From its first publication in 1989, James O’Barr’s The Crow has been a staple in the alternative community across the world.

Beloved for its dark and emotional story, it wasn’t until the 1994 film release that the piece truly started to inspire the fashion of 90’s goths.

Author and artist, James O’Barr, drew on many influences when creating The Crow, however the primary influence for the tragic story of leading man Eric Draven was that of O’Barr’s own grief. Having lost his fiance in a drunk driving accident, O’Barr channeled his grief into The Crow, creating a revenge story that is as bloody as it is poignant. 

The plot follows Eric Draven, a man that was murdered alongside his fiance, Shelley, by a brutal gang. After being returned to life by a mysterious crow, Eric learns he is superpowered and cannot die. With his new found strength he sets out to take his revenge. 

O’Barr’s grief and life story is largely what separates The Crow from many of the other dark gothic comic books of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Eric isn’t Batman, he’s a man that wishes to return to his lost love.

Plot wise the story stays consistent between adaptations with The Crow (1994) changing very little about Eric’s story. 

One of the big draws for The Crow (1994) is Eric Draven’s immaculate sense of fashion, courtesy of the late Brandon Lee and costume designer Arianne Phillips. 

The costume worn by Branon Lee consisted of a double breasted black trench coat over a spandex dark grey ripped long sleeve shirt, alongside an electrical tape wrapping that covered his midriff. The outfit is topped off with a pair of black boots and a pair of black leather trousers. 

Featured Image Credit: The Crow (1994), Miramax, Dimension Films.

It’s an outfit that’s synonymous with the film and goth culture of the 90’s, even though black trench coats had been a popular item of clothing for decades prior, The Crow (1994) reinvigorated this style of jacket’s popularity.

Goth’s gravitated towards The Crow for its excellent portrayal of 90’s goth fashion as well as its unbeatable soundtrack that featured many iconic alternative acts such as The Cure and Nine Inch Nails.  The soundtrack was composed of songs written and arranged exclusively for the film with the most memorable coming in the form of The Cure’s ‘Burn’, a song that plays when Eric first dons the iconic black and white mime makeup.

Someone that grew up around the goth culture of the 90’s was Edward, a cosplayer that has expressed their deep love for The Crow. He spoke highly of their first time watching it with his mother, listening to her explaining the films importance to the fashion of the 90’s.

When asked about what  he thought of the impact The Crow had on Alt fashion Edward  said, 

“I think The Crow was a huge influence for Goth fashion especially as before the movie, the comic has The Crow use Joy Division and the Cure as openers for the chapters! It was some peoples first introduction to those bands and it grew their popularity, introducing reader to the subculture and the fashion.

To this day, the look is timeless and its influence can be seen anywhere in those subcultures – the leather coat, ripped shirt, leather high waisted trousers and rope detailing is easy to DIY or thrift, making it very accessible for anyone to recreate.”

“I remember watching the movie with my mother, with her explaining every detail of the movie and how it correlates to the comics. It was something we could both share a love for. My mom was big in the Gothic subculture when I was wee, so it was important to me to learn what made her choose to dress like she did – and watching this movie immediately made me understand it.”

Featured Image Credit: The Crow (1994), Miramax, Dimension Films.

The Crow is a franchise that deals with grief, loss and atonement, it’s profoundly gothic in its presentation between all adaptations but nowhere is that more obvious than in the 1994 The Crow – from the gorgeous miniatures done by the prop team to the mesmerizing use of lightning that elevates every scene, making the film look like its set in a strange limbo-esque place.

Arguably, the costuming and look of the characters is the most impactful aspect of the film, Eric would be nothing without his dark leather coat and make up.

Without The Crow modern alternative fashion would not be the same.

Featured Image Credit: The Crow (1994), Miramax, Dimension Films.