SCARECROW
Life-story
Jonathan Crane was interested in the study of human fears and phobias ever since he was a child. Nicknamed the "Scarecrow"
as a teenager, Crane was bullied and chastised for his scrawny appearance. The boys would call him Icabod Crane, based on
his resemblance to the fictional character. Crane loved the character, except when he came upon the part where Icabod is
disgraced by his nemesis. He was outraged by the fear that overwhelmed Icabod and swore to never expose his fears to a bully.
Crane was a Professor of Psychology at Gotham State University until his experiments in fear became too dangerous. He lost
his job due to his obsession with inspiring terror in his patients and students. Crane turned to a life of evil and used various
drugs, chemicals, devices, and his expertise in psychology to terrify whomever crossed his path. He took the name "Scarecrow"
which the bullies gave him as a boy, and uses it to become one of the most feared criminals in Gotham.
The Scarecrow has been known to pollute Gotham's water supply with his fear toxins, has infected professional athletes with
his chemicals then bet against their teams to win money to fund his evil experiments. He has even had one of his henchmen
spray Batman with his toxin, in the hope of driving him mad with fear. A sick and twisted man, his ultimate goal of crippling
Gotham State University was foiled by Batman. He was sentenced to Arkham Asylum where he became even more dangerous by gaining
criminal contacts with the likes of The Mad Hatter, who also shares a sick interest in various types of mind control. These
contacts aid him in his quest to bring Gotham and Batman to it's knees with fear.
Apperances
Riot Act I
Riot Act II
The Batman Adventures Annual #1
Back to Charaters Index