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List Price: $19.99 | | Publisher: DC Comics
Salesrank: 245419
Released: May 1, 2005 |
| Our Price: $9.99 |
| Used Price: $6.99 |
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
Professor turned criminal Jonathan Crane specializes in fear. He knows how to take a simple phobia and turn it into a life-threatening syndrome. Since his introduction in 1941, the Scarecrow has been one of the Dark Knights most difficult foes to defeat. And soon, he will be one of the foes featured in the upcoming Batman Begins feature film! In this collection of eight stories spanning more than 60 years, some of the best known Batman writers and artists take their turn at creating chilling escapades.
Batman: Scarecrow Tales Reviews:
Have Fear, The Scarecrow Is Spotlighted Here 
2006-12-27 - In this collection, we get to know the master of fear a little better, The Scarecrow. Just like The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told was released in 1988 in anticipation of the '89 Batman movie featuring The Joker, Scarecrow Tales was released close to Batman Begins, which features The Scarecrow and helped introduce him to the general non-comic reading public. The good thing about that is the stories range from 1941 all the way to 2002.
This book is shorter than the Joker stories, featuring only 8 tales, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We start off with his origin story in 1941 which introduces us to Jonathan Crane, a man who is tired of being laughed at, and decides to use what he knows from psychology to strike fear into those who would mock him. After that we skip way forward in time to the late 60's and so forth. Apparently the Scarecrow didn't become a very prominent villain until the 70's, probably because if the greatest Joker stories are any indication, writers were using him in abundance during the 50's and 60's.
Pretty much all the 8 stories in here are above average. There is one Batman-less story from The Joker comic strip that features The Scarecrow as a guest villain, which didn't really make any sense by the end. However, there are a few real gems in there such as The Scarecrow's Trail of Fear, Fear For Sale, and one of my favorites, The 6 Days of the Scarecrow. Mistress of Fear also gives us a chance to feel sorry for Crane and reveals his soft side (although even his soft side is psychotic). The final story ends on an abrupt note, but overall we are still treated to some great Scarecrow comics.
Crane before he started spouting gibberish
2005-09-19 - If you've read the most recent representations of the Scarecrow, you may feel as though they have messed the character up. He just recites nursery rhymes and randomly sprays people with fear gas. He is not a calculating, sociopathic madman with grand ambition. I believe the latter should define the Scarecrow character. That is what he was for nearly forty years. This collection shows how well the Scarecrow character can be written if you make him a serious threat.
I only disliked two stories; "Joker vs. Scarecrow" and the story at the very end that was a short from a recent "Gotham Knights." The reason I disliked the second was because it was so short and felt like it was filler. Nonetheless, there is some redemptive dialogue between Bruce and his bodyguard at the end.
Scarecrow has really been dealt a blow. Once he seemed capable of implementing impressive plans as he stood on his own as a villain. Lately he has spent too much time on someone else's puppet strings. This collection will remind you of what a resourceful, clever, and diabolical villain the Scarecrow really is.
A Scarecrow TP .... 
2005-08-28 - "BATMAN: SCARECROW TALES" TP
The contents are the followings:
l. RIDDLE OF THE HUMAN SCARECROW
originally presented in "World's Finest Comics #3", fall 1941
story: Bill Finger
art: Bob Kane
2. FRIGHT OF THE SCARECROW
originally presented in "Batman #189", Feb. 1967
story: Gardner Fox
art: Bob Kane
3. THE SCARECROW'S TRAIL OF FEAR!
originally presented in "Batman #262", April 1975
story: Denny O'Neil
art: Ernie Chua
4. THE SCARECROW'S FEARSOME FACE-OFF!
originally presented in "The Joker #8", Jul-Aug 1976
story: Elliot Maggin
art: Irv Novick
5. THE 6 DAYS OF THE SCARECROW
originally presented in "Detective Comics #503", June 1981
story: Gerry Conway
art: Don Newton
6. FEAR FOR SALE
originally presented in "Detective Comics #571", Feb 1987
story: Mike Barr
art: Alan Davis
7. MISTRESS OF FEAR
originally presented in "Scarecrow Villains #1", Feb 1998
story: Peter Milligan
art: Duncan Fegredo
8. FEAR OF SUCCESS
originally presented in "Batman: Gotham Knights #23", Jan 2002
story: Devin Grayson
art: Roger Robinson
"The Riddle of the Human Scarecrow" is a five-star story. It is the sole five-star story in this tp.
The Scarecrow has a very cruel but beautiful origin story.
It is a very psychological story.
"Fear for Sale" is the second best story in this collection.
The Scarecrow uses chemicals(his forte) to makes well-known athletes to be suicidal in their actions.
It is a good story.
"The 6 Days Of The Scarecrow" is also a good story.
The other stories lack significance & resonance. They are not good.
The Scarecrow is a very good villain. He is a deep character.
Great DC's TPBs that should be read:
. Flash: The Return of Barry Allen TP
. Batman: Strange Apparition TP
. Batman: Tales of the Demon TP
. Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told TP
. Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told TP
. Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told TP
. Wonder Woman: Hiketeia TP
. Green Lantern: Willworld TP
. Green Lantern: A New Dawn TP
. Superman: Death of Clark Kent TP
. Superman: Death of Superman TP
. Superman: Peace on Earth T.S.
. JLA: Act of God PF
. JLA: Strenght in Numbers TP
Worst DC's TPBs that should be avoided:
. Adam Strange: Man of Two Worlds TP
. V For Vendetta TP
. Y The Last Man Vol. 1 TP
. Fables Vol. 1 TP
. Preacher Vol. 1 TP
FINAL ANALYSIS:
"Batman: Scarecrow Tales" TP
2.5 of 5 stars
**1/2 = 2 for content & another 1/2 for collectability.
Rating: C-
For remembranceship!
Not very memorable stories!
For Scarecrow fans only !
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RECOMMENDED !!!
A good introduction, but the stories are less than fullfilling.
2005-08-24 - Overall a decent collection of Scarecrow stories and artwork, but in the end none of the stories were really that good. If you are a fan of Dr. Crane than this is definitely a worthy addition to your collection (simply for nostalgia, I suppose), but otherwise you may just want to pass this one by.
A tribute to Dr. J. Crane AKA Scarecrow
2005-06-13 - If your a fan of the scarecrow, you're gonna love this! This book includes Scarecrows oldests and newests crimes, like "The 6 days of Scarecrow". Trust me, if you don't like Scarecrow now, wait until you see 'Batman Begins'. That's right, he's the villian! Buy the book, see Scarecrow on the big Screen, and enjoy Scarecrow Tales by ???? ?????. This book is awesome! Come See, Twisted Jon Crance beaten by Batman and Robin! It'll bw worth the cost of the book!
