The real Erik Draven Co creator of the Crow comic.

[Erik DaRaven]

I am looking for friend & people that may have photographic evidence of me dressed-up as Erik Da Raven between the years of 1983-1988 (The comic was first released in 1989). Friends from City Club 1985-89 (Liz, DJ Tom, 2 Zut Suit Bros from Fridays & Premadonna’s), Oxford Video members 1986-1987, Pontiac Friends 1983-85, E. Lansing Apt., Main St 1987. My real name is Erik a.k.a. the Raven or, Erik Da Raven (Draven) Contact me:

I created and was the character Erik or Erik Draven that James O’Barr used in the creation of the comic books the Crow! The comic was collaboration between O’Barr and me. I never wanted people to know that I really existed. I wanted to keep my privacy that is party why no one has ever heard me or knew that the comic was based off of a real person.

When I learned that the comic book was out, after seeing it on the rack, at a comic book store in the summer of 1989. I called Caliber Comics and got in touch with Gary Reed at Caliber Comics and asked him if he could get me in touch with James O’Barr, he couldn’t give out his phone number so, he took down my information and passed it on to O’Barr. After contacting Mr. Reed A few more times he told me that he had past the information on to O’Barr and reminded him to call me several times and that, was all he could do for me. “I can’t force him to call you; sorry I can’t help you any further than that.” I was pissed-off that he had not dedicated the comic book to Tammy Grimes as we had agreed too as, payment for him basing a comic book off of me. Living with the feeling that O’Barr screwed over my dead friend has always bother me, even to this day!

I grew up having to put different parts of my life behind me unconsciously and then consciously at a very early age (stepmother and a foolish father), but I don’t want to get in this topic at this time (all though it is the base of my book and the place where Erik da Raven comes from). I only mention it here so that might the reader can a get an inkling of what my state of mind I was in back then and, that growing up this way has influenced a lot of my decisions through out my life. So much that I became accustom to being screwed over and taken advantage of.

Later that fall I left for the Navy and decide to just let the whole thing go and forget about it “what comes around goes around” at least that was what I hoped for. After attending boot camp and A-school in San Diego California, I was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan for the duration of my enlistment serving onboard the USS Midway, Curtis, and the USS Blue Ridge. A little after the 26 of April 1993, while onboard the USS Blue Ridge I learn of the tragic death of Brandon Lee. Ross from the Dispersing (a big comic book fan) told me of his demise. He was one of the guys onboard of whom I told about how the comic book The Crow was based on me and the death of my friend Tammy Grimes. I really couldn’t believe it at first. I had to stop walking and support myself up against a bulkhead from the sudden rush of vertigo I was feeling. A strange shiver ran up my back that left me feeling creeped-out for days! I have been mistaken as a member of the Triads due to a birthmark on my left arm from Japan to Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and the Philippine. I came close to getting killed because of it but, on the other hand …

I wanted to come home right then and there so I could beat the living shit out of O’Barr. He did it to me again! He sold the movie rights right out from under me and had Brandon Lee taking on the persona of a real human being without the knowledge that he was doing so. I don’t believe you should let one man step in to the darkness of another mans soul with that persons permission. I believe it leads to bad Karma. The whole thing just makes my head spin. A few months passed I deiced not to reenlist in the Navy and returned home to Michigan on the 14th of December 1993. When you live outside of your country for a few years returning home can cause you to have culture shock for a few months. I waited until New Years to start looking for a lawyer to take my case, I was ill prepared for the rejections I got from most of the attorneys I called, not to mention those that laughed at me and said I needed to see a head shrink.

Not even one of the entertainment attorneys in Michigan was willing to take up my case and the ones outside of Michigan told me they couldn’t help me from here. I was just so sick and tired of dealing with people whom I feel that have no sense of honor or dignity, I was hoping to settle this matter with James O’Barr personally, but that is not the type of person O’Barr is. I need to settle this issue because every time I hear or see something about the Crow or James O’Barr I get angry, upset, pissed-off, and sick to my stomach and I am tired of feeling this was towards O’Barr, I want the truth to come out.

James O’Barr is lying about when he started the comic the Crow and where he got the idea for it. I am more that willing to take a polygraph test or better yet a brain mapping, narco-analysis techniques used to detection lie, to prove that I am telling the truth.

“I challenge you James O’Barr to take a polygraph or brain mapping with me!!!”

PLEASE CHECK OUT MY VIDEO ON: YouTube & MySpace (The real Erik Draven from the CROW)

My new year’s resolution for 2008 was to settle my past, so I could get on with my future.