Scarecrow (DC Comics)

The Scarecrow
Detective Comics vol. 2, #23.3 (Sept. 2013). Cover art by Jason Fabok.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	World's Finest Comics #3 (Fall 1941)
Created by	Bob Kane Bill Finger
In-story information
Alter ego	Dr. Jonathan Crane
Team affiliations	Injustice League Injustice Gang Secret Society of Super Villains Sinestro Corps Legion of Doom
Notable aliases	Professor Rance, Scarebeast Ichabod Crane Master of Fear Professor of Fright Schrocken
Abilities	Genius-level intellect Gifted psychiatrist and biochemist Skilled in psychological warfare Ingenious fear-gas causes his victims to experience nightmarish hallucinations of their worst fears Immunity to his own toxin Skilled in the use of scythes and firearms

The Scarecrow (Dr. Jonathan Crane) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an adversary of the superhero Batman. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 (cover-dated Sept. 1941) and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. A professor of psychology and psychiatry, he uses a variety of fear-enhancing drugs, toxins, and psychological warfare tactics to exploit the fears and phobias of his adversaries. Scarecrow is one of Batman's most enduring enemies, and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery.

Although he only made two appearances in the Golden Age of Comic Books, the character was revived during the Silver Age of Comic Books by writer Gardner Fox and artist Sheldon Moldoff in the pages of Batman #189 (Feb. 1967) and has since become a staple Batman villain. The Scarecrow has been featured in various forms of media, such as feature films, television series and video games.

The character has been voiced by Henry Polic II and Jeffrey Combs in the DC animated universe, and by Dino Andrade and John Noble in the Batman: Arkham series. His live-action portrayals include Cillian Murphy in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, and Charlie Tahan in the television series Gotham. In 2009, the Scarecrow was ranked as IGN's 58th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.