The Crow - Splash Page - 'Like a Concave Scream' by James O'Barr
Artist: James O'Barr (Penciller)
20 Comments - 9,551 Views - 6 Likes
Additional Images:
Italian reference
Comparison between editions
Artwork Details
|
DescriptionFirstly, I am honored that James was willing to let this art go to me.He held this page in his portfolio, way in the back, with the price and caption reading "$____ - THAT'S BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SELL THIS PAGE!" :) I first encountered James last year and was intrigued by his laid back attitude and generosity. He took us fans in stride, some treating him like a rockstar, girls in black offering him tight hugs and kisses. Meanwhile he offered his free time to the convention fundraiser - offering sketches for the auction, and encouraged us to support the Heroes Initiative. I browsed through his portfolio - impressed to see drawings and paintings of "Taxi Driver", "Blade Runner", "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari", "The Day the Earth Stood Still", and Eastwood's westerns - in addition to many new Crow sketches. But for me his published pages were the most interesting find in his portfolio. Because I couldn't afford anything at the time, I could only look in awe at them. A few months later I encounter James again, this time inquiring on the pages in his portfolio. He explained that they were done in preparation for the 2011 The Crow: Special Edition, the definitive artist's edition. This book is a re-release of the original book, with new and expanded scenes, as he originally intended them. All the new pages were made with original techniques (no computer effects), including zip-a-tone, Letratone, and "Craftint" type duotone board. James explained that this splash was the ONLY PAGE he redid for the new edition. All other changes were expanding story pages, or completely new stories. For his reference, he used a page from the Italian version of The Crow, but completely redrew the page - keeping all of his Detroit neighborhood landmarks from the original version. When I see him again I'll have to ask why he removed the "Dead Ends" sign and changed the appearance of Eric and Gabriel. Eric's large, striding, appearance and the Detroit streets really drew me into this page. His eyes are drawn down, looking past his scar, as his mind carries him away from these dark streets. I like the new tone - it provides a much more somber introduction to this chapter of the story, which has Eric holding Gabriel and crying, as he mourns Shelly on their anniversary. The original - with Eric giving his menacing stare and Gabriel echoing that look, as a perched gargoyle - do not fit the story. This is Gabriel's first appearance in the story, and he never appears menacing throughout the rest of the book. The page is original art layered over by screentone (a technique for applying textures and shades to drawings, used as an alternative to hatching) to create the blurring and patterns across the main character and background images. Over Eric's body and coat, he erased areas on the tonal layer to create texture, and added white out to enhance some of the light areas. And a special thanks to my fellow O'Barr fanatics, Joe and Brian! Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
Brian Jones 
Member Since 2005
Posted on 3/18/2012
Awesome splash! I like this version better and so happy you were able to bring it home. Congrats Anthony!
Joe F.
Member Since 2011
Posted on 3/18/2012
Awesome Splash Page! You were the envy of a slew of other convention-goers (myself included) when you convinced Mr O'Barr to part with this masterpiece.
Dave Kopecki
Member Since 2008
Posted on 3/18/2012
This is incredible! What a fantastic score and a beautiful new page! Huge congrats!
Holly Burnett
Member Since 2009
Posted on 3/19/2012
And I'm sitting here, in wonderment, totally speechless and awestruck. Huge congrats, my friend. :)
Gal Schwartz
Member Since 2005
Posted on 3/19/2012
A milestone in your great collection ! Congrats on giving this beauty such a great home !
Patrick Brooks
Member Since 2008
Posted on 3/19/2012
Wow, Anthony!!! You mentioned you were bringing something special home from O'Barr and you weren't kidding. This is AMAZING!! A stellar splash from a very power story. Thanks for sharing and for the back story. A HUGE congrats, bud.
Art lover
Member Since 2006
Posted on 3/21/2012
From one crow fan to another this piece is something truly special !! James is a great guy & very giving to his fans ....great score Ant!
. BRAUNY
Member Since 2007
Posted on 4/29/2012
Wow.... that's a great splash! Great story too! Way to go! Keep me in mind if you ever decide to sell this.
Mike Rice
Member Since 2003
Posted on 5/4/2012
I like this a lot — but the original was one of my favorite pages from the series. I was kind of sad when I saw he'd changed it. That being said — I wouldn't turn down the opportunity to own this. ;-) Very nice.
j sly
Member Since 2011
Posted on 5/20/2012
Awesome Splash! I can see why James didn't care to sell! Congrats!
daveofapocalypse (daveofapocalypse)
Member Since 2004
Posted on 5/26/2012
NNNNIIIIIIIICE. :) (Guess I haveta start getting some really good Catwoman stuff to try and trade you someday!) :)
Crees Tyler
Member Since 2008
Posted on 8/6/2012
Fantastic splash ! So perfect when you are a fan of The Crow ! ;) Congratulations
Robert Weinberg
Member Since 2009
Posted on 6/23/2013
This splash is the grail of Crow grails. I like it better than a cover!
COMIC PARADISE
Member Since 2005
Posted on 11/13/2013
love it! the crow still my top 10 movies of all time :)
Randall Glass
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 10/26/2024
Great page. Definitely more somber, more fitting.
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
 |
Auctions
| Carlos Pacheco and Jesús Merino Avengers Forever # |
Auctions
 |
JIM LEE PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #4 COVER (1989, FLASHBACK TO THE VIETNAM WAR) |
Auctions
 |
Jack Kirby - Journey into Mystery #86, Page 11 - The 4th appearance of Thor! |
Hakes Auctions
 |
STAR WARS #5 COMIC BOOK PAGE ORIGINAL ART BY HOWARD CHAYKIN. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
Splash Page Comic Art
17 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Rene Dorenbos9/6/2025 5:20:00 AM |
|
Monty B9/5/2025 3:53:00 PM |
|
Saxa Luna Galianan9/5/2025 1:01:00 PM |
|
Will Gabri-El9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Michele M9/5/2025 12:05:00 PM |
|
Keith Veronese9/5/2025 11:09:00 AM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
Coollines Artwork9/5/2025 9:24:00 PM |
|
Koch Comic Art9/5/2025 7:54:00 PM |
|
Anthony's Comicbook Art9/5/2025 6:43:00 PM |
|
Will's Comic Art Page9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Essential Sequential9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Achetez de l'Art9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|