The Fifth Beatle debuts at the top of the charts

Dark Horse Comics’ adaptation of Vivek J. Tiwary’s novel that tells the tale of The Fifth Beatle, Brian Epstein.

Written by multiple Tony Award–winning producer Vivek J. Tiwary (Green Day’s American Idiot, The Addams Family, Mel Brooks’ The Producers) and painted by fanboy favorites Andrew C. Robinson (Dusty Star, King Conan, Starman, Superman) and Kyle Baker (The Shadow, Plastic Man.) The Fifth Beatle is the untold true story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered and guided the Beatles—from their gigs in a tiny cellar in Liverpool to unprecedented international stardom.

Yet more than merely the story of “The Man Who Made The Beatles,” The Fifth Beatle is an uplifting, tragic, and ultimately inspirational human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Brian Epstein was homosexual when it was a felony to be so in the United Kingdom, Jewish during a period of pervasive anti-Semitism, and from Liverpool when it was considered just a dingy port town. He helped spread the Beatles’ message of love to the entire world, yet died painfully lonely at the young age of thirty-two, consumed by staggering ambition and the endless struggles that came with it.

Obviously, this is a big book foa number of reasons, not the least of which is that it’s about the Fab Four. The Beatles have made their presence felt in the collective consciousness of the entire globe in one way or another since their debut decade ago and they just keep on rolling even now in the 21st century. Way less known though, is the story of the unofficial fifth ‘member’ of the group, Epstein.

The Dark Horse graphic novel translates the story as written by Tiwary and fills in the blanks of one of the biggest parts of the Beatles history that so few know. It probably shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, given all that, that the book has shot to the top of the New York Times bestsellers list, placing at number five on the charts.

If you’d like a copy for yourself, the book is in stores right now and available on some digital storefronts. It can be had for $19.99 USD- and would probably make a more than sold gift for that rock historian on your Holiday list.