James O'Barr

James O'Barr (born January 1, 1960) is an American graphic artist, best known as the creator of the comic book series The Crow.

Early life

O'Barr, an orphan, was raised in the foster care system. He studied Renaissance sculpture, live models and photographic still lifes.

Career

In 1978, O'Barr's fiancée, Beverly, was killed by a drunk driver, and he enlisted in 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 various 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.