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The Crow: Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams
A chilling collection of short fiction and poetry explores the odyssey of The Crow, an avenging force from beyond the grave that brings retribution and redemption, in works by Ramsey Campbell, Andrew Vachss, Alan Dean Foster, and other acclaimed authors. Reprint.
400 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1998
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388 people want to read
About the author
James O'Barr
109 books394 followersJames O'Barr is an accomplished artist and writer, best known for creating The Crow.
In 1978, O'Barr's fiancée, Beverly, was killed by a drunk driver, and he joined the Marines in an effort to cope with the loss. He was stationed in Germany and illustrated combat manuals for the military. While living in Berlin in 1981, O'Barr began work on The Crow as a means of dealing with his personal tragedy. O'Barr was further inspired by a Detroit newspaper account of the murder of a young couple over a $20 engagement ring. After his discharge from the Marines, O'Barr continued his painting and illustration as well as doing lots of odd jobs, including working for a Detroit body shop. The Crow sat on a shelf for seven years, but at last someone wanted to publish it: Gary Reed of Caliber Press. In The Crow, the protagonist and his fiancée are murdered by a gang of criminals. He then returns from the dead to hunt their killers.
O'Barr's own hope that his project would result in a personal catharsis went unfulfilled, he told an interviewer in 1994, saying, "[A]s I drew each page, it made me more self-destructive, if anything....There is pure anger on each page". The Crow has sold more than 750,000 copies worldwide.
The book was adapted into a successful film of the same name in 1994, but it resulted in further tragedy. Brandon Lee, who played the main character, was accidentally shot and killed during filming.
O'Barr was the second American to be awarded the "Storyteller Award" by the International Comic Festival held annually in Angoulême, France.
In 1978, O'Barr's fiancée, Beverly, was killed by a drunk driver, and he joined the Marines in an effort to cope with the loss. He was stationed in Germany and illustrated combat manuals for the military. While living in Berlin in 1981, O'Barr began work on The Crow as a means of dealing with his personal tragedy. O'Barr was further inspired by a Detroit newspaper account of the murder of a young couple over a $20 engagement ring. After his discharge from the Marines, O'Barr continued his painting and illustration as well as doing lots of odd jobs, including working for a Detroit body shop. The Crow sat on a shelf for seven years, but at last someone wanted to publish it: Gary Reed of Caliber Press. In The Crow, the protagonist and his fiancée are murdered by a gang of criminals. He then returns from the dead to hunt their killers.
O'Barr's own hope that his project would result in a personal catharsis went unfulfilled, he told an interviewer in 1994, saying, "[A]s I drew each page, it made me more self-destructive, if anything....There is pure anger on each page". The Crow has sold more than 750,000 copies worldwide.
The book was adapted into a successful film of the same name in 1994, but it resulted in further tragedy. Brandon Lee, who played the main character, was accidentally shot and killed during filming.
O'Barr was the second American to be awarded the "Storyteller Award" by the International Comic Festival held annually in Angoulême, France.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 28, 2019
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this compilation of short stories and poems. All centered around and spun-off from the original story of The Crow by James O'Barr, this set is definitely worth a read and a must have for any fan.
December 21, 2024
I DO remember reading this before but after reading this, I don't remember this at all. Regardless, with the exception of the poems and a few stories, I actually liked a lot of these stories. Others have stated that they felt this was as bad as fanfiction but that's only because they compare it to either the original story or the original movie. The truth is, these stories have three themes to them. It's either about The Crow, Shattered Lives or Broken Dreams. Some of these stories have a crow in them for the sake of connection while other do have the carrion bird in them. It's probably how and why this collection of short stories is so full for having such an array of ideas. On The Crow alone, it'd be a much more shorter or at least limited collection. I believe that crowfan fiction can survive and evolve past those two, as long as it is written well. That being said, I really liked The Crow Theory,Spooky,The Blood Red Sea,Twice By Fire,Triad,The Real Thing,Variations On A Theme,Red As Jade,Lament For The Gunwitch,Procrastinator,Moving Toward The Light,China Doll and Wings Burnt Black, which like its a continuation of Eric's story, although its not by James O'Barr. The Real Thing isn't as complete but the components of a good story are there.
Updated review: I guess six years makes a difference. Anyways, here is my newer review.
Review of The Crow: Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams — A Complex, Mythological Expansion
As a fan of The Crow franchise, I was both intrigued and hesitant when I finally sat down to read The Crow: Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams (1999). Having read many of the graphic novels over the years, I had a mixed reaction to the anthology format, where the storylines often ranged from gripping to convoluted. This collection, though, is a unique beast—offering a blend of narrative ambition and mythological expansion that both enhances and detracts from the core themes of the original Crow mythos.
What Worked:
Exploration of Mythology: One of the more intriguing elements of Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams is how it elevates the Crow to a mythic level. The stories connect the Crow to powerful figures like Odin, Saturn, and Cronus, which adds an almost cosmic dimension to the character. This lends an interesting new angle to the Crow’s nature—no longer just a harbinger of vengeance, but a being tied to ancient, timeless forces.
Thematic Depth: The anthology's exploration of existential themes—such as grief, loss, and the meaning of revenge—remains in line with the original Crow series. Despite the sometimes overwhelming mythology, there’s still a palpable sense of the pain and suffering that drives the Crow, which keeps it tethered to the emotional core that fans of the series expect.
What Didn't Work:
Lack of Cohesion: Without the benefit of consistent art or a unified visual aesthetic, the anthology feels disjointed. The stories vary greatly in tone and approach, some delving into abstract and surreal territory while others remain more grounded. The lack of an overarching narrative thread means that, at times, it feels like the book is more of an exercise in world-building than a cohesive exploration of the character.
Overwhelming Mythology: While it’s interesting to see the Crow tied to figures like Odin and Cronus, this mythological expansion can feel like overkill. The Crow’s simplicity and raw emotion—the essence of the original story—seem to get buried under layers of divine intervention and cosmic allegories. In some stories, this diversion from the more personal aspects of the character’s journey detracts from what made the Crow so relatable and tragic in the first place.
Emotional Disconnect: Unlike some of the more intimate Crow stories, which focused on the human condition and the depths of personal pain, Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams occasionally feels distant. The inclusion of god-like figures and grand narratives creates a sense of detachment, making it harder to connect emotionally with the characters.
Final Thoughts: The Crow: Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams is a bold attempt to stretch the limits of the Crow universe, introducing a more expansive, mythological framework. While the mythological connections to figures like Odin and Cronus add a layer of intrigue, they can also obscure the raw, personal storytelling that made the original Crow so compelling. The anthology’s disjointed nature and lack of cohesion make it a mixed experience—one that offers fascinating ideas but ultimately falls short of delivering the emotional punch that fans of the series crave.
For those who enjoy complex, sprawling narratives and are interested in seeing The Crow evolve into something grander, this anthology offers plenty to chew on. However, if you’re looking for the heart-wrenching intimacy and simplicity of the original story, this might leave you wanting more.
Updated review: I guess six years makes a difference. Anyways, here is my newer review.
Review of The Crow: Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams — A Complex, Mythological Expansion
As a fan of The Crow franchise, I was both intrigued and hesitant when I finally sat down to read The Crow: Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams (1999). Having read many of the graphic novels over the years, I had a mixed reaction to the anthology format, where the storylines often ranged from gripping to convoluted. This collection, though, is a unique beast—offering a blend of narrative ambition and mythological expansion that both enhances and detracts from the core themes of the original Crow mythos.
What Worked:
Exploration of Mythology: One of the more intriguing elements of Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams is how it elevates the Crow to a mythic level. The stories connect the Crow to powerful figures like Odin, Saturn, and Cronus, which adds an almost cosmic dimension to the character. This lends an interesting new angle to the Crow’s nature—no longer just a harbinger of vengeance, but a being tied to ancient, timeless forces.
Thematic Depth: The anthology's exploration of existential themes—such as grief, loss, and the meaning of revenge—remains in line with the original Crow series. Despite the sometimes overwhelming mythology, there’s still a palpable sense of the pain and suffering that drives the Crow, which keeps it tethered to the emotional core that fans of the series expect.
What Didn't Work:
Lack of Cohesion: Without the benefit of consistent art or a unified visual aesthetic, the anthology feels disjointed. The stories vary greatly in tone and approach, some delving into abstract and surreal territory while others remain more grounded. The lack of an overarching narrative thread means that, at times, it feels like the book is more of an exercise in world-building than a cohesive exploration of the character.
Overwhelming Mythology: While it’s interesting to see the Crow tied to figures like Odin and Cronus, this mythological expansion can feel like overkill. The Crow’s simplicity and raw emotion—the essence of the original story—seem to get buried under layers of divine intervention and cosmic allegories. In some stories, this diversion from the more personal aspects of the character’s journey detracts from what made the Crow so relatable and tragic in the first place.
Emotional Disconnect: Unlike some of the more intimate Crow stories, which focused on the human condition and the depths of personal pain, Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams occasionally feels distant. The inclusion of god-like figures and grand narratives creates a sense of detachment, making it harder to connect emotionally with the characters.
Final Thoughts: The Crow: Shattered Lives & Broken Dreams is a bold attempt to stretch the limits of the Crow universe, introducing a more expansive, mythological framework. While the mythological connections to figures like Odin and Cronus add a layer of intrigue, they can also obscure the raw, personal storytelling that made the original Crow so compelling. The anthology’s disjointed nature and lack of cohesion make it a mixed experience—one that offers fascinating ideas but ultimately falls short of delivering the emotional punch that fans of the series crave.
For those who enjoy complex, sprawling narratives and are interested in seeing The Crow evolve into something grander, this anthology offers plenty to chew on. However, if you’re looking for the heart-wrenching intimacy and simplicity of the original story, this might leave you wanting more.
November 3, 2008
I really need to read this collection again, and maybe give it a higher rating, because for the life of me I can't remember ninety percent of what was included. There was one story, I think it may have been Allen Dean Foster's "Procrastinator" (it was the one about the dying boy having to swap bodies with an imprisoned mass-murderer) that I liked a LOT, mostly because I didn't expect the ending, AND it was the closest to "The Crow" mythos. The rest of the stories? From what little I remember, I couldn't figure out why they'd been included at all. The government assassin who takes in some abused kids? The Asian bride-to-be who gets to spend eternity alive in a tomb with jade scales sewn into her skin? Loosely tied to "The Crow", if at all. The rest must not have been much more than gothic set-dressing and wish-fulfillment, but I dunno. I've been reading so much Poppy Z. Brite stuff lately, maybe I should give this one another try.
April 17, 2024
This was about what I was expecting, which isn't really a bad thing. We had some stories that were obvious "Crow" stories, and then we had some that could only loosely be related to the Crow myth at all. I was expecting a lot of metaphysical type stories, and there was some of that. There were also plenty of gritty stories as well.
One thing I did find interesting was the crossover stories, by which I mean we had Nancy A. Collins bring her vampire character Sonja Blue into a Crow story, and we also had Dan Brereton's Nocturnals in a story as well.
The art was especially good in this collection as well.
Overall something I think most Crow fans will enjoy.
One thing I did find interesting was the crossover stories, by which I mean we had Nancy A. Collins bring her vampire character Sonja Blue into a Crow story, and we also had Dan Brereton's Nocturnals in a story as well.
The art was especially good in this collection as well.
Overall something I think most Crow fans will enjoy.
January 27, 2018
I was looking for the comic and I found this.
The names Iggy Pop and Henry Rollins caught my interest. They had both submitted poems, and the poems are the more better submissions. The stories. though, (and a little bit the art) come across as fan fiction, which is probably inevitable, but gets a little painful. Beyond that, revenge can be a pretty demoralizing theme, and in the case the revenge is almost always for rape and murder - sometimes in horrifying detail - and it wasn't that enjoyable.
The best stories were those that departed from the theme and found some interesting places, but at least one tried to get back to the theme, making it really weird. Without the purpose of the books, some of them could have been pared down and been pretty good.
That makes Chet Williamson's The Blood-Red Sea the best, Red as Jade by S. P. Somtow and Lament for the Gunwitch by Christopher Golden as the ones that I would have most liked to encounter somewhere else without these constraints to see what they could do, and I am not going to name the worse, but believe me, I know my picks.
The names Iggy Pop and Henry Rollins caught my interest. They had both submitted poems, and the poems are the more better submissions. The stories. though, (and a little bit the art) come across as fan fiction, which is probably inevitable, but gets a little painful. Beyond that, revenge can be a pretty demoralizing theme, and in the case the revenge is almost always for rape and murder - sometimes in horrifying detail - and it wasn't that enjoyable.
The best stories were those that departed from the theme and found some interesting places, but at least one tried to get back to the theme, making it really weird. Without the purpose of the books, some of them could have been pared down and been pretty good.
That makes Chet Williamson's The Blood-Red Sea the best, Red as Jade by S. P. Somtow and Lament for the Gunwitch by Christopher Golden as the ones that I would have most liked to encounter somewhere else without these constraints to see what they could do, and I am not going to name the worse, but believe me, I know my picks.
October 12, 2016
Relatos, poemas e ilustraciones inspirados en la historieta de James O'Barr donde abunda el relleno; particularmente en los cuentos sobre vampiros añadidos con calzador a la mitología del personaje. Más rescatables resultan los poemas de Henry Rollins e Iggy Pop (bien sintonizados con el espíritu del cómic original), la entretenida conexión con la serie The Nocturnals que firma Christopher Golden en "Lament for the Gunwitch", el orientalismo de "Red as Jade" y "China Doll" y las contribuciones del propio O'Barr -tanto gráficas como narrativas-, que hacen de este libro un ítem apreciado por los fans.
May 17, 2011
Truly terrifying at times, heart-rending at others, a magnificent collection of tales of love, fear, revenge... all under the watchful eyes of the black-as-night winged avenger. Not for younger kids. Definitely a great read for fans of the graphic novel / original movie. More powerful imagery.
July 17, 2024
A more iconic collection of 90s angst and goth would be difficult to imagine. With contributors ranging from the creator of the Crow himself (James O'Barr, maybe you'll come back home to the mitt now that Texas can't keep the power on?) who is also editing, to obvious genre fans from the musical world like Henry Rollins and Iggy Pop (with music being such an important factor in the Crow's film success), to some of the biggest names in genre fiction at the time. The one glaring omission in terms of contributors I would have liked to see was Michael Moorcock, conspicuous not just by his absence, but by the fact that he is mentioned in the introduction and a multitude of the contributors have connections to him. It would have been interesting to see his take on Crow, given that in many ways the Crow's greatest weapon is fear and rage, some of the things the black sword personifies.
This collection had the feel of the best of the 'zines from this era...a mix of poetry, art, and short fiction raw and sometimes over-the-top in its descent into self-indulgent angst, depression, and rage. And I mean that in the best possible way. Thoroughly enjoyable. My only complaint is that it doesn't feel much like a Crow collection? There are some great Crow stories here: obviously O'Barr's 'Spooky, Codeine, and the Deadman', Nancy Collins' 'Variations on a Theme', Alan Dean Foster's 'Procrastinator', Rick Reed's 'Moving Towards the Light', Charles de Lint's 'China Doll', and John Shirley's 'Wings Burnt Black'. But they're in the minority. By and large, while there are some amazing pieces here like A.A. Attanasio's 'Hellbent', Rex Miller's 'Spike Team', Christopher Golden's 'Lament for the Gunwitch', S.P. Somtow's 'Red as Jade', Edward Bryant's 'Shuttlecock', and Chet Williamson's 'Blood-Red Sea' the majority of the fiction, poetry, and art isn't really Crow related other than fitting the general 'feel' of the era. Or as the kids might say these days, 'the vibe'. It contributes to the sense that this is a novel length 'zine of the time, with contributors far above what a zine generally would have been able to draw.
A good collection, just know going in that Crow material is limited.
This collection had the feel of the best of the 'zines from this era...a mix of poetry, art, and short fiction raw and sometimes over-the-top in its descent into self-indulgent angst, depression, and rage. And I mean that in the best possible way. Thoroughly enjoyable. My only complaint is that it doesn't feel much like a Crow collection? There are some great Crow stories here: obviously O'Barr's 'Spooky, Codeine, and the Deadman', Nancy Collins' 'Variations on a Theme', Alan Dean Foster's 'Procrastinator', Rick Reed's 'Moving Towards the Light', Charles de Lint's 'China Doll', and John Shirley's 'Wings Burnt Black'. But they're in the minority. By and large, while there are some amazing pieces here like A.A. Attanasio's 'Hellbent', Rex Miller's 'Spike Team', Christopher Golden's 'Lament for the Gunwitch', S.P. Somtow's 'Red as Jade', Edward Bryant's 'Shuttlecock', and Chet Williamson's 'Blood-Red Sea' the majority of the fiction, poetry, and art isn't really Crow related other than fitting the general 'feel' of the era. Or as the kids might say these days, 'the vibe'. It contributes to the sense that this is a novel length 'zine of the time, with contributors far above what a zine generally would have been able to draw.
A good collection, just know going in that Crow material is limited.
January 15, 2017
Short stories and poems in the style of the Crow, or rather, paying homage to. All of these seemed just a little off, I don't know what it is but they didn't make a cohesive collection at all. It was just a bunch of random stories put together within the same covers. Furthermore, a few of these were very clearly written solely for this purpose and wreaked of trying.
Also, they were very dramatic with all this death and darkness that it was pretty ridiculous.
The best ones were Storm Constantine's Paragenesis and Alan Dean Foster's Procrastinator. Paragenesis is about a person who runs away to find themselves, the ending is a little too dramatic compared to 2/3 of the story but trying to not let it bother me. Procrasatinator is about two men whose lives are pretty much entwined all the way through till the end. It was very much like a few other stories I've read so I'm having a hard time convincing myself this wasn't a copy.
Also, they were very dramatic with all this death and darkness that it was pretty ridiculous.
The best ones were Storm Constantine's Paragenesis and Alan Dean Foster's Procrastinator. Paragenesis is about a person who runs away to find themselves, the ending is a little too dramatic compared to 2/3 of the story but trying to not let it bother me. Procrasatinator is about two men whose lives are pretty much entwined all the way through till the end. It was very much like a few other stories I've read so I'm having a hard time convincing myself this wasn't a copy.
August 15, 2019
I was actually really excited when I found this book because I love the film! Each poem, story and piece of art reflects the film's theme which was great, but there were so many pages that it started to feel too repetitious with no variance, just different characters and slightly different situations that they were faced with. I would have loved to see different takes on the theme, without such consistency between each piece included.
October 20, 2012
Having first encountered James O'Barr's ideas for the Crow through the 1990s film, it left a seedling that desired more stories in the same tragic vein. This is the first prose work (outside of the comic book media) that seeks to have O'Barr and others add new layers to the Crow mythology. The various stories and poems are hit and miss; some are exquisitely fantastic while others feel out of place and unnecessary. Chet Williamson does well with a tale about a murdered Grecian singer who desires a more peaceful vengeance. Ramsey Campbell's crooked cop tale plays with expectations about retribution and consequences. The trio of female deaths chronicled by Janny Wurts offers new insights into the creation of the crow-bird familiar, while Gene Wolfe loses a chatty bird companion - and his justice-seeker - upon a crew of killers. Edward Bryant tries to mix resurrection, black humor, and voodoo together with the multiple lives and deaths of Mitch Valentine to varying degrees of success. Vampires mix with crows in Nancy A. Collins unique mash-up, creating a good blend of fantasy. Storm Constantine's metahuman future world of disaster falls short on personality, as does the balladeer tale born of a collaboration between Jane Yolen and Robert Harris. The Asian faire crafted by S. P. Somtow is a beautiful affair of long-dead vengeance and Japanese folklore, while Alan Dean Foster uses a body-switch to a grand effect in his "Procrastinator" tale. Caitlin R. Kiernan fails to move hearts in her Irish-set contribution, and Rex Miller's island kids do little more than recall Lord of the Flies. Chris Golden offers a good Gunwitch story mixed with Crow mythology, A.A. Attanasio bringa demon liar back to the world to repent, and a raped woman's dead friend has her back in Rick R. Reed's true-to-Crow tale. Kudos to Jame's O'Barr as well for his contribution in art and story; I look forward to seeing more dark feathers fly anon.
October 27, 2011
Some of the stories in this book are very strong, some aren't so much. Don't come into this book expecting a series of stories about the character. Some of these stories are much more re-imaginings than re-tellings. The important note is that they are inspired by The Crow, not about The Crow. Very good for what it is.
December 11, 2013
This short story collection features many, many, many incarnations of numerous authors' conception of The Crow, some far better than others. My personal favorites are "Variations on a Theme" (a story) and "Fleas" by Iggy Pop. Of course I can't leave out the rare awesome story, poems and artwork by James O' Barr himself!
April 25, 2007
This collection of stories, poetry and artwork is very hit and miss, particularly in the stories area. I enjoy some, such as "Lament for the Gunwitch" and "Procrastinator", but others I could not get into at all. Still, may be something to check out if you are a hardcore Crow fan.
February 13, 2007
so many great stories. good anthology.
December 8, 2009
An awesome collection of Crow stories.
November 9, 2010
One of my favorite collections.
April 19, 2011
The stories were good. But there were some that I don't think went well with The Crow series.
August 16, 2011
This is more a book of short stories and poems based on the original Crow concept by James O'Barr.
Some are better than others. But anything that includes Iggy Pop is amazing by my standards :)
Some are better than others. But anything that includes Iggy Pop is amazing by my standards :)
September 4, 2018
This is my all time favorite book. It was a gift I didn't think much of it to begin with.
August 22, 2012
A superbly chilling amalgamation of the essence of The Crow. Gripping short stories, compelling poetry.
March 23, 2012
Classic. If you liked the movie, read the book. So much more to it
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews