James O'Barr

This one packed quite a punch. I watched the movie years ago but was not aware it was based off the comic book, nor that that very comic book was result of very tragic developments in author's life.

When you look at it art-wise, it is not an appealing work of art (at least not to me). While there are parts that are visually striking (for example, Eric's memories of days filled with love for Shelly, or very sad Gabriel the cat watching Eric going crazy with sorrow) majority is very dark and very violent. All in all art is sign of the time when comic was created, 1980's, especially when one considers this was an indie comic.

If you are looking for book about characters you wont find it here. This entire novel is a scream of sorrow, torment of a person that saw the most horrifying things done to his beloved. As such book shares the theme and execution with Mad Max, another revenge work from the same period. Same as Mad Max, Eric dies in himself and as a walking zombie decides to kill all those involved in that gruesome act. And he does it in hope he will find peace, but worst thing comes at the end, when there is noone left to punish, when one needs to accept that what is left is to live with oneself, to move on. There is no deep thinking stuff here, it is all about revenge against the forces of evil, and then finding the ways to let go.

Entire book is very heartbreaking, bitter sweet when one sees the monsters slayed but ultimately very sad, because loss in life, especially those most dear to us, is something unavoidable, and although it is deeply scarring it need to be overcome in a way that it does not end ones life. Although a lot of romantics would like us think differently, real life requires moving on.

Interesting book, recommended.… (más)

CW: Sexual Assault, Drugs, Needles, Self Harm, Blood, Animal Harm (Horse tangled in barbed wire)

I want to start by saying I read the interview where O'Barr discusses who he started writing The Crow as a way to focus all his negative feelings after his girlfriend was killed by a drunk driver and that he acknowledges that it only made him feel worse. That's an awful thing to experience my heart goes out to him. We all process grief in different ways.

I haven't seen the movie in ages but I remember it being cringe (complimentary), but this is something else.

This might just be the most embarrassing thing I've ever read, but it's so unbelievably bad (with nice black & white art) I enjoyed it for a bit, but it's just so one note and monotonous in its hardcore edgelordiness.

Imagine Frank Miller, The Joker (Leto & Phoenix), The Chosen (Smosh), and the poet laureate of incels made like the most 'real, brutal, edgy, clever' thing ever. 'But you probably wouldn't get it.'

This is the apotheosis of fridging. The only significant woman in the entire comic is nothing more than a plot device. A perfect Madonna to be destroyed by brutal men and then horrifying violence done in her name, without any question of if she would want it.

I truly am sorry for O'Barr's loss and I appreciate that lots of people love this comic, but I just found it incredibly pretentious and shallow, while masquerading as incredibly deep. I can absolutely enjoy some mindless violence, wild refernces, and poetry, but this was obnoxious nails on a chalkboard for me and I hate it.

If this comic means a lot to you or you just love it, I love that for you. This is not something I'm interested in fighting about.… (más)