The Crow

Wow ... first of all, thank you AMAZON, this book arrived five days earlier than its expected release date. I've been a huge fan of 'The Crow' since 1994, when the amazing movie version opened at a trashy theatre in a local factory city and introduced me to things like poetry and rock and roll, thus quickly leading me to O' Barr's original graphic novel (two versions before this special edition). 'The Crow' by James O' Barr is probably the biological Father of most modern gothic revenge tales, inspiring ssssoooo many subsequent graphic novels and Hollywood flicks of the 90's - 'Blade' and 'The Matrix' come immediately to mind. The movie was an astonishing success, supported by an endless wave of rave-reviews and tremendous word of mouth ... a fairy-tale-toned hyper-violent version of Blade Runner, set against the backdrop of a fantastic Motor City in flames. It deserved every bit of the praise it got. YET, as phenomenal as the Proyas/Lee movie was, it was considerably removed from the comic that inspired it. O' Barr's original independent comic-book masterpice is far more violent, philisophical, and unforgiving; the characters speak in extended bits of Shakespearean poetry, the lengthy shootouts unfold like a demented ballet, the ceaceless gore is as pc and unsettling as a snuff film ... in a way, O' Barr's work reminds me of Clive Barker's most challenging stuff (ironically, Barker has a quote on the back of this new edition). There are quite a few changes in O' Barr's new version - the most important of which are additional flashbacks highlighting Eric and Shelly's romance. These flashbacks are welcome additions and gel perfectly with the original narrative. As mentioned by above readers, some alterations stand out immediatley, although none distracted me much except for the omitted "The Hanging Garden" by The Cure (replaced by a powerful original poem by O' Barr). If this was done because of Copyright complications, it's a shame - BUT O' Barr CERTAINLY doesn't get enough credit for the elegance of his writing, and the new poetry that replaces 'The Hanging Garden' is equally effective and memorable. I like 'ANODYNE' (the new poem) more than Robert Smith's original excerpt, actually. Other than that, most of the lyrics/musical references from the previous versions seem to be pretty much intact, including Joy Division's complete 'Decades,' opening chapter titles referencing Ian Curtis, and numerous references to Rimbaud and Voltaire and Iggy Pop ... ... and there are NEW COMPLETE POEMS scattered throughout, too - such as a memorable piece by Baudelaire! What struck me the most: The new ending involving the "Horse in the Barbed Wire," a story element initially limited to the prelude ('Shattered In The Head'). This additional closing sequence makes a more direct emotional statement than the original finale, which allowed the story - and the reader - to drift away like a soul catching a boat across the River Styx. The 'Skull Cowboy' makes a return appeareance, and there is an extended coversation between Eric and The Crow (the actual bird) that may or may not have been necessary. For Crow fans who have felt repeatadly insulted by what the 'Powers That Be' have offered them (I feel sorry for the kids whos introduction to 'The Crow' is 'WICKED PRAYER') I think it is DEFINTELY worth double-dipping the wallet for this new version of the comic. The 'August Noel' chapter alone is probably a True Blue bookmark to why many people fell in love with 'The Crow' in the first place. These few pages brought me to tears, and I know I will miss 'August Noel' whenever I look at the old book. (BTW - as mentioned in his opening statement, this is a deeply personal sequence for O' Barr, and it couldn't have been easy for him to reconstruct). Of course, there are many out there who will not like the changes. There are definitely bold alterations in the book, so those who have grown up with O' Barr's vision and know every original panel by heart will take immediate pause at the new bits. YET without a doubt: this is the coolest thing to happen to the realm of 'THE CROW' since the original film was released seventeen years ago. O' Barr has put a final stride in the journey that started it all, giving the character of Shelly a deeper voice and strenghtening the dynamic between Eric & Albrect ... as well as punctuating the ending with a beautiful new sequence (however unnecessary, 'SparkleHorse' is truly beautiful). I would say if you were considering seeing the oft-discussed much-delayed Hollywood remake/reboot somewhere down the line, save the money you would spend on that ticket and order O' Barr's Speical Edition instead. This re-release puts the story back into the hands of its creator, regardless of how the reader feels about the changes. Thank you, James. Your work is why the fans are still around.

I will start by saying that I had never seen the movie before reading this book and I wanted to read through this before diving into the film. I have upon writing this review since fished both. The film and the graphic novel are both excellent in their own right. So on to the book review. The weird thing with independent published comic books is usually you get cool art but a mediocre plot without much drive or content. There are other great indie books, but The Crow really offers something special to the reader. I know this is the "Special Edition" so some parts were not in the original printings, I believe, but as presented in this hardcover...it is a very very solid story with captivating art. The art flows in a grand display with changes from beautiful pencils to striking harsh pen and inks. Partnered with the lovely added poems and strong narrative the book just speaks to directly to your heart at times. Some funny one-liners are littered throughout the book that bring a chuckle but nothing that subdues the overall context of the story as a whole. The end result of the combined art techniques and strong writing is an epic and impactful story from open to close. The Crow is something that really excels at both writing and art and I am sure it can mostly be attributed to the loss of the writer's real life love in a tragic accident. The Crow is a story of revenge, hope, poetic justice, fear, and most of all, love. The story has that vintage feel of early gothic romance DC comics. It is really incredible to me to think this was out before Neil Gaiman's Sandman epic. If you are a fan of DC/Vertigo Sandman, I can say with the upmost confidence that you will love this book. It is a must read for fans of The Crow movie and I don't think any comic enthusiast would look down on this in any way either. This quickly became one of my top 10 favorite comics I have ever read. I would highly recommend this to other comic fans. This book is available in many printings, it is a very affordable collection at only $25, and it is a very quick book to read through. All around 5 stars.

By far my favorite comic I've ever read. To start, this isn't a superhero book despite The Crow's supernatural abilities. This is a man's fall into the abyss as he fails to forgive others or himself. The use of darkness in the art looks incredible and pairs well with the themes of the story. Art style, in general, is very unique and gives off this dark 80's vibe. Throughout the story you get a much clearer depiction of the themes than you would the movie and really feel Eric's despair with self loathing. Any flashback or internal depiction are perfectly placed to further immerse Eric's cursed crusade. Don't get the wrong idea, it isn't pure misery on the page. There are many great action sequences and a grim comical aspect to Eric's interactions. Several lines and panels live rent free in my head as they are either completely badass and/or equally poignant. It also makes me appreciate the original '94 film that does a pretty decent job adapting a lot of key elements of the comic, though the film doesn't quite carry the same theme and leans heavier into action/hero. Simply put, it is a MUST read.

"The Crow" by James O'Barr is an absolute masterpiece in the world of graphic novels. From the first page to the last, it immerses you in a dark and hauntingly beautiful tale of love, loss, and revenge. O'Barr's artwork is incredibly detailed and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the somber tone of the story. The characters in "The Crow" are complex and deeply emotional, making their journey all the more poignant. Eric Draven, the protagonist, is a tragic figure seeking justice for the senseless murder of his fiancée. His transformation into a vengeful avenger is both haunting and captivating. What sets "The Crow" apart is its ability to evoke strong emotions. It explores themes of grief, love, and the human desire for redemption, all while painting a bleak but mesmerizing world. The dialogue is poignant and thought-provoking, adding depth to the characters' actions and motivations. The storytelling in "The Crow" is gripping, taking readers on a thrilling and suspenseful ride. O'Barr's use of symbolism and visual storytelling adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative, creating an unforgettable reading experience. Overall, "The Crow" is a timeless classic that deserves its status as a must-read graphic novel. Whether you're a fan of the genre or new to the medium, this graphic novel will captivate you with its stunning artwork, emotional depth, and unforgettable story. Prepare to be enthralled by the dark and haunting world of "The Crow."

I have bought this book a few times now since the mid 90s. It’s inspiring, heartbreaking and brilliant.

The latest sale had this book at an unbeatable price. I purchased the digital version and was excited to explore the original world that the 1994 film is based on. The first thing to mention is that the art stood out and gives The Crow a truly different feel from other graphic novels. Another great part is the bonus stories not featured in the film that showcase more of the relationship Eric and Shelley had. While the antagonists aren't as interesting as the film counterparts, this read offers more to connect with Eric and the world tied to The Crow. Must read and visually unique.

A great update to the old comic book.

Fans of The Crow or James O'Barr might know this, but this comic was O'Barr's way of coping with his girlfriend's death at the hands of a drunk driver. This and other details are explained further in this special edition, but I wanted to mention it for people who don't know. This comic is a very stylized and violent story of a man and woman, Eric Draven and Shelley, respectively, who are murdered by a gang of criminals. Eric returns as an undead, not quite vampiric (he's not a zombie but he doesn't physically heal either) man to seek justice on this gang that wronged him and Shelley. The movie translates most of this very well, but I want to add that a main difference is that Eric is virtually unstoppable in the comic and there's a lot of things that can be considered sensitive subjects. Most notably, drug use and a heavy amount of violence. There is some in the movie, but the comic has way more of it. The term "graphic novel" is very applicable to this comic book. But there is a great, painful story if you can get through it.