The story revolves around an unfortunate young man named Eric. He and his fiancée, Shelly, are assaulted by a gang of street thugs after their car breaks down. Eric is shot in the head and is paralyzed, and can only watch as Shelly is savagely beaten and raped until she dies at the scene. Eric survives and is taken to a hospital, but while surgeons are trying to save him, the Crow comes to him and convinces him he needs to let go of his life. Only by dying can the Crow help him exact his revenge.

One year later, Eric is resurrected by the Crow to seek out vengeance on the murderers, methodically stalking and killing them. When not on the hunt, Eric stays in the house he shared with Shelly, spending most of his time there lost in memories of Shelly; her absence is torture for him, and he stays in hideous emotional pain, even engaging in self-mutilation. However, this provides him little release; any injury he suffers (save those that are self-inflicted) heals rapidly, leaving him scarred but intact. He realises he has supernatural powers which give him superhuman agility and accelerated healing.