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The Crow is a comic book series created by James O'Barr. The series was originally written by O'Barr as a means of getting over his girlfriend's death at the hands of a drunk driver. It was later published in 1989, and became an underground success, with some movie studios seeking the rights to adapt it to film. It was adapted into a film in 1994. Three sequels, a remake, and a television series have also been made.
Plot synopsis
The story revolves around a man named Eric. He and his girlfriend, Shelly, are assaulted by a gang of street thugs after their car breaks down. Eric is shot in the head and is paralysed, and can only watch as Shelly is savagely beaten and raped. She dies at the scene. Eric survives and is taken to a hospital, but while surgeons are trying to save his life, the Crow comes to him and convinces him he needs to let go of his life. Only by dying can the Crow help him exact his revenge. One year later, Eric is resurrected by the Crow to seek out vengeance on the murderers, methodically stalking and killing them. Eric stays in the house that he shared with Shelly when not on the hunt. He spends most of his time there lost in memories of Shelly. Her absence is torture for him, and he stays in hideous emotional pain. This is ironic, as he cannot feel physical pain, even when he mutilates himself. Injuries he suffers heal very rapidly, leaving him scarred but intact. The Crow acts as a guide and goad for Eric, giving him information that helps him in his quest but also chastising him for dwelling on Shelly's death, seeing his pining as useless self-indulgence that distracts him from his purpose.
Characters
The main character, Eric, is modeled after two musical influences on O'Barr's life. Firstly, Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis, whose melancholy lyrics and spastic onstage dance movements inspired Eric's somber dialogue and pained convulsions when remembering his and Shelly's deaths. Secondly, Bauhaus lead singer Peter Murphy inspired his imposing physical presence, ghostly makeup, and sharp, high cheek bones. Additionally, the names of Officer Albrecht and Captain Hook are allusions to Joy Division members Bernard (Albrecht) Sumner and Peter Hook.
Other influences on The Crow range from the gothic imagery of Arthur Rimbaud's poetry to the unrelenting bleakness of the Cure's early albums. All these characteristics were carried over to the movie.
Supporting characters
- Sherri - a street urchin Eric befriends after his rebirth. (Re-named Sarah in the movie)
- T-Bird - head of the gang that murders Eric and Shelly.
- Funboy - T-Bird's right-hand man, a morphine addict who is sleeping with Sherri's mother.
- Top Dollar - a low-level drug dealer.
- Tin-Tin - the first of T-Bird's gang to be eliminated by Eric.
- Tom Tom - One of T-Bird's soldiers, and one of Shelly's rapists.
- Gideon - a pawnbroker who is used by T-Bird's lackeys to fence Shelly's engagement ring.
- Officer Albrecht - a beat cop who confronts Eric outside Gideon's pawnshop.
- Captain Hook - Detective placed on Eric and Shelly's case. Eric sends him his regards through Albrecht.
Adaptations
In 1999, Image Comics released a new comic series of The Crow, based on the original comic book. It ran for ten issues, ending in November of that year.
Also in 1999, O'Barr and editor Ed Kramer asked an array of fiction writers, poets, and artists (including Gene Wolfe, Alan Dean Foster, Charles de Lint, Jack Dann, Jane Yolen, Henry Rollins, and Iggy Pop) to interpret this goth phenomenon. Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams was released by Random House on Halloween, and a year later, in a limited signed and numbered volume, by Donald M. Grant Publishing.
Three sequels to the movie have been made so far: City of Angels (1996), starring Vincent Perez (as the titular character), Mia Kirshner, Richard Brooks and Iggy Pop; Salvation (2000), starring Eric Mabius (as the titular character), Kirsten Dunst, and Fred Ward; and Wicked Prayer (2005), starring Edward Furlong (as the titular character), David Boreanaz, and Tara Reid. All of the sequels have been critical and commercial flops; the latter two movies have been relegated to direct to video release. The original film was remade as Wings of the Crow in 2000. The TV series The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (1998), was based on the first movie.
See also
External links
- CrowFansOnline.com, a fan site for The Crow and James O'Barr
- Fansite for John Shirley cowriter (with David Schow) of the movie "The Crow"
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"The Crow"