Booknote: The Crow: Curare

James O'Barr, The Crow: Curare. San Diego, CA: IDW, 2013. ISBN: 9781613777466.

This is the story of retired Detroit Police detective Joe Salk. He was always a good cop. However, after a young girl's grisly murder, he becomes obsessed with solving the case, a case with few clues or leads, a case that eventually goes cold. The obsession eventually drives his wife away and drives him to drinking. As the story begins, he is now retired and alone, and now the young victim returns to him as a ghost asking him not to give up on the case. Is it a ghost, or is Detective Salk so far gone he is now losing his sanity? I will leave that for readers to decide. And she is not alone for the Crow, spirit of vengeance, is with her.

Unlike other Crow stories, this one does have a bit of a heartwarming element to it. The young girl's character is innocent and even bright in her outlook, which is a sharp contrast to Detective Salk's dark worldview. In an interesting touch, the Crow can speak, which can add some small humor here and there. It is a nice story, but it felt a little rushed. It does read fairly quick. The gritty art, which has a bit of a surrealist element, does suit the tale well.

This graphic novel can stand alone on its own, so readers who have not read other The Crow graphic novels, or seen the films, can read this without feeling they need to catch up. Overall, this was a tale I liked, so I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars if you ask.


Disclosure note: In order to keep The Man happy this is where I tell you that I read this book as an e-book galley from the publisher via NetGalley. It was provided in exchange for an honest review.