‘Count of Monte Cristo’ Comic Book Reimagining in the Works

Humanoids is getting an early start on 2021 with the announcement that it has signed Portland, Oregon creator Ibrahim Moustafa to a three-book contract beginning with a science fiction reimagining of the classic Count of Monte Cristo titled, simply, Count.

The graphic novel, to be released next spring, follows Redxan Samud, a man framed and imprisoned for treason who, upon his escape, reinvents himself as a man of means — and faithful Automaton Retainer Unit — as a way of seeking revenge on those who set him up in the first place. Count will be the first work of Moustafa (High Crimes, DC’s Mother Panic: Gotham A.D., Dynamite’s James Bond: Origin) for the L.A.-based publisher.

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“Humanoids has always been at the forefront of publishing beautifully produced, imaginative graphic novels,” Moustafa said in a statement. “I’m incredibly honored to have Count added to that pantheon, and grateful for a long-term commitment to publish more of the kinds of stories I’d like to tell.”

Mark Waid, Humanoids publisher, added, “Ibrahim has taken a classic text and brought a modern sensibility to it, with widescreen storytelling and clever reinvention. This book is a signpost for the kind of graphic novels that we’ll be publishing in the months and years to come.”

Count — and Moustafa’s three-book deal as a whole — is just the first announcement of what’s to come from Humanoids in the upcoming months. In the short term, next month sees the launch of The Humnoise Podcast, hosted by Waid and former Paste magazine comics editor Sean Edgar, with guests including comic creators Brian Michael Bendis and Matt Fraction, as well as film directors Tim Miller and Richard Stanley. Beyond that, Waid is already teasing an impressive line-up of 2021 releases.

“With everything going on in the publishing world right now, we felt that it was important to let the creative community know that Humanoids is open for business and looking for transgressive, thought-provoking graphic novels,” said Waid. “And that’s just the beginning. It’s too early to do much more than tease our 2021 slate next year, but it’s thrilling to see so many creative voices joining Humanoids.”

Count will be released in March 2021.