The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story

As I’m writing this review, I am playing Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band over the loudspeaker. I glance out from beyond the enclave I call my desk and notice something quite peculiar. As the album plays and the people around me go about their business, nearly all of them are mouthing the words to themselves, barely cognizant of the world around them. Each person acting independently of each other sharing a collective response. This is the power of music. This is the power of The Beatles. While we all know the words, do we know the meaning or better yet, do we even know who was behind the curtain?

The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story tells the story of the Beatles manager Brian Epstein. It’s the story of one man’s passion, his need to share the Beatles to the world and the problems that stem from the pursuit of perfection. The graphic novel takes readers on a wonderful journey from the means streets of Liverpool to the sundrenched beaches of Spain. It delves into the dizzying heights of successful, the paralysing fears of repression and everything in between.

Author Vivek J. Tiwary has crafted a labour of love. This is a project that he has been slaving away at for years and his passion shows in the pages. He captures the spirit of the band perfectly, and more importantly, humanizes these God-like characters that we have created in our heads. Brian’s story is one that will hit close to home for many people. He was a regular guy, trying to find his place in the world. He was also a closeted homosexual and pill popper who tried to please everyone at every turn. He loved his friends and family, yet hated that his passion was limited by the world around him. However, this isn’t a story of one man’s fall, but a tale of one man’s persistence. He faced insurmountable odds trying to make four lads from Liverpool bigger than Elvis and his legacy speaks for itself.

The first thing many will notice is how gorgeous this book is. The character designs are both grounded and fanciful. The way the characters bounce about the pages gives the book its dream like demeanor, because afterall, what are the Beatles without dreams? One area that was a bit underwhelming is panel repetition during the first quarter of the book. It’s nothing major, its just noticeable. Make no mistake, this is a near picture perfect book, one where each panel can find a home on any music lover’s wall.

 A book like The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, comes around once in a life-time. It’s a modern day masterpiece that belongs on the shelves of anyone with a heart. if you’re hard pressed to find a Christmas gift, just buy everyone this and share the love. Love is all you need.  

The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story

Writer: Vivek J. Tiwary

Art: Andrew C. Robinson & Kyle Baker
Lettering: Steve Dutro

Publisher: Mike Richardson for M Press a Division of Dark Horse Comics
Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/The-Fifth-Beatle-Epstein-Collectors/dp/1616552654