to calm his conscience: an innocent child unexpectedly fell victim to his combinations, which had previously amazed only villains worthy of death.
Despite the purely personal motivation for their actions, both main characters tried to embellish it in their eyes with illusions about the super-personal nature of their mission: Monte Cristo inspired himself and those around him that he was an instrument of divine justice, and Raskolnikov sometimes fantasized about the good deeds that he would do with the money taken from the old woman-pawnbroker. Both Raskolnikov and Monte Cristo not only repented of their murders: they both fell on their knees before the God, confessed their insignificance to him and repented of the sin of pride.
A bad union of graphic novel clichés with holywood clichés that influenced the author.
I really like Tolstoy's writing method, he used real life examples to build his characters. Who knows if the author had used the example of Alexander Issaiévich Soljenítsin in the construction of the protagonist, his behavior, metality and his relationship with the two wives, the story would have been better. Another paradigm would be Olga of Kiev for his brutal revenge.
The author should read more Dostoevsky and read less graphic novels and watch less hollywood films.
Substitute a story of moral corruption, sin and redemption for a generic adventure.
Edmond Dantes (aka Count of Monte Cristo) and Rodion Raskolnikov - imagined themselves equal to Providence, considered themselves entitled to judge and execute people. Both acted on the basis of purely personal motives; neither the one nor the other was motivated by some super-personal idea - neither service to the deity, nor the improvement of society, nor anything like that. And both deeply repented and renounced their chosen path when completely innocent people died as a result of their actions. Raskolnikov could not bear the pangs of conscience, having killed Lizaveta, and in the end turned up to confess to the police; and Dantes, who successfully took revenge on his sworn enemies, suddenly spared the main culprit of his misfortunes - Danglars - only in order to calm his conscience: an innocent child unexpectedly fell victim to his combinations, which had previously amazed only villains worthy of death.
Despite the purely personal motivation for their actions, both main characters tried to embellish it in their eyes with illusions about the super-personal nature of their mission: Monte Cristo inspired himself and those around him that he was an instrument of divine justice, and Raskolnikov sometimes fantasized about the good deeds that he would do with the money taken from the old woman-pawnbroker. Both Raskolnikov and Monte Cristo not only repented of their murders: they both fell on their knees before the God, confessed their insignificance to him and repented of the sin of pride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2025
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorite classic books, and I am aware of the challenges that can arise when adaptations are made, nonetheless, when I come across adaptations like Moustafa’s Count, I am always excited and interested to see what the final product looks like. Moustafa’s artwork and design in this graphic novel is fantastic, and the basic premise of his work is excellent, however, there were problems with this tale from both an adaptation and basic narrative standpoint, all of which I’ll get into but which I also found to be stemming from one basic issue: this book is simply too short. I know that it is particularly challenging to write a long graphic novel with the illustrations needing to be included, and a great deal of Dumas’s own classic can certainly be shaved off by adaptations, but this book works at a rapid pace, one that made me feel rushed along as a reader.
Part of the issue of the fast pace and limited length includes a lack of development in a relationship between characters. We are supposed to care about the characters in this book, but more often than not I didn’t care about them as we spent little time seeing a relationship develop. It was more about what they do together, rather than the relationships they foster. The villains are equally one dimensional, and the fast pace of the story results in dialogue that is dominated by exposition and, if you were to read this aloud, sounds very corny and awkward, which also served to take me out of the story. The story also deviates significantly in several ways from the original source material, to the point that it bears no resemblance whatsoever to the original story, with Dumas’ premise acting more as a springboard than a platform for the story. All in all, this is not a bad book, certainly an enjoyable read, and perhaps more so for those who have not read the work upon which it is based, but it still has limitations. If you like graphic novels, there is nothing wrong with picking up and enjoying this one.
Part of the issue of the fast pace and limited length includes a lack of development in a relationship between characters. We are supposed to care about the characters in this book, but more often than not I didn’t care about them as we spent little time seeing a relationship develop. It was more about what they do together, rather than the relationships they foster. The villains are equally one dimensional, and the fast pace of the story results in dialogue that is dominated by exposition and, if you were to read this aloud, sounds very corny and awkward, which also served to take me out of the story. The story also deviates significantly in several ways from the original source material, to the point that it bears no resemblance whatsoever to the original story, with Dumas’ premise acting more as a springboard than a platform for the story. All in all, this is not a bad book, certainly an enjoyable read, and perhaps more so for those who have not read the work upon which it is based, but it still has limitations. If you like graphic novels, there is nothing wrong with picking up and enjoying this one.
June 2, 2025
After reading Cyn last year, I knew that I needed to also check out Ibrahim Moustafa’s Count which is set in this world but was released first.
The art and colors are fantastic.
Moustafa’s art was awesome again. I absolutely love the design of this world, and it felt unique to me. I think if you gave me a third book set in this world, I would know what it was without you even telling me.
Brad Simpson’s colors provide a somewhat subdued but glorious palette to the story. The book looks fantastic.
I want more in this world.
Both Count and Cyn have built out this fantastic world that I now need more of in my life.
One of my favorite things in Count is that they laid out the overarching backbone of what the previous few decades were like with the political and war side of things in just a couple of lines.
The Count of Monte Cristo was easily adapted into the world that Moustafa has built out.
Cyn blew me away, and Count is just as great.
I was lucky enough to find Cyn last year, and I loved that book. I knew I wanted to go back and find Count, and I found it! My public library had a copy. Once again, folks, use your libraries!
I wasn’t 100% sure what the full store of Count was going to be about, and I think I love that it wasn’t the story directly prior to Cyn.
The art and colors are fantastic.
Moustafa’s art was awesome again. I absolutely love the design of this world, and it felt unique to me. I think if you gave me a third book set in this world, I would know what it was without you even telling me.
Brad Simpson’s colors provide a somewhat subdued but glorious palette to the story. The book looks fantastic.
I want more in this world.
Both Count and Cyn have built out this fantastic world that I now need more of in my life.
One of my favorite things in Count is that they laid out the overarching backbone of what the previous few decades were like with the political and war side of things in just a couple of lines.
The Count of Monte Cristo was easily adapted into the world that Moustafa has built out.
Cyn blew me away, and Count is just as great.
I was lucky enough to find Cyn last year, and I loved that book. I knew I wanted to go back and find Count, and I found it! My public library had a copy. Once again, folks, use your libraries!
I wasn’t 100% sure what the full store of Count was going to be about, and I think I love that it wasn’t the story directly prior to Cyn.
April 28, 2021
As a teen librarian, I’m always very interested in graphic novel adaptations of classics or indeed anything that might get my reluctant teen readers to pick up a classic. This book is engaging and interesting in how it spins the classic tale of revenge into a sci-fi swashbuckler but I’m not sure that it alone would guide readers to the source material. However, as a stand alone book, I think kids will enjoy it tremendously. One of the highlights for me was how author Ibrahim Moustafa spun the very confusing history of Napoleonic politics that drove the original story (when I read Dumas’ CoMC it was an annotated version that helped explain the politics, which is the only way I got through it I think) into a simplified political situation that still showed how ridiculous and destructive the power plays were. I also really enjoyed Mercedes’ new story, although I think it was not really a surprise. Brad Simpson’s artwork is expressive in a way that really captures the action and somehow manages to look futuristic and retain the swashbuckling feel of the period of the original.
November 16, 2020
Ibrahim Moustafa has created an engaging graphic novel in his science fiction reimagining of Alexander Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo. Count has a distinctly modern sensibility. It does not follow Dumas' story directly, but gives the main character somewhat different motivations and pathways while maintaining revenge as the driving focus. This makes the graphic novel both familiar and yet new for readers of Dumas' Cristo or those familiar with a film version. The elements of science fiction and imaginative approach to the main characters' crises and dilemmas are comfortably wrapped around this old story. It has hints of Star Wars and a somewhat Prince of Persia feel that makes it a more romantic approach. As it is a graphic novel, and there is action sequences, ~130 pages can only go so far, but it is a great gateway for young readers to discover an older classic novel through the lens of a more fantastic retelling.
February 10, 2024
Count delivers a swashbuckling revenge story in a sci-fi setting. Not being overly familiar with its source material, The Count of Monte Cristo, I didn't think I'd be as invested but this miniseries delivered a fun story.
Redxan Samud is an up and coming lowborn shipmate. After being framed and wrongfully imprisoned, Redxan vows revenge on those who betrayed him. He is joined along the way by a loyal robot and reluctantly gets involved with a rebellion to take down a corrupt regime. Ibrahim Moustafa's storytelling and writing is pretty good considering this is a miniseries which can only tell so much story. I do feel it rushed a bit in the middle act, but overall it was satisfying. Moustafa's art is great; and the futuristic designs are pleasing if not a bit generic.
Count might be a bit more satisfying to those who've read the classic novel. However newcomers will still find a classical revenge story executed well. 4 out of 5 stars.
Redxan Samud is an up and coming lowborn shipmate. After being framed and wrongfully imprisoned, Redxan vows revenge on those who betrayed him. He is joined along the way by a loyal robot and reluctantly gets involved with a rebellion to take down a corrupt regime. Ibrahim Moustafa's storytelling and writing is pretty good considering this is a miniseries which can only tell so much story. I do feel it rushed a bit in the middle act, but overall it was satisfying. Moustafa's art is great; and the futuristic designs are pleasing if not a bit generic.
Count might be a bit more satisfying to those who've read the classic novel. However newcomers will still find a classical revenge story executed well. 4 out of 5 stars.
July 1, 2021
The style of this graphic novel was great. The illustrations were good, the format was clean and felt like a traditional comic. But I really wish I had reread the classic Count of Monte Cristo before I read this... I didn't remember much from the original, so I felt a little disconnected from the characters and lost in the plotline. The story moves very very quickly, and truthfully, I felt like I was skipping pages (but I wasn't) because I was confused with the direction of the story. I would recommend for die-hard Sci-Fi fans, especially those who enjoy graphic novels. But otherwise, I wouldn't suggest this to people who haven't read the original Count of Monte Cristo, or those who struggle with reading comics or graphic novels.
July 27, 2021
I've never read The Count of Monte Cristo, so I can't say how faithful to the original work this graphic novel is or isn't, but it was an enjoyable read.
The vibrant sci-fi spin made for a highly entertaining reading experience. It's a beautiful book, that deserves a more attractive cover.
Excellent pacing. Diverse. Queer-friendly.
It helps to know that the gist of the original story was about revenge. The quotations throughout are well-chosen for this aspect.
Overall, difficult to follow in a couple spots, but worth reading, especially for readers who can't see themselves ever reading the original work.
The vibrant sci-fi spin made for a highly entertaining reading experience. It's a beautiful book, that deserves a more attractive cover.
Excellent pacing. Diverse. Queer-friendly.
It helps to know that the gist of the original story was about revenge. The quotations throughout are well-chosen for this aspect.
Overall, difficult to follow in a couple spots, but worth reading, especially for readers who can't see themselves ever reading the original work.
December 3, 2020
I really enjoyed this futuristic reimagining of the classic Dumas book, Count of Monte Cristo. There have been so many adaptations of the original work, it was great to see quite a few new versions of characters and even some of the major plot points. Without reading this as an adaptation, it is also a great story of revolution rather than revenge. I do not think the characters are very deeply developed, but the action and fast-paced plot do keep the reader interested. I am okay with my middle grade kids reading this, except for some brutal violence, so it is right on the border with YA.
December 5, 2022
brb, going to read the Count of Monte Cristo. This was pretty slick, loved the robots and all the sword fighting. Artwork was easy to follow and the designs were really interesting. Having never read the original, I thought this was a neat adaptation with some cool ideas! Moved a little fast, but I saw that the classic is around 1000 pages, so that might have been necessary. Good light reading about revenge!
January 18, 2023
Interesting adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo. I liked the futuristic sci-fi setting and the fact that it makes some changes to the story. I think the comic needed to be a bit longer to fully flesh out the story. What makes the original story so thrilling is the slow, intricate ways Edmond Dantes plots to take out his enemies. This comic feels a bit rushed. Recommend for fans of the original or anyone looking for a short sci-fi adventure.
June 9, 2024
It is a retelling of the story of the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas in a dystopian future. I liked it, the storytelling and the artwork are ok. It made me wonder when I had last read the original story, and I start to wonder if I ever did. The original story is more than a 1000 pages. I probably read a shorter youth version, and I am starting to wonder if I have read the complete The Three Musketeers or also a shorter version.
July 5, 2021
As a Count of Monte Cristo fan I had a great time reading this. The protagonist, Samud, is stripped of everything by rivals (for his job, his woman and by a political schemer) and sent to an inescapable prison. When he returns he's out for revenge — but in a world dominated by an oppressive government, will he aspire to more?
Nicely done.
Nicely done.
August 22, 2021
Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite book, so was curious to see this rendition of the story. Liked the take on it, loved the art. I would say this is a derivative of so many space operas, but the blend was entertaining and it being the classic revenge story that it is, really allowed for the one shot to tell it's tale without fluff.
December 7, 2022
Exquisite
The retelling of a classic with a great interpretive twist! I won't spoil it too much but you have to find out for yourself. The story was consistent, well thought out and great world building. Maybe one day there could be a live action sci-fi series. Keep up the good work!
The retelling of a classic with a great interpretive twist! I won't spoil it too much but you have to find out for yourself. The story was consistent, well thought out and great world building. Maybe one day there could be a live action sci-fi series. Keep up the good work!
March 23, 2025
This was pretty interesting. Taking inspiration from The Count of Monte Christo, this is a story of grand revenge. It was well written. There were some twists I couldn't see coming, as well as those I could. It was an exciting story that I found to be compelling. I'd say it's worth a read.
December 30, 2020
It’s a fine science fiction retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo and bonus points to any sci-fi title that’s a stand alone! It just somehow doesn’t quite stand out for me. It was ok and I enjoyed reading it but I’m not going to remember it in a few months...
March 14, 2021
Great action and updated sci-fi details for a classic. This is going to be a new modern classic going forward. I loved it.
April 11, 2021
hell yeah
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April 12, 2021An interesting, futuristic take on the Count of Monte Cristo. This can easily be enjoyed by both those familiar with the story, and not.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews