Must Be the Devil

In this deeply candid memoir, Oscar-nominated writers and comedians the Lucas Bros investigate the life and violent death of their surrogate big brother Kaizen, confronting the unsettling parallels between his demons and their own—and the circumstances and choices that shaped their radically different fates.

Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, in the 1980s, Keith and Kenny Lucas knew poverty, violence, crime, and chaos, but also family bonds, friendship, laughter, and love. At the center of their childhood was Kaizen, their brother in all but blood, who introduced them to Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, and Wu-Tang, all while teaching them how to make people laugh. But on August 8, 2019, Kaizen shot and killed a young father before dying in a shootout with police outside the brothers’ childhood home.

Determined to understand how the man they knew and loved became capable of committing such horrific violence, the brothers return to Newark in search of answers. Through interviews, police reports, surveillance footage, court records, and Kaizen’s increasingly disturbing Facebook posts, they uncover painful and shocking truths about their family and themselves. Their investigation compels them to reckon with their own struggles with mental illness and addiction and to question their improbable journey from a housing project to the Oscars. As their careers reach new heights, the brothers face an uncomfortable reality: Kaizen’s tragic downfall has helped propel their success.

Weaving their signature deadpan and dark humor with raw honesty, the Lucas Bros examine how family, choice, and moral luck influenced three lives that began in the same place but ultimately diverged in profound ways. The result is a gripping memoir that challenges the stories America tells itself about what it really means to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and “beat the odds.”

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs