My Top 5 Scarecrow Versions
By now I’ve pretty much read a lot about this precious boy and I just wanted to do something like this.
Warning: Mild spoilers ahead!
5.- Batman: As the Crow Flies
In this version, Scarecrow has been hired by the Penguin to create a Fear Dust to use against Penguin’s enemies.
While I do not really like the appearance of Crane in this one (though the costume is lit) here we can appreciate how he is able to sympathize with his assistant and even care about her thoughts on him.
With the third position, this is the most human version of Jonathan Crane, rare but truly appreciated among so many cold-hearted versions of him.
While this is not my favorite origin story (gotta give that to Batman: Dark Knight – Cycle of Violence) everything about this one is just perfect.
The combination of the beautiful colours and drawings of the comic alongside the plot of it (and please that costume, it’s by far my favourite) makes this Crane truly memorable. Also, they captured incredibly well his lengthy and lithe body
What I most like about this one is, strangely, how he overcame his education (God’s wrath, the importance of his family name) and made a path for his own. He read and studied against his grandmother’s wishes (even before he caught her doing the thing with the crows).
Sure, the same outcome could’ve happened, but he would not be the Scarecrow without all the knowledge he acquired (and overcoming all the problems acquiring it brought him)
3.- The Batman Adventures: Annual 1
Boy do I like this story. Here we have a tired Crane, tired of being a criminal and being persecuted by the Bat. So, longing for a calmer life, he returns to his previous profession and, under a false name, starts to teach.
Though his class in general is mediocre, there is one student that stands out from the rest. Her name is Molly Randall and they quickly establish a relationship based on mutual respect and common interests.
However, one night she arrives after a “date” and, well…for her, he becomes Scarecrow once more. This isn’t just plain “sweet”, but also a show of how even the most vile men are able to care for others and have principles and morals.
2.- Forever Evil: Arkham War
If you want a story that shows the true potential of our precious boy, this is the one. Here, Scarecrow is not only a master of fear, but also an evil mastermind.
In a Gotham that finally belongs to the criminally insane, they will have to defend it against Bane and his men. Scarecrow becomes their “leader” and creates a plan to fight against them. He is the perfect mix of a mentally insane Scarecrow and the intelligent and annalist Jonathan Crane
Even though the story does not really end well for him, this is the perfect example of the great things he is capable to achieve which are often forgotten under his fear obsession.
For me, this is the most in-character version of him. This is the kind of Scarecrow I picture in my head every time I think of him, in appearance and in personality. Sadly, he’s only present for two issues, but oh boy are those worth it.
As Scarecrow, his costume is perfect: simple, frightening and practical (as practical as dressing up as a scarecrow can be xd) However, the real deal comes when he is Jonathan Crane.
His physique is just plain perfect; on point actually. His body is lengthy and thin and his grimace is dead-serious. Also, while we can see why he could’ve been bullied at school for his ugliness boy do I find this man attractive as fuck.
While he can be a well-manned man and have the presence of a professional man, he bleeds sassiness. While the woman starts to yell at him and treat him unkindly, he remains calm and professional. He does not care int he slightest about her and her thoughts, only about getting the job done.
The best thing? You really don’t want to mess with his Scarecrow. He does not only infect his foes with fear gas but also controls what they see and thus, their actions. I hope we’ll see him again.
Wow this took me more than I expected!
