As the years go by, and Crane falls deeper and deeper into his own delusions and psychosis, he begins to develop a new alter, one that was created to help him cope with the burden his crimes have on his conscience.
Brother Bones, or Abraham Nahum in his civilian identity is independent from both Jonathan Crane and The Scarecrow. Though he still commits crime, he is, in fact, a benevolent man who is more content to play pranks on the wicked and brighten the days of the innocent than he is to get up to actual trouble. He is, however, prone to fits of great jealousy at times, and Brother Bones only ever comes out after either Crane or Scarecrow have undergone extreme stress they cannot recover from.
Instead of fear toxins, Brother Bones uses a gas called “Nirvana” that simply shows one their greatest desire, and fills them with a sense of peace. It’s non-addictive and is simply meant to render whoever breathes it peaceful for a time. Brother Bones doesn’t wield any conventional weapons, not even the sickle Iaepetus that Crane is known for. Instead, if he is forced to fight, he uses his skills with Aikido and grappling in close quarters to force someone to submit.
Since it’s still Jonathan Crane’s body, the same vulnerabilities apply — he still relies on the fear toxin running in his veins due to a psychological and physiological dependency, and he’s still quite slender, bordering on malnourished.
When Brother Bones makes himself known, simply play along and be glad the Scarecrow isn’t out to play.
•Crane is Jewish, and his grandfather’s name was Abraham, which is why his alter subconsciously chose it as a name.
•Brother Bones is in reference to Brom Bones, from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, who is a well-meaning but jealous prankster that sometimes antagonizes Ichabod Crane, Jonathan’s namesake.