Resurrecting The Crow Remake: How Bringing Back The Skull Cowboy Could Change Everything
The Skull Cowboy: A Mysterious Figure
In the original comics, the Skull Cowboy is arguably more of an aesthetic addition than a narrative one. His nature and backstory are kept secret, and he appears to Eric in strange moments, usually bringing bizarre portents or cryptic commentary. As someone forever locked between the realms of the living and the dead, he offers guidance of a sort to those trapped in Limbo. The Skull Cowboy also appears in the 1998 TV adaptation “The Crow: Stairway to Heaven,” played by Kadeem Hardison. In this incarnation, he’s also portrayed as a kind of guide for wayward souls like Eric.
The Cut Scenes: Adding Tension to the Reboot
The cut scenes from the 1994 film feature the Skull Cowboy warning Eric against getting involved in the affairs of the living. He implies that his own dark fate is the result of similar meddling, and he orders Eric not to help save Sarah for the risk of losing his immortality. Reintroducing that content in some form now can add a bit more tension to the reboot.
A Fan-Favorite: Exploring the Skull Cowboy’s Backstory
The Skull Cowboy has remained a popular character in “The Crow” fandom. There’s even a 2023 ebook exploring his backstory entitled “Skull Cowboy: Oath of Vengeance.” Bringing him back in the remake would put a different spin on the limits of Eric’s powers, and it would expand the supernatural lore in ways that fans have already shown a lot of love for.