Another Scarecrow Rant

So 2 days ago I went on a long rant about the quality of Scarecrow comics in the last few years. I think it's only fair I point out some of the more recent incarnations that have actually done the character justice.

#3: Gotham's Scarecrow

This Jonathan Crane isn't even Scarecrow yet. And you know what? he's at least 4x times better than this. He was given a great origin, and I can't wait to see him pop up again later in the series.

#2: The Nolan Trilogy Scarecrow

I'll admit this version got bland at times, but Cillian Murphy overall killed it. Just watch this scene:

And our number one best recent incarnation of Scarecrow is;





#1: Batman: Arkham Video Game Series' Scarecrow

This is what happens when you actually try to make Scarecrow worthwhile. While not motivated by power or fear, the writers found a good substitute.

Hate.

The Scarecrow fucking hates Batman's shit. Arkham Knight hasn't even been released yet, and i already know he going to be out of control epic. Trailer:

I rate this 10,000/10



_______________________________________



While these all may be Non-Comic versions, I don't think that's so far fetched when comic Batman's been dealing with this:

"Grrrrrr, I'm spooky! Fear me pls"

Step up your game, DC writers.

Some bat-beef I have with the new 52 Scarecrow

     Let's get this out on the plate. The new 52 scarecrow SUCKS. And has sucked for the last 4 years. Usually I'm accepting of characters having different versions and incarnations, but I honestly couldn't be happier with the possibility of Convergence wiping out and replacing the failure that is New 52 Scarecrow.

First off; He looks okay sometimes:

-and other times? Well...

Other times he's just a guy with a bag on his head.

The other problem I have with him is he no longer poses a viable threat to Batman. Fear gas no longer cuts it. Even robin one hit kayoes him:

*I'm trying not to curse*

But the main problem with Scarecrow, and not just the New 52 version, is the writers have NO idea what to do with him. Nada. Zip. Zero. NONE.

Here's the re-hashed Scarecrow story formula that's been used for the last 60 years:

Scarecrow escapes --> Batman fights Scarecrow --> Gets dosed with yet another new type of fear toxin --> Batman gets captured --> Batman overcomes fear --> Fights Scarecrow again --> Back to Arkham for Scarecrow.

And BOY am I sick of it. Not to say EVERY Scarecrow story has done this, but around 96%-ish.

So: Here is how you fix this:

Believe it or not, fear is NOT Scarecrow's goal. A LOT of writers get this wrong, which results in it becoming adapted as true.

Fear is only Scarecrow's Modus Operandi. His goal is respect. He wants nothing more than to be followed, listened to, and sometimes even worshiped.

To achieve this, he uses fear.

Take a look at this Knightfall saga issue, Shadow of the Bat #16:

In it, Scarecrow has developed a toxin where you must obey his every whim

Alan Grant masterfully captured Scarecrow here. I won't lie, this is my favorite Scarecrow story. Period.

I think the issue speaks for itself, but it's obvious he straight up ruined that kid's life while taking another. To any future Scarecrow writers: I beg you to use this issue as your standard.

The new 52 Scarecrow not only lacks his original motive, but is completely unoriginal. We deserve better, and so does Scarecrow.