Gankutsuou 1: The Count of Monte Cristo (Gankutsuou: the Count of Monte Cristo, 1)

Viscount Albert de Morcef and Baron Franz d'Epinay are best friends and sons of Parisian aristocrats. Franz decides to take Albert to the moon to experience his first Luna Carnival. Carnival is a time of lights and partying, but it is also a time when criminals are publicly executed. For a while, the boys are enjoying themselves in the company of a local countess. It is there that they first hear about the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo, an enigmatic man from the far reaches of the galaxy. Albert catches only a glimpse of the count but notices that the gentleman had dropped his watch. Albert follows the count to return it and finds himself walking into an awe-inspiring illusion. Grateful to have his possession returned, the count invites Albert and Franz to join him for the public execution. Albert finds himself utterly fascinated by the count while Franz remains rather indifferent. When the execution arrives, the count demonstrates to the boys just how influential he can be. The next day, Albert gets robbed by a girl he met, but the count helps him out by giving him new clothes and transportation home, promising to come visit on May 22. His family is skeptical at first, until the count makes his grand entrance. What none of them realize is that the count had been betrayed by Albert's father and his friends. Now he has returned to exact his revenge in a matter they will never see coming. Gankoutsu: The Count of Monte Cristo is based on Gonzo's animated series and certainly holds its own quite well in manga form. This series puts a sci-fi spin on Alexandre Dumas's classic tale and has a certain Willy Wonka quality to it that makes the story and artwork fascinating. It's almost hard to believe that the images on the pages are actually black and white. It is unlikely that the storyline will follow the classic exactly, but this manga could serve as a good transition piece for a teen reader in need of a gateway book to the classics. -- Courtney Kraft

Alexandre Dumas would be pleased. His classic tale, "The Count of Monte Cristo", has been reborn as a a science fiction manga! Albert, a Parisien noble, meets the Count of Monte Cristo on the moon at the Luna Catholic. His good friend Franz, had traveled before, and had agreed to accompany Albert to the wonders of the galaxy. Their last stop was the Luna Carnival, a sensory /sensual experience, tantalizing for all who dared venture forth. Meeting the mysterious count from the planet Monte Cristo, they are drawn into the Public Execution, and his fascination with death. Returning to earth, the pair of friends find themselves boiled in intrigue, and once again, the Count comes to call. This time, it's Paris, not the moon. The pair of friends soon find out that revenge, not friendship is central to his purposes. The result, a spectacular manga that owes more to the American style of storytelling than the Japanese format. Having read many manga, Gankutsuou is a splendid example of classic fiction making its' way across the ocean, and influencing other styles of art. The art by Yura Ariwara is marvelous, and highly reminiscent of Ernie Colon and the western art of Jack Keller. Even the medieval style cover turns this edition sends notice that Gankutsuou is a level above the crowd. Bravo. [...] Tim Lasiuta