Transcript

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built in benefits the other guys leave out.

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Plus our five year price guarantee.

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There's no place to escape to. This is the last on the left

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of your glue.

A (1:02)

That's when the cannibalism started. What was that? All right, do you want to start?

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Are you practicing death?

A (1:18)

No, I practice death when I sleep.

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Oh, man. It's good. It's good. I. I do that when I. I stop breathing every night, see.

A (1:25)

Well, you do.

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I work really hard on it medically. For many, so many years, I've been working on getting my neck fatter and fatter and fatter and it presses on my larynx when I sleep. And so sometimes I don't breathe. And I'm still here. Can't stop me.

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Can't kill you.

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Can't kill me, dude.

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Can't imagine in my mind, Countdown should have a martial arts solution to sleep apnea. I think any of it of any martial artist groups of henchmen had sleep apnea. Yeah, it's guys in Count Dante's crew.

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Last Podcast On The Left – Episode 663: Count Dante Part II - The Dojo War of 1970

Date: May 8, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ed Larson

Episode Overview

This episode continues the wild, bizarre, and violent life story of Count Dante, a self-styled martial arts "master" who transformed himself into a comic-book antihero, infamous for outlandish claims, criminal escapades, and ultimately, the notorious Dojo War of 1970. The hosts dive into Dante's transition from a mail-order martial arts celebrity in 1960s Chicago to an unhinged figure whose ego, fraud, and violence led to an actual deadly martial arts brawl, mafia entanglements, possible involvement in a major heist, and a grim, bloody demise.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

I. The Rise of Count Dante and His World (03:49–10:14)

Comic Book Self-Promoter
- Dante marketed himself through comic book ads, offering, for 25 cents, pamphlets like "World’s Deadliest Fighting Secrets" (04:08).
- His Black Dragon Fighting Society offered branded merch and mail-order "secrets," run through a nun-supervised operation.
Real-Life Comic Villain & Personality
- Modeled himself after Anton LaVey, blending Satanic showmanship and martial arts bravado (04:40).
- “Count Dante is one of my favorite Americans that have ever been born. Except for the fact that I don’t like his behavior towards women.” – Henry (04:58)
- Despite his problematic behavior, the hosts emphasize he was a truly singular American character.
Dante's Love Interest: The "Dragon Lady"
- Carrie Anders, dubbed the “Dragon Lady,” joined Dante after working at the Playboy Club (06:17).
- She was cast as a tough, alluring sidekick—regardless of actual martial skills.

II. Martial Arts Stunts, Frauds, and the Bull Fight (10:16–20:04)

Staged Martial Arts Events
- Inspired by Japanese karate master Sosai Oyama, Dante tried to have a student fight a 2,000-lb Brahmin bull (10:16).
- Student Arthur Rapkin, chosen for his bullied-fueled anger, was paraded with the bull through Chicago—until police shut it down (14:44).
- “Thank fucking God. I didn’t know…I did not think it was gonna go well.” – Henry (16:04)
Fraudulent Tournaments & Scams
- After failed events, Dante would orchestrate thefts of the ticket money (19:03), using insiders like Rapkin, and exploit loopholes for personal gain.
- “He’s just figuring out how to eek his way through one week at a time.” – Henry (19:39)

III. The Downward Spiral: Violence, Abuse, and Cocaine (20:11–26:05)

Destructive Behavior
- Dante’s ego bruised by failed tournaments led to domestic abuse toward the Dragon Lady (20:27).
- “Dante would make her shave his elaborate pointy beard. She was so scared of making a mistake…her hands would shake.” – Marcus (20:57)
Mail Order Empire & Escalating Delusions
- With his comic book ads and self-mythology growing, Dante became more detached from reality, leading into the events of the notorious Dojo War.

IV. The Dojo War of 1970 – Violence, Death, and Chaos (26:05–48:48)

Dojo Storming Origins (26:45)
- Inspired by traditional Japanese martial arts rivalries (dojo yabori), Dante initiated “dojo storming” against the rival Green Dragon Society (Black Cobra Hall).
Rivalries and Triggers (28:03)
- Motivations included accusations of copying techniques, logo theft, and perhaps classic Chicago turf extortion.
The Night of the Attack
- Timestamp: 31:54–42:56
  - Six Black Dragons, led by Dante, stormed Black Cobra Hall, disguised as police.
  - All-out melee with swords, nunchucks, a mace, and even a spear.
  - “Now, when you get six guys who think they can fight against six other guys who think they can fight… it’s fucking chaos.” – Marcus (35:15)
  - Jim Koncevic—Dante’s loyal student—was slashed, speared in the neck, and died bleeding out on the sidewalk (41:02).
  - “Truly the most Polish way to end a karate match.” – Henry (40:29)
Aftermath
- Both Green and Black Dragons arrested; police couldn’t establish clear blame.
- Green Dragons claimed Koncevic impaled himself, but the hosts find this dubious (44:22).
- “You just see him on the ground with a giant spear sticking out of his neck, like, I think he did it to himself, honestly.” – Ed (44:35)
Legal Farce
- Dante and all involved face trial, but an old Irish judge dismisses the case in exasperation, calling everyone involved “lunatics” (54:16).
- “They’re all guilty. All these people are a bunch of lunatics who deserve what they got. Now get out of my courtroom.” – Quoted judge (55:27)

V. Decline: Outcast, Crime, and the Pearlator Heist (55:47–72:44)

Outcast from Martial Arts World
- Banned from dojos, Dante leaned into street-fighting, escalating criminality, and open provocations (57:13).
- “You think I’m gay? …Let me punch you in the face.” – Henry, parodying Count Dante’s antics (57:13-57:26)
Into Cocaine and Crime
- He and Arthur Rapkin began smuggling cocaine (59:04), with Dante so reckless he’d openly discuss illegal deals on tapped phones.
- “How much cocaine do you want me to bring to your house tonight?...I just want to know because...” – Henry, as Dante (60:57)
The Pearlator Heist Connection
- Dante is linked (possibly tenuously) to the 1974 Pearlator armored car robbery—one of America’s largest heists ($3.8 million, and $1 million never recovered).
- "Count Dante was never charged...but factors remain that suggest involvement." – Marcus (70:07–71:06)
- The hosts describe Dante boasting about the heist to old friends, and the recurring motif of the missing million.

VI. Final Acts & Death (72:44–82:58)

Violent Spectacle to the End
- Dante staged the infamous Taunton Death Matches in Massachusetts—no holds barred brawls, welcoming anyone. Brutality reigned and the event was a mess (73:32).
Paranoia, Fraud, and Demise
- Dante grew paranoid of mob retribution, locked in his apartment with a shotgun (75:12).
- Shortly before his death, he showed his lawyer a box of “money,” then frantically called to say it was counterfeit, suggesting he was in trouble (79:21).
- Within hours of these calls, Dante died violently from a bleeding ulcer (81:11), possibly exacerbated by cocaine, abuse, and violence.
- "According to Bob, Count Dante's living girlfriend at the time called him the next morning and said that the Count had been killed and that it was her belief that someone had poisoned him." – Marcus (80:32)

VII. Legacy & Host Reflections

The Idea of Count Dante
- “In the very end, he comes all the way back around. He really is a piece of shit…and I’m glad he’s dead…but he’s the idea of Count Dante.” – Ed (88:37)
- The hosts agree the American character of Dante—a blend of conman, self-made myth, and local villain—is both despicable and iconic.
- “Take a look at one of the comic book ads. You’re like, wow, that’s America.” – Marcus (88:50)

Notable Quotes & Moments

“He was a real-life comic book character who could supposedly kill a man with a single touch…And for just 25 cents, he could teach you to do the same.” – Marcus (05:07)
“I got you roses the color of blood that I shed in order to prove to you that I am a wonderful lover and an accepting husband.” – Henry, as Dante (07:33)
“You must come in the dark of night…you must come with several liters of Pepsi, because I have a bit of a sweet tooth.” – Henry, on Dante’s recruitment style (31:54)
“No matter where Dante was when the fight started…it was chaos.” – Marcus (35:15–35:51)
“After seeing Kanchevic collapse and die on the sidewalk, one of Count Dante’s students ran…to call the cops.” (42:56)
“All these people are a bunch of lunatics who deserve what they got. Now get out of my courtroom.” – Judge (55:27)
“Take a look at one of the comic book ads. You’re like, wow, that’s America.” – Marcus (88:50)

Key Timestamps

03:49 – Comic book mail-order legend, Count Dante, builds his image
06:06 – The “Dragon Lady” enters Dante’s orbit
10:16 – The (almost) bull-fighting stunt
19:03 – Money thefts and scams at Dante’s tournaments
26:27 – What is dojo yabori? The practice of storming rival martial arts schools
31:54 – The Night of the Black Dragon invasion on Black Cobra Hall
41:02 – Jim Koncevic is speared and dies
54:16–55:27 – The trial: “They’re all lunatics”
59:04 – The cocaine years and the descent into criminality
66:13 – Discussion of the Pearlator heist (the missing million dollars)
73:32 – The Taunton Death Matches: Dante’s nihilistic turn
80:32–82:58 – Dante’s death, the missing cash, and the end of the legend
88:37–88:50 – Reflections on Count Dante’s mythic yet infamous legacy

Tone & Style

Language: Brash, irreverent, darkly comedic, peppered with impressions and in-jokes
Approach: The hosts riff, interrupt, and riff again, blending researched history with wild tangents and their own personal asides. Cruelty and absurdity are viewed through a satirical, “only in America” lens.

Summary Statement

Part II of the Count Dante saga on Last Podcast On The Left follows an American anti-hero as he spirals from comic book notoriety to criminal underworld, culminating in a ludicrous and tragic martial arts gang war. Through fraud, violence, arrogance, and a touch of the absurd, the hosts dissect how Count Dante became a living legend, a cautionary tale, and, ultimately, a product of American ambition gone haywire.