Comic Book History
Who is SCARECROW? The SCARECROW is Dr. Jonathan Crane, a DC Comics supervillain mainly appearing in Batman books. SCARECROW first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 (Fall 1941) and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. He is a former psychiatrist who uses a variety of drugs and psychological tactics to exploit the fears and phobias of his adversaries.
First Appearance In his initial appearance, Jonathan Crane was a professor of psychology. He was shunned by the other teachers for not dressing well, as he spent all his money on books. Crane was fired when he shot a gun in class, while teaching the psychology of fear.
His removal from his work is what prompted Crane to become the SCARECROW. He wanted to represent the combination of poverty and fear.
His turn to crime lead him to several encounters with Batman. Using the fear toxin formula to scare off the Dark Knight, unfortunately for SCARECROW the Batman knows a lot about fear and repeatedly has learned how to control his.
SCARECROW is often depicted as one of the more deranged criminals in Batman's rogues gallery, with a habit of speaking in nursery rhymes.
During the events of "War Games", the SCARECROW was briefly transformed into a murderous creature known as the Scarebeast. In this incarnation, the Scarebeast possessed super strength and endurance and could release an even stronger hallucinogenic gas. However, Batman later defeated him and he reverted into Jonathan Crane.
In the Blackest Night event he was briefly deputized in the fear inducing, yellow clad Sinestro Corps. However, Lex Luthor would later steal his yellow ring from him.
SCARECROW
ANIMATED APPEARANCE/S Batman/Superman Hour 1968: The SCARECROW appeared in the episode "The Great SCARECROW Scare" in The Batman/Superman Hour. Ted Knight voiced him. In this version he does not use fear gas instead he uses knockout gas, which he keeps in eggs.
Challenge of the Super Friends 1978: The SCARECROW appeared in the Challenge of the Super Friends, he is a member of Lex Luthor's Legion of Doom. Don Messick voiced him.
Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians 1985: The SCARECROW appeared in "The Fear” episode of the Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians. Andre Stojka voiced him.
DC Animated Universe Here are the changes in his animated look throughout his several appearances in the DC Animated Universe Batman: The Brave and the Bold The SCARECROW next appeared in the animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold. He was voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.
Batman: Gotham Knight In Batman: Gotham Knight a DC original animated featurettes, Corey Burton voiced 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 Croc to get them from above.
LIVE MEDIA APPEARANCE/S CILLIAN MURPHY Cillian Murphy portrayed Dr Jonathan Crane, the SCARECROW, first as a main protagonist in Batman Begins and a brief cameo in The Dark Knight.
POWERS & ABILITIESNote: Due to the nature of comicbooks being an on-going tale, the character's powers along with his appearance, is in a constant state of flux. Dr Jonathan Crane has no Superhuman powers.
Abilities
Chemistry: Jonathan Crane is a proficient chemist and has used this skill to develop his infamous "fear toxin".
Intimidation: Using a variety of toxins that cause his victims to hallucinate that their phobias have come to life, the SCARECROW instills fear in all who see him.
Martial Arts
Violent Dancing: When forced to fight, Crane uses his own martial arts style he calls "violent dancing", which is based in part on the crane style of kung fu, and makes full use of his long arms and legs.
Psychology: Jonathan Crane is an expert in the field of psychology, specifically the study of anxiety disorders. He is a walking textbook on the study of fear, and can recite the name and description of nearly every known phobia. He often demonstrates his intellectual prowess by analyzing his fellow patients at Arkham Asylum.
Sources : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Scarecrow : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Jonathan_Crane_(New_Earth) : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/World%27s_Finest_Vol_1_3 : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Jonathan_Crane_(New_Earth)/Quotes : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarecrow_(comics) : http://www.comicvine.com/scarecrow/29-3726/ : http://www.comicvine.com/scarecrow/29-3726/images/
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