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ABaHB News June 1999 Today is the grand opening of A Boy and His Bird's Reviews Page, the page has reviews, comments and where to buy all kinds of Crow related items, including, comics, movies, TV and novels. Please take the time to look around! Mail your thoughts on the new reviews page to abahb@xoommail.com Opening soon will be the new A Boy and His Bird, which will be a total re-design of the entire site, and maybe a few added features thrown in. It's an exciting time for the Crow Fan and the ABaHB Fan!
This has appeared at the Official Crow TV site:
Thanks to: www.thecrowtv.com ABaHB Takes Major Changes A new section of A Boy and His Bird is opening tomorrow, a section with the most comprehensive reviews of every Crow movie, novel, comic and CD ever produced. This reviews section has been under work for the previous few months and we at ABaHB are very proud of the final result. Expect some more major changes in ABaHB in the coming weeks, including a new design for the entire site, not just the front page!
Winter "Crow?" Thanks to: Horror Online
I suppose I don't have to point out that the past week has been pretty slow on Crow News, most happenings are behind the scenes - such as the battle for the rights to STH or the editing of The Crow: Salvation. Remember, Pressman said he is 'cautiously optimistic' about the future of STH, so nothing is set in concrete:
26th June 1999 As an update on the fate of The Crow: Stairway to Heaven TV show, Ed Pressman is said to be 'in negotiations' with Universal. If he gets the rights very soon, a new series would be on tv next season!
Please take the time to go the the ABaHB Poll and cast your vote on if "The fourth Crow movie should continue the Crow series." 24th June 1999 Here are the two art directors and set designers for The Crow: Salvation!
Crow Fans, be sure to check out the ABaHB forum, for contacting other Crow Fans from around the world and posting your thoughts on anything to do with The Crow. Be sure to check back soon for some casting on The Crow: Salvation!
Just a preview of things to come next month with The Crow #6 from Image and Todd McFarlane Productions:
Thanks to: Previews 21st June 1999 Expect some comic news coming up soon, but for now, please take the time to fill out the A Boy and His Bird poll here! 20th June 1999 If you're new to The Crow World and don't know of current events or past happenings, then feel free to check out the archives section of ABaHB for the best news on the Internet! 19th June 1999 The Crow STH has been released on video with a behind the scenes and interviews section. The video is rated 'suitable for persons of 15 years and over. Here's the writing on the back sleeve: Eric Draven is back from the Dead. "The Crow: Stairway to Heaven" continues on the feature storyline 'The Crow' as Eric Draven (Mark Dacascos) a brilliant young musician and Shelly, the woman of his dreams, have their lives brutally taken from them. She's his inspiration in the afterworld, but he is on Earth - a lost soul searching for a way to be reunited with Shelly. He seeks redemption by helping others, fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves. Through each act of justice he is taken one step closer to his salvation. In "The Crow, Stairway to Heaven" Mark Dacascos takes over the role created by Brandon Lee, in the original cult movie The Crow, and expands the role of Eric Draven. Dacascos is a world class martial artist and has striking features reminiscent of the late Brandon Lee. The video also includes the making of The Crow, featuring a look behind the scenes and including interviews with the cast, a must see for all fans. 18th June 1999 I've been putting in a lot of work to get the archives section a little more user friendly. I've changed graphics, made them all fit in the one screen size, checked all links, spanned the news out over the proper time, and with a little more tweaking, it is certainly the most comprehensive Crow Archive on the Internet! All this to make Crow Fans more aware of the past, so click on any one of the dates under the archive section and have some fun reading on old Crow News! Linking A section on the side bar has been added for webmasters who wish to link to ABaHB News! Click here for the linking details and graphics. 17th June 1999 Crow#5 In the skin of an angel part 1 This volume gives us more of a look into what Eric's new enemy, Sin, is all about. She is a woman out for a vengeance of her own. Eric is reaquainted with a friend that he knew before his death. Seems this friend, in a jealous rage, killed his ex-girlfriends new lover, and then her. After killing his girlfriend, he tries to kill himself, but fails. Now, he is walking the streets, in pain and fearing for his life. "The Walker" shows up to take Eric's friend away for Sin, but Eric gets in the way. I will not give away too much, but there is a connection between Sin and Eric's friend. The art and story are a lot better in this volume compared to #4. I was a little confused with the opening sequence between some cops and a bad guy, it eludes to corruption in the police force, I think, but it was hard to tell who was good or bad. Other than that, this issue wets the appetite for more, and I am looking forward to volume #6. A great addition to this volume is a section at the end of the story where Jeff Conner answers a readers letter. He speaks to everything that is going on in the Crow world, and the great response the series and Mark Dacascos are getting at fan conventions. He also mentions the new Harper novel Crow series that is starting up in November. Thanks to LLcruize 16th June 1999 The Crow FliesIn an article focusing on the troubled syndicated TV show The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, the Detroit News Comic Book Continuum also spoke to producer Ed Pressman about the third Crow movie. According to the article, The Crow: Salvation is progressing nicely and may even be released this year. Principal photography on the movie was completed in late March. Ed Pressman told The Continuum, "The film could, theoretically, come out even this winter, which would be especially quick. The likelihood is the thought that it would come out this spring." The likely release date is said to be March of 2000 from Miramax/Dimension. Pressman is enthusiastic about the current state of the picture. He is quoted by The Continuum as saying, "It was 98 minutes - and it was terrific. I was very, very pleased. We're actually going to have a screening with a small audience and then we're going back into the editing room and finish the movie. We deliver, I think, in September. "I don't have any reservations at all about the movie. I think the movie will be a boost to the whole Crow world. I think whatever's happening with the TV series can only be benefited by the success of The Crow film." Although the producer has found great success with The Crow, it's not the only comic book property he hopes to develop. In the past, Pressman Films has held the movie rights to Marvel's Luke Cage. Although it is unclear as to whether or not the producer still has the property, he did tell The Continuum that he's still interested in it. "As you know, Marvel went through a lot of changes in corporate control shifting," Pressman told The Continuum. "It as a real bureaucratic mess at one point. The ability to extend rights and deal with it was not possible. Thanks to: Comics 2 Flim 15th June 1999 Here is the mention of Salvation from Cinescape: Pressman On Movie ‘Crow’ Pressman talks of the film itself, "The movie looks very strong and we're very happy with it. It's on a pace that is not at all longer than normal." Regarding just having seen the director’s cut, Pressman says, "It was 98 minutes - and it was terrific. I was very, very pleased. We're actually going to have a screening with a small audience and then we're going back into the editing room and finish the movie. We deliver, I think, in September." Pressman Talks TV ‘Crow’ canceled The Crow: Stairway to Heaven series, which he plans on pushing ahead into a second season. While talking to the Detroit News Comic Book’s Continuum’s Rob Allstatter, Pressmen revealed, "We're trying to work out a deal with Universal to get the rights back, which, so far, is not as easy as I would have hoped, [b]ut I am still expecting to do that. We're right in the middle of that. We had a meeting [Thursday]. They made kind of a crazy proposal. Now we're trying to come back to them." Pressman adds, "If we can make this happen in the next week, there's still a chance to get it on in the fall. If we have the rights back, there's a chance we can get it on in the fall, but there's probably a likelier scenario that we would have it the following season. It's a matter of really being able to move immediately. We've got about a three-week window to get the show on the air in the fall, which we have a shot of doing. But we can't do it without the rights, and if it takes time (getting the rights), it won't be possible." Thanks to: Cinescape 14th June 1999 The black-clad avenger known as The Crow has a sepulchral symbol and nowhere is it more effectively displayed than in this dynamite, glow-in-the-dark design that features a skeletal raven. Black, 100% cotton tee featuring flocked black on black printing L-XL....$16.95 (US) NOTE: MERCHANDISE IS RELEASED IN JUNE Thanks to: Previews
13th June 1999 THE CROW: SALVATION / STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN - PICS AND NEWS!! Those of you wanting to know about release dates and what is going on, read the next interview well! PRESSMAN ON CROW TV, MOVIE In a telephone interview with The Continuum's Rob Allstetter on Friday, Pressman said he is in talks with Universal, which recently bought Polygram Television and now owns The Crow TV rights. Universal recently announced that it was not picking up The Crow: Stairway to Heaven for new episodes. "We're trying to work out a deal with Universal to get the rights back, which, so far, is not as easy as I would have hoped," Pressman said. "But I am still expecting to do that. We're right in the middle of that. We had a meeting yesterday (Thursday). They made kind of a crazy proposal. Now we're trying to come back to them." Pressman said he is "cautiously optimistic" about the future of the show, which is based on James O'Barr's comic-book characters and the first Crow feature film from 1994. "What's been very encouraging is the response from other companies both here and abroad to the opportunity to take over the show with us," Pressman said. "So I'm highly confident, with Universal's cooperation, we'll be able to do it. We just have to work through the politics of that. Universal Television is in a kind of in-between stage. It was Polygram, now it's Universal. It's a complicated situation." Pressman is on the clock if he wants new episodes of the series to be ready by the fall television season. "If we can make this happen in the next week, there's still a chance to get it on in the fall," he said. "If we have the rights back, there's a chance we can get it on in the fall, but there's probably a likelier scenario that we would have it the following season. "It's a matter of really being able to move immediately. We've got about a three-week window to get the show on the air in the fall, which we have a shot of doing. But we can't do it without the rights, and if it takes time (getting the rights), it won't be possible. "We're working around the clock to get it done, but it's difficult." Marc Dacascos, star of The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, is signed for a second season. "We still have a hold on Marc," Pressman said. "He's getting offers for films and stuff, which would not be a problem for us and we wouldn't stand in his way if he gets a good movie role. He's still hoping to do the series." While the future of the television series is a bit murky, The Crow film series continues to percolate with the third installment, The Crow: Salvation, starring Eric Mabius, Kirsten Dunst and Fred Ward. Principal photography wrapped in late March in Salt Lake City, and post-production continues for a likely March 2000 release from Miramax/Dimension. "The film could, theoretically, come out even this winter, which would be especially quick," Pressman said. "The likelihood is the thought that it would come out this spring. "The movie looks very strong and we're very happy with it. It's on a pace that is not at all longer than normal." Pressman said he saw the director's cut, the first cut, on Wednesday. "It was 98 minutes - and it was terrific," Pressman said. "I was very, very pleased. We're actually going to have a screening with a small audience and then we're going back into the editing room and finish the movie. We deliver, I think, in September. "I don't have any reservations at all about the movie. I think the movie will be a boost to the whole Crow world. I think whatever's happening with the TV series can only be benefited by the success of The Crow film." New images from the film, which is directed by Bharat Nalluri, have been released. In other Pressman film news, the company has held the movie rights to Marvel's Luke Cage, and Pressman told The Continuum that he is still interested in the character. "As you know, Marvel went through a lot of changes in corporate control shifting," Pressman said. "It as a real bureaucratic mess at one point. The ability to extend rights and deal with it was not possible. "But now the company's been straightened out and there's new management in place and there's someone to talk to - and we are doing that. We're in the middle actually." So does Pressman still own the rights? "We're trying to figure that," he said. "We were always assured that the rights would be kept in tact and we're trying to nail it down." FIRST LOOK - THE CROW # 8 The Crow #8 will ship in September from Todd McFarlane Productions and Image Comics. The issue is written by Jon J Muth, with art by Michael Gaydos and a cover by Simon Davis. Here's how Image describes the issue: "When a being created for vengeance has done all he can, what is his purpose? In the second chapter of the two-part 'Touch of Evil,' the Crow continues to uncover the reason why he remains on Earth. " The Crow #8 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50. 12th June 1999 The Crow #5 was released earlier this week. See a pic of it here. A review of it is coming soon! 11th June 1999 James O'Barr's dark avenger, as portrayed by the late Brandon Lee, is about to realise his grizzly ambition, or so it appears from the sinister smirk on this extreme close-up design. Superb two-sided design on a black (naturally) 100% cotton T-shirt. L-XL....$16.95 (US) Thanks to: Previews 10th June 1999 Follow this link to help save The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, though the show is still on its legs, the more hits the better! http://www.markdacascos.com/savesth.html 9th June 1999 PRESSMAN KEEPING CROW ON TVProducer Edward Pressman is working to pull together a financial group to back a second season of The Crow: Stairway to Heaven television series. On Friday, Universal Television confirmed it was canceling the series. The Crow: Stairway to Heaven was developed and launched on the syndication market this year by PolyGram Television, which was acquired by Universal. A Universal representative confirmed Friday that the series is not going ahead under the Universal moniker for a second syndicated season despite being picked up for a second season in more than 80 percent of U.S. markets. The representative said the cease was "because of a combination of current domestic and international marketplace factors." Regardless, Pressman said he plans to secure a second season for the show. He said he is forming a financial group with foreign and domestic backing to produce the new season of 22 episodes. "The Crow franchise has proven to be a marvelous television premise whose potential has barely been tapped," Pressman said. "From the beginning, The Crow has been a property that requires nurturing and we are taking this action in response to tremendous fan support. We are working closely with David Tenzer of CAA to secure financing." Several fan websites have cropped up, supporting both The Crow and the television show, with some launching protests and/or boycotts against Universal. "The fan response to the series has been very gratifying," Pressman said. "Their groundswell of support and concern during the management change and their efforts to keep the show on the air is a tribute to Marc (Dacascos, who plays Eric Draven and The Crow) and executive producer Bryce Zabel, as well as to Brandon Lee and the strength of the core Crow mythology. They've been following the situation with PolyGram very closely. We're confident that with Marc and Bryce on our team we will have an even more successful second season." Thanks to: Comic Book Continuum 8th June 1999 ‘Crow’ Not Canceled? In addition, rumor has it that Pressman is in talks with an unnamed cable network to carry the show. Thanks to: Cinescape Producer Vows To Keep Syndie Drama 'The Crow' Flying By Cynthia Littleton HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Universal has flown the coop, but producer Edward R. Pressman is vowing to keep the syndie drama ''The Crow: Stairway to Heaven'' aloft for a second season with new financial partners and possibly a cable pickup. Universal inherited ``The Crow'' earlier this year when it absorbed PolyGram TV. The freshman drama had been renewed for a second season by stations covering 80 percent of U.S. TV households. But a Universal spokesman confirmed that the studio was bowing out due to ``current domestic and international marketplace factors'' -- i.e., diminishing returns from all but the top-rated first-run dramas. Pressman, who launched ``The Crow'' franchise with the cult-favorate 1994 film, said he's putting together a group of foreign and domestic financial backers to fund production of 22 segments for the upcoming season. ``'The Crow' franchise has proven to be a marvelous television premise whose potential has barely been tapped,'' Pressman said, noting that the show had performed particularly well in Canada and France. Domestically, ``The Crow: Stairway to Heaven'' pulled in so-so Nielsen numbers in its first year, averaging a 2.4 household rating to rank fourth among the season's new syndicated dramas. The series stars Marc Dacascos as a onetime rocker who returns to Earth as an avenging angel after he and his wife are brutally murdered. Pressman was said to be talking with at least one cable network about picking up the show, but reps for the producer would not elaborate. The third installment of the feature series, ``The Crow: Salvation,'' is due out from Miramax/Dimension next spring, and the promise of tying in with the film's opening may heighten the interest of cablers like the Sci-Fi Channel, TNT or FX in picking up the show. As for Universal, the studio is moving forward with the rest of the syndie slate it absorbed from PolyGram, including the fall debut of the reality show ``Blind Date'' and season two of the weekly concert showcase ``Motown Live.'' Thanks to: Yahoo 7th June 1999 The Crow #7 Todd McFarlane Productions (W) Jon J Muth (A) Michael Gaydos (C) Mark Nicholas, cover by Simon Davis "Touch of Evil, Part 1" In the first chapter of the two-part "Touch of Evil," Detective Albrecht's estranged son is accused of murdering a little girl, and when his captain orders him to stay away from the investigation, he asks The Crow to check it out. But Eric Draven has problems of his own. The loss of Shelly is too much for him. He's killed everyone involved in her death, but he's found no peace. He can't even console himself with the thought that at least Shelly's found peace, because he isn't with her. What's to keep him on Earth? And what's to keep him from ending it all? And do you kill someone who is already dead? Jon J Muth continues as writer of the only ongoing full colour monthly Crow comic book with art for this issue contributed by Michael Gaydos. Thanks to: Previews 6th June 1999 The Crow: Stairway to Heaven: Universal has decided not to renew "The Crow" TV series for a second season, despite positive fan reaction to the show. In a statement by executive producer Bryce Zabel, he guessed the reasoning behind the decision "boils down to financial issues, not creative ones". The 22 episodes of the show's first season are currently not scheduled to be repeated. Thanks to 'Irony Despair'. Thanks to: Dark Horizons 5th June 1999 Now, the thing that worries most about this television series being cancelled, is that the fate of The Crow franchise rests firmly on the comics and The Crow: Salvation, if these two fail, then The Crow might be in trouble. THE CROW GROUNDED
Despite earlier reports that The Crow: Stairway to Heaven syndicated television series had been picked up for a second season, The Continuum on Thursday learned that it's highly unlikely the show will be back next fall. The series, based on James O'Barr's comic book and the first Crow movie, starred Marc Dacascos as Eric Draven and Mark Gomes as Detective Albrecht. The Crow: Stairway to Heaven is the second comics-inspired syndicated television series to be canceled, following NightMan, which won't return for a third season. No word yet if the show's cancellation will have an impact on The Crow comic book being published by Todd McFarlane Productions. The comics also features the Eric Draven character. Following is a rundown of the remaining schedule of episodes for The Crow: Stairway to Heaven: Week of June 7: "It's a Wonderful Death;" week of June 14: "Birds of a Feather," week of June 21: "Never Say Die,: week of June 28: "Give Me Death;" week of July 5: "Before I Wake;" week of July 12: "Death Wish;" week of July 19: "Lazarus Rising;" week of July 26: "Closing Time;" week of Aug. 2: "The Road Not Taken;" week of Aug. 9: Brother's Keeper;" week of Aug. 16: "Dead to Rights;" week of Aug. 23: "Birds of a Feather;" week of Aug. 30: "The Soul Can't Rest;" week of Sept. 6: "Souled Out;" week of Sept. 13: "Gathering Storm." Thanks to: The Comic Book Continuum Cinescape Gets the Goods on STH Cinescape is getting to the bottom of the whole cancelation, I'm asking around myself, but follow the link on this article to try and save the series: ‘Crow’ Canceled? thanks to: Cinescape 4th June 1999 THE CROW #8 Written by Jon J Muth, art by Michael Gaydos, colored by Mark Nicholas, cover by Simon Davis. When a being created for vengeance has done all he can, what is his purpose? In the second chapter of the two-part "Touch of Evil," the Crow continues to uncover the reason why he remains on Earth. 32 pages, $2.50. Thanks to: Comic Book Continuum Link to ABaHB News Just for all you web-masters out there, here's a little graphic that can be used to link to the page. It's pretty small, so it doesn't become an eyesore! If there are any queries about the linking or anything contact me here! here for plain or here for cool and classy 3rd June 1999 That's right Crow Fans, the unthinkable has happened and The Crow: Stairway to Heaven has (almost) officially been axed! Here's this from The Official Crow STH site: BZ "OFFICIAL" NEWS (started by BZTV - BZTV@AOL.COM - 6/2/99 4:49 pm) Calling All Crow Fans, UPDATE FROM BZ (started by BZTV - BZTV@AOL.COM - 5/28/99 11:10 am) Well, actually, this is kind of a non-update update. Thanks to: Eric Draven and www.thecrowtv.com
2nd June 1999 STH Episodes and Rumours: The Comic Book Continuum reports that: "This week's episode of The Crow: Stairway to Heaven syndicated television series is a rerun of "People vs. Eric Draven." Wizard - The Guide to Comics reports that STH has been picked up for a second season, but Wizard are bit behind the times as to their news, so remain sceptical. Now, here's a rundown of the episode!
Thanks to: The Crow TV, Wizard and the Comic Book Continuum Crow Page Banner Here's a link to the contest The Crow Page is holding: 1st June 1999A New look for the News Page! Hopefully, people will find this new look a lot easier to scroll around in. Those who are new should take a look through the archives sections for the latest on Crow News. So, Crow Fans, enjoy! |
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