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In college I had brought the full graphic novel over to my gf's dorm for her to read. She left it sitting on the bed while we went out for a bit. When we got back to her dorm, her roommate was curled up in a ball on her bed, bawling her eyes out, having finished it literally minutes before we got back. The raw emotion and honesty of the comic had left her shaken. We sat with her for about an hour and talked, about what, I don't even remember. But she finally got herself back together, and told us it was an amazing story. I know it doesn't sound like much of a story, but it affected all of us to some extent right there, with how much emotional impact it was capable of.
As lonely child brought up by a single mom that book helped me to deal with a few things in my early teens and got me in to some good goth bands like the cure ‘joy division’ cabaret Voltaire!!!! And rip to my grandma who bought me all my comics as a kid and never complained when I used to drag her round to weird comic book shops hunting for comics like the crow !!!
Dude, that makes no sense and that’s the problem. Those who like graphic stuff shouldn’t be deserving of love. I don’t even understand how you got a GF with that mindset in the first place I had a friend who bragged about how he curb stomped someone back in college and he was also the same friend who bragged about how he had sex three times a day with his girlfriend, so I completely went off on him and made sure to traumatize him. You guys don’t have any emotional IQ that’s the problem
It’s worth mentioning that the band Joy Division abruptly ended in May 1980 when lead vocalist Ian Curtis ended his own life. It’s easy to understand how O’Barr might have started to feel like everything he cared about was destined to go away.
In less than 15 minutes you’re able to give us this portrait of the artist and the vision of his work. We’re dealt all the emotion of real life and the comic. Even knowing this story you still can’t help but feel for O’Barr.
James O'Barr wrote and illustrated his most horrible and painful memories but he also included his most cherished. That is an unparalleled gift given to the world. Thank you sir. Great video as always Matttt.
Around 2016 or 2015, I found a then new reprint of the Crow at my local Borders (RIP). I didn't know O'Barr's backstory when I read it but just oozes with tragedy and rage that I knew it had to come from a real place. About a year or two later he did a panel at con near me and asked him where that mood of the Crow came from. He told the story of his girlfriend and even when he was telling it you could tell it still hurts him. Then he talked about he use to have a sign on the outside of his booth that said "Only ask about a new Crow movie if you have a good dental" (;. What a legend!
"Darkness by it's very nature, implies the existance of light". This is the quote I will get a tattoo of. I have been in the dark for the majority of my life. I met a woman that was pure light. She brought me out of the darkness and showed me that not everything is shit. We had a few short, great years together and cancer took her from me. I try with every fiber of the soul I have left , to make her proud of me. I am not going to lie, it's a struggle.
The song "Burn" by The Cure should also be mentioned. They wrote it for the soundtrack to The Crow, but they based it on the book, which they loved, and its lyrics reflect that. There's the opening lines that say "Don't look, don't look!" which the crow says to Eric while he's dying, and another line that says "Don't wake at night to watch her sleep." In the book, Eric sadly reminisces that he used to wake up at night sometimes just to watch Shelly sleep, and it's one of those moments that you just know that O'Barr took from real life.
Not sure you read these but here goes. I have had a lot tragedy in my life, felt the survivor's guilt the sense of being left over when I should have been the one who died. I've carried the guilt and shame that wasn't mine because of the mindless grief of those around me not thinking of a 9 year old kid who made it home. I am a comic book writer because that medium speaks to me in a way nothing else does, so when I say your writing about James's pain and triumph touched me I want you to know what that means. Thanks for all you do, Mattt docs are a first day watch for me. God Bless you and what you are doing I hope it continues to prosper you.
11:20 I agree on all points. Sometime while I was 17, I moved out of the home of my abusive father, and into the home of my loving mother. By the time I turned 18 she had died under sudden and mysterious circumstances. This forced me to have to move back in with my abusive father until I completed school. It was in this period of time I found the O Barr comics. The story understood everything inside me on a primal level. It (and early death metal) are what I turned to when it became too much to carry. It was one of the reasons I survived, and am still here at 50 to tell my story. I owe James such a HUGE "thank you".
Something freaky about Brandon Lee's death: If you watch Game of Death, Bruce Lee's last movie, there's a scene where there on a movie set and the 'director' is explaining how you never point the prop gun at the actor to avoid an accident. Seems prophetic; your last movie containing a scene that confronts the issue that would later kill your son.
I don't do a lot of reading, even of comics or graphic novels, because my ADHD makes it difficult to comprehend, but I love your videos and hearing the stories of these talented artists. This one was a gut-wrenching watch to say the least. Hearing the fate of Bethany got to me so much that I had to stop watching the video and only just finished watching the rest a few days later. I have nothing but the utmost respect for O'Barr for having the ability to find it in himself to not only continue on in life, but to channel the raw emotions from such a horrific and painful experience into a work of art that resonates with many. This time I'm going to muscle through my literacy struggles so I can read The Crow, I know it'll be worth it.
I haven’t thought about that passage from Brandon Lee in years. I was enamored with the comic The Crow and the film of its namesake back in high school in 94. I was not fully aware of the trials and tribulations of J. O’Barr. I knew about his girlfriend’s passing and how it was funneled into The Crow. I just didn’t know about the rest. With all of the things he went through he sounds like he’s got his happy ending. I think of the Crow film often and listen to the amazing soundtrack to it regularly. Plus, it’s hard not to think of Brandon Lee when I share the same name with him except for where Lee is middle name. Thanks for sharing this.
"...The Crow still comes for those that need it. It comes to say that what you're feeling is ok, that it's ok to hurt, that it's ok to be angry, *that you are not alone."* Not only I see this as poetic, but as absolute true. As many of us, The Crow came to me at a dark time in my life which, like to many others, felt like it would never be over. But Eric showed me, it doesn't have to be that way, things will work out, if you put your heart to it, because it can't rain all the time. I'm still to check out meeting James O'Barr to thank him off my to-do list, but I'm sure it'll work out eventually. Expertly made video, mate. Thank you for making it.
I have an original story for a comic that I’ve been working on, and it’s also been art therapy for me. The story behind the Crow is so heartbreaking, but at the same time it’s uplifting, and that same form of art therapy through my storytelling has helped me through a lot of difficult times. James obarr’s story made me feel and cry. And maybe someday I’ll share my own stuff, but for now, it’s just for me to heal.
This is beyond tragic. I didn't know there was such a story behind this book. Losing his girlfriend, going to war and then losing a friend... I feel so sorry for the author
God damn it, this hurts no matter how many times I see, read or hear it. I cannot overstate how much The Crow (along with Berserk) has influenced my approach to writing, both the comic as well as the movie, and at the same time the tragedy of Brandon's death is so heartbreaking. As for James, I had the pleasure of meeting him in Athenscon a few years back (I think it was 2019). I remember seeing him sitting in his booth and was building up the courage to approach him and ask for a photo, but kept failing to do so. My wife, who was with me, eventually convinced me to get over my shyness and talk to him. He was in the process of getting up from his booth when I neared and asked him for a photograph. He smiled at me, said "of course" and put a hand over my shoulder as we posed for the camera. My wife took the photo, and as she did I just said to him "huge fan of your work" to which he replied "thank you, appreciate it." One of the best moments of my life.
F... man. that "It can't rain all the time." line still gets me every time. I was really on the edge in high school and a few years after. I had such rage and violence at the pain in me, I very nearly lost myself. Somehow, this book brought me back.
I met James a few years ago at a convention, super nice guy, talked about music for a bit. I got the chance to tell him how The Crow got me through some tough times.
i really love your work man. as an artist myself, music instead of comics but it’s all the same language, i keep coming away from your videos inspired and more at peace with the difficulties of this life
One of the things that helped The Crow get a lot of attention at the time was that it one of the first movies to have a lot of photorealistic CGI. Specifically, they took Lee's image from outtakes and digitally inserted him into scenes they hadn't shot yet. If you didn't know, you would never notice.
I can understand how the author of a black and white tragic story found connection in the lyrics of Joy Division, because the story of that band is also a tragedy that was ultimately told in black and white, with the movie drama 'Control' by Dutch filmmaker Anton Corbijn. A warning for those who want to watch this movie: It is a very dark and grim movie, and the ending may leave you a little down and depressed, so beware of that. As a pick-me-up I usually watch the comedy movie '24 Hour Party People' straight after 'Control'. '24 Hour Party People' covers the history of Factory Records (to which Joy Division was singed) and the overall Manchester music scene from 1976 to 1992. They work really well together, where the first focusses on Joy Division and specifically their singer Ian Curtis, provides the second a broader view on the times and surrounding events of that story, and because '24 Hour Party People' is a comedy you'll feel a lot better afterwards.
@@TylerRamos-h2o Indeed, in my opinion New Order showed the music world how you respectfully continue making great music after losing their front-man. Too many bands try to keep the magic going with a key ingredient of the spell missing.
Just ran into this video through my suggested, I’ve read this comic in early high school, my dad purchased a copy for me, I knew of the tragedy and loss of Brandon Lee during the final filming of the Crow, but I did not know this. Thank you for educating me today, this video made me subscribe to your channel.
I remember walking through a comic shop and picking up the graphic novel, knowing that I wanted to read it before the movie came out. I made all of my friends read it. This book is so powerful. I was an emotional teen, and this book hit me so hard. Now, 30 years later, it still brings me to tears when I read it. Thank you for this video. I think I just may have to read it tonight.
Dude, how do you make these videos so good? No one that I know of is doing what you do. I have loved comics deeply since I was 11 and you deep diving into these people lives sheds so much light on my passion. On top of that, knowing the details and the narrative you are able to piece together about them has actually taught me invaluable lessons and impacted my life in a positive way that is yielding results for me. Please keep up the great work. You're awesome.
Thanks for this and your other great vids, matttt. Your research is impeccable and that is so important for comics because nearly no one takes this art form seriously, especially here in the States. As someone who worked freelance at Caliber during this time, you told me things I never knew or realized about James and the Crow and that is greatly appreciated. Also, your Barks video had me welling up with tears. Please keep up this great work. I try to recommend your channel as often as possible and wish you all the best!
This really makes me wanna pick up the crow now. I’ve been a lifelong comic book reader, but for some reason, I’ve always put this one off. Maybe because of the over hype that the movie had when it came out. But now I’m reconsidering it and kind of regretting never digging in thank you for putting this video together.
I discovered the comic when I was about 14 and was instantly obsessed. I was sad when I found out that Brandon Lee had died, but I didn't know at first that he had died filming The Crow. When I found out about that, I just about blew my top. This whole franchise seems irrevocably touched by tragedy. I remember reading that James O'Barr had created this story as a way to process his own horrific tragedy, but I didn't know the details.
I will share this as I got to meet him in person at a comic convention (right around when the Crow III came out): Super sweet guy but clearly sad inside. I asked him about how he felt about the Crow films. He said (as I remember) 'they ruined my baby'. Stating that they made three films and didn't pay him a dime arguing they are always losing money. I still remember him stating that 'they flew me out to Hollywood to attend a meeting where they were thinking of hiring Michael Jackson as the Crow and make it a musical. " I laughed and thought he's kidding. Nope. He corrected me and told me it was true. Sigh, no wonder the man was depressed about it. (: I did see the cover of the Batman comic he was working on. Brilliant artist. A friend he had there told me 'he's a perfectionist'. Either way, I never forgot that encounter.
Whenever I see a new Matttt video come up on my feed, I know it's going to be a good day. Thank you for sharing this story and tribute to a wonderful work such as this. I knew most of the story here, but you have such an excellent way of presenting your narratives that it felt like new again to me. You don't need pricey, huge productions to make a good TH-cam video. All you need is a clear vision and a compelling way to present it. Well done sir!
This is first-rate content, thanks so much for posting. The edit from the gravesite to Brandon saying those lines was chilling, that's the true art of editing right there. I didn't know any of this before, what an amazing story; I was bracing for an unhappy ending, glad it didn't turn out that way. All the best.
Thanks Matt, love your videos, I was a casual comic buyer in the 80s and early 90s - so your videos have been a real stroll down memory lane. I saw the film in '94 and absolutely loved it. Read the comic layer, it is truly disturbing , but brilliant. The 2024 film is an awful mockery of its dark, atmospheric genius. The soundtrack is possibly the greatest alt rock soundtrack of all time.
This was a fantastic video, Matt! Sometimes I don't feel like watching a full video essay, but whenever I choose to, yours never let me down! They're incredibly well done and I really love the expertise and knowledge you put into them. Keep doing what you do.
OBarr is truly remarkable. The Crow still remains one of my absolute favorite films to this day and it still is as relevant now as it was when it was first penned.
I recall back in my 20s, just married a couple of years, me and my husband in our local comic store. I was going through the long boxes, comics for a buck or two, and coming across issue 3 of The Crow. I stared at that cover. I have a goth heart. Reading that issue just, I really can't explain how it moved me. To me with the mix of story, visuals and lyrics from bands that I knew, that comic to me was like someone reading Shakespeare. I had experienced my own pain and found my own light in my husband. 39 years later, I still am married to that same man, my light, and I still have that comic including the other issues to The Crow.
Thank you very much. I have heard about the Crow and Brandon Lee's death, but never heard the story about the author of the comic. What a life of tragedy.
Dang, I just got a million more reasons to watch the original movie and hopefully even find a few copies of the original comic. From what you showed, you could really see O'Barr's rage, guilt, and despair as he was creating the comic. Brandon Lee's death also became even more sad to me, the fact that he actually really loved O'Barr's work, read the comic, and even got to befriend him. The narration in 13:08 was amazing and perfectly shows how "the Crow" intertwines with James O'Barr's and Brandon Lee's lives.😢
the darkest book I've ever read was some weird book I got at a writer's fair or whatever they call them, it was called 100 pages of black, it was just the color black for one hundred pages.
Wow! I own both James O'Barr graphic novel and the late Brandon Lee's starring in the lead VHS movie, now learning about the author's backstory makes The Crow art, story and movie even more tragically compelling… after this, need to reread and rewatch both again with new eyes.
Thank you for this. With all the buzz surrounding the new film, it's easy to overlook the beauty, complexity, and brilliance of the original work. As a devoted fan, I believe James' 'Love Letter' is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking letters ever written.
Thank you, I was of course aware of the movie and its comics origin, but your analysis of the tortured artist was so poignant and respectful. Beautiful video!
Matttt, thanks for another great video. I really appreciate how you don’t merely summarize comic book storylines, but go deeper into the humans that make them and how their lives inspire their art. This was a tragic story that thankfully has a happy ending, and I never would’ve known about without you. Keep up the great work, the mustache is working.
I love your videos. I was sad when I saw this upload was only 15 min long but by the end I didn't know how you managed to convey so much in such a short amount of time. What a story.
Commenting and liking for the algo, you are my fav creator and I love the work you put into any subject big or small. You have a passion and that should be rewarded, it so often is the opposite these days unfortunately.
My brother in-law bought a storage unit years ago and there were four boxes of comics inside. He gave them to me to look through and grade/price, and in one of those boxes was the four issues of The Crow in near-mint along with the Calibur Christmas special issue. I flipped out and could not believe it. I told him I was keeping those five books along with some other great things I found.
James O’Barr being covered by Matt is a beautifully executed piece of commentary, James O’ Barr is my favorite author and artist and now being covered by my favorite Comics Commentator.
I have to thank you. Your Video is the Bridge I needed. On the Weekend before this Video I had a great time with my mother. One of the best. We went to my Grandpa's Funeral. It was hard for both of us. We spend a few days together after this. Talked alot. We had a lot of fun, a lot of great tiny moments but we also cried a lot. Once more I learned to not take her for granted. She told me about childhood and her teenage years. But not the good stuff. She never told me befor, because she didnt want to torture me or herself with these horrible events. But she told me. I thought alot about it. And then I decided to watch the Crow. I knew it was a film. My mother had a giant poster of Brandon Lee, that hang in front of my bedroom for over 19 Years. She has a Tattoo of him as the Crow. So I wanted to find out why. I found your Video and oh boy. I fell into a big rabbit hole. Now I understand why. I read the comic, watched the film, I'm listening to the music right now. I'm late to the party, I know. But thank you for showing me the comic through this great Video. It helped me discover a great piece of art, a great actor, an important part of my mothers live and a part of myself. Good Job buddy. I can't thank you enought.
While watching "The Crow", I've learned so much about the publication, dedication, and passion that went into the comic and the movie. . Just to go at it on the remake, I had a feeling that it wouldn't be great because how can you surpass a movie with so much weight behind it, and can you capture what originally made the series special? . The Crow, to me, is a gothic masterpiece giving us a window into reality and expressing the sorrow through the scenery, the faces, the music, and the art. . Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever. . Thank you for making ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL VIDEO! . .
Thankyou for covering this! I’m 31 years old and grew up loving the wrestler Sting! So I’d heard of The Crow from fairly young but damn there’s so much I didn’t know probably due to my own ignorance. I didn’t know Brandon Lee was Bruce Lees son and I didn’t know he passed away on set before the film was finished from a loaded prop! Seemed like a pure clean hearted guy! Definitely didn’t know what the writer had gone through and that he had essentially poured his heart into this story! ❤️
It feels like Fate has just truly cursed this man and The Crow itself is just a mark on history as how true tragedy that cannot be explained. So enjoy every moment. Because we never know when it will be taken from us
Such an amazing story, in comics and in real life. Tragic and beautiful all at the same time and one of my favorite movies since I watched it in theaters as a kid.
I have to really admire James for aving the strengthh to draw and actually put out his work. I haven't lived the life he has but I've struggled to write my novel for 10+ years and it feels as if I'm always self-sabotaging. Writings difficult for me because I just don't enjoy it but I finddreaming my story up therepeautic. I don't know how people do it.
Whew! What a story, I lived through these events, but didn't know all these elements. In those days, pre-internet, it would have been really, really hard to piece this together. At the time, all I really knew was Bruce Lee's kid was somehow involved with a Teenage Ninja Mutant related comic. But even now, it's only in the last few years that I've read the ORIGINAL Men in Black and The Mask, both WAY darker than the movies.
This channel is fantastic. I’ve been reading comics for decades and thought I knew quite a bit about some of these lesser known titles. I have been rapt by this video and really enjoyed the previous ones. Thank you for this and all of the work you do - it shines through.
I've always had an interest in the Crow and love the movie. Matttt, your analysis is so compelling that I paused the video and immediately bought a copy.
Milder story than others in here, but I think it has something to say. My 70yo mother's hobby is to paint on sea pebbles, colourful stuff like flowers, landscapes, the like. One day last year she suddenly messages me a picture of the Crow asking what this is. I more or less explain to her. It turns out when she show the pic she felt like painting it, and after a few days she did. It is now displayed in her living room.
I have been a long time fan of the comic almost since its initial release but I honestly never knew O Barr's tragic history that inspired his work . I was really touched by this video. Excellent work my friend!
In my opinion, this is your best video sense Disney cartoonist, Great Job! Also I’m the only one who seeing the video thumbnail as a automatic generator once?
I read The Crow long before the movie, and I was already a big fan of Brandon (and of course Bruce). The pairing seemed perfect, which made the tragedy even more eerie, especially in light of his father's death. And so sad for James. And it's a beautiful haunting and haunted movie. Value your life. Value all life. It's all we truly have, the only thing that is uniquely your own, and completely irreplaceable. Live. Live well. And never give up hope. ❤ I'd also like to recommend another comic, a series called Poison Elves, by the late Drew Hayes, another artist who had a very hard life and escaped in his art and writing. It's dark and beautiful and very compelling.
I love the level of research that you've put in this video, and the added visuals was a nice touch too. If I may give some constructive criticism though, the segments in which it cuts away to a shot of you directly talking to the camera (as seen in 0:09) just feel a bit out of place - Perhaps it's the intense or overly-serious expression that you have when you talk to the camera. I think that a good example is Thomas Flight in which the way he does this kind of "talking to the camera" works better because it feels more casual.
This was tragic and beautiful. Huge hug and love for all the great people that made Crow possible and all the family members that suffered in this dark but victorious times. Movie and comic, and life of James say story of endurance and hope. May we all find peace. Rest in peace Brandon Lee 🙏
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Can't wait to see your next project. Here's a recommendation the manga "Berserk" and it late creator.
Why did you keep saying Bethany, when her name was Beverly?
I can't help but feel for James O'Barr. He went thru the pain of losing the love of his life and then he lost a good friend in Brandon Lee.
Yeah, but at least he managed to forgive himself and moved on, got married and started a family. It's hard but I'm proud of him.
Brandon Lee's girlfriend died soon after. Later editions were dedicated to both of them.
@@barriolimbasYou’re definitely high ong, she didn’t die bro. It was dedicated to Eliza because she was the one supported the movie and Shannon Lee.
@@azulgaming77 my mistake yeah, misread the dedication
@@azulgaming77 iirc it was dedicated to both of them because like Eric and Shelly they were going to marry after the end of the shootings.
Brandon and Bruce Lee are buried next to each other in Seattle. It's been 31 years and people still visit their graves all the time.
legends
Yup. It's tragic that both Father & Son lost their lives so young in life & their careers.
Totally visited there when I went to see my girlfriend there in 2018.
Both of their legacies will live on forever
Proof their legacies are still alive, like they never died.
In college I had brought the full graphic novel over to my gf's dorm for her to read. She left it sitting on the bed while we went out for a bit. When we got back to her dorm, her roommate was curled up in a ball on her bed, bawling her eyes out, having finished it literally minutes before we got back. The raw emotion and honesty of the comic had left her shaken. We sat with her for about an hour and talked, about what, I don't even remember. But she finally got herself back together, and told us it was an amazing story. I know it doesn't sound like much of a story, but it affected all of us to some extent right there, with how much emotional impact it was capable of.
That's a beautiful story. That was exactly how I felt the first time I read it. You two were awesome to sit with her and let her collect herself.
As lonely child brought up by a single mom that book helped me to deal with a few things in my early teens and got me in to some good goth bands like the cure ‘joy division’ cabaret Voltaire!!!! And rip to my grandma who bought me all my comics as a kid and never complained when I used to drag her round to weird comic book shops hunting for comics like the crow !!!
@@RobertMunro-wb6jbheres to all the goated single moms and amazing grandmas 🍻
I read it after a loss, and I re read it recently and had to stop after the 2nd chapter, do you know how hard it is to read through tears?
Dude, that makes no sense and that’s the problem. Those who like graphic stuff shouldn’t be deserving of love. I don’t even understand how you got a GF with that mindset in the first place I had a friend who bragged about how he curb stomped someone back in college and he was also the same friend who bragged about how he had sex three times a day with his girlfriend, so I completely went off on him and made sure to traumatize him. You guys don’t have any emotional IQ that’s the problem
That "if, if, if..." quote is haunting.
Beautiful video and the clip of Brandon reading the poem was amazing.
Not just reading the poem. He memorized it.
It’s worth mentioning that the band Joy Division abruptly ended in May 1980 when lead vocalist Ian Curtis ended his own life.
It’s easy to understand how O’Barr might have started to feel like everything he cared about was destined to go away.
Jesussssss seriously?? Wow…wow wow wow…
In less than 15 minutes you’re able to give us this portrait of the artist and the vision of his work. We’re dealt all the emotion of real life and the comic. Even knowing this story you still can’t help but feel for O’Barr.
James O'Barr wrote and illustrated his most horrible and painful memories but he also included his most cherished. That is an unparalleled gift given to the world.
Thank you sir. Great video as always Matttt.
Around 2016 or 2015, I found a then new reprint of the Crow at my local Borders (RIP). I didn't know O'Barr's backstory when I read it but just oozes with tragedy and rage that I knew it had to come from a real place. About a year or two later he did a panel at con near me and asked him where that mood of the Crow came from. He told the story of his girlfriend and even when he was telling it you could tell it still hurts him. Then he talked about he use to have a sign on the outside of his booth that said "Only ask about a new Crow movie if you have a good dental" (;. What a legend!
I have the og and that version! Is it the one with the off white colour cover ? I think it has more stuff than the original!!!
This channel is an inspiration. Just appeared out of nowhere making some of the best comic documentaries.
Ikr?, i was blown away by the very first documentary pf this channel. And all his videos keeps the quality. Truly a goated channel
He also looks into such interesting and unexplored topics. Truly a master of his craft
"Darkness by it's very nature, implies the existance of light".
This is the quote I will get a tattoo of. I have been in the dark for the majority of my life. I met a woman that was pure light. She brought me out of the darkness and showed me that not everything is shit. We had a few short, great years together and cancer took her from me. I try with every fiber of the soul I have left , to make her proud of me. I am not going to lie, it's a struggle.
Life is hard but keep on going🙏
Stay strong
I'll never understand "God's Plan" but I do feel in the depth of my deepest heart that one day we'll all be together again.
The song "Burn" by The Cure should also be mentioned. They wrote it for the soundtrack to The Crow, but they based it on the book, which they loved, and its lyrics reflect that. There's the opening lines that say "Don't look, don't look!" which the crow says to Eric while he's dying, and another line that says "Don't wake at night to watch her sleep." In the book, Eric sadly reminisces that he used to wake up at night sometimes just to watch Shelly sleep, and it's one of those moments that you just know that O'Barr took from real life.
They mention The Crow in the song. Such a good song and soundtrack.
Not sure you read these but here goes. I have had a lot tragedy in my life, felt the survivor's guilt the sense of being left over when I should have been the one who died. I've carried the guilt and shame that wasn't mine because of the mindless grief of those around me not thinking of a 9 year old kid who made it home. I am a comic book writer because that medium speaks to me in a way nothing else does, so when I say your writing about James's pain and triumph touched me I want you to know what that means. Thanks for all you do, Mattt docs are a first day watch for me. God Bless you and what you are doing I hope it continues to prosper you.
11:20 I agree on all points. Sometime while I was 17, I moved out of the home of my abusive father, and into the home of my loving mother. By the time I turned 18 she had died under sudden and mysterious circumstances. This forced me to have to move back in with my abusive father until I completed school. It was in this period of time I found the O Barr comics. The story understood everything inside me on a primal level. It (and early death metal) are what I turned to when it became too much to carry. It was one of the reasons I survived, and am still here at 50 to tell my story. I owe James such a HUGE "thank you".
O'Barr and Miura are two of the people that probably helped a lot of others just by their work
I'm grateful he made it.
The world can be cruel, but I think our potential for hope and kindness is strong enough to overcome it.
Something freaky about Brandon Lee's death: If you watch Game of Death, Bruce Lee's last movie, there's a scene where there on a movie set and the 'director' is explaining how you never point the prop gun at the actor to avoid an accident. Seems prophetic; your last movie containing a scene that confronts the issue that would later kill your son.
I don't do a lot of reading, even of comics or graphic novels, because my ADHD makes it difficult to comprehend, but I love your videos and hearing the stories of these talented artists. This one was a gut-wrenching watch to say the least. Hearing the fate of Bethany got to me so much that I had to stop watching the video and only just finished watching the rest a few days later. I have nothing but the utmost respect for O'Barr for having the ability to find it in himself to not only continue on in life, but to channel the raw emotions from such a horrific and painful experience into a work of art that resonates with many. This time I'm going to muscle through my literacy struggles so I can read The Crow, I know it'll be worth it.
I haven’t thought about that passage from Brandon Lee in years. I was enamored with the comic The Crow and the film of its namesake back in high school in 94.
I was not fully aware of the trials and tribulations of J. O’Barr. I knew about his girlfriend’s passing and how it was funneled into The Crow. I just didn’t know about the rest. With all of the things he went through he sounds like he’s got his happy ending.
I think of the Crow film often and listen to the amazing soundtrack to it regularly. Plus, it’s hard not to think of Brandon Lee when I share the same name with him except for where Lee is middle name.
Thanks for sharing this.
"...The Crow still comes for those that need it. It comes to say that what you're feeling is ok, that it's ok to hurt, that it's ok to be angry, *that you are not alone."*
Not only I see this as poetic, but as absolute true. As many of us, The Crow came to me at a dark time in my life which, like to many others, felt like it would never be over. But Eric showed me, it doesn't have to be that way, things will work out, if you put your heart to it, because it can't rain all the time.
I'm still to check out meeting James O'Barr to thank him off my to-do list, but I'm sure it'll work out eventually.
Expertly made video, mate. Thank you for making it.
I have an original story for a comic that I’ve been working on, and it’s also been art therapy for me. The story behind the Crow is so heartbreaking, but at the same time it’s uplifting, and that same form of art therapy through my storytelling has helped me through a lot of difficult times. James obarr’s story made me feel and cry. And maybe someday I’ll share my own stuff, but for now, it’s just for me to heal.
For what it's worth, glad you're still here
This is beyond tragic. I didn't know there was such a story behind this book. Losing his girlfriend, going to war and then losing a friend... I feel so sorry for the author
God damn it, this hurts no matter how many times I see, read or hear it. I cannot overstate how much The Crow (along with Berserk) has influenced my approach to writing, both the comic as well as the movie, and at the same time the tragedy of Brandon's death is so heartbreaking. As for James, I had the pleasure of meeting him in Athenscon a few years back (I think it was 2019). I remember seeing him sitting in his booth and was building up the courage to approach him and ask for a photo, but kept failing to do so. My wife, who was with me, eventually convinced me to get over my shyness and talk to him. He was in the process of getting up from his booth when I neared and asked him for a photograph. He smiled at me, said "of course" and put a hand over my shoulder as we posed for the camera. My wife took the photo, and as she did I just said to him "huge fan of your work" to which he replied "thank you, appreciate it." One of the best moments of my life.
I let O'Barr once in 2012. He was a very quiet man, but he also was constantly sketching
F... man. that "It can't rain all the time." line still gets me every time. I was really on the edge in high school and a few years after. I had such rage and violence at the pain in me, I very nearly lost myself. Somehow, this book brought me back.
I met James a few years ago at a convention, super nice guy, talked about music for a bit. I got the chance to tell him how The Crow got me through some tough times.
0:02 Berserk, I feel like that’s going to be most people’s answer.
Read the No Longer Human manga adaptation by Junji Ito
Dropout Idol Fruit Tart, it's shockingly graphic and it was banned in 30 countries. Don't even google it.
that or mai chans daily life
Give it a chance to Suehiro Maruo.
@@axil_v2153 couldn’t agree more
i really love your work man. as an artist myself, music instead of comics but it’s all the same language, i keep coming away from your videos inspired and more at peace with the difficulties of this life
This is probably one of if not the best Crow videos on TH-cam
into the depths has a great video that covers both the comic and the movie
One of the things that helped The Crow get a lot of attention at the time was that it one of the first movies to have a lot of photorealistic CGI. Specifically, they took Lee's image from outtakes and digitally inserted him into scenes they hadn't shot yet. If you didn't know, you would never notice.
For the creators of the new film to include Disorder by Joy Division as the first song to play is a super nice touch.
"The Crow still comes to those that need it."
How poetic!
Great video, great channel!
I can understand how the author of a black and white tragic story found connection in the lyrics of Joy Division, because the story of that band is also a tragedy that was ultimately told in black and white, with the movie drama 'Control' by Dutch filmmaker Anton Corbijn.
A warning for those who want to watch this movie: It is a very dark and grim movie, and the ending may leave you a little down and depressed, so beware of that.
As a pick-me-up I usually watch the comedy movie '24 Hour Party People' straight after 'Control'.
'24 Hour Party People' covers the history of Factory Records (to which Joy Division was singed) and the overall Manchester music scene from 1976 to 1992.
They work really well together, where the first focusses on Joy Division and specifically their singer Ian Curtis, provides the second a broader view on the times and surrounding events of that story, and because '24 Hour Party People' is a comedy you'll feel a lot better afterwards.
And out of the tragic story of Joy Division we got Nee Order
@@TylerRamos-h2o Indeed, in my opinion New Order showed the music world how you respectfully continue making great music after losing their front-man. Too many bands try to keep the magic going with a key ingredient of the spell missing.
Just ran into this video through my suggested, I’ve read this comic in early high school, my dad purchased a copy for me, I knew of the tragedy and loss of Brandon Lee during the final filming of the Crow, but I did not know this. Thank you for educating me today, this video made me subscribe to your channel.
Matttt, you are doing such a service to comics and their creators who live and breath the medium. Can't thank you enough but, Thanks
I remember walking through a comic shop and picking up the graphic novel, knowing that I wanted to read it before the movie came out. I made all of my friends read it. This book is so powerful. I was an emotional teen, and this book hit me so hard. Now, 30 years later, it still brings me to tears when I read it. Thank you for this video. I think I just may have to read it tonight.
Dude, how do you make these videos so good? No one that I know of is doing what you do. I have loved comics deeply since I was 11 and you deep diving into these people lives sheds so much light on my passion. On top of that, knowing the details and the narrative you are able to piece together about them has actually taught me invaluable lessons and impacted my life in a positive way that is yielding results for me. Please keep up the great work. You're awesome.
I just happened to watch this video when I'm undergoing a pretty serious depression and suffering from grief and I really needed it thank you so much
Thanks for this and your other great vids, matttt. Your research is impeccable and that is so important for comics because nearly no one takes this art form seriously, especially here in the States. As someone who worked freelance at Caliber during this time, you told me things I never knew or realized about James and the Crow and that is greatly appreciated. Also, your Barks video had me welling up with tears. Please keep up this great work. I try to recommend your channel as often as possible and wish you all the best!
This really makes me wanna pick up the crow now. I’ve been a lifelong comic book reader, but for some reason, I’ve always put this one off. Maybe because of the over hype that the movie had when it came out. But now I’m reconsidering it and kind of regretting never digging in thank you for putting this video together.
I discovered the comic when I was about 14 and was instantly obsessed. I was sad when I found out that Brandon Lee had died, but I didn't know at first that he had died filming The Crow. When I found out about that, I just about blew my top. This whole franchise seems irrevocably touched by tragedy. I remember reading that James O'Barr had created this story as a way to process his own horrific tragedy, but I didn't know the details.
I'm so glad you exist. Thank you for putting together this history in an intelligible and intelligent manner.
Probably the best channel about comic book 😊
I will share this as I got to meet him in person at a comic convention (right around when the Crow III came out):
Super sweet guy but clearly sad inside. I asked him about how he felt about the Crow films. He said (as I remember) 'they ruined my baby'. Stating that they made three films and didn't pay him a dime arguing they are always losing money.
I still remember him stating that 'they flew me out to Hollywood to attend a meeting where they were thinking of hiring Michael Jackson as the Crow and make it a musical. " I laughed and thought he's kidding. Nope. He corrected me and told me it was true. Sigh, no wonder the man was depressed about it. (:
I did see the cover of the Batman comic he was working on. Brilliant artist. A friend he had there told me 'he's a perfectionist'. Either way, I never forgot that encounter.
As an immense fan of the film I am moved and thankful for this video. Subbed
Whenever I see a new Matttt video come up on my feed, I know it's going to be a good day. Thank you for sharing this story and tribute to a wonderful work such as this. I knew most of the story here, but you have such an excellent way of presenting your narratives that it felt like new again to me. You don't need pricey, huge productions to make a good TH-cam video. All you need is a clear vision and a compelling way to present it. Well done sir!
This is first-rate content, thanks so much for posting. The edit from the gravesite to Brandon saying those lines was chilling, that's the true art of editing right there. I didn't know any of this before, what an amazing story; I was bracing for an unhappy ending, glad it didn't turn out that way. All the best.
Thanks Matt, love your videos, I was a casual comic buyer in the 80s and early 90s - so your videos have been a real stroll down memory lane. I saw the film in '94 and absolutely loved it. Read the comic layer, it is truly disturbing , but brilliant. The 2024 film is an awful mockery of its dark, atmospheric genius. The soundtrack is possibly the greatest alt rock soundtrack of all time.
This was a fantastic video, Matt! Sometimes I don't feel like watching a full video essay, but whenever I choose to, yours never let me down! They're incredibly well done and I really love the expertise and knowledge you put into them. Keep doing what you do.
OBarr is truly remarkable. The Crow still remains one of my absolute favorite films to this day and it still is as relevant now as it was when it was first penned.
I recall back in my 20s, just married a couple of years, me and my husband in our local comic store. I was going through the long boxes, comics for a buck or two, and coming across issue 3 of The Crow. I stared at that cover. I have a goth heart. Reading that issue just, I really can't explain how it moved me. To me with the mix of story, visuals and lyrics from bands that I knew, that comic to me was like someone reading Shakespeare. I had experienced my own pain and found my own light in my husband. 39 years later, I still am married to that same man, my light, and I still have that comic including the other issues to The Crow.
Thank you very much. I have heard about the Crow and Brandon Lee's death, but never heard the story about the author of the comic. What a life of tragedy.
Dang, I just got a million more reasons to watch the original movie and hopefully even find a few copies of the original comic. From what you showed, you could really see O'Barr's rage, guilt, and despair as he was creating the comic. Brandon Lee's death also became even more sad to me, the fact that he actually really loved O'Barr's work, read the comic, and even got to befriend him. The narration in 13:08 was amazing and perfectly shows how "the Crow" intertwines with James O'Barr's and Brandon Lee's lives.😢
This video was not what I expected. Thank you for all your hard work in putting it together.
the darkest book I've ever read was some weird book I got at a writer's fair or whatever they call them, it was called 100 pages of black, it was just the color black for one hundred pages.
Wow! I own both James O'Barr graphic novel and the late Brandon Lee's starring in the lead VHS movie, now learning about the author's backstory makes The Crow art, story and movie even more tragically compelling… after this, need to reread and rewatch both again with new eyes.
Thank you for this. With all the buzz surrounding the new film, it's easy to overlook the beauty, complexity, and brilliance of the original work. As a devoted fan, I believe James' 'Love Letter' is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking letters ever written.
I love these TH-cam videos, keeps the comic book nerd alive in me as I work my corporate job
Thank you, I was of course aware of the movie and its comics origin, but your analysis of the tortured artist was so poignant and respectful. Beautiful video!
Matttt, thanks for another great video. I really appreciate how you don’t merely summarize comic book storylines, but go deeper into the humans that make them and how their lives inspire their art. This was a tragic story that thankfully has a happy ending, and I never would’ve known about without you. Keep up the great work, the mustache is working.
It's just absurd how good this channel is...
I love your videos. I was sad when I saw this upload was only 15 min long but by the end I didn't know how you managed to convey so much in such a short amount of time. What a story.
Commenting and liking for the algo, you are my fav creator and I love the work you put into any subject big or small. You have a passion and that should be rewarded, it so often is the opposite these days unfortunately.
My brother in-law bought a storage unit years ago and there were four boxes of comics inside. He gave them to me to look through and grade/price, and in one of those boxes was the four issues of The Crow in near-mint along with the Calibur Christmas special issue. I flipped out and could not believe it. I told him I was keeping those five books along with some other great things I found.
James O’Barr being covered by Matt is a beautifully executed piece of commentary, James O’ Barr is my favorite author and artist and now being covered by my favorite Comics Commentator.
I have to thank you. Your Video is the Bridge I needed. On the Weekend before this Video I had a great time with my mother. One of the best. We went to my Grandpa's Funeral. It was hard for both of us. We spend a few days together after this. Talked alot. We had a lot of fun, a lot of great tiny moments but we also cried a lot. Once more I learned to not take her for granted. She told me about childhood and her teenage years. But not the good stuff. She never told me befor, because she didnt want to torture me or herself with these horrible events. But she told me. I thought alot about it. And then I decided to watch the Crow. I knew it was a film. My mother had a giant poster of Brandon Lee, that hang in front of my bedroom for over 19 Years. She has a Tattoo of him as the Crow. So I wanted to find out why. I found your Video and oh boy. I fell into a big rabbit hole. Now I understand why. I read the comic, watched the film, I'm listening to the music right now. I'm late to the party, I know. But thank you for showing me the comic through this great Video. It helped me discover a great piece of art, a great actor, an important part of my mothers live and a part of myself. Good Job buddy. I can't thank you enought.
While watching "The Crow", I've learned so much about the publication, dedication, and passion that went into the comic and the movie.
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Just to go at it on the remake, I had a feeling that it wouldn't be great because how can you surpass a movie with so much weight behind it, and can you capture what originally made the series special?
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The Crow, to me, is a gothic masterpiece giving us a window into reality and expressing the sorrow through the scenery, the faces, the music, and the art.
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Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever.
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Thank you for making ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL VIDEO!
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Can't believe it took me this long to realize The Crow is a romance and not just an "edge lord fantasy".
Thankyou for covering this! I’m 31 years old and grew up loving the wrestler Sting! So I’d heard of The Crow from fairly young but damn there’s so much I didn’t know probably due to my own ignorance. I didn’t know Brandon Lee was Bruce Lees son and I didn’t know he passed away on set before the film was finished from a loaded prop! Seemed like a pure clean hearted guy! Definitely didn’t know what the writer had gone through and that he had essentially poured his heart into this story! ❤️
Great video. I needed it on so many levels.
Wow. Incredibly done, as always.
Have been watching all your videos - such fantastic work. Thanks for the output! I’ll look for a Patreon to help support you
It feels like Fate has just truly cursed this man and The Crow itself is just a mark on history as how true tragedy that cannot be explained. So enjoy every moment. Because we never know when it will be taken from us
When you dropped the info about Brandon Lee incident, my jaw dropped, holy shit, what the hell man.
Thank you for this upload 🙏🏽
Darkest thing I’ve ever read? When the Wind Blows. It’s about nuclear war.
Dude... this mini-docu is much better than the new Crow remake.
Such an amazing story, in comics and in real life. Tragic and beautiful all at the same time and one of my favorite movies since I watched it in theaters as a kid.
Mattt, I love your channel! Such master class
I have to really admire James for aving the strengthh to draw and actually put out his work. I haven't lived the life he has but I've struggled to write my novel for 10+ years and it feels as if I'm always self-sabotaging. Writings difficult for me because I just don't enjoy it but I finddreaming my story up therepeautic. I don't know how people do it.
Excellent video. I knew Some of James O'Barrs story.
Great job 👏🏼
i really apreciatte the time and effort that you spend doing these videos, excellent work
Whew! What a story, I lived through these events, but didn't know all these elements. In those days, pre-internet, it would have been really, really hard to piece this together. At the time, all I really knew was Bruce Lee's kid was somehow involved with a Teenage Ninja Mutant related comic. But even now, it's only in the last few years that I've read the ORIGINAL Men in Black and The Mask, both WAY darker than the movies.
Beautiful video.
Congratulations on making such amazing content. It's really wonderful to witness.
"Dark, Violent Love Letter" is absolutely and album title, or at least a coffee shop
Anything amazing vid. Commenting for visibility and to show appreciation, thank you for the in-depth look.
This channel is fantastic.
I’ve been reading comics for decades and thought I knew quite a bit about some of these lesser known titles.
I have been rapt by this video and really enjoyed the previous ones.
Thank you for this and all of the work you do - it shines through.
Good video bro shit hit deep this was put together really well
I've always had an interest in the Crow and love the movie. Matttt, your analysis is so compelling that I paused the video and immediately bought a copy.
Milder story than others in here, but I think it has something to say.
My 70yo mother's hobby is to paint on sea pebbles, colourful stuff like flowers, landscapes, the like.
One day last year she suddenly messages me a picture of the Crow asking what this is. I more or less explain to her. It turns out when she show the pic she felt like painting it, and after a few days she did. It is now displayed in her living room.
Fantastic video man, I really didn't know a lot of this and I'm glad I learned about it
I’ve finished the full graphic novel multiple times and the book is addicting
I have been a long time fan of the comic almost since its initial release but I honestly never knew O Barr's tragic history that inspired his work . I was really touched by this video. Excellent work my friend!
Man what an inspiring story. If he can pull himself out of the abyss anyone can.
Another great comic art topic and video.
In my opinion, this is your best video sense Disney cartoonist, Great Job! Also I’m the only one who seeing the video thumbnail as a automatic generator once?
The Crow is one of those Graphic Novels I like to read once a year.
I read The Crow long before the movie, and I was already a big fan of Brandon (and of course Bruce). The pairing seemed perfect, which made the tragedy even more eerie, especially in light of his father's death. And so sad for James. And it's a beautiful haunting and haunted movie. Value your life. Value all life. It's all we truly have, the only thing that is uniquely your own, and completely irreplaceable. Live. Live well. And never give up hope. ❤
I'd also like to recommend another comic, a series called Poison Elves, by the late Drew Hayes, another artist who had a very hard life and escaped in his art and writing. It's dark and beautiful and very compelling.
I love the level of research that you've put in this video, and the added visuals was a nice touch too.
If I may give some constructive criticism though, the segments in which it cuts away to a shot of you directly talking to the camera (as seen in 0:09) just feel a bit out of place - Perhaps it's the intense or overly-serious expression that you have when you talk to the camera. I think that a good example is Thomas Flight in which the way he does this kind of "talking to the camera" works better because it feels more casual.
This was tragic and beautiful. Huge hug and love for all the great people that made Crow possible and all the family members that suffered in this dark but victorious times. Movie and comic, and life of James say story of endurance and hope. May we all find peace. Rest in peace Brandon Lee 🙏