Demi-God #1
Written by Ron Marz
Art by Andy Smith
Colors by Michael Atiyeh
Letters by Steve Dutro
Covers by Andy Smith and Michael Atiyeh, Bart Sears and Nanjan Jamberi, Jeff Johnson and Michael Atiyeh, Bob Layton and Michael Atiyeh
IDW Publishing
Release Date: April 4, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

In 2017, IDW Publishing partnered with Ominous Press to begin a new line of comics, one they are calling the Ominous Universe apparently. The newest installment in this line is Demi-God #1, a tale of power without the sense of heroism that we have come to expect in comics. If you will give me a few moments of your time, I will give you my opinion of this premiere issue that promises to be a little different, to say the least.

Midnight Society: The Black Lake #1
Story and Art by Drew Edward Johnson
Colors by Lizzy John
Letters by Steve Dutro
Cover by Drew Edward Johnson and Lizzy John
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 10, 2015
Cover Price: $3.99

As comic readers, we are constantly subjected to the fight between good and evil, in sequential art, of course. Most of the time, it is clearly defined into right and wrong, good guys/gals versus bad guys/gals, them against us, et cetera. Occasionally, the lines blur and we aren’t exactly sure which character is a villain and which one is the hero. Everything about Midnight Society: The Black Lake #1 points to just such a dilemma. Moral decisions and selfishness seem to be at the root of this issue. Please read on while I make my case.

The Fifth Beatle
The Brian Epstein Story
Hardcover | Kindle Edition
Written by Vivek J. Tiwary
Pencils by Andrew C. Robinson, Kyle Baker
Inks by Andrew C. Robinson, Kyle Baker
Letters by Steve Dutro
Colors by Andrew C. Robinson, Kyle Baker
Cover by Andrew C. Robinson
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Cover Price: $19.99

The life of Brian Epstein, who discovered and managed The Beatles and who almost singlehandedly supplied the runway in which the band could propel itself to the greatest heights, is the subject of a dazzling, can’t put it down graphic novel from Dark Horse Comics, entitled what many thought Brian to be during his short and troubled, yet fascinating life, The Fifth Beatle.

The legend of who the Fifth Beatle actually was has been sussed out to be many other figures in the band’s folklore along with Epstein, figures like radio DJ Murray the K, who anointed himself as such in the most novelty and charming way, or long-time friends Mal Evans or Neil Aspinall, both of whom were with the band in their earliest makeups and wound up becoming key integral parts of the rich, sprawling history the group found themselves entailed in as the years went on. But to people like Paul McCartney, Brian Epstein always held the mantle and title of the Fifth Beatle. And the creators of this biographic tale feel the same way, in essence, that nobody could claim that title but Brian.