Re-imagining a story is a tradition almost as old as literature itself. The best adaptations extract the core appeal of a narrative, add their own unique breath of life, and let the new, refreshed tale out into the world. “Count” is one such tale. It is a breath-taking retelling of “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas, except reimagined as a sci-fi epic. Ibrahim Moustafa brings the universe surrounding Redxan Samud into existence exhilaratingly, nobly aided by Brad Simpson and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Whether you like page-filling action set-pieces, tense dialogue bursting with subtext, or satisfying character arcs, “Count” has something for you between its covers.
Written and Illustrated by Ibrahim MoustafaCover by Ibrahim Moustafa
Colored by Brad Simpson
Lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Redxan Samud’s world was blossoming with success. Then, he was framed by his detractors and sentenced to exile on a remote, floating prison. Now, he must fight for his very survival and somehow escape in order to exact his revenge upon those who wronged him and reclaim the happiness he so briefly held.
I have never read Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Christo”, nor taken in the story in any other form before reading “Count”. Yet, from its first page, it felt like Ibrahim Moustafa was telling a story as elemental as the true classics usually are. Redxan Samud is a man wronged, and he seeks vengeance upon those who wronged him. The appeal of well-spun revenge narratives is intoxicating, and “Count” is no exception.
Equally alluring is the artwork from Moustafa and colorist Brad Simpson. Moustafa’s highly detailed renderings give “Count” a cinematic feel, with each minute detail expanding the universe that the story takes place in. Each panel is rich with visual splendor, without feeling indulgent. Particularly striking for me is the clarity and nuance that Moustafa brings to faces. In a story where the interplay between characters and subtle motivations are an integral part of the narrative, Moustafa is able to render expressions that provide much-needed information while still ringing true. Subtle touches like an extra wrinkle in very particular place add emotional weight to each scene that may not otherwise have been there. Simpson’s lighting amplifies this effect. There are extremes of feeling in “Count”, and exaggerated expressions to match them, but they never feel false, which is something to be lauded.
“Count” is not only about small moments, though. The action scenes are visually stunning. The more grounded nature of the story helps them feel more impactful than a book filled with non-stop fighting. Punches land with thumping force. Larger-scaled battles have the gravity that such encounters lack in more bombastic books. Otsmane-Elhaou’s penchant for unique sound effects add to the atmosphere of these scenes without making them feel cartoony. The deaths of even the most generic soldiers are given space to affect the reader. Most notably, the sword fighting in “Count” is some of the best I’ve ever seen. Moustafa captures the elegance innate to a swashbuckling dance between masters of the blade, with the knowledge that one false stroke means death simmering into every panel. Moustafa is not afraid to use unconventional page layouts to showcase the ebb and flow of swordsmanship, and these unconventional pages further immerse the reader in these moments. It’s telling that in a world with giant flying ships and marvelous technology, my favorite invention was a singular sword.
All of this visual splendor would lose its impact if the story couldn’t give these scenes meaning. This is where basing “Count” on a previous work arguably helps the creative team the most. Dumas’ original story has been long-celebrated, so using its structure as inspiration is a solid foundation on which to build a satisfying story. However, the creative team were not content with simply following the well-trodden path. “Count” goes far beyond a mechanical following of established story beats. Such a story would be lifeless and forgettable. “Count” makes the most of every aspect of its setting, adding elements that could not exist in any other version of “The Count of Monte Christo”. The story is well-paced, and scenes follow logically from one another. Every setup has payoff, even those that the reader doesn’t know are setups when they first read them. This is not a rose-tinted story by any means, but it is an immensely satisfying one. All of the characters are layered and captivating. The dialogue is captivating, with each character having their own, distinct voice.
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This does lead to my one slight criticism of “Count” – for all of its marvelous visuals, it can occasionally be heavy on text. However, the sheer scope of the story necessitates a great deal of exposition, not all of which can be given a visual representation. While my own enjoyment of “Count” was not diminished by this occasional wordiness, this might not be the case for all readers, and feel that it is worth noting. The writing is of a high quality, but it is not an effortless read.
“Count” delivers a grand tale of revenge, filled with memorable characters, stunning visuals, and exquisite storytelling. While it does require engagement from the reader in its denser moments, readers are rewarded for this with one of the most fascinating comic book re-imaginings of a celebrated story that I’ve ever read. Every page delivers an emotional moment, story beat, or stunning visual sequence. “Count” may be set in a futuristic world, but the experiences within are all too human. They will stay with you long after you set it down having inevitably gorged the entire wondrous book in one sitting.
