1. Henry Polic II
Before Batman: The Animated Series was revamped, it may have surpassed any other adaptation of the Caped Crusader for how it beautifully captured the magic and nostalgia of Gotham City. The series did a perfect job at capturing every member of Batman’s rogues gallery – and its interpretation of the Scarecrow is no exception. This incarnation of Dr. Jonathan Crane, voiced by Henry Polic II, compellingly balances the Scarecrow’s seemingly lanky appearance with his ruthlessness and devious schemes.
Polic II’s Scarecrow emerges as one of the first Batman villains in the series – introduced in the third episode, Nothing To Fear, which explores his backstory. His origins in the series stay true to the source material as a former psychology professor at Gotham University who uses his fear toxin on his students as test subjects. After getting fired for doing so, he vows revenge and dons the iconic Scarecrow costume.
Throughout the series, he launches a variety of schemes, using his fear toxin in creatively sinister ways, such as rigging sports events and trapping our beloved winged superhero in Arkham Asylum as an inmate.
Every time Batman foils his schemes, the Scarecrow reacts with a tantrum, but he emerges even more terrifying in subsequent episodes. Polic II brilliantly balances the seemingly meek nature of the former psychologist turned iconic villain, with his truly menacing nature. After all, he’s the master of fear.
Which version of the Scarecrow to appear in Batman projects is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!