Richmond, VA-- Separated by 100 years of time and place, you might not at first see any connection between James O'Barr and Edgar Allan Poe...but it's there. Even if you distill it down to just the fact that one created "The Raven," the other created "The Crow." Both iconic works using these avian symbols as metaphors for something far more deeper, darker and richer than one realizes until the stories take flight, transcending the mediums of their own times with creations that indeed took on a life of their own.
For one night in Richmond, Virginia, these two creators-- will converge-- Poe in spirit, and Mr. O'Barr in the flesh-- with "Poe and The Crow: An Evening with James O'Barr," beginning at 6:30 in the evening with a signing and Q and A, and ending with a screening of "The Crow" starring Brandon Lee-- An appropriate look back, with a new Crow movie currently in pre-produciton.
O'Barr's visit to the Poe Museum coincides nicely with the facilities current exhibition, "The Living Poe," which deals with Poe in popular culture. In recent months, they have had a series of speakers on the topic of Poe's continuing influence on today's arts and culture, and his influence on the modern horror genre. In October, they'll host Vincent Price's daughter Victoria Price, who will share her experiences with her father and his love of Poe. And while O'Barr and Mr. Poe are vastly different in their approaches and influences, this evening continues an homage from other creators, be they writers, actors or authors, who strive in the creative process and respect the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
In addition to creating one of the best selling graphic novels of all time, James O'Barr is also the writer of several current hit series, including "Curare," "Skinning the Wolves" and "Pestilence." While also serving as a consultant on the upcoming Crow movie. His recent artbook "James O'Barr Uncoffined" has already sold out, and new book is in the works. During the evening at the museum, James will be signing prints, available at the venue, and talking before the screening of "The Crow."
While there, attendees are also encouraged to look over the Poe Museums vast collection of rare artifacts and manuscripts relating to Poe, all housed in a historic building with direct connections to the writer.
For more information on Mr. O'Barr, contact evaink@aol.com
For more information on the Poe Museum, this event and others go to: poemuseum.org.
(A fan homage, interfacing the image from "The Crow" movie poster, with the likeness of Mr. Poe.)