COUNT DANTE #1, from Scout Comics on 5/10/23, tells the incredibly unbelievable but (almost) totally true life story of the world’s deadliest martial artist – John Timothy Keehan aka Count Juan Raphael Dante.
The Details
- Written by: J.C. Barbour
- Art by: Wes Watson
- Colors by: Paula Goulart
- Letters by: Wes Watson
- Cover art by: Cary Nord (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: May 10, 2023
Is It Good?
COUNT DANTE #1 likely isn’t going to appeal to everyone, but if you have a fondness for the mean/slick exploitation era of martial arts films, and you like comics with attitude, you’ll enjoy this comic almost as much as we did.
J.C. Barbour’s slick centers on the life and times (with a few liberal liberties taken) of the real-life John Timothy Keehan, the world’s most dangerous martial artist, and his adopted public persona as Count Juan Raphael Dante. Yes, Count Dante was a real person whose personality was just as big as his reputation, and if you grew up anywhere near the 60s and 70s, you’ve probably seen one or more ads in comics, magazines, and periodicals advertising one of Count Dante’s martial arts training materials.
How close is this comic to the real person? It’s impossible to say for sure, although J.C. Barbour admits to taking some liberties for dramatic effect. The historical timing and major world events are close enough to reality, and Keehan’s look matches photos of the man, so Barbour put care into making sure this issue is close enough to reality to have an air of authenticity.
Is the story compelling? Yes, it’s compelling and surprisingly funny. Keehan presents himself as larger than life in his first panel, and the overwhelming sense of confidence and swagger only builds as the comic progresses. Barbour does a solid job of taking the important bits of Keehan’s life and creating a simplified version that’s well-paced with smooth scene transitions, efficiently-placed time jumps, and slick dialog.
How’s the art? Excellent. Wes Watson keeps the action tight and elevates Keehan’s confident swagger with hip camera angles and grindhouse facial acting. This book is a treat in word and deed.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Sidney Brown, John Timothy Keehan’s longtime friend and partner, sitting down for an interview with a reporter in a local diner. Brown recounts how he first met Keehan during a POW rescue operation in Vietnam. Keehan was Brown’s personal savior, and when Brown witnessed how Keehan eliminated enemy soldiers with his bare hands, he asked to become his student.
Years later, Brown made his living as a hairdresser in Chicago. Keehan caught up with him after traveling the world for several years to learn martial arts from every master he could find.
We conclude the issue with a proposition, a warning, and a new look.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
COUNT DANTE #1 is a sharp, hip, grimy, and unexpectedly funny autobiography of the world’s most infamous martial artist. Barbour’s script touches on the highlights of the real man’s life, while taking just enough liberties to inject drama and humor, and Watson’s art is excellent.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.