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The Crow (Kitchen Sink Press)
The Crow
When James O’Barr poured the pain and anguish of a personal tragedy into the drawings that comprise The Crow, his intensely cathartic story of Eric—who returns from the dead to avenge his and his fiancÉe’s murder at the hands of a street gang—resonated with readers around the world. Now, the illustrated tale that became the “thrilling� (Los Angeles Daily News) and “spectacular� (Chicago Tribune) screen triumph is re-released in an expanded version the author originally intended, complete at last with:
Thirty pages of never-before-seen artwork, including a new closing segment, “Sparklehorse,� and the touching new scene, “An August Noel�
A new Introduction by James O’Barr
Lost sequences restored using the artist’s original technique
This is The Crow like you’ve never seen it before—the powerful journey of an avenging angel and a celebration of true love . . . as fierce, intelligent, and unforgettable as when it was first conceived.
Suggested for mature readers.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
358 people are currently reading
14.4k people want to read
About the author
James O'Barr
104books386followersJames O'Barr is an accomplished artist and writer, best known for creating The Crow.
In 1978, O'Barr's fiancée, Beverly, was killed by a drunk driver, and he joined the Marines in an effort to cope with the loss. He was stationed in Germany and illustrated combat manuals for the military. While living in Berlin in 1981, O'Barr began work on The Crow as a means of dealing with his personal tragedy. O'Barr was further inspired by a Detroit newspaper account of the murder of a young couple over a $20 engagement ring. After his discharge from the Marines, O'Barr continued his painting and illustration as well as doing lots of odd jobs, including working for a Detroit body shop. The Crow sat on a shelf for seven years, but at last someone wanted to publish it: Gary Reed of Caliber Press. In The Crow, the protagonist and his fiancée are murdered by a gang of criminals. He then returns from the dead to hunt their killers.
O'Barr's own hope that his project would result in a personal catharsis went unfulfilled, he told an interviewer in 1994, saying, "[A]s I drew each page, it made me more self-destructive, if anything....There is pure anger on each page". The Crow has sold more than 750,000 copies worldwide.
The book was adapted into a successful film of the same name in 1994, but it resulted in further tragedy. Brandon Lee, who played the main character, was accidentally shot and killed during filming.
O'Barr was the second American to be awarded the "Storyteller Award" by the International Comic Festival held annually in Angoulême, France.
In 1978, O'Barr's fiancée, Beverly, was killed by a drunk driver, and he joined the Marines in an effort to cope with the loss. He was stationed in Germany and illustrated combat manuals for the military. While living in Berlin in 1981, O'Barr began work on The Crow as a means of dealing with his personal tragedy. O'Barr was further inspired by a Detroit newspaper account of the murder of a young couple over a $20 engagement ring. After his discharge from the Marines, O'Barr continued his painting and illustration as well as doing lots of odd jobs, including working for a Detroit body shop. The Crow sat on a shelf for seven years, but at last someone wanted to publish it: Gary Reed of Caliber Press. In The Crow, the protagonist and his fiancée are murdered by a gang of criminals. He then returns from the dead to hunt their killers.
O'Barr's own hope that his project would result in a personal catharsis went unfulfilled, he told an interviewer in 1994, saying, "[A]s I drew each page, it made me more self-destructive, if anything....There is pure anger on each page". The Crow has sold more than 750,000 copies worldwide.
The book was adapted into a successful film of the same name in 1994, but it resulted in further tragedy. Brandon Lee, who played the main character, was accidentally shot and killed during filming.
O'Barr was the second American to be awarded the "Storyteller Award" by the International Comic Festival held annually in Angoulême, France.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,133 reviews
September 4, 2024
Death is eternal. My love for you is infinite.
The Crow (1994) ranks among my all-time favorite films. It's dark, gritty, beautiful, poetic, and deeply emotional. Recently, a remake was released, and everyone is upset about it, feeling that it was a bold move to touch a classic. So, what better opportunity to dive into the iconic comic that inspired the movie?
The Crow is enveloped in sorrow, both in its fictional narrative and in reality. James O'Barr, the book's author, penned the tale as a means to process the tragic death of his fiancée, Beverly. Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee and the film's lead actor, lost his life on set due to a prop gun (a real revolver) that was mistakenly loaded with faulty dummy rounds while filming a scene. Brandon's life came to an abrupt end just a few weeks before he was set to marry his fiancée, Eliza Hutton. His unforgettable portrayal of Eric Draven continues to captivate audiences and remains a timeless classic for movie lovers.
The Crow tells the tale of a broken man on a quest for vengeance after the murder of his beloved fiancée, Shelly. Both Eric and Shelly are killed by a violent gang, with Shelly enduring horrific abuse before her death. Brought back to life by a crow, Eric embarks on a relentless mission to punish those responsible for his beloved's demise. As he exacts his revenge, he is perpetually tormented by memories of Shelly, and in the moments he isn't confronting his enemies, he grapples with the pain of his profound loss.
“People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest. Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong things right.�
It's fitting that the author selected a crow as Eric's guide. Crows are remarkable creatures. When one of their own passes away, crows conduct their own unique “funerals.� They engage in rituals and are known to present gifts and small tokens to those who assist them. Numerous tales and videos showcase crows gifting items to people they regard as friends.
Many people are afraid of them, viewing them as harbingers of death. There might be some validity to that perception. When Eric returns, he certainly instills fear; he’s a transformed man driven solely by a desire for revenge. In the film, Eric expressed sentiments such as, "They're all dead. They just don't know it yet." However, he also exhibited a profound sensitivity and genuine concern for Sarah, the young girl whom he and Shelly looked after due to her mother's battle with addiction, as well as for Albrecht, one of the rare virtuous police officers in the city. Book Eric did not display the same level of emotional attachment as his cinematic version.
The book and the movie differ in numerous ways, and I lean towards the film's portrayal of Eric. Brandon Lee infused the character with such depth and emotion that it’s hard not to be captivated by him. In contrast, Eric from the book is much darker and more unstable, likely reflecting the author's own frustrations. I truly hope he has found some peace and has been able to heal from his grief.
The love between Eric and Shelly is both heartbreaking and enduring, transcending even death itself. We all yearn for a connection so deep that someone would go to any lengths for us, even seeking revenge on our behalf. This narrative captures that essence. While it contains elements of violence and graphic imagery, it also weaves a darkly romantic tale. Brandon's greatest desire was to marry Eliza, while Eric's deepest wish was to marry Shelly. Unfortunately, neither couple, whether real or imagined, achieved their dreams. Yet, the strength of their connections remains unshakable, even in the face of death. True love never dies.
It's not the years that matter, it's the moments.
The Crow (1994) ranks among my all-time favorite films. It's dark, gritty, beautiful, poetic, and deeply emotional. Recently, a remake was released, and everyone is upset about it, feeling that it was a bold move to touch a classic. So, what better opportunity to dive into the iconic comic that inspired the movie?
The Crow is enveloped in sorrow, both in its fictional narrative and in reality. James O'Barr, the book's author, penned the tale as a means to process the tragic death of his fiancée, Beverly. Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee and the film's lead actor, lost his life on set due to a prop gun (a real revolver) that was mistakenly loaded with faulty dummy rounds while filming a scene. Brandon's life came to an abrupt end just a few weeks before he was set to marry his fiancée, Eliza Hutton. His unforgettable portrayal of Eric Draven continues to captivate audiences and remains a timeless classic for movie lovers.
The Crow tells the tale of a broken man on a quest for vengeance after the murder of his beloved fiancée, Shelly. Both Eric and Shelly are killed by a violent gang, with Shelly enduring horrific abuse before her death. Brought back to life by a crow, Eric embarks on a relentless mission to punish those responsible for his beloved's demise. As he exacts his revenge, he is perpetually tormented by memories of Shelly, and in the moments he isn't confronting his enemies, he grapples with the pain of his profound loss.
“People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest. Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong things right.�
It's fitting that the author selected a crow as Eric's guide. Crows are remarkable creatures. When one of their own passes away, crows conduct their own unique “funerals.� They engage in rituals and are known to present gifts and small tokens to those who assist them. Numerous tales and videos showcase crows gifting items to people they regard as friends.
Many people are afraid of them, viewing them as harbingers of death. There might be some validity to that perception. When Eric returns, he certainly instills fear; he’s a transformed man driven solely by a desire for revenge. In the film, Eric expressed sentiments such as, "They're all dead. They just don't know it yet." However, he also exhibited a profound sensitivity and genuine concern for Sarah, the young girl whom he and Shelly looked after due to her mother's battle with addiction, as well as for Albrecht, one of the rare virtuous police officers in the city. Book Eric did not display the same level of emotional attachment as his cinematic version.
The book and the movie differ in numerous ways, and I lean towards the film's portrayal of Eric. Brandon Lee infused the character with such depth and emotion that it’s hard not to be captivated by him. In contrast, Eric from the book is much darker and more unstable, likely reflecting the author's own frustrations. I truly hope he has found some peace and has been able to heal from his grief.
The love between Eric and Shelly is both heartbreaking and enduring, transcending even death itself. We all yearn for a connection so deep that someone would go to any lengths for us, even seeking revenge on our behalf. This narrative captures that essence. While it contains elements of violence and graphic imagery, it also weaves a darkly romantic tale. Brandon's greatest desire was to marry Eliza, while Eric's deepest wish was to marry Shelly. Unfortunately, neither couple, whether real or imagined, achieved their dreams. Yet, the strength of their connections remains unshakable, even in the face of death. True love never dies.
It's not the years that matter, it's the moments.
February 26, 2009
I read a review within the very walls of this site that stated that this novel deserved no more that 2 stars. The reasoning, it seems, is that all of the characters, other than "the crow", are card board and underdeveloped.
I respect people's opinion. And, if I were to judge this book against the greats of literature, or even the greats of Graphic novels, I might have to agree. The story is violently stupid, and stupidly violent. The characters for the most part are underdeveloped stereotypes. This certainly is not Shakespear. Or, Hawthorne. Or,(fill-in-the-blank).
But all art, in my opinion, must first be judged against itself. This story, told in graphic novel format, is not an attempt at classical literature. It is barely even a story. It is revenge. It is heart-ache. This story is a thesis on one man's descent into grief. It is a pictorial study of loss and the inability to see the good when so consumed by agony that one cannot fathom ever experiencing joy again. All of us have felt this reckless torment, where everyday the sun refused to shine, and most of us have clawed our way back to normalcy, replacing grief with acceptance and have moved on. We forget that pain. That pain is too woeful. This story is a reminder of that painful depth. It is a black mirror to our sunny dispositions.
In that, this story, presented in graphic novel format, accomplishes exactly what was intended. Graphic novels are not written to be cool. They are written to be honest, just like all other forms of art.
T.
I respect people's opinion. And, if I were to judge this book against the greats of literature, or even the greats of Graphic novels, I might have to agree. The story is violently stupid, and stupidly violent. The characters for the most part are underdeveloped stereotypes. This certainly is not Shakespear. Or, Hawthorne. Or,(fill-in-the-blank).
But all art, in my opinion, must first be judged against itself. This story, told in graphic novel format, is not an attempt at classical literature. It is barely even a story. It is revenge. It is heart-ache. This story is a thesis on one man's descent into grief. It is a pictorial study of loss and the inability to see the good when so consumed by agony that one cannot fathom ever experiencing joy again. All of us have felt this reckless torment, where everyday the sun refused to shine, and most of us have clawed our way back to normalcy, replacing grief with acceptance and have moved on. We forget that pain. That pain is too woeful. This story is a reminder of that painful depth. It is a black mirror to our sunny dispositions.
In that, this story, presented in graphic novel format, accomplishes exactly what was intended. Graphic novels are not written to be cool. They are written to be honest, just like all other forms of art.
T.
December 5, 2022
عندما يتحول الفيلم السينمائي لأداة قتل
سيظل"الغراب"هو الفيلم الاكثر شؤما لأنه يحمل مشهد قتل حقيقي..فبطله الوسيم"براندون لي"تم قتله بالفعل أثناء مشهد قبيل انهاء الفيلم ب8ايام فقط
لينك المشهدالقاتل
لكل من يتساءلون هل من الممكن ان يكرر الابن امجاد والده العبقري ؟
ازف اليهم النبأ عمليا: التاريخ يعيد نفسه و لكن الطبيعة لا تسمح بتكرار الامجاد..براندون هو ابن معجزة الفنون القتالية بروس لي..جمع الشاب اليتيم سحر الشرق و الغرب في مزيج نادر فلم تحتمله الدنيا
عندما فكرت في اضافة رف لروايات شاهدتها كافلام بالطبع اول ما تذكرت :"الغراب" الماخوذ عن كوميكس سوداوية صدرت عام 1989 لجيمس اوبار
اريك موسيقار شاب يتعرض قبيل زفافه بيوم لاعتداء قاتل هو و خطيبته فيتم قتله و القاؤه من النافذة و اغتصاب خطيبته و ضربها لحافة الموت.. و في ذكرى وفاته الاولى في الهالوين..ينقر غراب قبره لينطلق اريك ك سوبرهيرو ماورائي ذو وجه طباشيري باكي..و ينتقم من كل من تسببوا في مقتله هو و خطيبته..حتى الان تيمة انتقام سوداوية مألوفة
و بالطبع يسترجع ذكرياته الرومانسية و يتم اطلاق النار على هيئته الشبحية مرارا و لا يموت لانه ميت بالفعل ..و في إثناء اطلاق النار عليه من رئيس العصابة يموت براندون لي بالفعل في مشهد تناقضي مرعب جدا ..لانه المفروض ان يقوم و يؤكد للمعتدى انه لا يموت ابدا
بالطبع يعتزل الممثل المذهول الذي اطلق عليه النار لسنوات و يكملوا الفيلم الملعون ببديل و خدع رقمية
و لامثالنا ممن تلقوا هذه الصدمة في 1994 تحول الفيلم بجملته الخالدة: لا يمكن ان تمطر دائما؟ الي ايقونة سوداوية ثقافية لأجيال او
cult following
و نال براندون لي بعد رحيله في سن 28 نجومية لا تقارن و تحول لرمز للاكشن و الرومانسية معا
و يظل مقتل* براندون لي* و من استبدل رصاص المسدس؟ لغزا أسوأ من لغز موت والده اثناء تصوير فيلمه الاخير هو الاخر ؛و يؤكد البعض على لعنة اسرة" لي" التي تعود الى افشاء بروس لي لاسرار الفنون القتالية
و لكن هل هي صدفة ان الفيلم يحمل الاسم الاكثر شؤما عبر تاريخ البشر:الغراب ؟
سيظل"الغراب"هو الفيلم الاكثر شؤما لأنه يحمل مشهد قتل حقيقي..فبطله الوسيم"براندون لي"تم قتله بالفعل أثناء مشهد قبيل انهاء الفيلم ب8ايام فقط
لينك المشهدالقاتل
لكل من يتساءلون هل من الممكن ان يكرر الابن امجاد والده العبقري ؟
ازف اليهم النبأ عمليا: التاريخ يعيد نفسه و لكن الطبيعة لا تسمح بتكرار الامجاد..براندون هو ابن معجزة الفنون القتالية بروس لي..جمع الشاب اليتيم سحر الشرق و الغرب في مزيج نادر فلم تحتمله الدنيا
عندما فكرت في اضافة رف لروايات شاهدتها كافلام بالطبع اول ما تذكرت :"الغراب" الماخوذ عن كوميكس سوداوية صدرت عام 1989 لجيمس اوبار
اريك موسيقار شاب يتعرض قبيل زفافه بيوم لاعتداء قاتل هو و خطيبته فيتم قتله و القاؤه من النافذة و اغتصاب خطيبته و ضربها لحافة الموت.. و في ذكرى وفاته الاولى في الهالوين..ينقر غراب قبره لينطلق اريك ك سوبرهيرو ماورائي ذو وجه طباشيري باكي..و ينتقم من كل من تسببوا في مقتله هو و خطيبته..حتى الان تيمة انتقام سوداوية مألوفة
و بالطبع يسترجع ذكرياته الرومانسية و يتم اطلاق النار على هيئته الشبحية مرارا و لا يموت لانه ميت بالفعل ..و في إثناء اطلاق النار عليه من رئيس العصابة يموت براندون لي بالفعل في مشهد تناقضي مرعب جدا ..لانه المفروض ان يقوم و يؤكد للمعتدى انه لا يموت ابدا
بالطبع يعتزل الممثل المذهول الذي اطلق عليه النار لسنوات و يكملوا الفيلم الملعون ببديل و خدع رقمية
و لامثالنا ممن تلقوا هذه الصدمة في 1994 تحول الفيلم بجملته الخالدة: لا يمكن ان تمطر دائما؟ الي ايقونة سوداوية ثقافية لأجيال او
cult following
و نال براندون لي بعد رحيله في سن 28 نجومية لا تقارن و تحول لرمز للاكشن و الرومانسية معا
و يظل مقتل* براندون لي* و من استبدل رصاص المسدس؟ لغزا أسوأ من لغز موت والده اثناء تصوير فيلمه الاخير هو الاخر ؛و يؤكد البعض على لعنة اسرة" لي" التي تعود الى افشاء بروس لي لاسرار الفنون القتالية
و لكن هل هي صدفة ان الفيلم يحمل الاسم الاكثر شؤما عبر تاريخ البشر:الغراب ؟
November 12, 2023
All he wants is pain. Pain and hate. Yes, hate. But never fear. Fear is for the enemy. Fear and bullets.
I’m not sure what possessed me to pick up this graphic novel as it wasn’t even on my tbr, but I’m so glad I did.
In the story, readers follow Eric Draven's life after death - resurrected so he can wreak vengeance upon the thugs that brutally raped and murdered his fiancée.
Honestly, I’ve never read a graphic novel quite like this before. The Crow is ugly and messy in the best way possible. Each page carries such a poignant look into grief while the mythology of the Crow acts as a backdrop to the story. I loved the art style and the poems and lyrics interspersed in-between. The author's agony is splashed all over the pages. This was a masterpiece. So raw. So real. So dark. So violent. So brutal. And so haunting... Ultimately, Eric’s journey of retribution does nothing to lessen his anger, hurt and pain. It’s a bleak and harrowing story but nevertheless, one that must be told.
(RIP Brandon Lee)
This story does contain a lot of dark themes so please take heed to the TW: . The Crow isn't going to be for everyone, but if you like gothic stories and you don't mind violence, I highly recommend this one. I also personally think readers will get more out of this story if they don't compare the movie to the source material...
Rating: 4/5
April 7, 2024
The writing is like poetry and the artwork beautiful. The Crow is pretty much a perfect graphic novel.
November 13, 2015
Let's be real, there was no way I was going to NOT love this. However, I have to say that this was WAY darker than I had anticipated. Every page is filled with pain and anger, and overall the comic needs to come with a list of trigger warnings, so keep that in mind. Still, it is one of the most amazing and powerful things I have ever read. If you've seen the movie, let me explain in gif form...
Eric Draven in the film:
Eric Draven in the comic:
Eric Draven in the film:
Eric Draven in the comic:
December 14, 2023
The Crow: Special Edition is a newer edition of the graphic novel that was first drawn in 1981 and inspired the movie starring the late Brandon Lee! The book is dedicated to Brandon, James O’Barr explains in the introduction that he felt abdicated of any personal blame for Brandon’s death by his fiancè, Eliza Hutton who knew that James wasn’t to blame by creating this amazing story.
The writing style and the artwork are both beautiful. I love the poetic verse in between chapters! The character of Eric Draven has always been one of my favourites since first watching the movie, so am glad I chose to read this finally. The Christmas scene between Eric and Shelly is so cute 🥹 infact everything between them is! Such a shame that their love story is marred by the most unspeakable tragedy and it’s understandable why Eric is hellbent on revenge from beyond the grave.
”I love thee with the breath, smile, tears, of all my life! - And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death…�
5 stars and adding to my favourites shelf! 🐦⬛🖤
I have even been inspired to make a Spotify playlist based around this graphic novel/the movie! :
Yes, The Crow is dark, but I honestly think this will become one of my comfort reads� like the Creepshow graphic novel is!
The writing style and the artwork are both beautiful. I love the poetic verse in between chapters! The character of Eric Draven has always been one of my favourites since first watching the movie, so am glad I chose to read this finally. The Christmas scene between Eric and Shelly is so cute 🥹 infact everything between them is! Such a shame that their love story is marred by the most unspeakable tragedy and it’s understandable why Eric is hellbent on revenge from beyond the grave.
”I love thee with the breath, smile, tears, of all my life! - And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death…�
5 stars and adding to my favourites shelf! 🐦⬛🖤
I have even been inspired to make a Spotify playlist based around this graphic novel/the movie! :
Yes, The Crow is dark, but I honestly think this will become one of my comfort reads� like the Creepshow graphic novel is!
February 18, 2024
|| || || ||
I'm not crying, you're crying.
If you're unfamiliar with the premise of THE CROW, it's the story of a young man named Eric who defies the laws of death itself for the sake of his vengeance, hunting down the criminals who murdered him, and then SA'd and murdered his fiancee as well. It's pretty horrifying, and very violent, and the story is incredibly dark and bleak.
Apparently the author's own fiancee was killed by a drunk driver when he was very young (eighteen, I think), and this graphic novel was an attempt to channel his feelings into a cathartic medium. You can really feel the raw anguish and hatred seeping through the pages, and at times, that can be very hard. The criminals are also horrible people who do horrible things, and we see them do some of them, which is also hard to read. Reading THE CROW gives you the idea that the world is a rather joyless and terrible place, where happiness is only fleeting, and evil basically runs rampantly unchecked.
It's hard not to fall in love with Eric, though. Even though he's pretentious and weird and violent, he's a 6'5" undead goth who is nice to cats and children and simps hard for his wife. So what if he wears bullets in his hair and carves a crown of thorns in his own chest? The only people who fall victim to his murder-sprees are Bad People Who Are Not Good(TM). He's better than most dark romance heroes.
I think the movie was better than the comic book, but the comic book isn't bad. If you're into gritty-looking art and very dark noir with goth overtones, you'll really enjoy THE CROW.
3.5 stars
April 7, 2017
This has been an interesting trip for me.
This book brings back some amazing memories for me - ironic really as its creation was part of the healing process of terribly painful memories for the author.
I will tell my story since James O'Barr's story is very much documented (and even expanded upon in the afterwards in this definitive version - yes me and my afterwards).
I was at uni and one of my best friends has a serious fixation on this book, ironically it was shortly before the film came out (and all the controversy surrounding it). I remember being reluctantly allowed to read the book - he had spend an obscene amount to get one of the original run editions and treasured it above all else. I remember being instructed how to read it and look after it, ironic really considering the number of books even back then I owned and cared for.
Well the book is impressive - for its violence, for its anger and energy and for its tender pain. I think its true power really comes from know the story behind it too, that it is not some exploitation but more an exorcism.
This book is not for everyone and I am sure many have dismissed it as simply a catalogue of anger and bloody violence but it is a classic and as such went on to influence many more books that followed. I am glad I have found a copy again although I am still processing the idea that there is more nostalgia than anything else, I will have to get back to you on that one.
This book brings back some amazing memories for me - ironic really as its creation was part of the healing process of terribly painful memories for the author.
I will tell my story since James O'Barr's story is very much documented (and even expanded upon in the afterwards in this definitive version - yes me and my afterwards).
I was at uni and one of my best friends has a serious fixation on this book, ironically it was shortly before the film came out (and all the controversy surrounding it). I remember being reluctantly allowed to read the book - he had spend an obscene amount to get one of the original run editions and treasured it above all else. I remember being instructed how to read it and look after it, ironic really considering the number of books even back then I owned and cared for.
Well the book is impressive - for its violence, for its anger and energy and for its tender pain. I think its true power really comes from know the story behind it too, that it is not some exploitation but more an exorcism.
This book is not for everyone and I am sure many have dismissed it as simply a catalogue of anger and bloody violence but it is a classic and as such went on to influence many more books that followed. I am glad I have found a copy again although I am still processing the idea that there is more nostalgia than anything else, I will have to get back to you on that one.
September 17, 2020
Esta obra magnifica es una carta de amor y un grito de dolor. Es un drama poético y hasta cierto punto teatral. Y toma aun mas dimensión cuando el autor cuenta la culpa y el proceso del dolor por el que paso al perder a su "Shelly" de la vida real. la cual le sirvió de inspiración y la obra fue un modo de catarsis .
Usa mucho aspectos del significado y la simbología del cuervo que han atravesado diferentes culturas y religiones a través del tiempo.
"Antiguamente la gente creía que,
cuando alguien muere,
un cuervo se lleva su alma a la Tierra de los Muertos.
Pero a veces sucede algo tan horrible que, junto con
el alma,
el cuervo se lleva su profunda tristeza y el alma no
puede descansar.
Y a veces, sólo a veces, el cuervo puede traer de vuelta el alma para enmendar el mal."
Hace varios años había leído la versión original en 4 tomos. En esta versión actualizada se agregan algunas ilustraciones,escenas,introducción del autor , un final extra y tiene algunas mejoras en las ilustraciones. No esta de mas decir que James O'Barr hizo esta obra como artista integral y dicho por el mismo tenia sus limitaciones en la parte ilustrativa... Aunque no podrían encajar mejor con la historia que se narra.
Usa mucho aspectos del significado y la simbología del cuervo que han atravesado diferentes culturas y religiones a través del tiempo.
"Antiguamente la gente creía que,
cuando alguien muere,
un cuervo se lleva su alma a la Tierra de los Muertos.
Pero a veces sucede algo tan horrible que, junto con
el alma,
el cuervo se lleva su profunda tristeza y el alma no
puede descansar.
Y a veces, sólo a veces, el cuervo puede traer de vuelta el alma para enmendar el mal."
Hace varios años había leído la versión original en 4 tomos. En esta versión actualizada se agregan algunas ilustraciones,escenas,introducción del autor , un final extra y tiene algunas mejoras en las ilustraciones. No esta de mas decir que James O'Barr hizo esta obra como artista integral y dicho por el mismo tenia sus limitaciones en la parte ilustrativa... Aunque no podrían encajar mejor con la historia que se narra.
November 13, 2023
Esiste qualcosa di più dark e romantico di un uomo che torna dal mondo dei morti per vendicare l'omicidio della sua amata?
Mi rispondo da solo: no, non esiste.
Il Corvo è un superclassico delle graphic novel, vero, ma è soprattutto una storia disperata di vendetta, redenzione e amore.
Risvegliato dall'odio e da un corvo che incarna un oscuro e misterioso potere, Eric inizia ad aggirarsi per le strade notturne a caccia dei responsabili dell'omicidio della sua Shelly. Non può morire, perché è già morto, non può essere fermato, perché l'amore che alimenta la sua follia è troppo grande per seguire le regole della carne. Uno dopo l'altro si confronterà con i miserabili che gli hanno distrutto la vita, inseguendo la sua vendetta per guadagnarsi la pace.
Poche opere hanno raggiunto un simile livello di disperazione, di profondità, esprimendo sentimenti così estremi ma al tempo stesso puri, non filtrati, sinceri. Altrettanti pochi personaggi sono entrati nell'immaginario collettivo, riportando in auge il movimento dark esploso sul finire degli anni '70. Capelli neri, vestiti neri, stivali neri, trucco pallido sul volto smunto, i Cure a stecca alla radio; ecco cos'è Il Corvo, perlomeno in superficie. In profondità, invece, si celano emozioni brutali ma condivisibili che ti penetrano nelle ossa e ti urlano nel cranio.
Siamo tutti sottoposti alle leggi degli uomini, ai vincoli della morale e del pensiero comune, ma per me è impossibile non volere un bene dell'anima a Eric e al suo amore disperato. È sempre stato così e sempre lo sarà.
Mi rispondo da solo: no, non esiste.
Il Corvo è un superclassico delle graphic novel, vero, ma è soprattutto una storia disperata di vendetta, redenzione e amore.
Risvegliato dall'odio e da un corvo che incarna un oscuro e misterioso potere, Eric inizia ad aggirarsi per le strade notturne a caccia dei responsabili dell'omicidio della sua Shelly. Non può morire, perché è già morto, non può essere fermato, perché l'amore che alimenta la sua follia è troppo grande per seguire le regole della carne. Uno dopo l'altro si confronterà con i miserabili che gli hanno distrutto la vita, inseguendo la sua vendetta per guadagnarsi la pace.
Poche opere hanno raggiunto un simile livello di disperazione, di profondità, esprimendo sentimenti così estremi ma al tempo stesso puri, non filtrati, sinceri. Altrettanti pochi personaggi sono entrati nell'immaginario collettivo, riportando in auge il movimento dark esploso sul finire degli anni '70. Capelli neri, vestiti neri, stivali neri, trucco pallido sul volto smunto, i Cure a stecca alla radio; ecco cos'è Il Corvo, perlomeno in superficie. In profondità, invece, si celano emozioni brutali ma condivisibili che ti penetrano nelle ossa e ti urlano nel cranio.
Siamo tutti sottoposti alle leggi degli uomini, ai vincoli della morale e del pensiero comune, ma per me è impossibile non volere un bene dell'anima a Eric e al suo amore disperato. È sempre stato così e sempre lo sarà.
August 15, 2011
Though I saw (and loved) the film the year it came out, I had never read the original graphic novel until a few days ago, after buying it at the Borders closeout sale.
I'm glad I did.
The book is a different experience than the movie. While both are dark and violent, the book is more passionate. It's a love letter of sorts, but filled with pain and loss. The author spends as much time coming to terms with the fact of having a loved one ripped from his life as he does imagining bloody revenge on those who caused it. And the book is better for it.
While some reviewers have decried the simplistic storyline and lack of development of villains and peripheral characters, I think these rather miss the point. The story isn't about these characters. Eric isn't on a quest of absolution and forgiveness; he doesn't (and by extension, we don't) really give a damn about who his murderers are as people, or even why they did what they did.
As O'Barr deftly illustrates, revenge isn't about those upon whom we seek revenge. It isn't about current and future victims. Honestly, it isn't even necessarily about the victim for whom we are seeking vengeance. It's about us. Eric's revenge -- and the story itself -- is about Eric. Eric's rampage is itself a love letter written in blood to his dead fiance, and to their life together -- but ultimately it's a letter about his own pain, and his own loss.
At the same time, though, there are those touches of humanity -- not only in Eric, but even in the villains. While they have no real backstory (and again, who needs it?), those upon whom Eric is seeking revenge do often start to come to grips with their own evil. They never apologize for it, but they recognize it. They don't seek -- and Eric doesn't offer -- forgiveness; instead they respond either with rage and indignation or else quiet acceptance.
There are also small touches of realism in the story, which serve to make it that much more poignant. For me, it's often the little things which make or break a story, and O'Barr's attention to minor details really served the story here. One such detail was during the killing of Tom Tom. During the fight between Eric and Tom Tom, Eric used his sword to literally slice the feet out from under his enemy. As Eric gently grills him for information, Tom Tom looks over and says, "those are my boots," failing, in his shock, to realize that his feet are still in them. Minutes later, he asks Eric in an almost childlike way, "my feet are cold. Can I have my boots?" It's almost funny, and a lesser writer would have played the moment for laughs (and, I suppose, some readers will read it that way anyway). In O'Barr's hands, however, the moment is deadpanned and morose. It's not a joke at the villain's expense, but a simple fact of life: this is what shock is.
There are going to be readers who are rather hidebound, and will rail against the non-traditional story structure and the lack of character development for all but the main character. And even with Eric, those same readers will likely complain about the complete lack of character arc. But as I said up top, it's simply not that kind of story. Eric is dead. And, as he explains more than once, those who killed Shelly are also dead already. The story isn't about those characters... it's about Eric's loss, and what he does about it. If he makes a friend or two along the way, those brief glimpses, too, are not about those characters, but about Eric.
The Detroit of "The Crow" is a wasteland of crime and corruption. Ultimately, Eric's rampage isn't going to change anything for anyone. He's not setting out to be a superhero and rid the city of the festering rot that clings to its very soul. He's not going to make Cpt. Hook's life easier, or get Albrect a promotion. If later glimpses into her life tell us anything, not even Sherri -- the one living person with whom Eric has a nonviolent, semi-personal relationship -- will have her life dramatically improved by his brief entry into it. This is why, I believe, these other characters aren't more fully developed: they are more landscape than they are actual characters. They don't change Eric and, ultimately, he has little impact on them. It's both a realistic choice on the part of O'Barr and non-realistic. Sometimes, we change peoples' lives; sometimes we do not. O'Barr's depiction here is bleak, but not without accuracy.
Don't look for a pleasing conclusion here; for answers on life and death. That's not what "The Crow" is. Instead, "The Crow" is a brooding rumination on loss, and on pain, and on love.
I'm glad I did.
The book is a different experience than the movie. While both are dark and violent, the book is more passionate. It's a love letter of sorts, but filled with pain and loss. The author spends as much time coming to terms with the fact of having a loved one ripped from his life as he does imagining bloody revenge on those who caused it. And the book is better for it.
While some reviewers have decried the simplistic storyline and lack of development of villains and peripheral characters, I think these rather miss the point. The story isn't about these characters. Eric isn't on a quest of absolution and forgiveness; he doesn't (and by extension, we don't) really give a damn about who his murderers are as people, or even why they did what they did.
As O'Barr deftly illustrates, revenge isn't about those upon whom we seek revenge. It isn't about current and future victims. Honestly, it isn't even necessarily about the victim for whom we are seeking vengeance. It's about us. Eric's revenge -- and the story itself -- is about Eric. Eric's rampage is itself a love letter written in blood to his dead fiance, and to their life together -- but ultimately it's a letter about his own pain, and his own loss.
At the same time, though, there are those touches of humanity -- not only in Eric, but even in the villains. While they have no real backstory (and again, who needs it?), those upon whom Eric is seeking revenge do often start to come to grips with their own evil. They never apologize for it, but they recognize it. They don't seek -- and Eric doesn't offer -- forgiveness; instead they respond either with rage and indignation or else quiet acceptance.
There are also small touches of realism in the story, which serve to make it that much more poignant. For me, it's often the little things which make or break a story, and O'Barr's attention to minor details really served the story here. One such detail was during the killing of Tom Tom. During the fight between Eric and Tom Tom, Eric used his sword to literally slice the feet out from under his enemy. As Eric gently grills him for information, Tom Tom looks over and says, "those are my boots," failing, in his shock, to realize that his feet are still in them. Minutes later, he asks Eric in an almost childlike way, "my feet are cold. Can I have my boots?" It's almost funny, and a lesser writer would have played the moment for laughs (and, I suppose, some readers will read it that way anyway). In O'Barr's hands, however, the moment is deadpanned and morose. It's not a joke at the villain's expense, but a simple fact of life: this is what shock is.
There are going to be readers who are rather hidebound, and will rail against the non-traditional story structure and the lack of character development for all but the main character. And even with Eric, those same readers will likely complain about the complete lack of character arc. But as I said up top, it's simply not that kind of story. Eric is dead. And, as he explains more than once, those who killed Shelly are also dead already. The story isn't about those characters... it's about Eric's loss, and what he does about it. If he makes a friend or two along the way, those brief glimpses, too, are not about those characters, but about Eric.
The Detroit of "The Crow" is a wasteland of crime and corruption. Ultimately, Eric's rampage isn't going to change anything for anyone. He's not setting out to be a superhero and rid the city of the festering rot that clings to its very soul. He's not going to make Cpt. Hook's life easier, or get Albrect a promotion. If later glimpses into her life tell us anything, not even Sherri -- the one living person with whom Eric has a nonviolent, semi-personal relationship -- will have her life dramatically improved by his brief entry into it. This is why, I believe, these other characters aren't more fully developed: they are more landscape than they are actual characters. They don't change Eric and, ultimately, he has little impact on them. It's both a realistic choice on the part of O'Barr and non-realistic. Sometimes, we change peoples' lives; sometimes we do not. O'Barr's depiction here is bleak, but not without accuracy.
Don't look for a pleasing conclusion here; for answers on life and death. That's not what "The Crow" is. Instead, "The Crow" is a brooding rumination on loss, and on pain, and on love.
April 11, 2015
Loved it - hard for me to not see Brandon Lee while reading this - Great art, great love story!
October 28, 2019
James O'Barr poured some serious heart felt pain into this series. It's just so sad. Beautiful, but sad. Great artwork. Highly recommend this one.
November 8, 2016
ΤΟ ιδανικότερο ανάγνωσμα για το Halloween...
Ζευγάρι δολοφονείται άγρια τη βραδιά του Halloween. Ένα χρόνο μετά, ο Eric Draven (ο άντρας του ζευγαριού) επιστρέφει στη ζωή για να απονείμει δικαιοσύνη και να τιμωρήσει το θάνατο το δικό του και της αγαπημένης του. Σκοτεινό γοτθικό σκηνικό, με έναν τιμωρό του κακού που δεν διστάζει μπροστά σε τίποτα. Συντροφιά του - τοτέμ - είναι ένα κοράκι, μυστικιστικό σύμβολο μαγείας, πνευματικής καθοδήγησης και ενόρασης.
Το σκίτσο είναι ασπρόμαυρο και κάνει ακόμα πιο έντονη τη dark horror αίσθηση, ενώ η ομώνυμη ταινία είναι από τις αγαπημένες μου. Στο ρόλο του Eric o Brandon Lee, γιος του Bruce Lee, ο οποίος σκοτώθηκε κατά τη διάρκεια των γυρισμάτων γιατί κάποιος έξυπνος είχε βάλει αληθινές σφαίρες στο όπλο ενός κακού (!)
Στο ίδιο στυλ τιμωρού εγώ βλέπω το Hellspawn, με διαφορετικά κίνητρα ο καθένας πάντως!
Για φανατικούς γκοθάδες!!!
Ζευγάρι δολοφονείται άγρια τη βραδιά του Halloween. Ένα χρόνο μετά, ο Eric Draven (ο άντρας του ζευγαριού) επιστρέφει στη ζωή για να απονείμει δικαιοσύνη και να τιμωρήσει το θάνατο το δικό του και της αγαπημένης του. Σκοτεινό γοτθικό σκηνικό, με έναν τιμωρό του κακού που δεν διστάζει μπροστά σε τίποτα. Συντροφιά του - τοτέμ - είναι ένα κοράκι, μυστικιστικό σύμβολο μαγείας, πνευματικής καθοδήγησης και ενόρασης.
Το σκίτσο είναι ασπρόμαυρο και κάνει ακόμα πιο έντονη τη dark horror αίσθηση, ενώ η ομώνυμη ταινία είναι από τις αγαπημένες μου. Στο ρόλο του Eric o Brandon Lee, γιος του Bruce Lee, ο οποίος σκοτώθηκε κατά τη διάρκεια των γυρισμάτων γιατί κάποιος έξυπνος είχε βάλει αληθινές σφαίρες στο όπλο ενός κακού (!)
Στο ίδιο στυλ τιμωρού εγώ βλέπω το Hellspawn, με διαφορετικά κίνητρα ο καθένας πάντως!
Για φανατικούς γκοθάδες!!!
February 1, 2008
James O'Barr, The Crow (Pocket, 1995)
I always seem to be trying to turn sacred cows into shish kabob, and my latest target is The Crow, the James O'Barr graphic novel that, in 1994, became Alex Proyas' amazing debut feature film. I spent a few moments, after I finished this book, reflecting on the art of film adaptation. Sometimes you start with a brilliant book and end up with a mediocre (or outright horrible) movie. Sometimes you start with a mediocre (or outright horrible) book and end up with genius.
The Crow is not an outright horrible book, but the steps that horror novelists David J. Schow (The Kill Riff) and John Shirley (Wetbones) took in adapting the book to a script, and that Proyas took in bringing that script to life, were pretty severe. Pretty amazing, too. Small details were changed (the order in which Eric takes his revenge is slightly altered, for example, to make it more meaningful); large details were changed (the timeframe makes a whole lot more sense in the film). Some of them were missteps; changing Sherry's name to Sarah muddies the Sherry/Shelly link, but Sarah is a fully-formed character, whereas Sherry feels like a character who should be there a lot more, but ends up being window dressing.
The movie, on occasion, errs on the side of giving us too much, but the book's problem is the opposite: it never gives us enough. None of the characters except Eric is fully formed; his nemeses, with the exception of Funboy, are cardboard cutouts. Albrecht pops up for a few frames now and then, but never becomes a real part of the story. Etc.
The movie is on its way to attaining classic status, and that is well-deserved; the book went out of print for eight years after the film's release, and now I've got a pretty good idea of why. **
I always seem to be trying to turn sacred cows into shish kabob, and my latest target is The Crow, the James O'Barr graphic novel that, in 1994, became Alex Proyas' amazing debut feature film. I spent a few moments, after I finished this book, reflecting on the art of film adaptation. Sometimes you start with a brilliant book and end up with a mediocre (or outright horrible) movie. Sometimes you start with a mediocre (or outright horrible) book and end up with genius.
The Crow is not an outright horrible book, but the steps that horror novelists David J. Schow (The Kill Riff) and John Shirley (Wetbones) took in adapting the book to a script, and that Proyas took in bringing that script to life, were pretty severe. Pretty amazing, too. Small details were changed (the order in which Eric takes his revenge is slightly altered, for example, to make it more meaningful); large details were changed (the timeframe makes a whole lot more sense in the film). Some of them were missteps; changing Sherry's name to Sarah muddies the Sherry/Shelly link, but Sarah is a fully-formed character, whereas Sherry feels like a character who should be there a lot more, but ends up being window dressing.
The movie, on occasion, errs on the side of giving us too much, but the book's problem is the opposite: it never gives us enough. None of the characters except Eric is fully formed; his nemeses, with the exception of Funboy, are cardboard cutouts. Albrecht pops up for a few frames now and then, but never becomes a real part of the story. Etc.
The movie is on its way to attaining classic status, and that is well-deserved; the book went out of print for eight years after the film's release, and now I've got a pretty good idea of why. **
August 15, 2020
Having seen the 1994 cult classic starring the late Brandon Lee in his last role, I wanted to check out the source material of The Crow, written and drawn by James O'Barr who has stated the origins of what is his very first book is based on a tragedy from his life.
With its hard boiled revenge story and black-and-white illustrations of bloody violence, at its heart the book is really a tragic love story of Eric longing to be reunited with the love of his life, whilst hunting down their killers with the aid of a supernatural crow.
O'Barr's artwork (of which is, in the author's words, influenced by Will Eisner) is extraordinary as it's not only gritty in regards with most pages, you get these poetic images of Eric with his fiancee Shelly.
A truly violent, but moving tale of an avenging angel trying to regain his true love and in over twenty years, it's still a striking indie comic by James O'Barr.
With its hard boiled revenge story and black-and-white illustrations of bloody violence, at its heart the book is really a tragic love story of Eric longing to be reunited with the love of his life, whilst hunting down their killers with the aid of a supernatural crow.
O'Barr's artwork (of which is, in the author's words, influenced by Will Eisner) is extraordinary as it's not only gritty in regards with most pages, you get these poetic images of Eric with his fiancee Shelly.
A truly violent, but moving tale of an avenging angel trying to regain his true love and in over twenty years, it's still a striking indie comic by James O'Barr.
August 17, 2022
The story takes place in an alternate reality that looks something like an even more extreme, grim and merciless version of Batman’s Arkham Asylum. Despite the cruel and unforgiving society they live in, Eric Draven and his fiancé Shelly fall madly in love and find comfort in each other’s arms. Eric and Shelly go for a peaceful, romantic drive down the open road one fine day, enjoying each other’s company when their car is suddenly pulled over by a violent gang of thugs. They drag the two out of the car and they force Eric to watch them torture his girlfriend to death before shooting him in the back of the head. Just like that, the two lovers are dead. On the anniversary of their deaths, Eric resurrects from the grave as a vengeful spirit and takes on the mantle of a supernatural avenger, tracking down the thugs that killed him and his bride-to-be one by one and slaughtering them without mercy.
The story begins with Eric violently interrogating a man named Mr. Jones, a thug with connections to the criminals that murdered him and Shelly. Here we get a taste of the protagonist’s cruelty and lust for vengeance. He’s not the sweet and compassionate man he used to be. He’s cruel, sadistic and enjoys the suffering of the people that wronged him. He’s no hero of justice and he doesn’t quite fit the definition of vigilante hero either, he’s just a heartbroken man fixated on personal revenge and he’s willing to throw away his humanity to get what he wants. The Crow does a great job of showing just how tragic and depressing revenge truly is. It’s not glorified or beautiful, but it can be dangerously satisfying, and that addiction to the pain can destroy a person from the inside.
That’s the gist of the plot. A man resurrects from the dead and hunts down the men that killed him and his girlfriend. It’s a very simplistic revenge story with a unique gothic-horror aesthetic. Eric often goes into insane ramblings where he randomly babbles out dark poetry and edgy quotes like Edgar Allan Poe hopped up on drugs, vengeance and a rockstar charisma. Speaking of Poe, this story is pretty much what you would get if John Wick was written by Edgar Allan Poe. The villains are fairly one-dimensional, but it suits the mood of the story. This is about a broken man lashing out at the world because he's unable to contain his grief. It captures how one truly feels toward people that steal everything that was once precious away from you. There's no mercy or sympathy, there’s no attempt to see eye to eye or try to understand why they did what they did, there’s only a spiral of despair, rage and a self-consuming lust to give them the punishment they deserve
The story feels more personal and intimate when you read it knowing that it’s loosely based on the author’s own experience and feelings of losing his significant other. You can feel his rage and despair pouring out from the writing and the bleak black and white pages smothered with rain, blood and grime. It also has an extremely good movie adaption featuring the late Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee. It’s rich with a gothic atmosphere and has that nostalgic 1980’s action hero that throws out cool one liners vibe. I heard it was recently released on Netflix and I would definitely recommend giving it a watch.
The original comic is a short and sweet self contained story, but there are quite a few spinoff stories where James collaborated with other authors to show off the dark avenger in action once more. In most of these stories, Eric resurrects other unfortunate souls that died tragic deaths and gives them the opportunity to avenge themselves like he once did. None of these stories are quite as good as the original in my opinion, but I thought they were worth mentioning for people that really want to see more from this cool character.
***
If you're looking for dark ambient music that's perfect for reading horror, thrillers, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions:
The story begins with Eric violently interrogating a man named Mr. Jones, a thug with connections to the criminals that murdered him and Shelly. Here we get a taste of the protagonist’s cruelty and lust for vengeance. He’s not the sweet and compassionate man he used to be. He’s cruel, sadistic and enjoys the suffering of the people that wronged him. He’s no hero of justice and he doesn’t quite fit the definition of vigilante hero either, he’s just a heartbroken man fixated on personal revenge and he’s willing to throw away his humanity to get what he wants. The Crow does a great job of showing just how tragic and depressing revenge truly is. It’s not glorified or beautiful, but it can be dangerously satisfying, and that addiction to the pain can destroy a person from the inside.
That’s the gist of the plot. A man resurrects from the dead and hunts down the men that killed him and his girlfriend. It’s a very simplistic revenge story with a unique gothic-horror aesthetic. Eric often goes into insane ramblings where he randomly babbles out dark poetry and edgy quotes like Edgar Allan Poe hopped up on drugs, vengeance and a rockstar charisma. Speaking of Poe, this story is pretty much what you would get if John Wick was written by Edgar Allan Poe. The villains are fairly one-dimensional, but it suits the mood of the story. This is about a broken man lashing out at the world because he's unable to contain his grief. It captures how one truly feels toward people that steal everything that was once precious away from you. There's no mercy or sympathy, there’s no attempt to see eye to eye or try to understand why they did what they did, there’s only a spiral of despair, rage and a self-consuming lust to give them the punishment they deserve
The story feels more personal and intimate when you read it knowing that it’s loosely based on the author’s own experience and feelings of losing his significant other. You can feel his rage and despair pouring out from the writing and the bleak black and white pages smothered with rain, blood and grime. It also has an extremely good movie adaption featuring the late Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee. It’s rich with a gothic atmosphere and has that nostalgic 1980’s action hero that throws out cool one liners vibe. I heard it was recently released on Netflix and I would definitely recommend giving it a watch.
The original comic is a short and sweet self contained story, but there are quite a few spinoff stories where James collaborated with other authors to show off the dark avenger in action once more. In most of these stories, Eric resurrects other unfortunate souls that died tragic deaths and gives them the opportunity to avenge themselves like he once did. None of these stories are quite as good as the original in my opinion, but I thought they were worth mentioning for people that really want to see more from this cool character.
***
If you're looking for dark ambient music that's perfect for reading horror, thrillers, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions:
August 2, 2020
This graphic novel is like a song.
A sad song.
dies irae of love
dies irae for love.
Breathtaking
murder of crow indeed.
August 19, 2022
The most heart-wrenching comic I have ever read.
August 20, 2024
At this point it is probably difficult to separate The Crow, in whatever form you encounter it, without thinking about Brandon Lee. It was the images of him in the movie version that first interested me in this story.
I can see why some viewers/readers see it as style over substance. In the comic sometimes Eric resembles some kind of elegant gothic ballet dancer, other frames show how physically formidable he is. There is a very specific look throughout - in a lot of ways I felt like the whole thing was a mood, except that 'mood' doesn't feel a strong enough word to cover what is basically deep grief, cold fury and revenge. I found it quite hypnotic, very sad and occasionally funny. The art is of a type I am rather partial towards, as is the style of character. I can see why it might not appeal to all readers, but I genuinely loved it. I also have a book about the making of the movie to read, which sounds interesting, but will undoubtably be incredibly sad.
I have a lot of respect for the way James O'Barr channeled his personal grief into something beautiful (in a violent underbelly sort of way!) but have a great deal of sympathy for him in that the adaptation of the story led to a new grief, with Brandon Lee being killed while making the movie. He dedicates this version to him, so before the story even begins there is a sadness to it. What was written before his death is now entwined with it. I haven't read the first version, so I don't know what exactly is new here. I did wonder if the ending point of stemmed from the writers guilt that the story he wrote led to the death of a friend. Of course he wasn't responsible for that, but it must have been easy to see it that way, hard to accept that it wasn't. It was touching to see the thanks he expressed to Lee's fiancée for helping him through that guilt.
I don't like the Bill Skarsgård look as much, and the hair is awful, but perhaps the movie will be better? I can see why they might want to film the complete story, and I am not opposed to remakes, provided that remake has a purpose. I will wait until I have seen it, but these images certainly haven't captured me the way the Brandon Lee ones did.
July 7, 2020
Hace mas de 10 años vi la película en la que Brandon Lee perdió la vida interpretando estas páginas.
Siempre ha sido una de mis historias favoritas, un refugio al que podía regresar cuando quería volver a sentir "algo".
Sin embargo, he esperado años para leer el ó por una razón muy sencilla: era imposible de encontrar en físico.
Ahora sé que la espera mereció la pena, pues el deleite ha sido mágico.
El oscuro retrato de los barrios de Detroit, la frustración ante el duelo, la ira de un no-muerto. Y esa voz estridente que te recuerda que no debiste mirar...
La obra de James O'Barr nació del profundo dolor de la culpa. Años más tarde, su adaptación a la gran pantalla volvió a cobrarse la vida de otra persona joven cuya carrera estaba a punto de despegar.
'The Crow' es una carta de amor eterno a quienes amamos y se fueron.
Un poema gótico en manos de un condenado.
Siempre ha sido una de mis historias favoritas, un refugio al que podía regresar cuando quería volver a sentir "algo".
Sin embargo, he esperado años para leer el ó por una razón muy sencilla: era imposible de encontrar en físico.
Ahora sé que la espera mereció la pena, pues el deleite ha sido mágico.
El oscuro retrato de los barrios de Detroit, la frustración ante el duelo, la ira de un no-muerto. Y esa voz estridente que te recuerda que no debiste mirar...
La obra de James O'Barr nació del profundo dolor de la culpa. Años más tarde, su adaptación a la gran pantalla volvió a cobrarse la vida de otra persona joven cuya carrera estaba a punto de despegar.
'The Crow' es una carta de amor eterno a quienes amamos y se fueron.
Un poema gótico en manos de un condenado.
October 30, 2020
The 1994 film adaptation of The Crow is one I've seen countless times, especially during my teenage years. For whatever reason though I had never picked up the graphic novel so I thought it was about time I did so. Maybe I had put it off because I was so familiar with the film and didn't want it to be a disappointment? Well that was a silly notion because this book is amazing. A real timeless classic. Reading it so many years after it first came out you can see its influence too. The artwork is stark and moody, contrasted with some soft and ethereal panels. The action scenes are incredibly dynamic. The emotion in the story is so raw and you can really feel it through the pages. Love, heartbreak, anger, hate, grief, anguish. I have lost loved ones too (although in different ways to the protagonist and the author) and this story really hit me hard. While I know I should have read it sooner it was also worth the wait.
December 15, 2017
My feelings on The Crow are more mixed than a child's candy bag on Halloween.
There's good, not so good, and lots of stuff, that no matter how unique or evocative, doesn't necessarily hold up to snuff some thirty years later.
First of all, the influence of anime/manga (I remember when it was still colloquially referred to as "Japanamation" back in the day) is as egregious it is obvious. While this might be delightful to some, the sheer novelty of the influences might be off putting to others. It it might be lackluster to even further others now that Anime has enjoyed phenomenal success this side of the Pond for decades on end.
Going along with this theme, Eric Draven the eponymous Crow, appears as if a group of Japan X fans, in full make-up, were tossed in a blender with a group of birthday clowns, and then denuded of all colors except for black and white. Again, while this very well might be cool as shit to many, for the no-so-anime fans such as myself (even though I'll happily admit I enjoy and have a great respect for innumerable animes that have enriched my life, DBZ, Gundamn Wing, Outlaw Star, etc...) it might seem a little off-putting at best. And at worst, it may not hold-up quite so well currently.
While appearances of the protagonist are admittedly hit-and-miss the art style is definitely not. No matter your opinion, only the most downright cynical individual could find any fault with the phenomenal pencil-work of this series. As evocative as it is beautiful, the art style remains as beautiful as unique as it was thirty some years ago. Stellar detail pushes along a story as gritty and sublime as the words that underlay it. A doff of the cap here is not enough and O'Barr deserves nothing short of the highest praise for not just such beauteous works of art but their sheer uniqueness in the otherwise typically inky word of comics.
Next, although the art-work is nothing short of stellar, it can as it does more often then not, dip into indulgence. Again, maybe some will enjoy The Crow performing innumerable pirouettes in the book (really). And maybe some will enjoy the numerous nostalgic romantic reminisces between the love interest. However, for the sake of conciseness/story development I felt this could have been tightened up a bit.
While the tightness of the narrative is definitely up for debate/discussion the biggest fault I have with the story is the nature of the Crow's power. **SPOILER** Not all too different from Superman, on the other sides of the comic book galaxy, The Crow's main power is utter invulnerability. On a personal level I hate this power just as much as I truly loathe Superman. If the protagonist can't be hurt, let alone weakened, the drama of the battles is minimal at best. Eric shrugs off bullets just as well as the red and blue colored DC Übermench does. With no downside to the fights themselves the outcomes are disappointingly predictable.
In either case, no matter its faults, The Crow is definitely a superb work. Born of real depression and existential angst, James O'Barr was able sublimate his pain and suffering into a piece of remarkable art with an equally awesome narrative to underlay it.
With strong character development, a great narrative, and some of the prettiest art to ever grace a graphic novel James O'Barr's The Crow is highly recommended for comic book fans and readers alike.
(Final Note, please read it in one session. It deserves your attention as such. You will thank me.)
April 8, 2019
‘Who ever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.�
~
The Crow by James O’Barr is the supernatural story centring around the past life of Eric and his fiancée, Shelly, and the tragic event that befalls them both. It’s a poignant and brutal story about not only vengeance and violence, but also about coping with grief and learning to forgive yourself for incidents that are out of your control.
Having watched the film prior to reading the graphic novel, I found was in fact really helpful. I already knew the basic narrative, I knew what tragedy was coming, even though that event happens differently in the film, as to the graphic novel. It somehow made me feel much more of an emotional connection; I felt the pain and despair of Eric/the Crow that much deeper.
The Crow was a very personal project for O’Barr. It was created after the author experienced a personal tragedy, and he spiralled into a dark place within himself; he created this graphic novel as a means of release, and it is all the more powerful for it.
The illustrations were goddamn beautiful. They depicted every event so clearly, each scene had so many details. They even showed the striking contrast between the happier past and the darker present - scenes of the past with Eric and his fiancé, Shelly, were presented in a white background, whereas the parts where Eric is the Crow and is on his revenge quest had a black background. O’Barr had hand drawn all of this himself, which I found impressive.
This is one somber read, O’Barr doesn’t hold back on how vile some humans can be, he expresses justice through bloodshed. You could really tell the author poured his heart and sole into this graphic novel, and that’s what truly captivated me and made this so heartbreaking.
~
‘Are the bones of your sins sharp enough to cut through your own excuses?�
~
The Crow by James O’Barr is the supernatural story centring around the past life of Eric and his fiancée, Shelly, and the tragic event that befalls them both. It’s a poignant and brutal story about not only vengeance and violence, but also about coping with grief and learning to forgive yourself for incidents that are out of your control.
Having watched the film prior to reading the graphic novel, I found was in fact really helpful. I already knew the basic narrative, I knew what tragedy was coming, even though that event happens differently in the film, as to the graphic novel. It somehow made me feel much more of an emotional connection; I felt the pain and despair of Eric/the Crow that much deeper.
The Crow was a very personal project for O’Barr. It was created after the author experienced a personal tragedy, and he spiralled into a dark place within himself; he created this graphic novel as a means of release, and it is all the more powerful for it.
The illustrations were goddamn beautiful. They depicted every event so clearly, each scene had so many details. They even showed the striking contrast between the happier past and the darker present - scenes of the past with Eric and his fiancé, Shelly, were presented in a white background, whereas the parts where Eric is the Crow and is on his revenge quest had a black background. O’Barr had hand drawn all of this himself, which I found impressive.
This is one somber read, O’Barr doesn’t hold back on how vile some humans can be, he expresses justice through bloodshed. You could really tell the author poured his heart and sole into this graphic novel, and that’s what truly captivated me and made this so heartbreaking.
~
‘Are the bones of your sins sharp enough to cut through your own excuses?�
March 27, 2017
Sometimes hard to follow. Art is also inconsistent as hell. Sometimes amazing. Sometimes bad. I get some made in the 80's and 90's verses some done now however it was distracting. Also plot is simple.
What worked though? The relationship. I felt it through these pages. I also loved the way Eric just killed guys without remorse, because it's what they deserved, and you felt the revenge and anger through each kill. What they did to him and his wife was inexcusable and a easy death would be too small for them. I loved watching each get killed the way they deserved.
I also liked the old art. Felt indie, felt like a passion project. Felt right. I wish they added the extra pages, the modern art, for the end. It would have felt better as a "bonus" verses mixing it together.
I think people should read this for simple fact it hits a lot of it's marks. I think if I read a different collection I'd rate it a tad bit higher. Still, it's a emotional story with a lot of heart behind it. Which makes it a must read even if don't love every moment.
What worked though? The relationship. I felt it through these pages. I also loved the way Eric just killed guys without remorse, because it's what they deserved, and you felt the revenge and anger through each kill. What they did to him and his wife was inexcusable and a easy death would be too small for them. I loved watching each get killed the way they deserved.
I also liked the old art. Felt indie, felt like a passion project. Felt right. I wish they added the extra pages, the modern art, for the end. It would have felt better as a "bonus" verses mixing it together.
I think people should read this for simple fact it hits a lot of it's marks. I think if I read a different collection I'd rate it a tad bit higher. Still, it's a emotional story with a lot of heart behind it. Which makes it a must read even if don't love every moment.
July 13, 2023
I'll always love this story, I adore the movie, and the art in this graphic novel is gorgeous.
October 9, 2021
I own this book.
The Crow is one of those books that I think inspired a cult favourite film from the 1990s and it's clear to see why. This book is dark, gritty, kind of horrifying in parts but it has a story at it's core that is just heartbreaking. This story follows Eric, a dead man walking, a ghost who hunts down Detroit's crime lords to avenge the death of his fiance Shelley. Shelley was taken from him so close to their wedding and he had to watch her die, along with himself and his future. The Crow told him not to look, and yet he did, and now he's haunted by memories and grief and is seeking his revenge. Despite the darkness in this book, and believe me there's a lot of it, it is just SO SAD. I didn't expect it to make me sad but it did. I like the gritty art style and I really enjoyed my experience reading this book.
The Crow is one of those books that I think inspired a cult favourite film from the 1990s and it's clear to see why. This book is dark, gritty, kind of horrifying in parts but it has a story at it's core that is just heartbreaking. This story follows Eric, a dead man walking, a ghost who hunts down Detroit's crime lords to avenge the death of his fiance Shelley. Shelley was taken from him so close to their wedding and he had to watch her die, along with himself and his future. The Crow told him not to look, and yet he did, and now he's haunted by memories and grief and is seeking his revenge. Despite the darkness in this book, and believe me there's a lot of it, it is just SO SAD. I didn't expect it to make me sad but it did. I like the gritty art style and I really enjoyed my experience reading this book.
January 29, 2018
Well, I've been meaning to read this book for a long time now...I finally got around to doing it.
Yeah, the movie was something I grew up with and was very fond of, and I still am. I remember watching it over and over again, I even had a The Crow movie poster hanging on my bedroom wall. It was one of my favorite movies growing up and I still appreciate it.
I was happy to see that the first page was dedicated to the memory of .
Little differences here and there between the movie and the book. Same concept, a guy named Eric and his fiance are murdered by a group of thugs and a crow brings him back from the dead to get revenge. Yet , that was added to the movie based on something that actually happened on Halloween in Detroit during the nineteen-seventies. And the young skateboarding girl in the movie, Sarah . Also, she's not nearly as interesting. The one thing I did not like is how O'Barr had Eric . Movie Eric would never do that.
There was a lot of poetry and song lyrics put into the story, so much that the main character (The Crow/Eric Draven) often quotes poems and speaks in riddles.
I feel like the movie is a much more simplified version of the book. Not as many layers to cut through.
From what I understand, from watching the special edition DVD...this was supposed to be a form of therapy for James O'Barr because his finance had been killed by a drunk driver and it took him ten years to make this thing. I like his work a lot. He has an early nineties underground comic book style. Very dark and gritty. Also somewhat gothic like the movie. I also like the fact that it's in black and white, I like to look at comic book art in black and white from time to time. I also noticed that a lot of the flashbacks in the story which were done mostly in inkwash or just pencil, were more realistic when the rest of the story was slightly more cartoony.
So I enjoyed this book very much. The movie is currently being remade and James O'Barr apparently is involved in it. I hate the idea of a remake of The Crow, but if J. O'Barr is okay with it then to each their own I guess.
Yeah, the movie was something I grew up with and was very fond of, and I still am. I remember watching it over and over again, I even had a The Crow movie poster hanging on my bedroom wall. It was one of my favorite movies growing up and I still appreciate it.
I was happy to see that the first page was dedicated to the memory of .
Little differences here and there between the movie and the book. Same concept, a guy named Eric and his fiance are murdered by a group of thugs and a crow brings him back from the dead to get revenge. Yet , that was added to the movie based on something that actually happened on Halloween in Detroit during the nineteen-seventies. And the young skateboarding girl in the movie, Sarah . Also, she's not nearly as interesting. The one thing I did not like is how O'Barr had Eric . Movie Eric would never do that.
There was a lot of poetry and song lyrics put into the story, so much that the main character (The Crow/Eric Draven) often quotes poems and speaks in riddles.
I feel like the movie is a much more simplified version of the book. Not as many layers to cut through.
From what I understand, from watching the special edition DVD...this was supposed to be a form of therapy for James O'Barr because his finance had been killed by a drunk driver and it took him ten years to make this thing. I like his work a lot. He has an early nineties underground comic book style. Very dark and gritty. Also somewhat gothic like the movie. I also like the fact that it's in black and white, I like to look at comic book art in black and white from time to time. I also noticed that a lot of the flashbacks in the story which were done mostly in inkwash or just pencil, were more realistic when the rest of the story was slightly more cartoony.
So I enjoyed this book very much. The movie is currently being remade and James O'Barr apparently is involved in it. I hate the idea of a remake of The Crow, but if J. O'Barr is okay with it then to each their own I guess.
January 16, 2019
ANODYNE
If I were an Angel I would cast
away my wings and halo,
Forever
Just to spend one more moment
near you,
to touch the soft white milk of your skin,
to count every freckle on your nose,
to feel the silky smooth drift of your
hair over my face,
to feel your breath hot on my mouth,
I would forget the music of every sunrise
to just once more hear you sigh,
I would laugh in absolute joy at the
irony
of the Angel who gave away his divinity,
for all eternity,
to feel the warm glow of an earth-bound
Love,
if just for one single moment.
If I were an Angel I would cast
away my wings and halo,
Forever
Just to spend one more moment
near you,
to touch the soft white milk of your skin,
to count every freckle on your nose,
to feel the silky smooth drift of your
hair over my face,
to feel your breath hot on my mouth,
I would forget the music of every sunrise
to just once more hear you sigh,
I would laugh in absolute joy at the
irony
of the Angel who gave away his divinity,
for all eternity,
to feel the warm glow of an earth-bound
Love,
if just for one single moment.
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