Supervillain Origins: The Scarecrow
Jonathan Crane developed an interest in human fears and phobias in his youth. This was due to being abused by his fanatically religious grandmother, as well as being mistreated by other teens because of his appearance. Eventually becoming a Professor of Psychology and psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, Dr. Crane soon began conducting experiments on his students and patients. Eventually, his obsession with fear became dangerous, resulting in his dismissal from the profession and entry into a life of crime. Join WatchMojo.com as we explore the comic book origins of Dr. Jonathan Crane, otherwise known as the Scarecrow.
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Supervillain Origins: The Scarecrow
He is the Master of Fear. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origins of Dr. Jonathan Crane, otherwise known as the Scarecrow.
As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginings and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline, which unfolded in 1941’s World’s Finest Comics #3 and was expanded upon in 1995’s Batman Annual #19 and 2005’s Batman Year One: Scarecrow.
Jonathan Crane developed an interest in human fears and phobias in his youth. This was due to being abused by his fanatically religious grandmother, who locked him in a dilapidated church full of crows.
He was similarly bullied and mistreated by other teens because of his scrawny appearance and clothes. Called names like “Scarecrow” and “Icabod Crane”, the young man swore to completely eliminate his sense of fear.
Eventually becoming a Professor of Psychology at Gotham State University, as well as psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, Dr. Crane soon began conducting experiments on his students and patients. Eventually, his obsession with fear became dangerous, resulting in his dismissal from the profession.
As a result, Crane turned to a life of crime, and continued his terror experiments by means of criminal activity. He did so through the use of various drugs, chemicals, devices, and his expertise in psychology.
He also created a terrifying costumed identity, that of a scarecrow, due to his desire to transform his object of ridicule into one of terror. His mask even served dual functions. It both enhanced the effects of his hallucinogens on others, while shielding him from the toxin, though he eventually built up immunity to his formula.
Not just selling his services or mounting heists, the Scarecrow has taken on much larger and more devious plans. Chief among these is his plan to expose all of Gotham with his fear toxin in order to cause mass chaos and panic.
Aside from his never-ending quest to corrupt and distort the minds of others, Scarecrow has become well known for his inclination to sing nursery rhymes, and fight with a custom martial art called “Violent Dancing.” Skilled as a fighter, Scarecrow rarely goes into battle without the use of a handgun or deadly farm tools, such as pitchforks, sickles and scythes.
Regularly confronted by Batman, he has constantly managed to infect Batman with his toxin, exposing him to his deepest and darkest fears in the hope of driving him mad. However, Batman has always managed to endure the psychosis, or avoid its effects through the use of a gas mask.
Constantly delivering Crane to Arkham Asylum for confinement, the villain has always emerged even more dangerous after meeting and partnering up with likeminded psychotics, such as the Mad Hatter.
One of the sickest and most twisted villains in Batman’s Rogues Gallery, The Scarecrow has appeared in various media over the years, including the animated series and the Batman Arkham Asylum video game. Despite this, Scarecrow continues to be best recognized for his portrayal by Cillian Murphy in Christopher Nolan’s Batman film series.
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