The Count of Monte Cristo

by Steven Grant (adaptor), Dan Spiegle (Illustrator), Alexandre Dumas

Set against the tumultuous years of the Post-Napoleonic era, Dumas's grand historical romance recounts the swashbuckling adventures of Edmond Dantes, a dashing young sailor falsely accused of treason. The story of his long imprisonment, dramatic escape, and carefully wrought revenge offers up a vision of France that has become immortal.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Literature, Comics, Adventure

52 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1844

About the author

Steven Grant is an American comic book writer best known for his 1985–1986 Marvel Comics mini-series The Punisher with artist Mike Zeck and for his creator-owned character Whisper.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_...

Reviews

[Sam Greens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think it has ever taken me so long to read a book. Great story but too long winded

[Ash Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I never read the original book. I read this and it’s so good I want to buy and get the original. Not gonna lie. If a book is too many pages it intimidates me and I don’t want to read it. When I saw that this classic book was in comic book form I was more willing to take a chance. I’m so glad I did. This is a great comic and I can’t wait to read the novel.

[NCHS Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Amazon: The comic book from of the classic, Edmond Dantes, a fugitive wrongly accused of a crime and betrayed by a rival, escapes from prison to embark on a search for treasure. Eventually, Dantes returns to France after creating the new identity of The Count of Monte Cristo in order to exact vengeance on his betrayer.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

i found it too brief. it seemed disjointed

[Mohammed Rider · Rating 5 out of 5]

simple and too brief.

[Jim D'Ambrosia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly decent, and not too hard for middle-grade students to read, at least for the first half. The second part gets out of control and you really need a scorecard to keep track of it all.

[The Library Mouse Tales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a colourful graphic novel version of the famous Alexander Dumas book. It tells the exciting story of Edmond Dantès, who is a merchant sailor in the early 1800s. Edmond has a good life. He is a successful sailor, has many friends and is engaged to a beautiful woman called Mercedes.

But there are some of his so-called friends who become jealous of his perfect life and plan to ruin it. They accuse him of treason and he is sent to an island prison, Château d’If, for life without a trial! He loses his job, his success, his fiancée, his freedom and his good reputation.

After 13 years in prison, Edmond has made a friend, Abbé Faria, who teaches him many subjects and tells him about his treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Edmond is desperate to escape the prison, get revenge on all the people who betrayed him and find Abbé Faria’s treasure.

This book is a great way for younger readers to enjoy this classic revenge story. It includes lots of detail and has all the action and excitement of the original story but in a comic strip style that makes the story easier for young people to enjoy. You will need to get your own copy to discover if Edmund does manage to escape or if he ever gets revenge on the old friends who ruined his life.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is another classic that I have not read the original of first. I never had any intention of reading this original as I did try to read The Three Musketeers once and gave it up as a bad job. Over the years I've come to simply realize I do like French Literature nor historical fiction set in French history, not even if Charles Dickens writes it. This story was passable reading but it is a very complicated plot with many storylines between various characters going on and I can only imagine the number of cast not included in this graphic adaptation. A silly romance, with over the top devotions, willing to die rather than live without that one special love. It's also a story of revenge, backstabbing, swindling and the past coming back to haunt us. I can't compare to the original but Grant did manage to keep me on my toes with all that was going on with so many characters I never felt lost; while Spiegle is a legendary artist in the field and his art makes for an attractive book. However reading this has not made me want to read the original, anything else by Dumas nor has it changed my opinion of French Lit. in general.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The full novel is over 1,000 pages long, so it was a significant challenge to abridge the story down to a lengthy comic book. Despite this difficulty, the creators of this comic have succeeded very well. The essence of the story as well as the political background of the restoration of the monarchy after Napoleon was overthrown is maintained.
I have long been a proponent of the Classics Illustrated series of comics, for anything that encourages young people to get involved in reading the classics is something that I consider a strong positive. Given the extended length of the novel, this comic provides an excellent summary of the story.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! I had forgotten so much and loved reading it! I read a 500 pg abridged version this time but I would love to get my hands on an unabridged to read before bookclub. I had such a hard time keeping all the characters straight and had to keep turning back to the first few chapters to remember who had done what to Dante at the beginning of the story. Does anyone have an unabridged version sitting on a shelf?

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

In addition to the swashbuckling story... I love, love the comics artwork of Dan Spiegle! He's one of the great storytellers, still living, and here's to him. I read this upon publication as part of the First Comics revival of the Classics Illustrated line. I liked this generation of Classics Illustrated above and beyond all previous: highly, highly recommended. You may have to find this on ebay or the back issue comics market. Ask your local comics shop, for instance.

[Shiloh Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest and well written fiction stories out there. This book drew me back into reading in the 10th grade when all of my "friends" thought and said reading was a waste. Thankfully this book found me and proved that wrong at such an impressionable time in my life.

I recommend this book to anyone and even more so to a parent trying to attract a young child into reading. This story has it all and will keep them into it.

I cannot say enough good things about this book!

[Brenda Cregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning, if you have seen the most recent Count of Monte Cristo with James Caviesel, you will be disappointed with how the story ends. And yet, it has a rather interesting storyline.

" There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness."

[Qelilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this classic and found that there were some details that I did not remember. This is an excellent book and it treats people of color and slaves in an unprecedented way for it's era.
There is a new series called Dracula and it reminds me of the Count of Monte Cristo, after Dantes became the Count. Very interesting...

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never read a book like this, in which many characters development are involved. Pay attention to details of the book, a book about envy, betral, perseverance, adventure, love, hate, revenge on the evil doing and rewarding the good. Forgiveness and compassion are also involved...

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book that I have read. The epitome of page-turner and just like the old Saturday morning movies (that I am too young to remember) as each chapter seems to have some kind of cliff-hanger to keep you reading on!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this -- one of my favorites!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful classic. Clean reading material with a lot of characters I identify with. Great book for any for any reader looking for a thrill.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so in depth and detailed. It's lengthy, but I couldn't put it down! It's a lot different than the movie so you need to read it even if you've seen the movie.

[Erek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, even though I had seen the movie first. Way better than the movie.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

The abridged version is enough

[Surina Knott-craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning book! Could not put it down. Am now hooked on Dumas and cant wait to read more of his books.

[Mari Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best adaptation. Confusing, even for me who has read the original several times. Could have used more narration boxes. Not recommended.

[Sean Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always found this story to be too "neat" but they do a pretty good job on condensing it here.

[Lyndsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't see to find a paperback edition of this run on here, but that's how I read this, frequently as a child and fell in love with it. Adored it as a child.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good but I wish the characters were easier to recognize by their drawings… also there were several things left unsettled.

[Anonymous · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fast paced, leaves out on certain plots necessary in development of the flow.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great classic!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and liked the movies