RICO’S PICK :: THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY: This is a book that has been in the making for quite some time and I can’t wait to hold a copy in my hands. It’s written by Vivek J. Tiwary with the majority of the art handled by Andrew Robinson and a small sequence by Kyle Baker. Honestly, Andrew Robinson’s artwork is the draw for me on this project. From what I’ve seen in previews he has unloaded his entire bag of tricks on this project, from stylized cartooned likenesses of people everyone is bound to recognize to fully painted realism to trippy psychedelia and much more, it’s all here on display in the Fifth Beatle. For anyone who has ever dipped a brush in watercolor paint, you understand the reflection of Epstein in the panel below is pure witchcraft.

Fair warning, this isn’t a light-hearted bio comic, Epstein was dealing with some heavy stuff and it’s addressed here. This is his story after all.  We’ll have 2 versions of this book, both hardcover. The collector’s edition features a unique, textured cover and a section of bonus materials including unique Beatles and Brian Epstein memorabilia, artist sketches, and alternate covers.