Scarecrow (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Scarecrow is a fictional character
, a supervillain, that appears in comic book
s published by DC Comics
. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics
#3 (Fall 1941) and was created by Bill Finger
and Bob Kane
. A psychologist
who uses a variety of drug
s and psychological tactics to exploit the fears and phobia
s of his adversaries, the Scarecrow is a member of Batman
's rogues gallery
.
Although he made only two appearances in the Golden Age of Comic Books
, the character was revived during the Silver Age of Comic Books
by writer Gardner Fox
and artist Sheldon Moldoff
in the pages of Batman #189 (Feb 1967) and has since become a staple Batman villain. The character of Scarecrow has featured in other DC Comics-endorsed products such as feature film
s, video games, animated
television program
s, and merchandise such as action figure
s. Irish actor Cillian Murphy
portrayed the Scarecrow in Batman Begins
and The Dark Knight
and will do so again in The Dark Knight Rises
. In 2009, the Scarecrow was ranked as IGN
's 58th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.
#3 (Fall 1941), titled "Riddle of the Human Scarecrow", the Scarecrow is Dr. Jonathan Crane, a professor of psychology
and expert in the psychology of fear, who turns to crime after being fired due to testing his fear gas on patients. His modus operandi
is the adoption of a Scarecrow persona, used to threaten his victims into doing whatever he wants. Scarecrow is eventually defeated by Batman and Robin
and sent to Gotham State Penitentiary. The Scarecrow escapes from jail in Detective Comics
#73, not reappearing again until the 1960s-era Batman comics.
From Batman
#189 (1967) onwards, the character becomes a recurring foe in the Silver Age
Batman stories and also appears as one of the original members of the Injustice Gang
.
Following the 1986 multi-title event Crisis on Infinite Earths
reboot, the character's origin story
is expanded in Batman Annual #19 and the miniseries Batman/Scarecrow: Year One; revealing that Crane has a fear of bats
and is obsessed with fear and revenge from being bullied throughout his childhood and adolescence for his lanky frame and bookishness, especially his resemblance to Ichabod Crane
from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
. After being humiliated by school bully Bo Griggs and rejected by cheerleader Sherry Squires, he takes revenge during the senior prom by donning his trademark scarecrow costume and brandishing a gun in the school parking lot; in the ensuing chaos, Griggs gets into a car accident, paralyzing
himself and killing Squires.
Crane's obsession with fear leads to his becoming a psychiatrist, taking a position at Arkham Asylum
and performing fear-inducing experiments on his patients. He is also a professor of psychology at Gotham University, specializing in the study of phobia
s. He loses his job after he fires a gun inside a packed classroom, accidentally wounding a student; he takes revenge by killing the professors responsible for his termination, and becoming a career criminal. As a college professor, Scarecrow mentors a young Thomas Elliot
. The character also has a cameo in Sandman #5, seeming uncharacteristically friendly.
In stories by Jeph Loeb
and Tim Sale
, the Scarecrow is depicted as one of the more deranged criminals in Batman's rogues gallery, with a habit of speaking in nursery rhyme
s. These stories further revise his backstory, explaining that he was raised by his fanatically religious
grandmother that he murdered as a teenager.
Scarecrow appears in Batman: The Long Halloween
, first seen escaping from Arkham on Mother's Day
with help from Carmine Falcone
, who also broke out the Mad Hatter
. Crane gases Batman with fear toxin as he escapes, causing Batman to flee to his parent's grave as Bruce Wayne, where he is arrested by Commissioner Gordon due to Wayne's suspected ties to Carmine Falcone. He robs a bank with Hatter on Independence Day
for Falcone, but is stopped by Batman and Catwoman
. He later appears in Carmine's office on Halloween with Batman's future rogue's gallery, but is defeated by Batman. Scarecrow returns in Batman: Dark Victory
as part of Two-Face's
gang, and is first seen putting fear gas in children's dolls on Christmas Eve
, and is defeated by Batman. He later appears as one of the villains present at Calendar Man's
trial. It is revealed he and Calendar had been manipulating Alberto Falcone
for Two-Face, with Scarecrow determining Alberto feared his father, Carmine, and had been poisoning Falcone's cigarettes with fear toxin. Calendar Man had been talking to Alberto, with the fear toxin making Alberto hear his father's voice rather than Calendar Man's, and they had been manipulating and tormenting him into killing his sister, to no avail. After Two-Face's hideout is attacked, Batman captures him and Scarecrow tells him where Two-Face is heading. In Catwoman: When In Rome
, Scarecrow supplies Riddler
with fear gas to manipulate Catwoman, and later aids Riddler when he fights Catwoman in Rome. Scarecrow accidentally attacks Cheetah
with his scythe before being knocked out by Catwoman. At the end of the story, Riddler steals a ring booby-trapped with fear toxin from Catwoman, though it is unknown if Scarecrow gave it to her or if she stole it from him or Riddler.
The Scarecrow appears in such story arc
s as Knightfall
and Shadow of the Bat
, first teaming with the Joker
to ransom off the mayor, but they are defeated and escape. Scarecrow betrays Joker by spraying him with fear gas, but it has absolutely no effect and Joker knocks him out by hitting him over the head with a chair. Crane later reappears by himself trying to take over the city with an army of hypnotized college students by having them spread his fear gas all over Gotham, and his lieutenant is the son of the first man he killed. He is confronted by both Batman-Azrael
and Anarky
, and tries to escape by having the boy jump off of a building. To his surprise, Batman-Azrael knocks him out, and Anarky manages to save the boy.In the 2004 story arc As the Crow Flies
, Scarecrow is hired by the Penguin
under false pretenses. Dr. Linda Friitawa
then secretly mutates
Crane into a murderous creature known as the "Scarebeast", who Penguin uses to kill off his disloyal colleagues. However, the character's later appearances all show him as an unmutated Crane again, with the exception of an appearance during War Games. Scarecrow appears in the third issue of War Games saving Black Mask
from Batman and acting as an ally to Black Mask, until Black Mask uses him to disable a security measure in the Clock Tower by literally throwing Scarecrow at it(which does work). Crane wakes up, transforming into Scarebeast, and wreaks havoc outside the building trying to find and kill Black Mask. The police are unable to take it down, and allow Catwoman, Robin
, Tarantula II, and Onyx
to fight Scarebeast, as Commissioner Atkins had told all officers to capture or kill any vigilantes, costumed criminals or "masks" they find. Even they cannot defeat defeat the Scarebeast, though he appears to have been defeated after the Clock Tower exploded, and is not seen since.The Scarecrow reappears alongside other Batman villains in Gotham Underground
; first among the villains meeting at the Iceberg Lounge that are captured by the Suicide Squad
. Crane manages to escape by gassing Bronze Tiger
with fear toxin and escapes the Squad. He later appears warning the Ventriloquist II
, Firefly, Killer Moth
and Lock-Up
, who are planning to attack the Penguin
that Penguin is allied with the Suicide Squad. The villains wave off him warnings and mock him. He later leads the same four into a trap orchestrated by Tobias Whale
. Killer Moth, Firefly and Lock-Up all survive, but are injured and unconscious to varied degrees, the Scarface puppet is "killed", and Peyton Reily, the Ventriloquist, is unharmed, though after the attack she is taken away by Tobias Whale's men and has not been seen in the comics since. Despite Crane's assistance to Whale, Scarecrow is betrayed by Whale simply for touching his shoulder (it is revealed Whale almost pathologically hates "masks" because his grandfather was one of the first citizens of Gotham killed by a masked criminal). The story arc ends with Scarecrow beaten and tied-up by Tobias Whale, as a sign to all "masks" that they are not welcome in Whale's new vision of Gotham, but the Scarecrow survives the ordeal.
Scarecrow appears in Batman: Hush
, working for the Riddler and Hush
. He composes profiles on the various villains of Gotham so Riddler and Hush can manipulate them to their own ends. He later gases Huntress
with his fear gas, making her attack Catwoman. He attacks Batman in a graveyard, only to learn his fear gas is ineffective (due to Hush's bug), but before he can reveal this he is knocked out by Jason Todd
. Scarecrow also appears in Batman: Heart of Hush, kidnaping a child to distract Batman so Hush can attack Catwoman. When Batman goes to rescue the child, Scarecrow activates a Venom implant, causing the boy to attack Batman. He is defeated when Batman ties the boy's teddy bear to Crane, causing the child to attack Scarecrow. After he is captured, Batman attacks him in prison to get Hush's location, much to the joy of a watching Joker.
His mastery of fear is such that the yellow power ring of Amon Sur
tried to seek him out at Arkham after its masters death, though it was stopped before reaching him.
In the "Battle for the Cowl
" storyline, Scarecrow is recruited by a new Black Mask
to be a part of a group of villains that are aiming to take over Gotham in the wake of Batman's apparent death. He later assists the crime lord in manufacturing a new recreational drug called "Thrill," which draws the attention of Oracle
and Batgirl. He is later defeated by Batgirl and once again arrested.
. However, his current status of fearlessness has taken a further toll on his sanity, exacerbated by the long disappearance of Batman in the "Batman R.I.P.
" storyline; he develops a literal addiction to fear, exposing himself deliberately to the revenant army, but knowing that only Batman could scare him again. He again appears in the sixth issue as he is deputized into the Sinestro Corps
for 24 hours in order to combat the Black Lanterns. Overjoyed at finally being able to feel fear, Scarecrow gleefully and without question follows Sinestro's commands. His joy is cut short when Lex Luthor
, overwhelmed by the orange light of greed
, steals his ring.
, Scarecrow begins kidnapping and murdering college interns working for LexCorp
as a way of getting back at Luthor for stealing his ring. When Robin
and Supergirl
attempt to stop his plans, Scarecrow unleashes a new fear toxin that is powerful enough to affect a Kryptonian
. The toxin forces Supergirl to see visions of a Black Lantern Reactron
, but she is able to snap out of the illusion and help Robin defeat Scarecrow. He is eventually freed from Arkham when Deathstroke
and the Titans break into the asylum in order to capture one of the inmates.
s that cause his victims to hallucinate
that their phobia
s have come to life. He wears his Scarecrow mask to enhance the effect of the hallucinogen (instilling fear in all who see him) as well as to avoid being poisoned by his own toxin. Although not physically intimidating, Scarecrow can resort to physical combat, using a style called "violent dancing", based partly on the crane style of kung fu
and on drunken boxing
.
The Scarecrow is an expert on psychology
, with a focus on fear, and is a former certified professor on the subject. Due to prolonged exposure to his own gas, Scarecrow went from being frightened of bats to only being frightened of Batman. Scarecrow is both addicted to fear and incapable of fearing anything except Batman, whom he compulsively seeks in order to ease his addiction after the Caped Crusader's apparent death. Scarecrow is chosen as a bearer of the twin of Sinestro
's yellow ring as a temporary Corpsman, giving him the powers of a member of the Sinestro Corps.
), stuffed scarecrows which scare his victims, and a Sinestro Corps ring (as seen in the Blackest Night mini-series). In the Batman video game Batman: Arkham Asylum
he has needles strapped to each of his fingers on his right hand with which he injects his fear toxins into his victim.
: King of New York- where he attempts to use the Kingpin
's crime empire to disperse his fear gas over Gotham, only to be defeated when Daredevil lives up to his 'Man Without Fear' title by proving immune to the gas-, DC vs. Marvel—where he temporarily allies with his Marvel universe equivalent
to capture Lois Lane
before they are both easily defeated by Ben Reilly
—and JSA: The Liberty Files
.
, it is mentioned that Crane ended up retiring from his life of crime, and spent the last ten years of his life writing out experiments, before dying of illness.
event, Scarecrow is subsequently killed by Batman
.
's Batman: The Animated Series
, Super Nintendo
and Mega Drive/Genesis's The Adventures of Batman & Robin, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
, Batman Begins
(a tie-in to the 2005 movie, voiced by Cillian Murphy
), Lego Batman: The Videogame, Batman: Arkham Asylum
and Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a supervillain, that appears in comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics
World's Finest Comics
World's Finest Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name...
#3 (Fall 1941) and was created by Bill Finger
Bill Finger
William "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development...
and Bob Kane
Bob Kane
Bob Kane was an American comic book artist and writer, credited as the creator of the DC Comics superhero Batman...
. A psychologist
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
who uses a variety of drug
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
s and psychological tactics to exploit the fears and phobia
Phobia
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational...
s of his adversaries, the Scarecrow is a member of Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
's rogues gallery
Rogues gallery
A rogues gallery is a police collection of pictures or photographs of criminals and suspects kept for identification purposes...
.
Although he made only two appearances in the Golden Age of Comic Books
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
, the character was revived during the Silver Age of Comic Books
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
by writer Gardner Fox
Gardner Fox
Gardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer best known for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic-book historians estimate that he wrote over 4,000 comics stories....
and artist Sheldon Moldoff
Sheldon Moldoff
Sheldon "Shelly" Moldoff is an American comic book artist best known his early work on the DC Comics characters Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and as one of Bob Kane's primary "ghost artists" on the superhero Batman. He co-created the Batman supervillains Poison Ivy, Mr...
in the pages of Batman #189 (Feb 1967) and has since become a staple Batman villain. The character of Scarecrow has featured in other DC Comics-endorsed products such as feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
s, video games, animated
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
television program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
s, and merchandise such as action figure
Action figure
An action figure is a posable character figurine, made of plastic or other materials, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures are usually marketed towards boys and male collectors...
s. Irish actor Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy is an Irish film and theatre actor. He is often noted by critics for his chameleonic performances in diverse roles and distinctive blue eyes and general sex appeal....
portrayed the Scarecrow in Batman Begins
Batman Begins
Batman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
and The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight (film)
The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins...
and will do so again in The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises is an upcoming epic superhero film. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film will be the third and final installment in Nolan's Batman film series, and is a sequel to Batman Begins and The Dark Knight...
. In 2009, the Scarecrow was ranked as IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's 58th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.
Publication history
First appearing in World's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest Comics
World's Finest Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name...
#3 (Fall 1941), titled "Riddle of the Human Scarecrow", the Scarecrow is Dr. Jonathan Crane, a professor of psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and expert in the psychology of fear, who turns to crime after being fired due to testing his fear gas on patients. His modus operandi
Modus operandi
Modus operandi is a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "mode of operation". The term is used to describe someone's habits or manner of working, their method of operating or functioning...
is the adoption of a Scarecrow persona, used to threaten his victims into doing whatever he wants. Scarecrow is eventually defeated by Batman and Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
and sent to Gotham State Penitentiary. The Scarecrow escapes from jail in Detective Comics
Detective Comics
Detective Comics is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best known for introducing the iconic superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 . It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and...
#73, not reappearing again until the 1960s-era Batman comics.
From Batman
Batman (comic book)
Batman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published in May 1939. Batman proved to be so popular that a self-titled ongoing comic book series began publication in the spring of 1940...
#189 (1967) onwards, the character becomes a recurring foe in the Silver Age
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
Batman stories and also appears as one of the original members of the Injustice Gang
Injustice Gang
The Injustice Gang is a group of fictional supervillains in the DC Comics universe. They are antagonists of the Justice League.-First Formation:The original Injustice Gang's membership consisted of:...
.
Following the 1986 multi-title event Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
reboot, the character's origin story
Origin story
In comic book terminology, an origin story is an account or back-story revealing how a character or team gained their superpowers and/or the circumstances under which they became superheroes or supervillains....
is expanded in Batman Annual #19 and the miniseries Batman/Scarecrow: Year One; revealing that Crane has a fear of bats
Fear of bats
Fear of bats, sometimes called chiroptophobia, may refer both to a specific phobia associated with bats and to common negative stereotypes and fear of bats stemming from prejudices and misinformation.-Roots and misconceptions:...
and is obsessed with fear and revenge from being bullied throughout his childhood and adolescence for his lanky frame and bookishness, especially his resemblance to Ichabod Crane
Ichabod Crane
Ichabod Crane is a fictional character in Washington Irving's short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, first published in 1820.-Origin:...
from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a short story by Washington Irving contained in his collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., written while he was living in Birmingham, England, and first published in 1820...
. After being humiliated by school bully Bo Griggs and rejected by cheerleader Sherry Squires, he takes revenge during the senior prom by donning his trademark scarecrow costume and brandishing a gun in the school parking lot; in the ensuing chaos, Griggs gets into a car accident, paralyzing
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
himself and killing Squires.
Crane's obsession with fear leads to his becoming a psychiatrist, taking a position at Arkham Asylum
Arkham Asylum
The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, commonly referred to simply as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually appearing in stories featuring Batman...
and performing fear-inducing experiments on his patients. He is also a professor of psychology at Gotham University, specializing in the study of phobia
Phobia
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational...
s. He loses his job after he fires a gun inside a packed classroom, accidentally wounding a student; he takes revenge by killing the professors responsible for his termination, and becoming a career criminal. As a college professor, Scarecrow mentors a young Thomas Elliot
Hush (comics)
Hush is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually as an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared in Batman #609 , as part of the 12-issue storyline, Batman: Hush...
. The character also has a cameo in Sandman #5, seeming uncharacteristically friendly.
In stories by Jeph Loeb
Jeph Loeb
Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost, writer for the films Commando and Teen Wolf and was a writer and Co-Executive Producer on the NBC TV show Heroes from its...
and Tim Sale
Tim Sale (artist)
Tim Sale is an American Eisner Award-winning comic book artist. He is primarily known for his collaborations with writer Jeph Loeb.-Early life:...
, the Scarecrow is depicted as one of the more deranged criminals in Batman's rogues gallery, with a habit of speaking in nursery rhyme
Nursery rhyme
The term nursery rhyme is used for "traditional" poems for young children in Britain and many other countries, but usage only dates from the 19th century and in North America the older ‘Mother Goose Rhymes’ is still often used.-Lullabies:...
s. These stories further revise his backstory, explaining that he was raised by his fanatically religious
Religious fanaticism
Religious fanaticism is fanaticism related to a person's, or a group's, devotion to a religion. However, religious fanaticism is a subjective evaluation defined by the culture context that is performing the evaluation. What constitutes fanaticism in another's behavior or belief is determined by the...
grandmother that he murdered as a teenager.
Scarecrow appears in Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween is a 13-issue comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. It was originally published by DC Comics in 1996 and 1997. It was inspired by the three Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Specials by the same creative team...
, first seen escaping from Arkham on Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
with help from Carmine Falcone
Carmine Falcone
Carmine "The Roman" Falcone is a fictional character in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe, who made his debut in the four part story Batman: Year One written by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli in 1987.- Publication history :...
, who also broke out the Mad Hatter
Mad Hatter (comics)
The Mad Hatter is a fictional supervillain and enemy of Batman in the DC Universe. He is modeled after the Hatter from Lewis Carroll's novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, a character often called the "Mad Hatter" in adaptations of Carroll. He made his first appearance in Batman #49 in October...
. Crane gases Batman with fear toxin as he escapes, causing Batman to flee to his parent's grave as Bruce Wayne, where he is arrested by Commissioner Gordon due to Wayne's suspected ties to Carmine Falcone. He robs a bank with Hatter on Independence Day
Independence Day
An Independence Day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's assumption of independent statehood, usually after ceasing to be a colony or part of another nation or state, and more rarely after the end of a military occupation...
for Falcone, but is stopped by Batman and Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
. He later appears in Carmine's office on Halloween with Batman's future rogue's gallery, but is defeated by Batman. Scarecrow returns in Batman: Dark Victory
Batman: Dark Victory
Batman: Dark Victory is a 14-part comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale. The series is a sequel to Batman: The Long Halloween and was originally published from 1999 to 2000 by DC Comics. The series takes place primarily during the third/fourth year of Batman's career...
as part of Two-Face's
Two-Face
Two-Face is a fictional comic book supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. and is an enemy of Batman. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #66 , and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger....
gang, and is first seen putting fear gas in children's dolls on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
, and is defeated by Batman. He later appears as one of the villains present at Calendar Man's
Calendar Man
Calendar Man is a fictional comic book supervillain, and an enemy of Batman, who appeared in books published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Detective Comics #259...
trial. It is revealed he and Calendar had been manipulating Alberto Falcone
Alberto Falcone
Alberto Falcone is a fictional comic book villain appearing in books published by DC Comics, in particular the Batman books. In addition to being a mobster, he has also taken credit to be serial killer the Holiday Killer in Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's series Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark...
for Two-Face, with Scarecrow determining Alberto feared his father, Carmine, and had been poisoning Falcone's cigarettes with fear toxin. Calendar Man had been talking to Alberto, with the fear toxin making Alberto hear his father's voice rather than Calendar Man's, and they had been manipulating and tormenting him into killing his sister, to no avail. After Two-Face's hideout is attacked, Batman captures him and Scarecrow tells him where Two-Face is heading. In Catwoman: When In Rome
Catwoman: When in Rome
Catwoman: When in Rome is a DC Comics six-issue miniseries written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale. Sale took inspiration for his art from Rene Gruau, French/Italian fashion illustrator....
, Scarecrow supplies Riddler
Riddler
The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 ....
with fear gas to manipulate Catwoman, and later aids Riddler when he fights Catwoman in Rome. Scarecrow accidentally attacks Cheetah
Cheetah (comics)
The Cheetah is a fictional character, a super-villainess appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Popularly regarded as the archenemy of Wonder Woman, the Cheetah first appeared in 1943 in Wonder Woman #6 , written by Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston...
with his scythe before being knocked out by Catwoman. At the end of the story, Riddler steals a ring booby-trapped with fear toxin from Catwoman, though it is unknown if Scarecrow gave it to her or if she stole it from him or Riddler.
The Scarecrow appears in such story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
s as Knightfall
Batman: Knightfall
"Knightfall" is the title given to a major Batman story arc published by DC Comics that dominated Batman-related serial comic books in the spring and summer of 1993...
and Shadow of the Bat
Batman: Shadow of the Bat
Batman: Shadow of the Bat was a comic book series featuring Batman, published by DC Comics. The series ran for 96 issues, from 1992 to 2000. The stories took place in Batman's then-current continuity along with Detective Comics and Batman, in contrast to Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, which...
, first teaming with the Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
to ransom off the mayor, but they are defeated and escape. Scarecrow betrays Joker by spraying him with fear gas, but it has absolutely no effect and Joker knocks him out by hitting him over the head with a chair. Crane later reappears by himself trying to take over the city with an army of hypnotized college students by having them spread his fear gas all over Gotham, and his lieutenant is the son of the first man he killed. He is confronted by both Batman-Azrael
Azrael (comics)
Azrael is the name of several fictional characters in the DC Comics universe. They are a group of assassins who were created by The Order of St. Dumas to "enforce god's will"...
and Anarky
Anarky
Anarky is a fictional character appearing in books published by DC Comics. Co-created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle, he first appeared in Detective Comics No.608 , as an adversary of Batman...
, and tries to escape by having the boy jump off of a building. To his surprise, Batman-Azrael knocks him out, and Anarky manages to save the boy.In the 2004 story arc As the Crow Flies
As The Crow Flies (comics)
As the Crow Flies is a comic book story arc that ran through the Batman monthly series. It was written by Judd Winick, penciled by Dustin Nguyen and inked by Richard Friend. It was published in episodes 626 - 630 of the series, and printed in its entirety in a single comic book recopilation in 2004...
, Scarecrow is hired by the Penguin
Penguin (comics)
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his...
under false pretenses. Dr. Linda Friitawa
Fright (comics)
Fright, real name Dr. Linda Friitawa, is a fictional character in the DC universe. She first appeared in Batman #627 -Fictional character biography:...
then secretly mutates
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
Crane into a murderous creature known as the "Scarebeast", who Penguin uses to kill off his disloyal colleagues. However, the character's later appearances all show him as an unmutated Crane again, with the exception of an appearance during War Games. Scarecrow appears in the third issue of War Games saving Black Mask
Black Mask (comics)
Black Mask is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. An enemy of Batman, he first appeared in Batman #386 . Black Mask was created by Doug Moench and Tom Mandrake.-Dark beginning:...
from Batman and acting as an ally to Black Mask, until Black Mask uses him to disable a security measure in the Clock Tower by literally throwing Scarecrow at it(which does work). Crane wakes up, transforming into Scarebeast, and wreaks havoc outside the building trying to find and kill Black Mask. The police are unable to take it down, and allow Catwoman, Robin
Tim Drake
Timothy "Tim" Drake is a superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media. The character was created by Marv Wolfman and Pat Broderick. From 1989 to 2009, he was known as Robin in the Batman comics, becoming the third character to take up the identity...
, Tarantula II, and Onyx
Onyx (comics)
Onyx is a DC Comics fictional character. She is a superhero based in Gotham City and an ally of Batman. She is highly trained in martial arts and serves as a member of the League of Assassins before reforming and becoming a vigilante....
to fight Scarebeast, as Commissioner Atkins had told all officers to capture or kill any vigilantes, costumed criminals or "masks" they find. Even they cannot defeat defeat the Scarebeast, though he appears to have been defeated after the Clock Tower exploded, and is not seen since.The Scarecrow reappears alongside other Batman villains in Gotham Underground
Gotham Underground
Gotham Underground is a nine-issue limited series from DC Comics, written by Frank Tieri, with art by Jim Califiore.The series looked at the repercussions of Countdown to Final Crisis and focuses on the Batman Family banding together to prevent a gang war to find out who will occupy the territory...
; first among the villains meeting at the Iceberg Lounge that are captured by the Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X , is a name for two fictional organizations in the DC Comics Universe. The first version debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 , and the second in Legends #3...
. Crane manages to escape by gassing Bronze Tiger
Bronze Tiger
Bronze Tiger is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Universe. He is a martial artist who first appeared in Dragon's Fists, a novel by Dennis O'Neil and Jim Berry, starring Richard Dragon. His first DC Comics appearance was in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter.-Early years:Ben Turner comes...
with fear toxin and escapes the Squad. He later appears warning the Ventriloquist II
Ventriloquist (comics)
The Ventriloquist is a fictional character, a supervillain and enemy of Batman in the . The Ventriloquist first appeared in Detective Comics #583 and was created by Alan Grant, John Wagner and Norm Breyfogle...
, Firefly, Killer Moth
Killer Moth
Killer Moth is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Batman #63 published in 1951. Killer Moth originally wore a garish costume with striped purple and green spandex, orange cape and a moth-like mask....
and Lock-Up
Lock-Up (comics)
Lock-Up ' is a DC Comics villain and an enemy of Batman. He first appeared in one episode Batman: The Animated Series and was incorporated into DC's mainstream continuity Robin #24 .-Batman: The Animated Series:...
, who are planning to attack the Penguin
Penguin (comics)
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his...
that Penguin is allied with the Suicide Squad. The villains wave off him warnings and mock him. He later leads the same four into a trap orchestrated by Tobias Whale
Tobias Whale
Tobias Whale is a comic book villain, a fictional character created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden as Black Lightning's nemesis. He first appeared in Black Lightning #1 .-Fictional character biography:...
. Killer Moth, Firefly and Lock-Up all survive, but are injured and unconscious to varied degrees, the Scarface puppet is "killed", and Peyton Reily, the Ventriloquist, is unharmed, though after the attack she is taken away by Tobias Whale's men and has not been seen in the comics since. Despite Crane's assistance to Whale, Scarecrow is betrayed by Whale simply for touching his shoulder (it is revealed Whale almost pathologically hates "masks" because his grandfather was one of the first citizens of Gotham killed by a masked criminal). The story arc ends with Scarecrow beaten and tied-up by Tobias Whale, as a sign to all "masks" that they are not welcome in Whale's new vision of Gotham, but the Scarecrow survives the ordeal.
Scarecrow appears in Batman: Hush
Batman: Hush
Hush is a 2002-2003 comic book story arc that ran through the Batman monthly series. It was written by Jeph Loeb, penciled by Jim Lee, inked by Scott Williams and colored by Alex Sinclair. The story depicts a mysterious stalker called Hush, who seems intent on sabotaging Batman from afar, and it...
, working for the Riddler and Hush
Hush (comics)
Hush is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually as an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared in Batman #609 , as part of the 12-issue storyline, Batman: Hush...
. He composes profiles on the various villains of Gotham so Riddler and Hush can manipulate them to their own ends. He later gases Huntress
Huntress (Helena Bertinelli)
Huntress is a fictional character in the DC Universe. Based upon the Earth-Two character Helena Wayne, she is one of several DC characters to bear the Huntress name...
with his fear gas, making her attack Catwoman. He attacks Batman in a graveyard, only to learn his fear gas is ineffective (due to Hush's bug), but before he can reveal this he is knocked out by Jason Todd
Jason Todd
Jason Peter Todd is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Jason first appeared in Batman #357 and became the second Robin, sidekick to the superhero Batman, when the previous Robin went on to star in The New Teen Titans under the moniker of Nightwing.Though...
. Scarecrow also appears in Batman: Heart of Hush, kidnaping a child to distract Batman so Hush can attack Catwoman. When Batman goes to rescue the child, Scarecrow activates a Venom implant, causing the boy to attack Batman. He is defeated when Batman ties the boy's teddy bear to Crane, causing the child to attack Scarecrow. After he is captured, Batman attacks him in prison to get Hush's location, much to the joy of a watching Joker.
His mastery of fear is such that the yellow power ring of Amon Sur
Amon Sur
Amon Sur is a fictional alien supervillain in the DC Universe. He is the son of the Green Lantern Abin Sur. Amon Sur first appeared in Green Arrow Amon Sur is a fictional alien supervillain in the DC Universe. He is the son of the Green Lantern Abin Sur. Amon Sur first appeared in Green Arrow Amon...
tried to seek him out at Arkham after its masters death, though it was stopped before reaching him.
In the "Battle for the Cowl
Batman: Battle for the Cowl
Batman: Battle for the Cowl is a 2009 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, three issue miniseries written and penciled by Tony Daniel, as well as a number of tie-in books. The central story details the chaos in Gotham City following the "Batman R.I.P." and "Final...
" storyline, Scarecrow is recruited by a new Black Mask
Black Mask (comics)
Black Mask is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. An enemy of Batman, he first appeared in Batman #386 . Black Mask was created by Doug Moench and Tom Mandrake.-Dark beginning:...
to be a part of a group of villains that are aiming to take over Gotham in the wake of Batman's apparent death. He later assists the crime lord in manufacturing a new recreational drug called "Thrill," which draws the attention of Oracle
Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
and Batgirl. He is later defeated by Batgirl and once again arrested.
Blackest Night
Scarecrow briefly appears in the fourth issue of the "Blackest Night" storyline. His immunity to fear (brought about by frequent exposure to his own fear toxin) renders him practically invisible to the invading Black LanternsBlack Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
. However, his current status of fearlessness has taken a further toll on his sanity, exacerbated by the long disappearance of Batman in the "Batman R.I.P.
Batman R.I.P.
Batman R.I.P. is a comic book story arc published in Batman #676-681 by DC Comics. Written by Grant Morrison, penciled by Tony Daniel, and with covers by Alex Ross, the story pits the superhero Batman against the Black Glove organization as they attempt to destroy everything for which he stands...
" storyline; he develops a literal addiction to fear, exposing himself deliberately to the revenant army, but knowing that only Batman could scare him again. He again appears in the sixth issue as he is deputized into the Sinestro Corps
Sinestro Corps
The Sinestro Corps is a group of fictional characters, a villainous analogue to the Green Lantern Corps in the DC Universe. It is led by the supervillain Thaal Sinestro.-Before the Corps:...
for 24 hours in order to combat the Black Lanterns. Overjoyed at finally being able to feel fear, Scarecrow gleefully and without question follows Sinestro's commands. His joy is cut short when Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
, overwhelmed by the orange light of greed
Larfleeze
Agent Orange is a fictional character owned by DC Comics. He is the primary wielder of the Orange light of avarice...
, steals his ring.
Brightest Day
Some time later during the events of Brightest DayBrightest Day
Brightest Day is a year-long comic book maxi-series that began in April 2010. The story follows the ending of the series Blackest Night and how the aftermath of these events affect the entire DC Universe.-Plot:...
, Scarecrow begins kidnapping and murdering college interns working for LexCorp
LexCorp
LexCorp is the fictional company founded by Lex Luthor in the popular DC Comics Superman series. It made its first proper appearance in John Byrne's The Man of Steel miniseries, which established the post-Crisis Superman setting...
as a way of getting back at Luthor for stealing his ring. When Robin
Damian Wayne
Damian Wayne is a fictional character in the . Damian is the child of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, and thus the grandson of Batman villain Ra's al Ghul....
and Supergirl
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
Kara Zor-El is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and related media, created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino. As Supergirl, Kara Zor-El serves as the biological cousin and female counterpart to DC Comic's iconic superhero Superman, created...
attempt to stop his plans, Scarecrow unleashes a new fear toxin that is powerful enough to affect a Kryptonian
Kryptonian
Kryptonians are a fictional extraterrestrial race of the DC Comics universe who hail from the planet Krypton. The term originated from the stories of DC Comics superhero, Superman...
. The toxin forces Supergirl to see visions of a Black Lantern Reactron
Reactron
Reactron is a fictional supervillain in the DC Comics Universe, who has appeared in at least two versions. He originally appeared in The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #8 , in a story written by Paul Kupperberg and drawn by Carmine Infantino....
, but she is able to snap out of the illusion and help Robin defeat Scarecrow. He is eventually freed from Arkham when Deathstroke
Deathstroke
Deathstroke the Terminator , originally simply the Terminator, and known by the Teen Titans as Slade, is a fictional character, a supervillain and sometimes antihero in the DC Comics Universe. He is a mercenary and assassin who first appeared in The New Teen Titans #2...
and the Titans break into the asylum in order to capture one of the inmates.
Powers and abilities
The Scarecrow uses a variety of toxinToxin
A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; man-made substances created by artificial processes are thus excluded...
s that cause his victims to hallucinate
Hallucination
A hallucination, in the broadest sense of the word, is a perception in the absence of a stimulus. In a stricter sense, hallucinations are defined as perceptions in a conscious and awake state in the absence of external stimuli which have qualities of real perception, in that they are vivid,...
that their phobia
Phobia
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational...
s have come to life. He wears his Scarecrow mask to enhance the effect of the hallucinogen (instilling fear in all who see him) as well as to avoid being poisoned by his own toxin. Although not physically intimidating, Scarecrow can resort to physical combat, using a style called "violent dancing", based partly on the crane style of kung fu
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
and on drunken boxing
Zui Quan
Zui Quan is literally Drunken Fist, also known as Drunken Boxing or Drunkard's Boxing) is a concept in traditional Chinese martial arts, as well as a classification of modern Wushu forms...
.
The Scarecrow is an expert on psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, with a focus on fear, and is a former certified professor on the subject. Due to prolonged exposure to his own gas, Scarecrow went from being frightened of bats to only being frightened of Batman. Scarecrow is both addicted to fear and incapable of fearing anything except Batman, whom he compulsively seeks in order to ease his addiction after the Caped Crusader's apparent death. Scarecrow is chosen as a bearer of the twin of Sinestro
Sinestro
Thaal Sinestro is a fictional character, an alien supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. Created by John Broome and Gil Kane, Sinestro is the former mentor of Hal Jordan and the arch-nemesis of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Sinestro first appears in Green Lantern #7 . In 2009, Sinestro was...
's yellow ring as a temporary Corpsman, giving him the powers of a member of the Sinestro Corps.
Weapons
The Scarecrow at times wields a scythe which he uses in addition to his 'violent dancing'. Scarecrow also uses a hand-held fear gas sprayer in the shape of a human skull, straws which he leaves as a calling card, special straws which can be snapped in half to release a fear toxin (as seen in Batman: HushBatman: Hush
Hush is a 2002-2003 comic book story arc that ran through the Batman monthly series. It was written by Jeph Loeb, penciled by Jim Lee, inked by Scott Williams and colored by Alex Sinclair. The story depicts a mysterious stalker called Hush, who seems intent on sabotaging Batman from afar, and it...
), stuffed scarecrows which scare his victims, and a Sinestro Corps ring (as seen in the Blackest Night mini-series). In the Batman video game Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is a 2009 action-adventure stealth video game based on DC Comics' Batman developed for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment...
he has needles strapped to each of his fingers on his right hand with which he injects his fear toxins into his victim.
Other versions
Other versions of the character appear in Batman/DaredevilDaredevil (Marvel Comics)
Daredevil is a fictional character, a superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Daredevil #1 .Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood...
: King of New York- where he attempts to use the Kingpin
Kingpin (comics)
The Kingpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . Kingpin is one of the most feared and powerful crime lords in the Marvel Universe. The character is a major adversary of Daredevil, the Punisher, and Spider-Man...
's crime empire to disperse his fear gas over Gotham, only to be defeated when Daredevil lives up to his 'Man Without Fear' title by proving immune to the gas-, DC vs. Marvel—where he temporarily allies with his Marvel universe equivalent
Scarecrow (Marvel Comics)
The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe, in which he is an enemy of Captain America, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, and Iron Man. His first appearance was in Tales of Suspense #51....
to capture Lois Lane
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
before they are both easily defeated by Ben Reilly
Ben Reilly
Benjamin "Ben" Reilly is a fictional character in the . He is a clone of Peter Parker , and is prominent in the "Clone Saga" story arc...
—and JSA: The Liberty Files
JSA: The Liberty Files
JSA: The Liberty Files is a comic book published by DC Comics. The writers were Dan Jolley and Tony Harris. The artists were Harris and Ray Snyder. The books were originally written as two separate two-issue stories; JSA: The Liberty File in 2000 and a sequel, JSA: The Unholy Three in 2003...
.
Crimson Mist
Scarecrow appears in the third and final chapter of the Batman vampire series, Batman & Dracula: Red Rain, where his suit has been adorned with laces of severed fingers from past victims who he slaughters using a hand held sickle knife. His targets have become more specific as he is after the jocks who used to torment him in school. He is about to kill a former football player when vampire Batman appears, brutally noting that Scarecrow is almost worse than him; he now has no choice but to kill, but Scarecrow has a choice and yet he chose to prey on innocents. Scarecrow blubbers that his victims were not innocent and that they tormented him and scared him. Batman grabs Scarecrow's vial of fear gas, crushing it along with Crane's hand, stating that Crane has no idea what fear is as he uses Crane's own sickle to cut off his head.Batman Beyond
In the 2010 adaptation of Batman BeyondBatman Beyond
Batman Beyond is an American animated television series created by Warner Bros. Animation in collaboration with DC Comics as a continuation of the Batman legacy...
, it is mentioned that Crane ended up retiring from his life of crime, and spent the last ten years of his life writing out experiments, before dying of illness.
Flashpoint
In the alternate timeline of the FlashpointFlashpoint (comics)
Flashpoint is an American comic book crossover story arc published by DC Comics. Consisting of an eponymous core limited series and a number of tie-in titles, the storyline premiered in May 2011...
event, Scarecrow is subsequently killed by Batman
Thomas Wayne
Thomas Wayne is a fictional character in the Batman series of comic books. Dr. Thomas Wayne was the father of Bruce Wayne, and husband of Martha Wayne, as well as a gifted surgeon and philanthropist...
.
Television
- The Scarecrow appears in the 1968 The Batman/Superman HourThe Batman/Superman HourThe Batman/Superman Hour is a Filmation animated series that was broadcast on CBS from 1968 to 1969. Premiering on September 14, 1968, this 60-minute program featured new adventures of the DC Comics superheroes Batman, Robin and Batgirl alongside shorts from The New Adventures of Superman and The...
episode "The Great Scarecrow Scare" voiced by Ted KnightTed KnightTed Knight was an American actor best known for playing the comedic role of Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Henry Rush on Too Close for Comfort, and Judge Elihu Smails in Caddyshack.- Early years :...
. He does not use fear gas in this series. Instead, he uses knock-out gas which he keeps in eggs. - The Scarecrow appears in the 1978 Challenge of the Super FriendsChallenge of the Super FriendsChallenge of the Super Friends is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from September 9, 1978, to December 23, 1978, on ABC. The complete series was produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for Warner Bros. Television and is based on the Justice League and...
voiced by Don MessickDon MessickDonald Earl "Don" Messick was an American voice actor best known for his work for Hanna-Barbera. Perhaps his most well-known voice creations include Scooby-Doo, Papa Smurf, and Dr. Benton Quest....
. He appears as a member of Lex LuthorLex LuthorLex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
's Legion of Doom. - The Scarecrow appears in the Super Powers Team: Galactic GuardiansThe Super Powers Team: Galactic GuardiansThe Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from 1985 to 1986. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera and is based on the Justice League and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics.-Summary:In the fall of 1985,...
episode "The Fear" voiced by Andre StojkaAndre StojkaAndre Stojka is an American voice actor. He is best known for his role as Owl in Winnie-the-Pooh projects beginning with The New Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, inheriting the role from Hal Smith. He was also the voice of the horse Starlite in all of the animated Rainbow Brite productions...
.
- The Scarecrow appears in the Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
voiced by Henry Polic IIHenry Polic IIHenry Polic II is a stage, screen, and voice actor best known for his role as Jerry Silver in the American 1980s television series Webster, as well as his frequent game show appearances on such series as Super Password and The $100,000 Pyramid...
who had earned the role after the originally assigned Colin MochrieColin MochrieColin Andrew Mochrie is a Scottish Canadian actor and improvisational comedian, most famous for his appearances on the British and US versions of television improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway?.-Early life:...
dropped out. In "Nothing to Fear," he plotted to use his fear gas to take revenge on the Gotham University Board Members that fired him for his fear experiments. Scarecrow sprays Batman with his fear gas after Scarecrow tries to destroy the University's funds, and the Dark Knight deals with his fear of dishonoring his parents' memory while Scarecrow prepares his attack on the University. Crane kidnaps the Dean of the University and escapes in a stolen police blimp, but when Batman arrives he activates a self-destruct and leaves the two to die. During the assault on the blimp, Batman manages to overcome his personal demons and by extent, the fear toxin. Upon overcoming the fear venom, Batman managed to use Scarecrow's weapon against him after Scarecrow retreats to his own chemical plant. After "Nothing to Fear", Scarecrow received a minor physical redesign (see right), though there were no dramatic altercations in his appearance until The New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman Adventures is the successor to Batman: The Animated Series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Although bearing different character designs and animation styles, both shows take place in the same continuity, with TNBA set two years after BTAS. The series aired on The WB from...
. In "Fear of Victory," Scarecrow used his fear gas mixed into adrenalin that was used on sports athletes in order to make some money. He was defeated by Batman and Robin. In "Dreams of Darkness," Scarecrow plotted to taint the water supply beneath Arkham Asylum with Batman affected by mind-manipulation gas that Batman managed to overcome in order to defeat Scarecrow. "Dreams of Darkness" also explored more of Batman's more primal fears, such as his own rogues gallery and harming or being betrayed by his allies. In "Trial," Scarecrow was seen on the jury during the trial against Batman, though he had no speaking role because Henry Polic IIHenry Polic IIHenry Polic II is a stage, screen, and voice actor best known for his role as Jerry Silver in the American 1980s television series Webster, as well as his frequent game show appearances on such series as Super Password and The $100,000 Pyramid...
, Crane's voice actor, had recently undergone throat surgery. In "Lock Up," Scarecrow had some problems against the head of security Lyle Bolton which resulted in Scarecrow escaping from Arkham only to be brought back by Batman and Robin. When Lyle ends up in Arkham, Scarecrow vows to "teach him new lessons in fear." He is noted to be good friends with the Mad HatterMad Hatter (comics)The Mad Hatter is a fictional supervillain and enemy of Batman in the DC Universe. He is modeled after the Hatter from Lewis Carroll's novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, a character often called the "Mad Hatter" in adaptations of Carroll. He made his first appearance in Batman #49 in October...
, another criminal specializing in mind manipulation. - The Scarecrow appears in The New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman Adventures is the successor to Batman: The Animated Series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Although bearing different character designs and animation styles, both shows take place in the same continuity, with TNBA set two years after BTAS. The series aired on The WB from...
voiced by Jeffrey CombsJeffrey CombsJeffrey Alan Combs is an American actor known for his horror film roles and his appearances playing a number of characters in the Star Trek franchise.-Early life:...
in the first appearance and by Jeff BennettJeff BennettJeffrey Glenn "Jeff" Bennett is an American voice actor and musician, listed "among the top names in the voice-over field", best known as the voice of Johnny Bravo in the series of the same name...
in the second appearance. In "Never Fear," Scarecrow created a gas that removed the essence of fear from his victims. A disguised Batman was one of the victims of the gas. When Batman began ignoring his principles, Robin managed to subdue Scarcrow. In "Over the Edge," Scarecrow was laying siege to Gotham City Hall. Though he was captured, he managed to spray Batgirl with his gas which put her in a deep sleep where she had a nightmare of a war between her father and Batman over "her death" during Scarecrow's heist. The Scarecrow's design was revamped in his earlier appearances because producer Bruce TimmBruce TimmBruce Walter Timm is an American character designer, animator and producer. He is also a writer and artist working in comics, and is known for his contributions building the modern DC Comics animated franchise, the DC animated universe.-Animation:Timm's early career in animation was varied; he...
felt the character never actually looked scary; this problem was finally rectified with the design devised for The New Batman Adventures. Director Dan RibaDan RibaDaniel Esteban “Dan” Riba is an American television director of animated cartoons. He is best known for his work on Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman/Superman Adventures, Batman Beyond, Turok: Son of Stone, Justice League , Justice League Unlimited, and...
said that he "evolved the most of all the characters", saying that "we got darker, darker, and darker with the character". Timm described the revamped look as resembling a "western preacher", complete with a noose around his neck, as well as a "Texas Chainsaw Massacre LeatherfaceLeatherfaceLeatherface is the main antagonist in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror-film series and its spin-offs. He wears masks made of human skin and engages in murder and cannibalism alongside his inbred family. He is considered by many to be one of the first major slasher film villains alongside Michael...
, kinda look, and it really had nothing to do with being a Scarecrow per se. But he was definitely scary". By the time they were done with his look, said writer/producer Paul DiniPaul DiniPaul Dini is an American writer and producer who works in the television and comic book industries. He is best known as a producer and writer for several Warner Bros./DC Comics animated series, including Star Wars: Ewoks, Tiny Toon Adventures, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated...
, "we weren't sure if there was an actual guy in the suit". He spoke in a low, rasping whisper, which the creators believed the character design should have sounded like and with which they were very pleased. - According to Bruce Timm, the Scarecrow was meant to appear in Justice League UnlimitedJustice League UnlimitedJustice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
as part of the show's version of the Legion of Doom, but due to the TV show The BatmanThe Batman (TV series)The Batman is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. It ran from 2004 to 2008, on the Saturday morning television block Kids' WB...
, Scarecrow (and almost all major Batman villains)were prevented from appearing on the show. Unfortunately, due to Crane's role in Batman BeginsBatman BeginsBatman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
and The Dark KnightThe Dark Knight (film)The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins...
, Scarecrow was subsequently unable to appear on The Batman as well, though the character Rag DollRag Doll (comics)The Rag Doll is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. He was first introduced as an adversary for the Golden age Flash in a story published in Flash Comics #36...
is often mistaken for Scarecrow. - The Scarecrow appears in Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
episode "Trials of the Demon" voiced by Dee Bradley BakerDee Bradley BakerDee Bradley Baker is an American voice actor. He is noted as his long-running-role as Klaus Heissler in American Dad! and other various characters including Squilliam Fancyson in the hit TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, Nightcrawler in X-Men: Legends and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance...
. He collaborates with Scream Queen to use jack-o'-lanterns filled with fear on a local neighborhood. Scarecrow and Scream Queen were defeated by Batman and Flash. In "Night of the Huntress," Scarecrow appears as an inmate at Blackgate Penitentiary.
Film
- Scarecrow was one of the villains planned to star in Batman Triumphant, the fifth film in the franchise, which would have starred Scarecrow as the main antagonist of the film. Actors Nicolas CageNicolas CageNicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
and Steve BuscemiSteve BuscemiSteven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi is an American actor, writer and film director. An associate member of the renowned experimental theater company The Wooster Group, Buscemi has starred and supported in successful Hollywood and indie films including New York Stories, Mystery Train, Reservoir Dogs,...
were the most likely candidates for the role, and would have starred Crane alongside Harley QuinnHarley QuinnHarley Quinn was first introduced as a villain on September 11, 1992, in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series, later adapted into DC Comics' Batman comic books. As suggested by her name , she is clad in the manner of a traditional harlequin jester...
, who would have been portrayed by singer MadonnaBatman (1989 film)Batman is a 1989 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance...
. Scarecrow's fear gas was meant to resurrect Jack Nicholson'sJack NicholsonJohn Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
JokerJoker (comics)The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
, who appeared in the first film of the seriesBatman (1989 film)Batman is a 1989 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance...
. Any details about Scarecrow, including his role in the film, appearance, or motivations are unknown. However, due to the almost universal negative reception of Batman & Robin, the previous film in the series, Batman Triumphant was scrapped, and the franchise was put on hiatus for eight years until the 2005 film Batman BeginsBatman BeginsBatman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
, which starred Scarecrow as one of the main antagonists alongside Carmine FalconeCarmine FalconeCarmine "The Roman" Falcone is a fictional character in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe, who made his debut in the four part story Batman: Year One written by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli in 1987.- Publication history :...
and Ra's al GhulRa's al GhulRa's al Ghul is a DC Comics supervillain and is one of Batman's greatest enemies. His name in Arabic has been translated in the comics as "The Demon's Head" and references the name of the star Algol. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams, he was introduced in Batman #232's...
. - Cillian MurphyCillian MurphyCillian Murphy is an Irish film and theatre actor. He is often noted by critics for his chameleonic performances in diverse roles and distinctive blue eyes and general sex appeal....
portrays the Scarecrow in the 2005 feature filmFeature filmIn the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
Batman BeginsBatman BeginsBatman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
. In the film, Jonathan Crane is the head psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, where he uses his fear gas to conduct experiments on his patients. Crane is under the employ of Gotham mob boss Carmine FalconeCarmine FalconeCarmine "The Roman" Falcone is a fictional character in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe, who made his debut in the four part story Batman: Year One written by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli in 1987.- Publication history :...
as well as the terroristTerrorismTerrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
Ra's al GhulRa's al GhulRa's al Ghul is a DC Comics supervillain and is one of Batman's greatest enemies. His name in Arabic has been translated in the comics as "The Demon's Head" and references the name of the star Algol. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams, he was introduced in Batman #232's...
, who provides the ingredients for his fear gas. Throughout the film, Crane testifies that Falcone's arrested thugs are insane in order to transfer them to Arkham so they can avoid prison. After testifying that Victor Zsasz should be moved to Arkham Asylum, he is accused of corruption by Rachel DawesRachel DawesRachel Dawes is a fictional character who first appeared in Christopher Nolan's 2005 feature film, Batman Begins. She was portrayed in that film by Katie Holmes and as a child in flashback scenes by Emma Lockhart. Katie Holmes also voiced Rachel in the Batman Begins video game. Maggie Gyllenhaal...
, commenting this is the third time Crane has put one of Carmine's men in Arkham instead of a jail cell. Crane subsequently has Falcone put a hit on Dawes, though the attack is foiled by Batman. After he is arrested, Falcone threatens to expose Crane's experiments by trying to gain financial interest on a plan with Ra's al Ghul. Crane responds by exposing his former partner to his fear gas, driving Falcone insane. When Batman investigates where shipments of Falcone's drugs were headed, Scarecrow gases Batman with his fear toxin, forcing the Dark Knight to relive his parent's death and his fear of bats, which seem to burst from Crane's mask. During the attack Scarecrow lights Batman on fire and nearly kills him if not for Lucius Fox'sLucius FoxLucius Fox is a fictional character appearing in Batman comic books by DC Comics. He was created by Len Wein and John Calnan, and first appeared in Batman #307 . As a supporting character, he acts as Bruce Wayne's business manager who supposedly unknowingly runs the business interests that supply...
antidote. When Rachel Dawes investigates Falcone's mental breakdown, she becomes suspicious of Crane. He takes her to the fear toxin production facility beneath Arkham and gases her with fear toxin as she tries to escape. The plant is attacked by Batman, who manages to subdue Crane and all the guards, as well as saving Rachel Dawes. Crane is sent to Arkham Asylum, driven insane after Batman gassed him with fear toxin during his assault on the plant. Later on in the film, he is among the inmates released from Arkham by Ra's al Ghul's men, and attacks Rachel Dawes and a child she is protecting, calling himself "Scarecrow", but she fends him off with a taserTaserA Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
. At the end of the film, Gordon mentions that he is still at large. Dialogue in the film states that Crane was unaware of Ra's' plan to destroy Gotham, believing that he merely intended to hold the city to ransom. This version of the Scarecrow wears a burlap sack with a built-in rebreatherRebreatherA rebreather is a type of breathing set that provides a breathing gas containing oxygen and recycled exhaled gas. This recycling reduces the volume of breathing gas used, making a rebreather lighter and more compact than an open-circuit breathing set for the same duration in environments where...
, which doubles as a gas maskGas maskA gas mask is a mask put on over the face to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Some gas masks are also respirators, though the word...
in his fear experiments. Murphy explained that the relatively simple mask, as opposed to the full scarecrow costume usually seen in the comics, was done because Murphy "wanted [the Scarecrow] to avoid the Worzel GummidgeWorzel GummidgeWorzel Gummidge is a British children's fictional character who originally appeared in a series of books by the novelist Barbara Euphan Todd. A walking, talking scarecrow, Gummidge has a set of interchangeable turnip, mangel worzel and swede heads, each of which suit a particular occasion or endow...
look, because he's not a very physically imposing man - he's more interested in the manipulation of the mind and what that can do." - In the direct-to-DVDDirect-to-videoDirect-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television...
animated production Batman: Gotham KnightBatman: Gotham Knightis a 2008 direct-to-DVD animated superhero anthology film of six animated short films set in-between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It depicts Batman battling against the mob of Gotham City, as well as other villains...
(which is set between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight), Corey BurtonCorey BurtonCorey Burton is an American voice actor, perhaps best known as Count Dooku, Ziro the Hutt and Cad Bane in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Brainiac in the DC animated universe and Spike Witwicky and Shockwave in the Transformers universe...
voices the Scarecrow during the character's appearance in the segment "In Darkness Dwells". The Scarecrow gathers an army of Arkham inmates in the sewers and uses Killer CrocKiller CrocKiller Croc is a comic book supervillain in the DC Universe, an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Gene Colan, while there was a shadowy cameo in Detective Comics #523 , his actual first appearance is credited to Batman #357 , which is also the first appearance of Jason...
to get them from above. He is shown to be partially responsible for the origins of Killer Croc and was also Croc's psychologist at Arkham Asylum. Scarecrow uses Croc to capture a priest and hold him on a mock trial in the sewers because Scarecrow was angered by the priest's attempts to help the homeless. Scarecrow sentences the priest to death, but the priest is saved by Batman, who triggers an explosion in the process, though Scarecrow manages to escape the authorities. - Cillian Murphy reprises his role in the 2008 sequel: The Dark KnightThe Dark Knight (film)The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins...
. Crane still wears the simple mask in the film instead of the full Scarecrow costume. Crane appears as having cornered the local drug trade as a kingpin, but with his fear-inducing drugs after Batman has taken out much of the competition, thus forcing the mob to turn to him for their drugs. His fear drugs are shown to have damaged the mob's dealings, with the Chechen yelling that his drugs are scaring away repeat customers, and Scarecrow coldly tells them they are welcome to buy from someone else if Batman left anyone to buy from. Here, he makes deals with local gangsters before a group of Batman impostors try to stop the meeting in a local parking garage. When the real Batman arrives, he quickly defeats the Scarecrow by jumping on a van the former tried to escape with. Crane is presumably taken back to Arkham, as he is shown tied up with the other criminals. This appearance makes Scarecrow the only villain to appear in two consecutive Batman films. - Cillian Murphy will portray the Scarecrow for the third and final time in The Dark Knight RisesThe Dark Knight RisesThe Dark Knight Rises is an upcoming epic superhero film. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film will be the third and final installment in Nolan's Batman film series, and is a sequel to Batman Begins and The Dark Knight...
. This appearance makes Crane the only character outside the main ensemble and the only villain to appear in all three of the Nolan Batman films.
Video games
The Scarecrow appears in seven video games: Game BoyGame Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
's Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series (video game)
Batman: The Animated Series is the first video game to be released based on the actual Batman animated series which was broadcast at the same time...
, Super Nintendo
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
and Mega Drive/Genesis's The Adventures of Batman & Robin, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
The game received substantial publicity. Many critics found the beat 'em up gameplay repetitive.Game Informer reviewed this game and gave it a 5 out of 10...
, Batman Begins
Batman Begins (video game)
Batman Begins is a 2005 video game based on the film of the same name. It was released June 14, 2005, a day before the 2005 American superhero film was released. It was developed by Eurocom and published by Electronic Arts in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics...
(a tie-in to the 2005 movie, voiced by Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy is an Irish film and theatre actor. He is often noted by critics for his chameleonic performances in diverse roles and distinctive blue eyes and general sex appeal....
), Lego Batman: The Videogame, Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is a 2009 action-adventure stealth video game based on DC Comics' Batman developed for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment...
and Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame
Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame
Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame is a video game based on the comic book character Batman and the television cartoon series Batman: The Brave and the Bold. It was developed by WayForward Technologies and distributed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment...
.
- The Scarecrow appears in Lego Batman: The Videogame (vocals by Dave WittenbergDave WittenbergDavid Richard Paul "Dave" Wittenberg is a prolific South African-born American video game and anime voice actor with nearly one hundred titles to his credit. While Wittenberg was born in a hospital in South Africa, he was primarily raised in Boston...
), where he is an enemy of Batman and a henchman of the Joker. He has only one special ability: mind control, with which he can make guards open doors. He also sprays his fear gas which petrifies his victims. In addition he makes full use of his "violent dancing" martial arts skills in unarmed combat. He owns his a biplane which fires scare-gas torpedoes, which temporarily blind turrets. He is also a vehicle boss in the game.
- The Scarecrow appears as a recurring boss in Batman: Arkham AsylumBatman: Arkham AsylumBatman: Arkham Asylum is a 2009 action-adventure stealth video game based on DC Comics' Batman developed for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment...
voiced by Dino AndradeDino AndradeDino Andrade is an American veteran voice actor in video games and animated projects. He manages dual careers as both a voice actor and the Creator/Owner Operator of the geek dating/community website .-Early life:...
. Crane was not initially revealed as part of the cast of Batman: Arkham Asylum, with his appearance meant to surprise players. He has several fluorescent orange hypodermic needles strapped to the fingers of his right hand which he uses to inject his fear toxin, and wears a hood over his scarecrow mask, which has gas maskGas maskA gas mask is a mask put on over the face to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Some gas masks are also respirators, though the word...
tubes protruding from the cheeks, and a hangman's noose around his mask. In the game he appears several times, flooding parts of Arkham Asylum with his fear toxin, causing Batman to suffer hallucinations, some depending on the situation in the game, followed by a surreal obstacle course where Batman attempts to evade a giant Scarecrow's gaze before breaking free from the hallucination. Scarecrow first appears in the medical building flooding the elevator with fear gas, and has inmates in rooms filled with fear gas for testing. Scarecrow is holding Commissioner Gordon hostage, and kills Gordon as leads Batman to the morgue. When Batman enters the morgue, the cabinets begin to move on their own, and Batman leaves only to enter the same morgue, encountering the corpses of his pleading motherMartha WayneMartha Wayne is a fictional character of the Batman series of comic books, published by DC Comics. She is Dr. Thomas Wayne's wife and mother of Bruce Wayne. When she and her husband are murdered during a holdup, young Bruce swears to avenge their deaths by fighting crime...
, begging to be saved, and disapproving fatherThomas WayneThomas Wayne is a fictional character in the Batman series of comic books. Dr. Thomas Wayne was the father of Bruce Wayne, and husband of Martha Wayne, as well as a gifted surgeon and philanthropist...
. Batman then goes on an obstacle course before shining a Bat-Signal on a giant Scarecrow to defeat him. After he is defeated it is revealed that Gordon is not dead, the fear gas caused Batman to see Gordon's body instead of a dead guard. Scarecrow reappears in the mansion to stop Batman from reaching a captive Dr. Young, forcing Batman to relive the murder of his parents before going on another obstacle course. In his final appearance, trying to stop Batman from entering Killer Croc'sKiller CrocKiller Croc is a comic book supervillain in the DC Universe, an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Gene Colan, while there was a shadowy cameo in Detective Comics #523 , his actual first appearance is credited to Batman #357 , which is also the first appearance of Jason...
lair, the game appears to suffer a glitchGlitchA glitch is a short-lived fault in a system. It is often used to describe a transient fault that corrects itself, and is therefore difficult to troubleshoot...
, only for another of Scarecrow's hallucinations to begin, implying that Crane is messing with the player's head as well. This parodies the start of the game, with Batman being escorted into Arkham Asylum by the Joker, with Harley QuinnHarley QuinnHarley Quinn was first introduced as a villain on September 11, 1992, in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series, later adapted into DC Comics' Batman comic books. As suggested by her name , she is clad in the manner of a traditional harlequin jester...
and ZsaszZsaszMr. Zsasz is a fictional villain who appears in books published by DC Comics, usually as an enemy of Batman. He is a serial killer who usually kills with a knife and carves a tally mark somewhere on himself for every victim.-Fictional character biography:...
acting as guards, and Crane himself as a doctor. This third nightmare plays on Batman fear of his own failure, shown by the fact that his rogue's gallery appear to be in complete control of the asylum and possibly Gotham, several supporting protagonists (Commissioner Gordon, Dr. Young) being escorted into the asylum, and Scarecrow displays knowledge of Batman's secret identity, even addressing him as Wayne and commenting on his parent's murder. The Joker then kills Batman, when the game over screen appears, it states that Batman should "move the middle stick" to avoid the Jokers shot, however this is scripted as well as there being no "middle stick" on a standard controller, when the player presses restart , Batman bursts out of his grave and begins a third obstacle course while listening to Scarface, the new warden, talk about Arkham Asylum, which, in the dream, is described as a "pioneering slaughterhouseSlaughterhouseA slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
". After Batman reaches Killer Croc's lair, the Scarecrow reveals that he intends to dump his most potent fear gas into Gotham's water supply but before he has the chance he is grabbed by Killer Croc. He was about to be eaten by him, but Batman shocked him with his electric collar, forcing Killer Croc to retreat into the water and dragging Scarecrow in with him. On his tapes, he is shown to have taken his therapist hostage, though he is rescued by guards. His therapist explains on his tapes his belief that Crane is perfectly sane, just evil, as he has shown no sympathy for those he has hurt and noted that Scarecrow's research appears to be the only motivating factor in his life. Later on, Scarecrow floods the asylum with his fear gas and manages to subdue his guards and psychologist, though he is once again stopped by Batman, who had been creating an antidote to Scarecrow's newest strain of fear toxin. In one of the three post-credits scenes, Scarecrow's hand grabs the box containing the Titan Compound. Two of Scarecrow's previous doctors, Drs. Murphy and Combs, are likely references to actors who have portrayed Scarecrow in the past (Cillian Murphy in the Christopher Nolan Trilogy, and Jeffery Combs in The New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman Adventures is the successor to Batman: The Animated Series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Although bearing different character designs and animation styles, both shows take place in the same continuity, with TNBA set two years after BTAS. The series aired on The WB from...
). Scarecrow's appearance received wide praise for exploring the psychological aspect of the Dark Knight.
- The Scarecrow is a boss in the DS version of Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The VideogameBatman: The Brave and the Bold – The VideogameBatman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame is a video game based on the comic book character Batman and the television cartoon series Batman: The Brave and the Bold. It was developed by WayForward Technologies and distributed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment...
.
- The Scarecrow appears in DC Universe OnlineDC Universe OnlineDC Universe Online or DCUO is an MMORPG by Sony Online Entertainment – Austin. Jim Lee serves as the game's Executive Creative Director, along with Carlos D'Anda, JJ Kirby, Oliver Nome, Eddie Nuñez, Livio Ramondelli, and Michael Lopez...
, voiced by Christopher S. Field.
- While Scarecrow does not reappear in Batman: Arkham City, there are numerous indicators that Crane survived being attacked by Killer Croc. His mask can be found in the amusement mile, revealing Batman had been investigating if the Scarecrow was alive for months, to no avail, though he does not believe that Scarecrow is dead, merely planning his revenge on Gotham in hiding. When Croc himself is confronted he gives no indication if he actually murdered Crane on Arkham Island, and the grunt population of Arkham City are split on the matter, with some believing he was actually killed while some claim Scarecrow is haunting their nightmares. Barbara Gordon speculates Crane may be alive and manipulating Batman to become the "Identity Thief" (revealed to be HushHush (comics)Hush is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually as an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared in Batman #609 , as part of the 12-issue storyline, Batman: Hush...
), while the Joker also comments Scarecrow had survived the previous game. Scarecrow's fear toxin can be found in the second Riddler Room, and there is a boat in the amusement mile that holds a captive inmate that screams and apparently dies once he is zoomed into. There is also a invoice from Falcone shipping for the attention of Dr. J. Crane, saying the first 15 shipments of "Live Insects for Medical Purposes" have arrived, and that more are on the way. The final easter egg to his survival can only be discovered at the end of the game using the cryptographic sequencer. There are three radio frequencies (500.00 and 900.00, 700.00 and 500.00, 200.00 and 500.00) that give off a seemingly random set of numbers followed by a musical chime, that say the message "You will pay for what you have done to me. I will return, Batman. Fear will tear Gotham City to shreds." when decoded, confirming his survival in the Arkham-Verse as well as leaving a cliffhanger for any potential sequel.