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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 Ãœbermench 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.)