BATMAN versus JOKER
Dead Reckoning: Part Five (DC)
Where: Detective Comics #781 When: June 2003
Why: Ed Brubaker How: Tommy Castillo

The Story So Far...
When a mysterious gunman makes an attempt on the life of retired police commissioner, Jim Gordon; it begins a race to unveil the identity of a killer who carries a Two-Face style coin marred on both sides, and a grudge against Gotham's heroes and villains.

When Penguin narrowly avoids a hanging death; Batman becomes involved in uncovering the legacy of a secret plot hatched by those deep within the fraternity of his oldest foes. A plot that inadvertently inducted an innocent citizen, Paul Sloan, into a new generation of criminally insane villains in Gotham City.

With the truth finally revealed, the last piece of Batman's puzzle lies with his greatest opponent! Travelling to Antarctica, Batman attempts to protect the life of the Joker, whilst learning the final chapter in the birth of Charlatan.

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Intelligence: Batman 5 (Professor)
Speed: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Draw 5 (Marathon)
Agility: Batman 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Batman 5 (Martial Artist)
Energy Power: Batman 4 (Arsenal)


- After witnessing the street murder of his parents, the young Bruce Wayne's destiny was forever shaped to be one dedicated to an ideal. Having spent his formative years studying the various sciences, martial arts, and crime fighting techniques, Bruce is ultimately inspired to become the one-man war on the criminal element in Gotham City: Batman.

Perhaps Batman's greatest power is the millions inherited from his industrialist parents, and the various facilities that came with that. They prove crucial in the design and construction of his many weapons, which are typically non-lethal, and have a variety of uses.

Complimented by his keenly strategic mind is Batman's expertise in the martial arts. He is extensively trained in multiple fighting styles, and commonly regarded to be one of the greatest hand-to-hand fighters in the world. He is also extremely proficient in general urban warfare.

- It has been claimed that he was the victim of one very bad day, which ended with a fall into a vat of chemicals that bleached his skin, dyed his hair, and twisted his face into a permanent grin. The truth of his name and origins remain unknown, but as the Joker, he is one of the most feared killers in Gotham City.

Joker is known to have an aptitude for creating and working with toxins and other chemicals, favouring trademark concoctions that induce uncontrolled laughter, facial distortion, and often, death. Joker is also a proficient strategist, who is said to regularly reinvent his identity as a part of his vendetta against Batman.
The Joker, though not a skilled fighter, is shown to have an inhuman capacity for pain tolerance and recovery.

Additional: While Batman has one of the most impressive lists of nemesis, few characters reach the status of Joker as his arch-villain. Joker's rivalry with Batman has arguably produced the definitive vision of the classic comic book supervillain, defined by; false deaths, personal attacks (deaths), trap and baits, and a continuing relationship unlikely to be resolved.

Their familiarity is built on what must be one of the most visited confrontations in the genre. Despite this, only the atmospheric prose issue of Grant Morrison's Batman has been recorded in the Infinite Wars [Batman #663]. This will be built upon during the month of July, coninciding with the release of The Dark Knight.

History: Batman (1-0-0)
Math: Batman Ranking: Batman (#2)

What Went Down...
In the bilstering cold of the antarctic storm; Batman begins his interrogation of the Joker, lured into a confrontation with the clown prince of crime. He offers Batman the full story behind the mysterious Charlatan, in exchange for a fighting chance freed from his shackles. Batman has complied before Joker even knows it, removing his shackles after tackling him to the ground.

Joker reaches for a dumbell, whilst recounting the circumstances of actor Paul Sloan's recruitment into a plan to deceive Batman with a fake Harvey Dent.
Batman sidesteps Joker's attempt to use the weight as a weapon, using his momentum to vault the clown prince effortlessly through the air.

The villain continues his tale, revealing Sloan's zealous dedication to recreating the Two-Face persona, whilst also perusing larger weights in the frozen gym. He attacks once more, this time with a much larger weight, which Batman uses to pin Joker's throat with, giving him a moment to reflect on the past.

With the identity of a false Two-Face retroactively revealed, Batman is shocked to learn it was Joker who tipped him off to the violent heist! Joker bursts into hysterics over his sabotage of the villain team-up, revealing more of the mystery, while slipping a shiv from his sleeve.

Batman exerts little energy in again proving himself Joker's physical superior. An arm wrench makes disarming the killer easy, and a flag post provides a convenient pacifier for his murderous intent.

Finally the Joker's tale arrives at the fate of Paul Sloan, a man whose indulgance in his criminal persona garnered the attentions of the real Two-Face. Batman learns of the arduous torture Sloan suffered at Harvey Dent's hands, and the grosse mutilation that was dealt.

When Batman chastises his nemesis for involving "civilians," Joker declares the loss of such distinction, bursting into macabre laughter whilst making another lunging attack. His attempts to choke the dark knight are curbed with a characteristic speed, but this time the chalfaced killer lands on his feet!

He springs into an athletic kick, which Batman anticipates, and defends against with a driving elbow into the Joker's swinging knee. The surprisingly durable villain goes down hard, but goes down smiling. Batman takes his arm in a grapevine and asks a final question - a question that reveals Joker's true intentions to distract the dark knight from events unfolding in Gotham!

It is a brief triumph for the Joker, who quickly finds himself shackled once more.

The Hammer...
Despite playing directly into his opponent's plans, it's a fairly comprehensive victory for the Batman!

One would imagine this will be but the first of many, largely due to our focus on the Joker, whose combative relationship is not typically defined by the exchange of fists. I suppose this is somewhat topical for Infinite Wars readers, given the likelihood of an appearance by the clown prince of crime in the upcoming Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe.

The meagre fighting qualities of Batman villains has been something on my mind, as you might have seen in our previous entry, featuring Poison Ivy in battle with the more proficient, Catwoman [Batman #611]. While this certainly leads to aspertions of what is and isn't suitable for a comic book fighting game, that's not what I think this review highlights.

In passing, I've mentioned this period of Detective Comics with great fondness, and I suppose it's nice to finally put some images to the 'name.'
While this particular issue lacks the gritty hyper realism of others reviewed [ie; #796], it does highlight the key components that make Batman the thinking man's hero! Afterall, Batman is the premiere superhero detective, borne of the transition from cops and mysterymen [The Shadow, The Phantom, Dick Tracy...], to the post-Superman boom of American superhero comics!

Though not terribly complex; Dead Reckoning is a fine example of what I desire from a solid Batman story. It possess the necessary tropes of an accessible superhero story, featuring not one, but a small army of Batman's famous rogues, suitably emroiled in the mystery that is the arc of the story.
It's elements like this that appear to finally be infiltrating the mainstream depiction of the hero, as explored in the Nolan/Goyer script, The Dark Knight.

Particularly as chief antagonist in the film; the Joker's maniacal rampages arguably lend themselves to elements of the classic film thriller better than any other. Theories explored in Grant Morrison's various works endeavour to implicitly describe Joker's many different interpretations as part of a larger plot that compliments the fact that Batman is constantly a responsive foil to his crimes. This, in it's very basic structure, makes Joker the perfect cat-and-mouse antagonist of a feature thriller, and is something I think we can expect of their shifting roles in The Dark Knight.

Though probably not designed as such in his inception, Joker has become analagous to the potential madness in everyone, especially Batman.
In many ways he reflects Batman's image in a double-negative, right down to simple motiffs of: a penchant for bright colours, indulgence in more public theatrics, and of course, meticulously calculated chaos.

This is probably where you and I might deviate in our interpretation of the Joker. Like Batman, he is one of the most diversely displayed characters in popular fiction, and as such, many have their own version of an ideal Joker.

I suppose in the most general sense I have a problem with the contemporary use of words like 'random' and phrases like 'doesn't make sense.' These are vague attributes often grafted to the Joker, who, I feel, works best with a very specific core logic to any of his many operations. That's not to say there's a consistent methodology in his execution of crimes, but that the logics behind them are always there to be understood, and that the constant is the Joker himself.

I, personally, believe this to be true of the definitive Joker, and most Joker stories. I suppose it's inherent in writers to, even unwittingly, abide by a logicset that translates the language of idea, to story. Joker's story may be an ever-changing anthology, but it is, on any given day, at it's best when defined by a core set of rules, which is perhaps the irony of Joker's chaos theorum when pitted against the dark knight detective.

It is also, at least in practise, the reason Joker will always lose. If Batman's grand purpose is his dedication to the endless struggle against injustice -- Joker's is simply to be caught, and therefore constantly defined by Batman.
That, however, leads only to further discussion, and examples perhaps best left to later in the month!

The Fight: 4.5 The Issue: 6

Fans of the animated series will appreciate Tommy Castillo's pencils and the cast of villains arranged to include Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow, and Killer Moth! Unfortunately, it doesn't appear DC have collected the arc, so you'll have to rummage through the back issue bins to find this gem! Or, if you don't fancy the sound of hard work, why not check out one of the other Batman classics on sale in the Infinite Wars Amazonian Gift Shoppe? Stories reviewed in the Secret Archives are arranged in the store, plus many others! Better still, by using purchase links provided, you help fund our grim and gritty war on passive exchanges! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

QUICK FIX DOUBLE FEATURE: Nothing but fear itself!
BATMAN versus THE SCAREBEAST
As The Crow Flies Part Three: Scary Monsters (DC)
Where: Batman #628 When: Late July 2004
Why: Judd Winick How: Dustin Nguyen

Quick Fix...
Well, at this point we can deduce several things:
Clearly daily posting has been completely derailed; apparently freeing up Mondays has left me completely lost; and this is clearly another belated opportunity for an exciting dose of Halloween hangover!
Let's be honest, it wouldn't be a comic site Halloween without a solid appearance clocked by the Scarecrow!

If zeitgeist is the theme of the website right now, it's fair to say season 04/05 was Scarecrow's time! The good Dr. Crane received a mainstream shot in the arm when he made his overdue big screen debut in 2005's, Batman Begins. The feature film not only reinvigorated his stock in the comic books, but also introduced the character to the uninitiated, creating a whole new fanbase out of fans of horror, and fan-fiction sub-culture.

Joining Golden Age alumnists like the Joker and Catwoman; for my money, Scarecrow ranks amongst the quintesential Batman villains.

Working in the character's favour are many attributes found in the most successful villains to endure the decades of the Bat-franchise. Crane, a former psychologist, possesses the necessary degree of intelligence to properly combat the dark knight detective, and much like Joker or the Riddler, marries it to a special brand of crazy.

For the most part Scarecrow connects to the underlying theme of mental illness in Batman, which in an obscure way stems directly from the character himself. Though usually only by implication, the theory that Batman is as damaged as the crooks he brings in, has been well explored with projects like Arkham Asylum, Dark Knight Returns, and various other stories.

A majority of Scarecrow's earliest appearances typified the character as a more standard career criminal. Despite his flair for theatrical gimmickery, Scarecrow did not regularly utilize his trademark fear gas until decades after his first 1941 appearance. This came after the character endured one of the most noteworthy disappearances of a villain spanning from the mid-fifties to the sixties.

Though the lead-up to Begins saw a wave of refresher and introductory appearances of Scarecrow in comics, an unlikely change was about to occur in the character as the high-flying Batman experienced it's own period of transition.

In the past we've touched upon a boom period of Batman that propelled the title back to the top of the sales charts with the blockbuster teaming of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, for Hush. After such a success the follow-up task went to the unlikely team of Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso (of 100 Bullets fame), before a concerned hand over to Eisner-nominee, Judd Winick [and Dustin Nguyen].

With Hush having moved such substantial quantities, any team was going to have a struggle on DC's renewed flagship title, but after the culture shock of Broken City, Winick's credentials were quickly characterized as few and removed. The only thing worse than a perceived untested writer was the prospect of a major change in franchise characters, which probably wasn't as publicized as it might have otherwise been...

In an effort to expand his criminal interests, the Penguin employs Jonathan Crane with a mandate to develop a new generation of fear toxin.
Working under the thumb of the mob proves uncomfortable for Crane, who lives at the mercy of Penguin and his funding. Finding solace in his supplied laboratory assistant, disgraced physician, Linda Friitawa, Crane conducts secret experiments which make him the prime suspect in a spate of underworld murders perpetrated by a monstrous Scarebeast. Crane swears his innocence.

With many of his associates already murdered by the Scarebeast, Penguin moves Crane to a new location and calls a meeting for his generals. During the heated debate he has the misfortune of spying the monster coming for them.

As the Scarebeast smashes through the massive windows of Cobblepot's mansion, he screams the order to fly to his flat-footed associates. The squat gangster runs for his life while his fellows kiss theirs goodbye, opening fire on a monster that seems as invulnerable as it is unfeeling.

Marching a bloody path through Penguin's mansion, the Scarebeast runs afoul Batman, perched behind the balustrade of a higher level. He tosses a batarang and line around the beast's maw, but it is for naught.
Foregoing stairs, the Scarebeast bursts through the second-floor balcony, surviving broken teeth and the burying of a taser in it's motley hide.

Batman moves into close quarters, tossing a grenade down the monster's gullet. Though the explosion does some damage, it fails to topple the Scarebeast.

Batman, hoping to restrain the creature, draws his grapple gun, but finds he has under estimated his opponent's resilience. In the grip of the terrible Scarebeast, Batman struggles for another explosive, only to cop a face full of gas breathed from the Scarebeast's toothy maw.

With his lung filled with gas, Batman soon recognises the concoction of the fright gas.

Falling into the abyss of terror, the issue closes with Batman's head engulfed in green fear gas, the Scarebeast speaking a soft request, "Scream. Scream for me."

By the end of As the Crow Flies we would learn that much like Hush, the presumption of the obvious being a diversion was inaccurate. Despite his claims of innocence, Jonathan Crane is indeed revealed to be the terrifying Scarebeast, though totally unaware of it.
The transformation proves to be part of a much larger plot, but that is a discussion and reveal for another day of Infinite Wars!

I'm told the Scarebeast eventually appeared again during War Games, but I can't vouch for that, having endeavoured to skip the multi-title crossover. War Games followed this story immediately, dividing it from Winick's induction as regular writer on the series -- a period we have discussed many times in the past.

I don't know what general fan reception was for the concept, but I kinda like the Jekyll & Hyde aspect of the Scarebeast. Though there have been variations, I generally prefer to think of Scarecrow as one of the least effective combatants in Batman's rogues gallery, making this a useful twist for inventing a physical threat of the Scarecrow.

I wouldn't want to see it overwhelm the heart of the character, but as an underlying potential in any situation, it's a bit of fun. Of course, there are much more interesting takes on the character, which leads us to the next issue in our double feature...

The Fix: 5.5 The Issue: 4.5
Winner: Scarecrow

Though the conclusion of the issue spills over into the next, for the sake of book keeping, the Infinite Wars regard issue-end as a point of conclusion. Thus, this is considered a victory for Scarecrow, irrespective of the following events in Batman #629.

---

BATMAN versus SCARECROW
Fear is the Key (DC)
Where: Batman: Gotham Knights #49 When: March 2004 Why: Geoff Johns How: Tommy Castillo

Quick Fix...
... It seems just about every major Bat-character has at least a few shades of characterization. Certainly the seventies shift to grim darkness recast characters in steady contrast to their fifties counterparts, but even then, it's in the minutia that we find many alterations.

Depth of origins and motivations tend to vary, but I think it's safe to say a definitive Scarecrow is intent on invoking fear in his victims. His methodoloy may as well be as specific to a story as the circumstances of his involvement.
In this black and white back-up story, written by Geoff Johns, we get a fresh perspective on the character and his relationship with fear. Essentially a vignette; Crane narrates as he tortures a trio of GCPD officers, noting each of their fears as he sends them to brutal deaths. This narrative culminates in the reveal that Jonathan Crane himself has ceased to feel fear.

Spinning out of the defense of Bendis' references to real-world scenarios [Daredevil #75], I like the potential application of fact in the Scarecrow's methodology. It's this grounded logic and relative humanity to the Bat-villains that makes them among the very best, and beloved.

It's reasonable to assume that prolonged and repeated exposure to his fear inducing toxins would leave Scarecrow immune to their effects, in fact, in more cartoony terms, that's been explicitly stated, perhaps along with some form of innoculation. Likewise, cognitive therapies practise repeated exposing events in an effort to desensitize a patient from obsession or anxiety. Scarecrow's repeated exposures to fear and the results of fear could, in a comic book super-logic, also contribute to his total disassociation with horror and phobia.

I love the idea of characterizing the Scarecrow as desiring the experience to feel fear. We can imagine this as the numb desire of the disassociated desperately seeking to engage and experience the visceral quality that we might all associate with excitement or eroticism -- likewise, there's the intellectual quality of Dr. Jonathan Crane, who may desire the pursuit of this seemingly unattainable goal. He becomes a type of adreneline junky, desperate to push the boundaries to find what finally sets him off.

I'm a big fan of Jeph Loeb's eerie depiction of the character as a silent and disengaged individual whose motives are somewhat disguised. I feel the marriage of these ideas can root an erratic agenda in the logic of Scarecrow as a volatile character willing to take unexpected risks and turns in an effort to experience fear.

Johns takes us through an implied history of a sociopath who has commited a variety of crimes over a lifetime, and has been unafraid to stare down the barrel of a loaded gun; all of which logically culminate in the Scarecrow. "I wanted to share my fears. Share them with the world. So I did what everyone with an idea does in Gotham City -- I put on a costume."

The conclusion is the obvious solve to the Scarecrow as a riddle.
Emerging through the downpour of the Gotham gloom, Batman descends like a dark angel of death. Too late to save the policemen, he pursues the lithe Scarecrow across the smock stacks and rooftops of industrial-suburban Gotham.

The Dark Knight is there waiting, cutting the Scarecrow's path off with his bulky visage and a black glove that moves like a predator's sting. It pounds Crane's already malformed face, before snatching the safety of his ragetty mask away.
Jonathan Crane loves every bone chilling minute of it.

Here, we peel away everything that makes the Batman crucial to Scarecrow's life as a costumed villain. The argument that Batman fuels the fire inevitably creeps up here, but is arguably quashed by the promise that Crane would have continued to seek the fear he desires, perhaps killing hundreds of thousands on a rampage that had no logical end. Instead, Batman is the beacon that attracts him, like the moth to the flame, delighted by the light that will burn him.

For Crane, the Batman represents fear.
Batman is every bit the brawny bully that taunted him through the high school years of shame. Every bit the disapproving surrogate guardian that slapped him for his many mistakes. Every bit the pretty person that laughed at his crooked frame, and stooped shoulders.

Perhaps worst of all, Batman is the intellect that can challenge this rarely opposed, criminally brilliant man. The mind who can undermine his every thought, and reduce him to the terror of redundancy, just as the disapproving board of his college work did. Batman controls fear without toxin. For Crane, Batman is toxin, and for that he is ever grateful.

And boy shouldn't we have talked about this one on Halloween?
Friends, this is Criminal Intent calibre stuff. You have just been inside the mind of a killer. I highly recommend you rinse your psyche off with a healthy dose of wide-eyed manga style multi-colour Street Fighter treatment! Me? I'm going to go down some fruit juice, step into the warmth of the sun, and maybe have a shower to wash away the insane... Remember kids, I'm a trained writer schooled in comics-crazy. Don't try this at home!

The Fix: 3 The Story: 6
Winner: Batman

If you don't feel like scouring the back issues or online stores for Gotham Knights back-up stories, why not click your way to Amazon, where you can pick up the collected Black and White stories? Some of comics' biggest names feature, doing what Alex Maleev has often described as a goal!