I've been a fan of James O'Barr for a lifetime. But recently, in an effort to write an article about Beverly Ann, James' real fiance, I met no record at all. Not even at school, or newspaper, or interviews he gave. No one talks about her, or cares about her. She has no family members, no mentions, no obituary, no grave, not even a full name. And I think it's odd, after all, Shelly is a beloved character.
I don't know if Beverly was a real person! She might be someone O'Barr made-up to cover-up his crimes. Everyone I talked to that knows him said he is one of the biggest liars they ever met.
First time watching this I was always thinking O' barr had lost his fiance named Beverly to a drunk driver even if the special edition he mentions him apparently forgetting to oay his car insurance and when Beverly went to pick him up she was ran down by a drunk driver but after watching this it makes me question everything it's a huge shock finding this out and makes me really wonder was Beverly a real person to begin with and the real Shelly was Michelle Lynn Brille but my thoughts ate just shook there's so much and Tammie I can't imagine that kind of loss my heart goes out to you I've never met James I may never get the chance but after wondering about Beverly and coming across your video it's really shed some light on the truth about what is and what isn't im beyond sorry for all the pain losing a loved one aside my grandmother its something I cannot fathom especially when its the person you wanted to be with the rest of your life 💔
I'm sorry can you sum this up for me quickly please? I would really like to know your story but I don't have 20 minutes to watch the whole video. Will you please reply the shortened version, so I can understand the gist and then maybe revisit your half an hour video at a later date? Thank You SIR
He's never mentioned 4 ppl, he said only his girlfriend died. Also, if he was drag racing them, why would his girlfriend not be in his car, why be in the car with friends and James in his own car on his own?
The comic was built on my pain and suffering along with O'Barr's. And Real People died that influenced the creation of the comic book on both are sides. I went fucking crazy and became suicidal after my beloved Tammie was murdered (I was 14 at the time. I drank and did a lot of drugs and came close to killing myself but, only broke my jaw instead). I don't believe O'Barr went crazy or felt that much when he lost Elizabeth or Shelley because if he did he would show more respect for the dead or living!
Erik Da'Raven I do not believe the comic is as connected to you as you think. Even if it was we've all been hurt we've all been in pain but makin a TH-cam video about it is probably not the best idea. 1. It interferes with help the material gave other people 2. It just makes you seem like your looking for a handout. This is me being as nice as I can be about this but at the very least you think these dead people would want you dying of a potty party? Or should you move on? From there death and from a comic book that was written 30 years ago. James is a comic artist and a writer and he used what he could to make something out of we did for a living. Move on and do the same. You owe it to yourself. You don't want to be one of those assholes waiting around waiting for credit that nobody is gonna give you. If you think people actually give a shit about James O' Barr or you, your sadly mistaken. People care about the crow and they don't care forever. I found the movie around the late 90s. I loved it might have watched it once in the past 5 years. So O'Barr is fun boy and not Eric. Nobody cares. This is normally where I would insult you cuz it's the internet but instead I'm just gonna wish you the best.
Hey man. im not sure if you remember me but i have messaged you before on your channel. i was wanting to know how you are and also how everything else is going so far? any updates on your story as far as the whole Crow thing?
steve ditko also got ripped for spiderman, karl palshaw i think, wrote all the creed lyics well 1st 3 albums, and scott stapp stole it dont worry bro your not alone :/
Oh. Wow. This is the first time I've ever heard about ANY of this. Just finished watching a video of James talking about his life and the creation of the comic and this was suggested. So, I was trying to figure things out about your story. You're saying your name is not Eric Draven and not that you created a comic book character but instead became a real life vigilante and called yourself the Raven and he misheard that and used that and your story and came up with the character of "The Crow"? Just trying to understand. Did he have a comic idea beforehand and mixed your story with his or didn't have a vigilante character at all to begin with? I'm confused. Also, I'm sorry that you lost your friend in such a tragic way. I lost a friend close to 20 years ago that was murdered and so I created a vigilante character to deal but never did anything with it because I'm not in the business, had no connections and had no idea how to get anything done with it but I made MySpace pages and TH-cam pages back in the day that are long gone now. The character was what I wanted to be and did the things I wanted to do to the people responsible for my friend's murder. They were caught and went to prison but I was wondering what happened to the person that killed your friend? Was it an accident or did they do it on purpose? Did they not go to prison? Just some questions I had from watching this and another one of your videos. I am just so shocked from hearing all of this.
First time watching this. You say it's all about the dollar. Everything you say may be true but some may suggest it's sour grapes he got the money and maybe you didn't. In a interview he stated someone he was engaged to got killed by a drunk driver. There simply isn't any proof he was involved in the accident in any way. If he was that's on him and he will pay much as the characters victims if not in this life the next. Regardless of the truth the value lies in that people who have suffered tragic loss relate and find respite in this. The original movie was beautiful and his book "shattered lives broken dreams" is incredible. I'm not his judge, if he was involved all the fame and money won't buy him peace
If I said it's all about the dollar in my video it was in regards to O'Barr. He is all about the dollar or he would have dedicated the first issue of the comic book to Tammie as was our agreement and contacted me before he sold the movie rights. I never wanted money from James O'Barr for letting him make a comic book character out of me and my personal pain. All I wanted was a simple dedication to my beloved Tammie Lynn Grimes. Thank you for your comment and post! If James O'Barr signed Michelle Lynn Brill's a.k.a. Shelley's funeral guests book it would prove he knew her and that I'm telling the truth.
Erik Da'Raven First Erik thank you for your service to our country. I honestly believe much of what you say. I feel with all due respect at some point you have to let this go. He who angers you controls you. Whether it's based on your girlfriend, this so called 19 year old fiancée he describes or Michelle is irrelevant to me. What about the loss of Brandon lee? I'm not defending JO but he had to deal with being an orphan, not knowing when his birthday is and obvious loss in his life. What is lost is this book/movie means something individual to each person reading/writing. For you it's your girlfriend for me tragic loss of a father or a relationship where I was betrayed and blindsided by someone. At least in death there is finality. Far worst when tragedy happens and the person is still living and comes back in your life! The value in the book or movie is people suffering the tragedy found a place of solace to bring them peace in despair with the lesson love is stronger than death! As far as Michelle i don't know if she is Shelly or not but understand for those who read/watch Shelley is someone unique to them. Also she was a 18 year old girl who got in a car with underage drinking so with bad decisions comes fatal consequences. If JO was involved it can't be proved/disproved, karma will hit him if so. People who screw others and are dishonest live a fate worst than "Shelley". So much time has gone by. Time to let it go. I thank you personally for the inspiration that provided the movie and book which has helped me in my despair and will keep you and your deceased loved one in my prayers. Someday you will be reunited and none of this will matter. God Bless
You're welcome and thank you for your bit of trust. Yeah... I let it go back in 1989, because after meeting James O'Barr I was forced to confront myself about what I was doing every Halloween, what drove me to it (Tammie's murder) and how it had affected my life up to that point. After realizing I was crazy and reviewing my life for about nine months. I decided to join the U.S. Navy so that I could live in Japan for the next four years; I needed to get away from all I have known; I needed to forget about Tammie and her sister Tina and what their father had done to Tina. I needed to weed out my pain, anger, rage, discuss and hatred for those that take pleasure in the harming of others. I even let go of the payment James O'Barr agreed to after I realized he had published the comic book without dedicating it to Tammie Lynn Grimes which, was sometime in September 1989; after joining the Navy. When I learned he had sold the movie rights in 1992 without my permission I let that go to. When I learned of Brandon Lee's death in May 1993 while still stationed in Japan. I got angry, got tunnel vision, went out got too drunk and got thrown in the bridge. Because during our last conversation I told him if he fucked me on this something bad would happen. But after a few weeks I let it go as much as I could. Then some other stuff happened which I'm not going to get into. This is when I decided to leave the Navy, come back to the states and sue James O'Barr but, if I had a choice I would rather beat the man to death. If I could have found a lawyer that was willing to take my case I would have suited James O'Barr back in 1994. After not being able to obtain a lawyer, I let it go again! But it has always haunted me! My subconscious. And that he who angers you controls you is very Dhammapada or Zen of you. Thank you but I know that philosophy of perception but, it doesn't apply to everything; diversity. You're not me and you were not in love with Tammie when you were 14 years old so, I understand why it is irrelevant to you and others where the character Eric comes from or what the comic book was based on. But to me it matters because it was based on my personal pain and suffering and not James O'Barr's or anyone else's!!! Do you know the pain of what it is like to have your soul hunger for the soul of another and, to know you will never see them again? Some things have to be overcome just like some things have to be settled; personal or otherwise. Yes in life we all suffer!Finality in death there is no proof of that especially if all points in time or one.Your point on karma is one of the reasons why I want to do this and don't want to do or finish what I have begun.There are some things in life we have to let go of and others we have to embrace and other times it's a little bit of both. One of the reasons I started this was so that I get embrace my past and let certain things go that were bothering me I'm a unconscious level. Now I don't know if there's life after death are not or if there is a God. But I do not feel that I will ever we experience the essence of Tammie! Thank you for your logical and polite comments!
The Crow comic book came out in 1989 when I was a Senior in High School and I was a big fan. I thought this J.O'Barr guy was a genius. Then... I witnessed things that made me start to wonder. In 1990 I went off to college to study art. I got interested in black and white photography, studying it to some degree, just looking at any professional examples I could get my eyes on. And very unexpectedly, I started to stumble upon several pieces of late 1980's and early 1990's photography, that had been blatantly "swiped" (that's comic book slang for "ripped off") in that comic I loved... The Crow. That J.O'Barr guy who I thought was such a genius, had copied several photographs exactly, almost to the point of tracing. Look up an early 1990's alternative rock band called "The Beautiful". They were obscure even at the time. One of their CD covers was swiped by O'Barr for an illustration near the end of The Crow comic. It's the image of Eric standing in shadows in front of a curtain with a big X scar on his chest (the X scar and Eric's eye makeup are the only added details that do not appear on "The Beautiful" CD cover) it's on the lower right hand corner of a page, just after Eric does his ballet hate dance routine or whatever, and right before the scene where he burns all of Shelly's things and loads his guns. Difficult to describe but, look up that CD cover and check it next to the comic, and tell me that isn't an exact swipe. Another photo I found was a double page spread in one of my girlfriend's fashion magazines, it was a fucking perfume advertisement, or something, a black and white photo showing a guy in a dark suit lying on a beach with a pretty blonde lady in a black dress lying next to him, and it was the EXACT same image you see in The Crow trade paperback, the double page spread with the title: "BOOK FOUR: DESPAIR", with Eric and Shelly lying on the beach, down to every last detail, including the girl's shoes, and the white seagull standing nearby. O'Barr had even traced the exact same pebbles on the ground by Eric's elbow. I remember noticing that, too. Those are the two examples that stick out in my memory but I remember finding others, as well. I felt so betrayed as a young fan. I felt like my hero O'Barr was a copycat, a phony. As an art student I knew all artists look at photos for drawing reference but I mean, this was like, exact copying. He had literally re-drawn these various photos as panels in his comic book. Most of them were for the "romantic" soft, ink-wash scenes, as I recall. For a while I kept all these photos in a folder I called "The Crow Swipe File" but that was years ago, and since then I've lost track of what happened to it. Around 1992, I went to a comic book convention and got to meet Mr.O'Barr. I didn't mention the photos I'd seen, I didn't want to be a dick, or anything. Just wanted to tell him how much I liked his comic as a fan. I told him I loved the references to all the cool bands and song lyrics in the book (Joy Division, The Cure), because I was into those bands, too. We made a bit of small talk about cool goth bands, and I happened to mention that I was going to a concert to see a favorite electronic band, later that night... At which point things got weird. O'Barr immediately went into a monologue about how he "used to hang out with those guys" and how he was there when they wrote their song lyrics, or something... And I just knew he was making shit up. I was one of those dedicated, geeky fans who was into learning all the "behind-the-scenes", historical stuff about my favorite musicians, and things O'Barr told me about his time "hanging out with those guys" totally contradicted facts I'd read about them. They weren't even in the same city he was talking about when he supposedly "knew them"... It was so blatantly bullshit. Well, anyway, after a few awkward minutes, I made a polite goodbye and went away feeling like I'd just had an encounter with a textbook pathological liar. After that I felt sorta disenchanted with this book and its creator. I was already pretty much over The Crow, a good 2 years before the Brandon Lee movie came out, and suddenly turned this obscure underground comic into this big, popular thing. ...But I never really heard anybody else express similar feelings, that there was something fishy about that O'Barr guy... until I saw this video for the first time, tonight in 2017! I'm not gonna take sides here. I don't know how much of Erik Da'Raven's story is true, either (though some of the evidence he shows is certainly interesting). I'm only contributing my story to say, based on my experiences, as an early fan who followed The Crow from 1989-1992... claims that J.O'Barr might have faked something... Do not exactly surprise me. -
Thank you very much for your story! "Wow some one noticed back then" I didn't know O'Barr went that far but, it dose prove what Gary Reed (first publisher of the comic) told me in and email he sent me (I still have). He said he ripped off "Gidoen Resale Money Loaned" from him and a few other things from other people. Check out what Bloodworth has to say about him. Gary Reed in an email said O'Barr is the biggest liar he has ever met.
That part of your video, where you mentioned Gary Reed saying O'Barr was the biggest liar he ever met... (assuming the claim is true)... Was the thing that compelled me to write my story here. Because I was a fan who lived in the Midwest and went to all those comic book conventions in the late 80's and early 90's when Caliber Press was doing great stuff and The Crow was just beginning to blow up. I met and talked to Gary Reed a few times at different shows. Never got to know him personally, but I've always considered myself a good judge of character, my first impressions of people often turn out to be accurate. And from my few encounters, Reed just instantly struck me as a no-nonsense, stand-up guy. So, when you claimed in your video, that Reed said those words about O'Barr being a liar... Well, what can I say. I met both men briefly in person as a fan, and based on my own personal experiences, it struck me with a ring of truth. I did not have that typical knee-jerk reaction of wanting to defend an artist I was once a big fan of. Instead I felt more like, "Yeah, just from what little I witnessed, I could believe that." One last personal opinion I will offer, in response to your video: Instead of trying to write a book about this yourself, you should try pitching it to some of the established nonfiction, true crime writers with proven track records who are working in the field today, and who know the publishing business. Those guys tend to be super diligent when it comes to researching a case that grabs them, and your story (again, if true)... has a certain amount of mass appeal/interest. If you research the genre, you'll find that a lot of great True Crime books have been written that way. A regular person who "had a story to tell" took it to one of these writers, and the writer found it compelling and worthy of deeper examination. If I was you, I would take it to one of those guys. Just a suggestion.
You can see that email from Gary Reed on my Facebook page for my book (not for sale at the moment) I Want To Be Loved The Way You Want To Be Loved; under Photos. I agree with you about Gary Reed to a point; he knew back in 1989 that O'Barr ripped me off and refused to do anything about it. Other than that I say he is strait forward and honest to a point. Second part; Great Advice! True Crime Writers, I could never think of where to start when I contemplated going that way before I wrote the book. It was even published for a month but, was poorly edited. It was written from a hellish place and need to be rewritten. I can not edit it myself or bring my self to read it!!! I am going to take your advice and see if I can find someone that is qualified. Thank you again for your sensible post!
No problem, I hope I was helpful in some way... because I do think you have something here. It is very easy for people making cases like this to come across like a crackpot or conspiracy theorist. But the evidence you've dug up on the crash, etc, is compelling. And if there is any truth to your personal recollections, then these claims become even more compelling. Unfortunately what I have shared in these few comments is truly the limit of my information on this topic. If I still had that "Crow Art Swipe File" I assembled in college (described in my first comment above), I would absolutely share it. Unfortunately I fear it no longer exists. I moved a lot of times between then and now and threw away a lot of old stuff. I wish I still had it to share. Wouldn't prove your story but it was concrete evidence of O'Barr's blatant art swipery at the very least. Good luck in your pursuit of this story. Of course I'm sure you understand it is impossible for me to judge how much of your personal claims are accurate. But I can't deny it jibes with my own long-held suspicions... And no matter who is right or wrong, it would be fascinating to learn the "whole truth" here. Those newspaper clippings, obituaries, etc, certainly suggest there is "something" to this. And yeah I'll check out your Facebook page. Good luck!
+Benjamin Fritz Just a Facebook page to support my book which is not for sale at this time. Do to a falling out with my publisher; breach of contract and pore editing. I do have a 2 google page; Erik Da'Raven & TheRealErikDaraven. I'm still having trouble getting photos into the photo tab on the Erik Da'Raven page but, I'm working on it. You can access some from my post. Thank's for asking and have a Happy Holiday!
it was years since we last commented this video. do not know if you're still doing a lawsuit or anything the news on the street is this up-and-coming actor Jason Momoa might be playing Eric. and p.s please gives us on a update on how you are doing
It was nine months ago since your last post and no I cannot sue O'Barr due to the statute of limitations. At this point I really don't care if they make another move your not or who the actor is. How am I doing? Living the life of a Gulf War veteran that was exposed to sarin gas, overdosed with an experimental anthrax vaccine and two pills from an unlabeled bottle. I wish I could send doing well but that would be a lie. It's life you just try not to focus on the negative or its daily reminders. Take care and thanks for the post.
Wow, I have just watched all of the videos you've posted. I must confess, you have convinced me! To think that I loved the comic books and the first movie, now I feel terrible for supporting that slime ball! I feel so bad for what happened to you.
God DAMN, we can’t have anything good, can we? I love a comic/movie, and BOOM turns out it was stolen from an innocent man (you) and it was all made by a lying dude that only cares about money. I used to love a singer, turns out he’s a devil worshipper that rapes and abuses women (Marilyn Manson). I used to love a show, turns out it’s made by pedo’s (Rick and Morty). The list goes on and on. Seriously. Is anything GOOD in this world? Thank you for sharing.
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Have you ever found any information, background for Beverly?
Damn Why didn't I see this 9 years ago?
I've been a fan of James O'Barr for a lifetime. But recently, in an effort to write an article about Beverly Ann, James' real fiance, I met no record at all. Not even at school, or newspaper, or interviews he gave. No one talks about her, or cares about her. She has no family members, no mentions, no obituary, no grave, not even a full name.
And I think it's odd, after all, Shelly is a beloved character.
I don't know if Beverly was a real person! She might be someone O'Barr made-up to cover-up his crimes. Everyone I talked to that knows him said he is one of the biggest liars they ever met.
First time watching this I was always thinking O' barr had lost his fiance named Beverly to a drunk driver even if the special edition he mentions him apparently forgetting to oay his car insurance and when Beverly went to pick him up she was ran down by a drunk driver but after watching this it makes me question everything it's a huge shock finding this out and makes me really wonder was Beverly a real person to begin with and the real Shelly was Michelle Lynn Brille but my thoughts ate just shook there's so much and Tammie I can't imagine that kind of loss my heart goes out to you I've never met James I may never get the chance but after wondering about Beverly and coming across your video it's really shed some light on the truth about what is and what isn't im beyond sorry for all the pain losing a loved one aside my grandmother its something I cannot fathom especially when its the person you wanted to be with the rest of your life 💔
James O' Barr finance was not Michelle but Beverly?
I have been to City Club. Was an awesome place.
I'm sorry can you sum this up for me quickly please? I would really like to know your story but I don't have 20 minutes to watch the whole video. Will you please reply the shortened version, so I can understand the gist and then maybe revisit your half an hour video at a later date? Thank You SIR
He's never mentioned 4 ppl, he said only his girlfriend died. Also, if he was drag racing them, why would his girlfriend not be in his car, why be in the car with friends and James in his own car on his own?
Wow you went pretty creeper just to prove you have a connection to a graphic novel from 28 years ago
The comic was built on my pain and suffering along with O'Barr's. And Real People died that influenced the creation of the comic book on both are sides. I went fucking crazy and became suicidal after my beloved Tammie was murdered (I was 14 at the time. I drank and did a lot of drugs and came close to killing myself but, only broke my jaw instead). I don't believe O'Barr went crazy or felt that much when he lost Elizabeth or Shelley because if he did he would show more respect for the dead or living!
Erik Da'Raven I do not believe the comic is as connected to you as you think. Even if it was we've all been hurt we've all been in pain but makin a TH-cam video about it is probably not the best idea. 1. It interferes with help the material gave other people 2. It just makes you seem like your looking for a handout.
This is me being as nice as I can be about this but at the very least you think these dead people would want you dying of a potty party? Or should you move on? From there death and from a comic book that was written 30 years ago. James is a comic artist and a writer and he used what he could to make something out of we did for a living.
Move on and do the same. You owe it to yourself. You don't want to be one of those assholes waiting around waiting for credit that nobody is gonna give you. If you think people actually give a shit about James O' Barr or you, your sadly mistaken. People care about the crow and they don't care forever. I found the movie around the late 90s. I loved it might have watched it once in the past 5 years. So O'Barr is fun boy and not Eric. Nobody cares. This is normally where I would insult you cuz it's the internet but instead I'm just gonna wish you the best.
If that is the only way you see it. Question; would you say your perceptions is from inside the box or outside the box?
yea digging up a death certificate and broadcasting it to everyone.....sure the family are really happy about that.
i think ive got it now erik... james was raceing the birebird that crashed with shelly in. so he dedicated it to shelly?
Hey man. im not sure if you remember me but i have messaged you before on your channel. i was wanting to know how you are and also how everything else is going so far? any updates on your story as far as the whole Crow thing?
steve ditko also got ripped for spiderman, karl palshaw i think, wrote all the creed lyics well 1st 3 albums, and scott stapp stole it dont worry bro your not alone :/
Oh. Wow. This is the first time I've ever heard about ANY of this. Just finished watching a video of James talking about his life and the creation of the comic and this was suggested. So, I was trying to figure things out about your story. You're saying your name is not Eric Draven and not that you created a comic book character but instead became a real life vigilante and called yourself the Raven and he misheard that and used that and your story and came up with the character of "The Crow"? Just trying to understand. Did he have a comic idea beforehand and mixed your story with his or didn't have a vigilante character at all to begin with? I'm confused. Also, I'm sorry that you lost your friend in such a tragic way. I lost a friend close to 20 years ago that was murdered and so I created a vigilante character to deal but never did anything with it because I'm not in the business, had no connections and had no idea how to get anything done with it but I made MySpace pages and TH-cam pages back in the day that are long gone now. The character was what I wanted to be and did the things I wanted to do to the people responsible for my friend's murder. They were caught and went to prison but I was wondering what happened to the person that killed your friend? Was it an accident or did they do it on purpose? Did they not go to prison? Just some questions I had from watching this and another one of your videos. I am just so shocked from hearing all of this.
This is incredibly interesting
First time watching this. You say it's all about the dollar. Everything you say may be true but some may suggest it's sour grapes he got the money and maybe you didn't. In a interview he stated someone he was engaged to got killed by a drunk driver. There simply isn't any proof he was involved in the accident in any way. If he was that's on him and he will pay much as the characters victims if not in this life the next. Regardless of the truth the value lies in that people who have suffered tragic loss relate and find respite in this. The original movie was beautiful and his book "shattered lives broken dreams" is incredible. I'm not his judge, if he was involved all the fame and money won't buy him peace
If I said it's all about the dollar in my video it was in regards to O'Barr. He is all about the dollar or he would have dedicated the first issue of the comic book to Tammie as was our agreement and contacted me before he sold the movie rights. I never wanted money from James O'Barr for letting him make a comic book character out of me and my personal pain. All I wanted was a simple dedication to my beloved Tammie Lynn Grimes. Thank you for your comment and post! If James O'Barr signed Michelle Lynn Brill's a.k.a. Shelley's funeral guests book it would prove he knew her and that I'm telling the truth.
Erik Da'Raven First Erik thank you for your service to our country. I honestly believe much of what you say. I feel with all due respect at some point you have to let this go. He who angers you controls you. Whether it's based on your girlfriend, this so called 19 year old fiancée he describes or Michelle is irrelevant to me. What about the loss of Brandon lee? I'm not defending JO but he had to deal with being an orphan, not knowing when his birthday is and obvious loss in his life. What is lost is this book/movie means something individual to each person reading/writing. For you it's your girlfriend for me tragic loss of a father or a relationship where I was betrayed and blindsided by someone. At least in death there is finality. Far worst when tragedy happens and the person is still living and comes back in your life! The value in the book or movie is people suffering the tragedy found a place of solace to bring them peace in despair with the lesson love is stronger than death! As far as Michelle i don't know if she is Shelly or not but understand for those who read/watch Shelley is someone unique to them. Also she was a 18 year old girl who got in a car with underage drinking so with bad decisions comes fatal consequences. If JO was involved it can't be proved/disproved, karma will hit him if so. People who screw others and are dishonest live a fate worst than "Shelley". So much time has gone by. Time to let it go. I thank you personally for the inspiration that provided the movie and book which has helped me in my despair and will keep you and your deceased loved one in my prayers. Someday you will be reunited and none of this will matter. God Bless
You're welcome and thank you for your bit of trust. Yeah... I let it go back in 1989, because after meeting James O'Barr I was forced to confront myself about what I was doing every Halloween, what drove me to it (Tammie's murder) and how it had affected my life up to that point. After realizing I was crazy and reviewing my life for about nine months. I decided to join the U.S. Navy so that I could live in Japan for the next four years; I needed to get away from all I have known; I needed to forget about Tammie and her sister Tina and what their father had done to Tina. I needed to weed out my pain, anger, rage, discuss and hatred for those that take pleasure in the harming of others. I even let go of the payment James O'Barr agreed to after I realized he had published the comic book without dedicating it to Tammie Lynn Grimes which, was sometime in September 1989; after joining the Navy. When I learned he had sold the movie rights in 1992 without my permission I let that go to. When I learned of Brandon Lee's death in May 1993 while still stationed in Japan. I got angry, got tunnel vision, went out got too drunk and got thrown in the bridge. Because during our last conversation I told him if he fucked me on this something bad would happen. But after a few weeks I let it go as much as I could. Then some other stuff happened which I'm not going to get into. This is when I decided to leave the Navy, come back to the states and sue James O'Barr but, if I had a choice I would rather beat the man to death. If I could have found a lawyer that was willing to take my case I would have suited James O'Barr back in 1994. After not being able to obtain a lawyer, I let it go again! But it has always haunted me! My subconscious. And that he who angers you controls you is very Dhammapada or Zen of you. Thank you but I know that philosophy of perception but, it doesn't apply to everything; diversity. You're not me and you were not in love with Tammie when you were 14 years old so, I understand why it is irrelevant to you and others where the character Eric comes from or what the comic book was based on. But to me it matters because it was based on my personal pain and suffering and not James O'Barr's or anyone else's!!! Do you know the pain of what it is like to have your soul hunger for the soul of another and, to know you will never see them again? Some things have to be overcome just like some things have to be settled; personal or otherwise. Yes in life we all suffer!Finality in death there is no proof of that especially if all points in time or one.Your point on karma is one of the reasons why I want to do this and don't want to do or finish what I have begun.There are some things in life we have to let go of and others we have to embrace and other times it's a little bit of both. One of the reasons I started this was so that I get embrace my past and let certain things go that were bothering me I'm a unconscious level. Now I don't know if there's life after death are not or if there is a God. But I do not feel that I will ever we experience the essence of Tammie! Thank you for your logical and polite comments!
The Crow comic book came out in 1989 when I was a Senior in High School and I was a big fan. I thought this J.O'Barr guy was a genius. Then... I witnessed things that made me start to wonder. In 1990 I went off to college to study art. I got interested in black and white photography, studying it to some degree, just looking at any professional examples I could get my eyes on. And very unexpectedly, I started to stumble upon several pieces of late 1980's and early 1990's photography, that had been blatantly "swiped" (that's comic book slang for "ripped off") in that comic I loved... The Crow.
That J.O'Barr guy who I thought was such a genius, had copied several photographs exactly, almost to the point of tracing. Look up an early 1990's alternative rock band called "The Beautiful". They were obscure even at the time. One of their CD covers was swiped by O'Barr for an illustration near the end of The Crow comic. It's the image of Eric standing in shadows in front of a curtain with a big X scar on his chest (the X scar and Eric's eye makeup are the only added details that do not appear on "The Beautiful" CD cover) it's on the lower right hand corner of a page, just after Eric does his ballet hate dance routine or whatever, and right before the scene where he burns all of Shelly's things and loads his guns. Difficult to describe but, look up that CD cover and check it next to the comic, and tell me that isn't an exact swipe.
Another photo I found was a double page spread in one of my girlfriend's fashion magazines, it was a fucking perfume advertisement, or something, a black and white photo showing a guy in a dark suit lying on a beach with a pretty blonde lady in a black dress lying next to him, and it was the EXACT same image you see in The Crow trade paperback, the double page spread with the title: "BOOK FOUR: DESPAIR", with Eric and Shelly lying on the beach, down to every last detail, including the girl's shoes, and the white seagull standing nearby. O'Barr had even traced the exact same pebbles on the ground by Eric's elbow. I remember noticing that, too.
Those are the two examples that stick out in my memory but I remember finding others, as well. I felt so betrayed as a young fan. I felt like my hero O'Barr was a copycat, a phony. As an art student I knew all artists look at photos for drawing reference but I mean, this was like, exact copying. He had literally re-drawn these various photos as panels in his comic book. Most of them were for the "romantic" soft, ink-wash scenes, as I recall. For a while I kept all these photos in a folder I called "The Crow Swipe File" but that was years ago, and since then I've lost track of what happened to it.
Around 1992, I went to a comic book convention and got to meet Mr.O'Barr. I didn't mention the photos I'd seen, I didn't want to be a dick, or anything. Just wanted to tell him how much I liked his comic as a fan. I told him I loved the references to all the cool bands and song lyrics in the book (Joy Division, The Cure), because I was into those bands, too. We made a bit of small talk about cool goth bands, and I happened to mention that I was going to a concert to see a favorite electronic band, later that night...
At which point things got weird. O'Barr immediately went into a monologue about how he "used to hang out with those guys" and how he was there when they wrote their song lyrics, or something... And I just knew he was making shit up. I was one of those dedicated, geeky fans who was into learning all the "behind-the-scenes", historical stuff about my favorite musicians, and things O'Barr told me about his time "hanging out with those guys" totally contradicted facts I'd read about them. They weren't even in the same city he was talking about when he supposedly "knew them"... It was so blatantly bullshit. Well, anyway, after a few awkward minutes, I made a polite goodbye and went away feeling like I'd just had an encounter with a textbook pathological liar.
After that I felt sorta disenchanted with this book and its creator. I was already pretty much over The Crow, a good 2 years before the Brandon Lee movie came out, and suddenly turned this obscure underground comic into this big, popular thing.
...But I never really heard anybody else express similar feelings, that there was something fishy about that O'Barr guy... until I saw this video for the first time, tonight in 2017!
I'm not gonna take sides here. I don't know how much of Erik Da'Raven's story is true, either (though some of the evidence he shows is certainly interesting).
I'm only contributing my story to say, based on my experiences, as an early fan who followed The Crow from 1989-1992... claims that J.O'Barr might have faked something... Do not exactly surprise me.
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Thank you very much for your story! "Wow some one noticed back then" I didn't know O'Barr went that far but, it dose prove what Gary Reed (first publisher of the comic) told me in and email he sent me (I still have). He said he ripped off "Gidoen Resale Money Loaned" from him and a few other things from other people. Check out what Bloodworth has to say about him. Gary Reed in an email said O'Barr is the biggest liar he has ever met.
That part of your video, where you mentioned Gary Reed saying O'Barr was the biggest liar he ever met... (assuming the claim is true)... Was the thing that compelled me to write my story here. Because I was a fan who lived in the Midwest and went to all those comic book conventions in the late 80's and early 90's when Caliber Press was doing great stuff and The Crow was just beginning to blow up. I met and talked to Gary Reed a few times at different shows. Never got to know him personally, but I've always considered myself a good judge of character, my first impressions of people often turn out to be accurate. And from my few encounters, Reed just instantly struck me as a no-nonsense, stand-up guy.
So, when you claimed in your video, that Reed said those words about O'Barr being a liar... Well, what can I say. I met both men briefly in person as a fan, and based on my own personal experiences, it struck me with a ring of truth. I did not have that typical knee-jerk reaction of wanting to defend an artist I was once a big fan of. Instead I felt more like, "Yeah, just from what little I witnessed, I could believe that."
One last personal opinion I will offer, in response to your video: Instead of trying to write a book about this yourself, you should try pitching it to some of the established nonfiction, true crime writers with proven track records who are working in the field today, and who know the publishing business. Those guys tend to be super diligent when it comes to researching a case that grabs them, and your story (again, if true)... has a certain amount of mass appeal/interest. If you research the genre, you'll find that a lot of great True Crime books have been written that way. A regular person who "had a story to tell" took it to one of these writers, and the writer found it compelling and worthy of deeper examination. If I was you, I would take it to one of those guys. Just a suggestion.
You can see that email from Gary Reed on my Facebook page for my book (not for sale at the moment) I Want To Be Loved The Way You Want To Be Loved; under Photos. I agree with you about Gary Reed to a point; he knew back in 1989 that O'Barr ripped me off and refused to do anything about it. Other than that I say he is strait forward and honest to a point. Second part; Great Advice! True Crime Writers, I could never think of where to start when I contemplated going that way before I wrote the book. It was even published for a month but, was poorly edited. It was written from a hellish place and need to be rewritten. I can not edit it myself or bring my self to read it!!! I am going to take your advice and see if I can find someone that is qualified. Thank you again for your sensible post!
No problem, I hope I was helpful in some way... because I do think you have something here. It is very easy for people making cases like this to come across like a crackpot or conspiracy theorist. But the evidence you've dug up on the crash, etc, is compelling. And if there is any truth to your personal recollections, then these claims become even more compelling.
Unfortunately what I have shared in these few comments is truly the limit of my information on this topic. If I still had that "Crow Art Swipe File" I assembled in college (described in my first comment above), I would absolutely share it. Unfortunately I fear it no longer exists. I moved a lot of times between then and now and threw away a lot of old stuff. I wish I still had it to share. Wouldn't prove your story but it was concrete evidence of O'Barr's blatant art swipery at the very least.
Good luck in your pursuit of this story. Of course I'm sure you understand it is impossible for me to judge how much of your personal claims are accurate. But I can't deny it jibes with my own long-held suspicions... And no matter who is right or wrong, it would be fascinating to learn the "whole truth" here. Those newspaper clippings, obituaries, etc, certainly suggest there is "something" to this.
And yeah I'll check out your Facebook page.
Good luck!
Zed Zedd The Beautiful did not produce a record until 1990, whereas The Crow was published the year before.
I believe you, keep up the good fight and never give up. When good people do nothing, evil wins.
+Benjamin Fritz Sadly many thing are an uphills battle; fall down die and get back up again.
+Erik Da'Raven (Eric Humphrey) do you have a official Facebook page so I can keep up with the next video or news.
+Benjamin Fritz Just a Facebook page to support my book which is not for sale at this time. Do to a falling out with my publisher; breach of contract and pore editing. I do have a 2 google page; Erik Da'Raven & TheRealErikDaraven. I'm still having trouble getting photos into the photo tab on the Erik Da'Raven page but, I'm working on it. You can access some from my post. Thank's for asking and have a Happy Holiday!
it was years since we last commented this video. do not know if you're still doing a lawsuit or anything the news on the street is this up-and-coming actor Jason Momoa might be playing Eric. and p.s please gives us on a update on how you are doing
It was nine months ago since your last post and no I cannot sue O'Barr due to the statute of limitations. At this point I really don't care if they make another move your not or who the actor is. How am I doing? Living the life of a Gulf War veteran that was exposed to sarin gas, overdosed with an experimental anthrax vaccine and two pills from an unlabeled bottle. I wish I could send doing well but that would be a lie. It's life you just try not to focus on the negative or its daily reminders. Take care and thanks for the post.
Wow, I have just watched all of the videos you've posted. I must confess, you have convinced me! To think that I loved the comic books and the first movie, now I feel terrible for supporting that slime ball! I feel so bad for what happened to you.
i believe you
God DAMN, we can’t have anything good, can we? I love a comic/movie, and BOOM turns out it was stolen from an innocent man (you) and it was all made by a lying dude that only cares about money. I used to love a singer, turns out he’s a devil worshipper that rapes and abuses women (Marilyn Manson). I used to love a show, turns out it’s made by pedo’s (Rick and Morty). The list goes on and on. Seriously. Is anything GOOD in this world? Thank you for sharing.