The Most Tragic Comic I've Ever Read | The Crow | An Analysis

[@IntotheDepths511]

I want to apologize for the resolution. I uploaded this vid incorrectly. 3:26 Disaffected 45:30 *750,000 copies world wide. Not 750. 35:23 It’s Alex Proyas. Not Pyros.

[@JeremyAndrews-qx8ce]

WELL DONE

[@SweetMikki]

I dig ur video and I think you meant emaciated earlier I only say something cuz I watch with subtitles and it said emanciated lol.

[@mykalkelley8315]

1:26 that's not stary night

[@IntotheDepths511]

@@mykalkelley8315 yes it is. It’s just a reproduction.

[@CorbCorbin]

Excellent work. Enjoyed your takes, and breakdown. I remember reading these in 1990. I was 13, and it was very striking, even with all the classic 80’s books, I’d read. It felt more personal. The art style is so unique. About 15 years later, I lost someone, very close to me, in a head on collision. I immediately thought of this story, who we both loved. One thing, the song by Nine Inch Nails, on the soundtrack is a cover of O’barr’s favorite, Joy Division. I think Lee may have been an interesting actor, as he went into his 30’s. He was about to be huge.

[@hdervish2497]

I just want to give James OBarr a hug. How much pain can one person take?

[@2FRESH-4U]

God only gives us what we can take

[@flyforever20]

@@2FRESH-4U that's kind of a stupid statement

[@GarretSamhain]

​@@2FRESH-4U so God only gives Cancer to people who can handle it? Interesting...

[@marksharp3990]

Turns out, alot. Or little. The individual matters.

[@Patrick-pc3vq]

​@@2FRESH-4U Tell that to family members of suicide victims.

[@20th_century_Ghost]

The reason that The Crow film is so iconic is because it captured Zeitgeist. Between the death of Brandon Lee, who died during filming, and the death of Kurt Cobain a month before its release, it branded itself into the consciousness of the culture. The soundtrack of the film connected these events with much of it being filled with the contemporary rock of the time. The fact that Brandon Lee's father, the legendary Bruce Lee, also died whilst filming a movie and O'Barr's tragedy that created The Crow only makes it all feel inevitable, like a dark twist of fate somehow.

[@richardblack3385]

Gravity

[@Jack.Ruby893]

​@@richardblack3385 inertia

[@xkavarsmith9322]

The pawn shop scene, where Brandon grabs the guitar in one hand, aiming the shotgun with the other. Not only a useful metaphor for Kurt Cobain but also stylizes the crest of the American Eagle; olive branch in one claw and arrows in the other. Absolutely iconic character. Glad it was all made.

[@20th_century_Ghost]

@@xkavarsmith9322 Agreed.

[@ambersummer2685]

Is it sad that I avoid the movie bc it captures Brandon Lee’s actual death? It’s like the movie ended with his life.

[@professionalhimbo]

God man hearing the story about O'barr's fiance hit me in the throat. I lost someone special to a drunk driver years back too, and it took me years and years to just... deal with the hurt, and rage, and guilt that had wrapped around my heart and throat, slowly choking the life out of me.

[@IntotheDepths511]

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s amazing how films, comics, books, etc. can reach us all on such a fundamental level.

[@professionalhimbo]

@Into the Depths someone told me once that when we're gone, the only thing we leave behind are the stories that we know. I like that idea, even if some of the stories are sad, or painful- a tragedy has just as much value as a comedy, after all. Great video, by the by. Can't wait to see what stories you'll share next.

[@catspawgardner3213]

Yeah, I was surprised that his creation of The Crow came from the loss of would've been his future wife Beverly.

[@NWOslave]

i think knowing O'Barr's history really puts The Crow into context. i knew about his fiances' death when i first read it and you could see and read his anguish in every line and word. the story still moves me after 30 years

[@nomsi4263]

I heard that the story behind The Crow was based on something tragic. But, hearing about this, is just brutal. But also beautiful, respect to him.

[@maoribrotha53]

“Just as The Crow was born from tragedy, tragedy was born from The Crow”. Wow that’s deep.

[@PrinceFloof]

It's a twisted version of the Phoenix born from the ashes

[@scofthenight]

The crow comic in my opinion is one of the best pieces of art as a whole of all the time. He drew everything, even wrote in the words. And it was completely from his heart.

[@ExMeroMotu9]

I too, love Crow, but Idk man.. BERSERK is not a comic it's an anime, but it is also art and.. I'd beg to differ that it's the best work of art I've seen in my life in (respectfully) in my genuine opinion.

[@ZohndYT]

@@ExMeroMotu9 Berserk is a Manga, which is just Japanese terminology for what we call comics here in the US. So yeah, Berserk is a comic just not an American one :) I am a huge Berserk fan, reading since 2010. I got into the Crow comics just a few years ago and they are both fantastic.

[@ExMeroMotu9]

@Dakaddda You know what I meant fool. Of course Berserk is a Manga but it did get adapted into a Anime dumbass. Stop trying to make a point like you were ultimately right. Oh and also. I've read the crow comic books and stop with the shit Berserk is way more better in every aspect. Crow is bad ass but just not better than Berserk.

[@scofthenight]

@@ExMeroMotu9 I’m not talking about berserk, the mangas is insane amounts of pornographic SA. The crow doesn’t.

[@ExMeroMotu9]

@Skull Garden What are you 9 years old? Geeze... grow up. Also.. you could take out the "lornographic sa" and it still be waaay better than Crow. If one ever did a page by page comparison side by side of each works. Kentaro Miura for the win hands down!

[@Emp6ft10in]

It reminds me of Anne Rice's work in, "Interview with the Vampire." She wrote that book to handle the grief of her 5-year-old daughter dying from cancer.

[@laurapetruzzi5814]

Exactly. Thank you. I feel understood, and that's a rare thing.

[@thewizardofodds6839]

If you lost a child to cancer. Then my condolences.​@@laurapetruzzi5814

[@fiftyfadesofgrey]

Rest In Peace Brandon Lee. Tragic and spooky that Brandon died during a movie about death and resurrection and Bruce died during Game of Death a movie not finished, also about dying and coming back after fake death. I am glad Brandon got to get out of his fathers shadow though and make his own way w The Crow AND did so well. Such good movie.

[@heroicjourney2508]

Brandon would've done great work as an actor, similar to Heath Ledger. He provided a small glimpse of what was to come (Dark Knight, Joker- The Crow, Eric Draven) only to then die suddenly and tragically.

[@jerramaurice7836]

He was a beautiful man with a beautiful spiritual soul

[@AtZero138]

Such a simple task,, basic Logic, safety procedure,, cleaning the barrel.. it's So Sad.. what a careless act of negligence

[@jamesbarbour8400]

Bruce Lee did not die during 'Game of Death', he died shortly after filming, editing etc were completed on 'Enter the Dragon', on 20th July 1973. The movie was releases later that same year, but like his son, Brandon, he never got to see it, or revel in the glory of its success. Only the fight scenes for 'Game of Death' were completed, not the rest of the story. These scenes were actually filmed in late 1972, and it is noticeable that this is the only movie in which Bruce didn't appear topless. I hypothesise, that because he had his underarm sweat glands removed, slightly earlier than filming scenes for 'GoD', the scars from the surgery possibly hadn't healed sufficiently to look acceptable on the big screen, hence his remaining covered up. That's my theory anyway. Bruce was a very vain individual, amongst many other traits.

[@Paugose]

Reminds me of a french critic who said about The Crow "There is a grim poetry in a man who died but was brought back to life (by modern computing) in order to finish his job of playing the character of a man who also gets brought back to life to finish his job".

[@doublestarships646]

I feel like I reopened a wound seeing Brandon Lee and realizing again how much of a career he could have had. The film and his acting was something his dad would have been immensely proud of.

[@ameer781]

I lost my girl last year. A woman who taught me to love again. I have so much pain and anger and sadness. I lost my dad the year before and then my cousin the same year. I'm numb and I've always loved the crow and now see it in a whole new light. This truly is a work of art.

[@pbee.njayay444]

I am so sorry for your loss and for this pain. I wish you a happy peaceful life.

[@squirrelknight9768]

That happened

[@markanthonykow17]

So sorry for your loss dude.

[@francescobasile8785]

You are a strong one, life is worth living. Remember it can't rain all the time

[@blcksundae]

This was my moms favorite movie and actually named me Draven after Eric Draven. I always thought that she just named me after an emo superhero, but now that I've read the comic and watched the movie... I'm touched that I was named after such a masterpiece of dark and supernatural art.

[@poolboyinla]

Draven is a cool name.

[@spiralrose]

Someone I know, knew someone who named her some Craven, after Eric Draven. The stupid part is she knew what the word “craven” meant…but thought it would be “ funny” to name her son that. Stay off drugs, kids.

[@kaso236]

Welcome to the League of draven

[@wawa6711]

@@spiralrose Kid's gonna have a shitty time in school

[@TheNastyNug]

Ayyyy my mom and dad did the same thing. People always tell me how cool my name is and my mom wants me to name my son Eric Draven if I ever have one

[@tylerramos7633]

As an early 2000s Emo kid who grew up in Flint Michigan which is only about thirty minutes from Detroit I have always felt the crow very closely. It’s such a beautifully sad story

[@truffeltroll6668]

You mean the crow, not what happens in Flint, right?

[@truffeltroll6668]

@Christian Rafiki Perez Kong Flint is not a beautiful sad story. It's fucked up and disgusting. Led reduces the iq and the people can't do shit

[@AtZero138]

80s DeathRocker kid.. Post Punk, gets mislabeled goth a lot now,, as does, "emo" for Post Hardcore scene,, unless,, Labels like Deep Elm,, embrace it, produced bands Emo,, Others like, Casket Lottery, Engine Down, I lived through both era's,, So Many great bands,, Modern Hardcore scene was the best new music landscape ever.. Converge, Thursday, Bleeding Kansas, HopesFall, .. Incendiary new album is epic.. Cheers from Orange County California.. find new sounds.. always @∅

[@TheRogueSquid]

@@AtZero138Thursday… damn I haven’t listened or thought of them in forever. Time to go get nostalgic! Cheers

[@AtZero138]

@@TheRogueSquid Awesome... If you have any music to share.. Please do.. @∅

[@jentaro]

Jesus, I didn't know this story came from real suffering. Heartbreaking. Since he named his son Erik maybe it's still haunts him. I hope James O'Barr found some form of solace, no one deserves to be given happiness only to be pulled off forcefully from him and to be left behind like this.

[@mattdekker5693]

I always liked the idea of characters like the Crow, Ghost Rider, and Spawn. different characters with different stories that take up the same moniker throughout time. Except for edward furlong.

[@joshuamiller8259]

As a kid I always made a pretend matchup. Spawn is there for vengeance but was claimed by Hell. The Crow is venegeance calimed by Heaven ina sense because of being an innocent victim. And Ghostrider is the Spirit of Vengeance that has possessed a human form, so not claimed by either side.

[@NifixD]

Berserk too,from despair and vengeance to forgiveness

[@lewisaino]

​@@joshuamiller8259What would the Spectre be?

[@lewisaino]

​@@joshuamiller8259The Crow is like saving the innocent

[@satansjihad6353]

You would like Tim Vigil's Faust.

[@alleahsasseville]

I met James a few years ago, it was such an honor (I have a Brandon Lee Crow tattoo), and him talking about his story, he was so sad. The pain was still with him, and you could feel the sadness in the room.

[@dylanthewmusic]

I remember a long time ago, I don’t remember exactly how old I was probably around 12 or 13, but one of my friends was over and my father came home drunk with my mom. He ended up getting in a shouting match with my older brother and my mom. I’ve never seen him that angry and drunk before. It got to a point where my mom took my friend home, my brother over to his friend’s house, and my mom stayed at my grandmother’s house. And I was stuck staying at my house, my dad passed out drunk, but I could still feel an angry energy radiating off of him. I fell asleep upstairs in my room feeling nothing but disappointment, embarrassment, and sadness towards what was happening that night. The next morning I stayed upstairs in my room and I was flipping through the channels on tv and landed on G4. They did a thing called “Movies That Don’t Suck”. The movie that played? The Crow. I remember really connecting with the dark aesthetic with my current situation, Brandon Lee’s performance coupled with the beautiful story struck a huge chord with me, especially with me just starting out playing guitar and seeing Eric play guitar on the rooftop and smashing his guitar. I felt all the emotion in that scene. Soon after the movie was over, my dad knocked on my door and walked in. He sobered up, sat next to me, tears in his eyes and apologized. I wanted him to apologize to my brother mainly, but I could tell how sorrowful he was to me. He couldn’t face my brother so I forgave him for what happened. The Crow really has a poignant meaning to me and I feel a great sense of catharsis and love any time I watch it.

[@NelsonStJames]

The Crow is one of those works that is becoming very rare today, because not only has art become simply another hustle for many, but the culture is increasingly condemning people using art as a means of catharsis and individual expression. The ability for people to exorcise their demons through art has probably saved the world from more monsters than we'll ever know, but now it seems society would rather have those monsters.

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

This is a big reason why I'm a huge fan of the indie horror and grimdark fantasy scenes. Those guys aren't afraid of being explicit, extreme and uncensored with controversial themes and strong expressions of dark emotions.

[@ButtonMasherReal]

@@miguelsilva9085 Bro really tried to turn the commercialisation of art into a social debate

[@lunarity711]

@Miguel Silva I'd hate to live a life where I boil everything I dislike down to it just being "social justice" or whatever other nebulous singular reason. I like having multiple varied reasons to like/dislike things, but you do you.

[@db9454]

@@miguelsilva9085 Politics addicted snobs try not to bring it up in every single conservation challenge:

[@thecandyman7807]

⁠​people ruled by their reaction and fooled into living vicariously through their own emotions be like:

[@AshtonRogers-se1zj]

This is always the comic that I point to as an example of an emotionally mature and beautiful story told through the medium of comics. Cuz even in a world that derives so many films and television shows directly FROM comics,they are still treated as though they are specifically for children.

[@gh0s7sama]

He also used Trent Reznor as a template for Eric’s design. Heard that in person from O’Barr himself at a convention. He was extremely cool and wrote some things on a print for me and hung out. I talked to his assistant later and she said he was every bit as awesome and cool to work for as you could imagine. It’s nice to know some famous people aren’t terrible ppl outside of the public eye.

[@IntotheDepths511]

I’ve heard great things from people who have met James O’Barr. It’s good to know he’s such a genuine guy.

[@OkasiOtaku]

​@IntotheDepths511 James O'Barr truly is a good man. When I went to meet him at a convention, he was so patient with me as I was overstimulated with emotion (I have Autism so I can get easily overwhelmed with emotions) because he was an amazing artist who put all his anger, sorrow, and grief in one graphic novel and I wanted to meet him. He not only took a photo with me, but he signed my copy of The Crow, which has some wear and tear from years of reading it. To me it was one of the best moments in my life.

[@Matthias-sl6jr]

Wasn't there an actual Cure song that influenced this comic too?

[@Banthisyoutube-zs6sx]

​​@@Matthias-sl6jrthe cure did provide a song for the soundtrack that was only released on the crow soundtrack if i remember right.......the burn. I ain't a huge cure fan but that song is a banger

[@stinkfinga4918]

It's definitely Trent Reznors face with Peter Murphys hair lol

[@darkcloud2442]

I remember getting the comic in 2003 when I was a junior in high school, I had some heavy stuff happening around that same time. I really think that’s how most of us find the book, I helped me get through my pain. And your video gave me a flood of emotions, thank you.

[@ThatKaylaPerson]

I met O'Barr when I was younger. I saw the end of the movie, and was absolutely possessed by the tragedy of it all. I didn't get the title at the time and searched for years to find it. And when I did, I fell even more in love with it. The pain, the hurt, the chase for something more and to feel again after tragedy. He was a quiet guy, but sweet for dealing with some dumb 15 year old girl like me. I never got to tell him, but it was because of him and The Crow that I started writing myself as a young kid. He is the reason I discovered my own creativity and the Crow has haunted my mind for years. It's so beautiful and I cannot recommend strong enough.

[@mattgilbert7347]

I didn't know O'Barr had dealt with *so* much pain and loss. Beverly, yes - every Crow admirer and fan knew about that - but jesus, he went through a lot. Tough cookie. Respect. Those panels...i forgot how honest his art is. Man, that really was true love. RIP Beverly, RIP Brandon.

[@thebrownbaldy]

The film itself is 3 films rolled into one: part revenge flick, part love story, and part action. Hearing how the origins came about makes me respect the source material and its creator even more.

[@sillycookie]

The way everything is drawn, you can feel every potent emotion going through O' Barr. The anger, the horror, the disgust....but then the tender love in every stroke making up Shelley. I really hope things are easier for O'Barr, even by a little bit.

[@zaknafein_aconite]

I had the pleasure of meeting Rochelle Davis dressed as Eric nearly a year ago. I brought a fake crow taped to my hand and she told me of all the fans who met her, I was the first to bring a crow. I'll never forget the way her face lit up once she saw me. I even got a hug. The story may be rooted in and surrounded by death and pain, but the catharsis always stood out to me the most.

[@Banthisyoutube-zs6sx]

Thats awesome bro

[@flavorofuranus]

Jesus, I never knew of James's background. That's absolutely heartbreaking

[@merlynfereira9631]

i know. i was so heartbroken when i read it

[@cam1640]

I lost my Dad when I was 6 years old. Ive lost a lot of people in my life from death or just them leaving me. Ive always felt cheated and always thinking about the what if scenarios. The Crow has helped me realize that all that anger will never bring people back or change anything in your life except hurt yourself. I try to read the Crow about twice a year to remember to not fall into my anger and my despair.

[@calebleland8390]

I bought the graphic novel right before the movie came out. It hit me like a truck. Every emotion known to man, I felt while I read that. I passed it along to my friends and made them read it before we saw the movie. I still have my copy, and it's certainly seen better days, but I read it at least once or twice a year (usually while listening to the soundtrack). Thank you for this video, brother.

[@leetun444]

I watched this video a year ago and honestly, this analysis of the crow comic gave me inspiration to be passionate towards my own comic book project. I've watched many KZbin videos over these years, but this one is by far the most captivating to say the least. Definitely worth the experience.

[@maris.7408]

Just read the comic last night and I cried the whole way through.. It's so sad and tragic, really. Love the way the movie changed Sarah's story with Eric - it's much more heartfelt. When they hug by the window - it was instant tears. You could feel the love and how he was kind of her father figure. Both the comic and the movie are such masterpieces, no other way to describe them. Loved the video!

[@kcire1978]

I saw the movie while growing up in the 90s with my girlfriend. Recently, I was in Barnes and Noble and saw 1 copy of the special edition graphic novel and bought it without hesitation. I've read through it several times and I can say the illustrations, the darkness, the pain is all real. James created a masterpiece that brings more intensity and more realism to most anything I've ever read. It scares me how much emotion I feel when I read this. I'm sorry about Beverly, James. I'm sorry for your pain, but if I may be so bold, your courage gave me mine to make the very most of every moment of my life. Excellent video, very, VERY well done!

[@unique4mebiz441]

He was a seriously talented actor May he rest in peace

[@cheekyhazelnut]

I remember meeting James o Barr in 2019, he talked to me about his time growing up in an orphanage and how trauma helped inspire his art. He’s a very interesting yet mysterious person and his life story helped me overcome my own relationship between my trauma and my art. While the art I make is nowhere near as tragic or gritty as O’Barr’s, I find his story to be inspiring to me in that beauty can come from tragedy. Great video and I’m happy more people are learning about this graphic novel and the author

[@kochsalzbill3612]

Read Nietzsche or Schopenhauer to some extent: true beauty can only come from tragedy (as a medium of conveying art, hellenian tragedy as peak art) since only tragedy lays bare the meaninglessness of existence while also stressing the overabundance of beauty in a meaningless world. The attempt to link meaning and beauty but also meaning and suffering is an attempt of societies and religious groups to rationalize an unfathomable experience.

[@Cthugni]

Best comic I ever read. Hands down. Did a huge assignment on this back in 1997 for school, and never really recovered from the shock. Planned on doing the assignment on the movie, but the dvd was not available at the store, so bought the comic instead, and boy, was I in for a surprise! Tried to analyze every single frame, but this comic is a psychological bonanza! Everything in this means something. The symbolism, theunderlying meanings, the blunt truth.. Simply aweinspiring! James O'Barr, my everlasting respect, and sympathies.

[@morganlegayfay]

So eerie to think that the person who portrayed the crow in the films (Brandon Lee) died while filming makes my skin crawl everytime i watch those films i hope him and his father are resting peacefully together and that their legacy is never forgotten

[@jerrym1218]

“It can’t rain all the time” God that is beautiful 🙂. It’s basically like saying bad times come and go, just like good times, they don’t last forever.

[@outsiderx13]

I used this phrase a lot I say it to myself when I'm when I'm going through something. 🦇

[@Gargoyle364]

Bad times come and go, just like good times, they don't last forever, but that's what memories are for.

[@jerrym1218]

@@Gargoyle364 Our memories can also never be taken away from us, for a large majority of us, our memories are all we have. Although we may sometimes forget little things here and there, others around us will never truly forget us if we made an impact in their lives, it’s the only way that we can live on as we lie buried beneath the earth’s surface or have our ashes resting in an urn or scattered across the sky of our planet.

[@lewisaino]

Shonen level quote

[@kochsalzbill3612]

Disclaimer: I voice my own oppinion and I'm not trying to state 'facts'. Depending on your perspective there is neither rain nor sun, there is simply indifference. That is why the backstory in the comic "The Crow" is so much better, existence has no rhyme or reason and thus suffering and pain as well as happiness and joy are just perceptions an individual has of their own experiences. In the end Eric maybe wouldn't even have needed to exact his revenge, if he just hadn't looked and accepted the utter chaos that is existing in the human condition. He could've accepted the bitterness and the grief and moved on. The ultimate triumph of the character is not his vengeance but his ability to accept his ugly and broken self. Which transforms the plot from a tragedy, since he is only reinforcing the vicious cycle up until the epilogue. The "killing" of his old grievances in form of the horse as an act of moving forward, past his wonds and hurt, is not ideal though. It stems from the idea that people need to overcome their weaker selves instead of accepting them, to me this is as wrong as the attempt to humanize an uncaring and cruel world by trying to take the edge off of suffering by diminishing it to a mere obstacle. The dichotomy of sunshine and rain, good and bad or virtuous and vicious is an infantile attempt to give an ultimately meaningless existence meaning without finding one by oneself. It's an attempt to rationalize being afflicted with suffering as a consciousness that lives through the human experience when there is nothing to rationalize it.

[@stillmyboy6708]

I thought your Arkham video was fantastic, probably my favourite comic. Really well done video. Had to come back for this one.

[@Chill-mm4pn]

The crow itself (animal) also reminds me of The Morrigan goddess in animal form. It is an animal that has significant meaning in various cultures and spiritual practices. The comic is so dark (yet a great work of art), that brother was dealing with some real heavy grief. I hope he can get some help.

[@ashtonfeatherstoneandersen4783]

You should tell me more, I'm interested in the crow and the Morrigan and am trying to tie them together. Its interesting that you would make that connection.

[@Peannlui]

@@ashtonfeatherstoneandersen4783 The Morrigan was a war goddess that would take the form of a crow. She is mentioned at the end of Cuchulainn’s legend as the only being brave enough to touch his corpse - he’d tied himself to a large rock so he could stay upright while fighting to the death.

[@poolboyinla]

The Crow is most likely taken from Odin and his ravens.

[@1faithchick7]

"Is that where creativity comes from? Sad biz?" -- Finn from Adventure Time And yes. Some of it does.

[@otterdonnelly9959]

I’m a massive New Order/Joy Division fan so learning the fact that they could’ve been on The Crow soundtrack instead of making their worst album “Republic”, is driving me crazy😵‍💫 Very cool video and I even recognized a few shirts James was wearing and his Bauhaus poster.

[@paulcarpenter7844]

Bush did remake on crow 2 soundtrack of joy division song

[@BarbarossaSC2]

This is probabyl my 3rd time watching this analysis. It's so soul-crushing yet beautiful. Thanks for putting it all together. O'Barr deserves it.

[@venomaster8551]

the crow is so amazing and beautiful, its a masterpiece and one of if not the best stories and comic ever made. o'barr is a true artist and deserves the world.

[@BriarShinn]

The Crow is truly one of the most beautiful stories ever told

[@Hydrasiac]

This video assessment needs to be appreciated just as much as the original comic

[@gabrieldevoogel6225]

I lost an uncle in a car accident young and victim of SA, holy shit, I forget how any tragic or horror story involving car accidents or breakdowns and grape can get to me, this movie will always hold a place in my heart, thank you O’Brien, and I’ll always miss you uncle Shane, you were a true friend and amazing person, i love you

[@IntotheDepths511]

I'm happy you liked the video. I'm happy you're here. I don't just mean in my comment section.

[@Phatgameboy]

I stole this book from my uncle when I was in elementary school, I would read it over and over. Even as a kid I had a feeling it was more than a comic. When I got older and someone at the comic book store told me the O’Barr story of how this got made. It made so much sense, I always got a sense of anger,grief and pain from it. In its dark tone it’s beautiful.

[@crazypizzaman21]

This is such a fantastic video. The crow is one of my all time favorites. It’s really heart breaking the story behind it but I think that’s what makes it so powerful. My favorite part of the comic was always seeing the stark contrast between the scenes when Eric is out killing and the flashbacks to him and Shelly and you can see the style go from really violent and gritty to smooth, calm, soft and just super detailed. It’s probably the most beautifully tragic story ever written and illustrated.

[@lizwa6463]

This video is truly life-changing. As a massive Bruce Lee fan, I've always known about Shannon and Brandon Lee, but this is something truly extraordinary. O'Brian has poured all his pain into these pages and words, capturing the depth of emotion that this video brings.

[@IntotheDepths511]

Thank you

[@clarkkent1630]

damn this hit my soul I could tell you really love this comic this is a good video man you really put a lot of effort into this I respect how you took the time to talk about the author and his dark past and how he would add parts of his real life into the comic and how you brought up the movie with Brandon lee may his soul rest in paradise his work will live on forever and may James O'Barr work on the crow live on for eternity.

[@garrettchristensen8074]

I've heard some very successful comic artist trash James O'Barr's artwork yet none of them ever created an icon like O'Barr did.

[@Banthisyoutube-zs6sx]

Haters gonna hate. Considering the drivel being put out by marvel and DC these days i am not aurprised they hate a work with actual soul and love for its characters instead of souless writing of classic characters.

[@emperortrevornorton3119]

I found my most honest human emotions because of Brandon Lee in The Crow it is hard to watch any sequel or remake/reboot without him damn near impossible rest in peace Eric Draven aka Brandon Lee

[@etherashe5164]

Damnit man. I usually hate these self-aggrandizing diatribes on KZbin, but you did your homework and brought me to a new level of understanding about The Crow and O'Barr. Thanks for being a real human and journalist.

[@ZenNeonRazor]

Legendary story with legendary Brandon Lee. The Crow story will never be forgotten.

[@ΣτέργιοςΜποπότας-ζ1μ]

Crow one of the most deep, tragic and depressing comics. So depressing that even its own author couldn't handle it.

[@totallyarealdoctor6498]

Was always a huge fan of the movie because my mom was a weirdo and showed it to me when I was really young, but I only picked up the comic about two years ago. And I'm so glad I did, man. Jesus, it's like sweet sorrow. I know that's clichéd as hell and overly emo, but that exactly how it feels. It's comforting and revolting, man.

[@Ronstawr]

I remember reading the graphic novel for the first time. I, too, was struggling with life while trying to deal with unexpected loss and heartbreak. I picked the book up on a whim trying to distract myself, I hadn't heard of it, but was drawn to the cover. It was the right read, at the right time. I don't feel like I can explain it properly, but it helped me then... and even still to this day. I will be forever thankful. Great video, thank you!

[@skooptywooop1030]

I love how the creator is like yeah its totally a meme lol. Beautifully self aware.

[@chrisbuttonshaw2088]

The movie/story was sad before but knowing O'Barr's backstory? * sobbing *

[@dominickdiaz253]

I saw The Crow when I was a little kid.... tho at the time I was too young to see it. Then when I hit the beginning of my teen years and started growing out my hair my dad gave me a proper introduced to the film... The history, the characters, the story, the cast and crew behind the film, and the tragic story of Brandon after the film finished. After that I became a fan and show the film and comics with the upmost respect. This video just gave me even more meaningful appreciation for the art and the 'real' story behind the story. I am truly grateful that I found this video and gave me even more appreciation to it and to the maker of the comics aswell.

[@peacecrafttrue]

Finally the love it deserves. The contrasts between hard ink and dreamy soft love scenes always blew me away, the sheer skill and artistry of it. A masterpiece of silent visual story telling.

[@tztzmetalis]

In high school my library had a copy that contained the full story which they let kids check out. It was a fantastic read and dark as all hell (to my 16 y/o self) but it was there in their comics/graphic novels section. This was like 2008-2009. Probably not allowed nowadays sadly...

[@mikeydubbs8565]

O’Barr’s ability to undulate from gritty backdrops to incredibly detailed bodies to beautifully detailed dreamlike high contrasted and shaded figures in the flashbacks; his ability to change style based on not the emotion he wants the reader to feel, but what he was feeling is painfully genius. I can relate to his tragedy, but his way of processing his pain, his art itself, is what made me weep watching this. Thank you

[@Hairrub]

This is an amazing analysis of The Crow. Such an amazing series with a tragic history behind it. The amount of pain O’Barr had to go through is unbelievable. I pay respects to him, Brandon and everyone who was impacted.

[@cdizzytv3753]

I cant think of a more classic & touchin film character than Eric Draven in the Brandon Lee The Crow Film... its like a picture perfect vision of my deepest feelin's as a kid growin up... RIP Mr. Lee

[@edboi6929]

To speak to Brandon Lee's athleticism, in the scene where he confronts Top Dollar and his militia you see him leep onto the table land seamlessly into an "Indian style" sitting position. When i showed this movie to my younger brothers they both immediately noticed how effortlessly he performed the maneuver.

[@paulcarpenter7844]

Great scene 👏

[@TheGovernor-vw9cf]

@@paulcarpenter7844”I see you made your decision now let’s see you enforce it”

[@tw1sted1nc]

It's over 20 years since I first read The Crow and it still haunts me. Its painful poetry is a high mark comics history.

[@sands7696]

Great video! Totally worth the wait, 58mins did not feel long enough. Keep it up brother!

[@kubobetterrelax7435]

This book helped me during a dark time when I was 15. It really is a brutal story that kind of puts O'Barr's grief to paper. Still one of the favorite comics of all time. Even though I've moved past the things I was facing at the time I'll never forget it.

[@AnomalyINC]

I can relate to this quite a bit. I too turned to working on comics to process pain, and it has become what I live for. "It can't rain all the time" is remarkably similar to an old Middle-Eastern saying that I have sort of adopted as my own mantra. "This too shall pass." I reckon it's the same foundational concept. Good times come, good times pass. Hard times come, hard times pass.

[@cricker1998]

I'm only a few minutes in but hearing how James described Beverly hurt a lot. I was very cynical when I met the love of my life and she really was the light of my life. I lost her 7 years ago to an undetected heart condition

[@CJLOVE23]

This is a really great video. I’ve been a huge fan of both The Crow comic and OG movie for 30 years and I learned a lot from this. Thank you

[@ashayguevara]

Read it when I was 14....left quite an impression. Still haunts me at 43 years old.

[@artsunknwn]

The Crow saved my life. I first saw it in the wake of my mother's death when I was a kid. I read the comic every year.

[@alexsheperd2060]

I don’t think I could ever say I fully understand O’Barr but I’ve also taken to creating art to try and work through my trauma too. It’s entirely agonizing to pour every drop of pain and sorrow into a page and then just be left with it in a physical form. I hope he’s found some level of peace even if it’s never the same as it was

[@cassandralyris4918]

AAAaaaaaaannnnnnddd subscribed. Seriously though, this was brilliant. The Crow is so huge to us starchy middle aged Gen Xers. I'm glad to see the power if its story is still being felt. When the movie was being made and the news spread about what happened to Brandon Lee so many of us held candlelight vigils. It was really something else. It is my deepest hope that James O'Barr knows just how much putting his pain onto paper helped so many of us deal with our pain too. And yes, the Soundtracks for the first and second movies are absolute bangers (even if you don't care for the City of Angels movie).

[@jtplatero]

I remember seeing the movie growing up but I have not read the graphic novel. The amount of tragedy and loss is astounding. I lost my daughter as a baby a few years back. I went through all the stages of grief and fell into a deep depression. Now I am ok, as well as I can be. I've just learned to live with the pain and try to live a life my daughter would be proud of. I understand there is no going back to the way things were but i still write letters to her about my day and what's going on in my life. Maybe in the next life we can read them together.

[@evapunk522]

I literally never knew so much about the author and it kinda solidifies in me how beautiful The Crow is, which I kinda already knew but now it's certain. Great video man...

[@Anonym-yr4qn]

I respect and admire artists like him. Especially as i most likely never will contribute something like this. That's why i appreciate the arts even more.

[@Froggy67823]

46:40 - a very similar critique to the many marth+thomas wayne deaths. As a tragedy, it hits so much more that things just ... happen. to the most normal of people. to happier people.

[@jayxtacee5695]

Was only 8 when The Crow came out, but had been hearing about the movie since the death of Brandon Lee in 1993. Was a dark movie, but one of my favorites. So much tragedy behind it

[@goldenroseaoki2788]

What you said at the end of your video meant so much because I’m currently going through a rough patch in my life and your video really helped and i can relate to the pain, maybe not on that extreme level but I relate in a way. I love The Crow myself. I remember the very first time I saw it when I was little, I didn’t even know what I was watching. I was waiting for my mom in a PawnShop and the movie was playing on one of the TV’s and I just stood there and watched it all (we would be at the pawn shop for hours) I was mesmerized by the tragedy. I’m glad I got to know the full comic story of the crow because I love it so much. I’m 23 now and I finally understand it fully.

[@pgratedslasher6076]

Thought I'd rewatch this video for the 4th time before the remake releases and upsets me. Love this video.

[@itsprobablycris1085]

dude i know its so goddamn sad to see it

[@justconsumed]

AHHH your video is just so good that i’ve stopped at the 20:00 min mark to read the comics. one the best suggestions in a while,so excited

[@RS43210]

The Crow was a huge part of the 90s for me! All this time though I had no idea about O'Barr's own tragedy. The comic, movie, soundtrack and also the musical score by Graeme Revell were ALL masterpieces.

[@ataxis8951]

What I find so interesting about the graphic novel is how unconventional it is from a story structure. While it definitely has a climax and antagonists that Eric must overcome, it has a distinct lack of stakes. Even in works like the Punisher there is some amount of stakes even if the audience knows that the Punisher will eventually kill the antagonist, Eric doesn’t have that. There is no stakes because he is functionally unkillable. It makes Eric is a force of nature rather than a protagonist we worry about. Even the film adaptation has Eric be vulnerable once the crow is shot. I just think it’s neat to have a protagonist who is a literal representation of death in a story so centered around it.

[@SillyLilDawg]

I want to just thank you for this entire video, It’s amazing and extremely thoughtful. What James went through is horrifying, I wish his and his son well.

[@crabohato4954]

There was actually a WCW wrestler called Sting who used the character of the Crow as part of his new gimmick, after his old gimmick of being a rad surfer dude started getting old. When he became "The Crow" Sting, he became a wildly popular wrestler who for a time was the face of WCW. There is however something I'd like to point out about him. Sting as "The Crow" would often enter the ring by repelling down the rafters. Why? Cause it was cool. But the very first time he did it, he almost flat out died because right as he was about to fall, the stunt crew behind him realized the jacket he was wearing was on backwards. This jacket was connected to a rope that was supposed to prevent him from basically falling uncontrollably. If that stunt crew hadn't noticed the jacket thing, Sting would have certainly died. This would have caused the death of another person who tried being the character

[@bornimusic]

Thank you for this beautiful essay. It’s a work of art in itself. It can’t rain all the time.

[@SteamCyberGothPunk]

This is such a beautifully put together video about the Crow, actually brought a tear to my eye at the end

[@PigeontoedP]

I remember having this comic as a kid and reading it. This was a beautiful comic while tragic at the same time

[@TheCusita93]

I was introduced to this movies as a kid by my dad, who passed away almost 10 years ago. I watch this movie every year since this as a way of remembering the good times my dad, my brother and I had watching movies. In my darkest days I think about this movie and it comforts me.

[@martinaelyse9152]

34:40 And you're absolutely right. Just getting this video recommended, seeing the incredible art, and hearing your summary was enough for me to get invested in this comic; it's really unlike any other.

[@lauritaeart]

just discovered this piece existed through your essay! really enjoyed how inmersive the video is and how you told us the story of both James O'Barr and Eric. Now I can't wait to read the comic and watch the film

[@JudgeMagisterSnow]

The thing that gets me is that Brandon Lee died thirty days after I was born. I love this movie, love the comics and the music and...hearing this particular fact is kind of more tragic.

[@poolboyinla]

I remember I was in the car with my mom and it came on the radio. I still remember the exact location of where we were when it came on. I drive by there several times a week and still often remember it. Often, though, I am with my son.

[@ELcoyote576]

My god, What a video, I tip my hat off to you "Into The Depths" this was one hell of a video, I need a drink and buy this book, The sherry parts made me genuinely sad, This video, Along with the amazing book written by James O Barr Is nothing short of a masterpiece. Stay golden fam.

[@IntotheDepths511]

Thank you sir

[@boxstripe]

This all was truly inspiring. I can't believe that the roots of such a beautiful story can find it's home in the artifacts of a broken soul. I feel so deeply for this man's grief.

[@ismaxeroart4902]

Tbh when I was a kid, my dad introduced me to the crow and at this point I didn't knew what is the story behind it but yet when I was watching this video I truly understood the story behind it and for that imma have to rewatch it again to really revisit my childhood and to pay respect for Brandon Lee because he was an amazing actor that tragically ended with this masterpiece that truly paid off 😢

[@KloudNineMusic]

I still watch the original movie. I had no idea of the Skull man or the origins and story of the comic book. That's some tragic stuff.

[@trip2439]

My name is Draven. My parents named me after The Crow. I really appreciate you making this video. I have such a connection to The Crow, and I have noticed a good deal of similarities that I and elements of my life have, if only in a symbolic way, to it. While The Crow rises up to right the wrongs of the past through vengeance and violence, I have risen up to right the wrongs of my families past through forgiveness, understanding and change. But we are both dark characters, protectors of love, and we have a flair for the dramatic. I always found a sense of direction in The Crow. Oh, also, my son is named Eric Draven.

[@poolboyinla]

Very cool name.

[@Toby-Draven]

Wow i didn't know just how depressing James O'Barr's life was until this video, I want to give James a hug now