As noted in an earlier post, I read a lot of of rock biographies, and as a lifelong Beatles fan, I've read about John, Paul, George and Ringo more than anyone else. In fact, the story of The Beatles – how they came together, their rise to fame and how they reshaped not just music, but popular culture, before their sadly inevitable split – is probably my favorite story of all time. Even when told poorly (and there are a lot of bad Beatles books out there), it's a gripping tale. When told right, it's just as compelling as the very best fiction.
Bellstor's graphic novel definitely falls into the "done right" category, taking one of the earliest and most important chapters of the story and infusing it with such sensitivity and attention to detail it would appeal to even the best-read Beatles fans. Better still: Bellstor handles his source material so well that it becomes more than a mere retelling of Beatles history, and instead stands on its own merits, as a story that could be enjoyed by virtually anyone.
It's one of my favorite books of the year, and whether you're a Beatles fan, a comics fan or you're just looking for something great to read – I'm willing to bet Baby's in Black will be one of your favorites, too.
That's just how instant classics work.
