Vivek J. Tiwary

This is my second graphic novel review! I didn't know what to expect when I downloaded* The Fifth Beatle, but I was glad I had the opportunity to read it.

We all know about The Beatles and the amazing way they took over England and the US with their music. There was a man behind the scenes helping them with their success, their manager, Brian Epstein aka the Fifth Beatle. This graphic novel is really his story as the Beatles are present, but take a semi side stage in the book.

Epstein was a closeted homosexual man due to the way gay men were looked at in the 60s, especially in England. Throughout the novel, Epstein worries what would happen to him if he is found out, yet his desires constantly come to the forefront in the novel and will cost him dearly at a few points.

Epstein was also hooked to pills throughout much of his career as the Beatles manager. The novel explores his start with pills as a way of curing his homosexual urges, but eventually he becomes hooked to them, which will also cost him dearly.

This is the main thrust of the book, as well as his relationship with The Beatles and his need to clean up their image as well as clean up their messes. We see many of the Beatles highlights, but through the eyes of Epstein. For example, we know they will be on Ed Sullivan, but Epstein must negotiate with Sullivan who is talking and will only answer through a puppet. Epstein gives Sullivan The Beatles at below cost just to help them break big in the US.

The artwork in this book is so beautiful. I received my copy digitally and had wished I had a paper copy as much of the artwork spans two pages, which in my e-reading couldn't be formatted properly, so I had to pass from one page to another to admire the beauty of the work. I definitely recommend grabbing the paper version if you are interested in this book.

Overall, it was an interesting and largely untold story of The Beatles, but also what it means to be a gay man in the 60s. It is a quick read, as many graphic novels are, but worth the read at least once.

I gave this one 4 stars.

*I want to thank Edelweiss and Dark Horse Comics for the ability to read this book. I received it in exchange of an honest review… (altro)

Wow. What a beautifully written and beautifully illustrated story. Every page is just gorgeous. There's minor quibbles with the story--primarily over some of the pieces that had to be glossed over due to page count, by my guess. The whole Epstein and Lennon trip to Spain was quite short, and the lead up to his death was well done, but still I found it very slightly lacking.

It sounds like I'm tearing the story apart, and I'm really not. I finished it and found myself very satisfied. If you're a Beatles fan, as I am, or just have an interest in the biggest mystery personality of the Beatles' larger family, this is a great introduction.

My biggest complaint is the title. It's a personal thing, and there are several contenders for the title of "Fifth Beatle"...Stu Sutcliffe, Brian Epstein, etc. For me though, the only true contender is the man that helped shape their sound. George Martin. But hey, that's just me.… (altro)