You know John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, but do you know the fifth Beatle
On October 25, Dark Horse Comics’ M Press will publish an expanded edition of THE FIFTH BEATLE: The Brian Epstein Story, marking the first time that the #1 New York Times bestseller and award-winning graphic novel has been published in paperback. The book illustrates the story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered the Beatles in a tiny cellar in Liverpool and guided them to unprecedented international super-stardom. Equally inspirational and heartbreaking, THE FIFTH BEATLE is the graphic novel debut of Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Vivek J. Tiwary (Green Day’s “American Idiot”) and is illustrated by acclaimed artists Andrew Robinson (Starman) and Kyle Baker (Nat Turner).
THE FIFTH BEATLE is more than just the untold story of the man who created Beatlemania, it is a timely and timeless exploration of pop culture, music, sexual identity, prejudice and the idea that all you need is love.
Tiwary found an historical mentor in the Beatles’ manager, relating to Epstein’s outsider status while being equally inspired as both an artist and a businessman by the transcendent success and heartbreaking failure. Brian Epstein overcame great obstacles–he was a gay man in a time and place where homosexual acts were deemed a felony in the United Kingdom, Jewish at a time of pervasive anti-Semitism, and he hailed from Liverpool, at a time when it was considered just a dingy port town. Although Epstein helped spread the Beatles’ message of love to the entire world, he died lonely at the young age of thirty-two, consumed by his own staggering ambition, with no succession plan for the pop culture sensation he helped cultivate.
Originally published to widespread acclaim in October 2013, THE FIFTH BEATLE is the winner of the Will Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work, 2 Harvey Awards (including Best Original Graphic Novel), a finalist of the Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBT Graphic Novel, an American Library Association Great Graphic Novel for Teens, and is included as part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives Permanent Collection in conjunction with Brian Epstein’s official induction. Earlier this year it was announced that Sonar Entertainment optioned the rights to THE FIFTH BEATLE and it will be developed as a multi-part event series with Tiwary adapting his work for television and serving as executive producer.
The long-awaited paperback edition includes a sketchbook and Beatles memorabilia bonus section with never-before-seen material and behind-the-scenes insights from Tiwary, Baker and Robinson.
This fall, Tiwary will be appearing at events to meet with fans and discuss this important chapter in the history of one of the most famous bands in history: the Beatles (See below).
Wednesday, October 26
Barnes & Noble
150 E. 86th Street
New York, NY 10028
7:00pm
Thursday, October 27
Barnes & Noble
Prudential Center
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02119
7:00pm
Friday, October 28
Comicazi
407 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144
4:00-6:00pm
Sunday, November 6
Booksy Galore
67 Westchester Ave.
Pound Ridge, NY 10576
2:00pm
Thursday, November 10
Barnes & Noble
7851-L Tysons Corner Center
McLean, VA 22102
7:00pm
Friday, December 9
Barnes & Noble
210 Commerce Blvd.
Fairless Hills, PA 19030
7:00pm
THE FIFTH BEATLE is that rare book that illuminates history, provides business lessons, and entertains and inspires by reminding us of the healing power of music
THE FIFTH BEATLE: The Brian Epstein Story Expanded Edition (On sale October 25, 2016 / 176 pages / $14.99 pbk / Dark Horse Comics’ M Press / ISBN 9781616558352)
For more information or to view the trailer for the graphic novel, visit FifthBeatle.com
About the Writer:
Vivek J. Tiwary is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and the founder of Tiwary Entertainment Group. Tiwary is currently adapting The Fifth Beatle as a multi-part event series with Sonar Entertainment and will serve as executive producer. On Broadway, Tiwary’s productions have won a combined 25 Tony Awards over 44 Tony nominations—every single one of his shows has been decorated. They include such groundbreaking work as Green Day’s “American Idiot,” “A Raisin In The Sun,” and Mel Brooks’ “The Producers”. Tiwary is currently working with Alanis Morissette and Pulitzer and Tony Award-winner Tom Kitt to adapt Morissette’s breakthrough album “Jagged Little Pill” for Broadway. Tiwary’s illustrated Young Adult novel Asha Ascending (with art by the award-winning Sara Richard) is currently being serialized chapter-by-chapter free at AshaAscending.com.
About the Artist:
Andrew Robinson attended the Savannah College of Art and Design. He’s best known for his cover work on titles like Starman and Hawkman. Robinson has designed covers for many DC Comics titles, variant covers for IDW’s Angel After the Fall and numerous covers for Star Wars. He also has a music project called the Spacejunkies in which he writes lyrics and plays harmonica.
About the Artist:
Kyle Baker is a New York based cartoonist. He is a multiple Eisner and Harvey Award winner. His work has been published by Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics and others and includes such titles as Why I Hate Saturn, Plastic Man, and DeadpoolMAX, and Nat Turner.
Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher