World's Finest Comics #3
August 15, 1941
"The Riddle of the Human Scarecrow"
So, we follow up our story of Batman going legit by becoming a member of the Gotham City police force with the introduction of the Scarecrow. Unfortunately, from the looks of it, this is a story set just before the events of the last story in Batman #7 because there are moments where Batman and Robin run off as the police arrive and yet, there is one scene where a sergeant is quite friendly and cooperative with the two.
Also, we're still not at the point in comics where the cover gives you an idea of what story or stories to expect in a comic. This cover, while cool, features the Duo and Superman playing baseball. Considering it's going to be some time before they team-up, it's odd to say the least.
The story opens with the introduction of Jonathan Crane, a college psychology teacher who has some unorthodox methods of teaching, including firing a gun in class to demonstrate how fear works. He is also unorthodox when it comes to his lifestyle. He wears a tattered old suit that makes him look like a scarecrow as he'd rather spend his money on old books.
He is mocked by his colleagues and it gets him thinking how humanity respects you if you have money. He comes up with a way to get more money, thus more books, by dressing as a scarecrow in order to intimidate people. He sells this service to those who need someone leaned on to get what they want. He starts with a businessman who is being sued by a partner.
He is interrupted by Batman and Robin and is able to keep them both at bay, which is unusual in itself. He gets away. The problem is, when the intimidation doesn't work, Scarecrow takes it up a notch and kills the man. To make matters worse, Crane is let go by the college as they find his teaching methods a little too much. He rails against the president of the college saying he doesn't need the job as he has plenty of money now.
The next day, Bruce speaks with the president of the college and learns about old "Scarecrow" Crane and the money he was waving about. That night, he and Robin interrupt Scarecrow's terrorizing shoppers in a department store he has been hired to disrupt. He once again gets away.
And here is where I have to wonder the placement of this story. On the one hand, at one point Scarecrow's fight with Batman, Robin has his hands full with the police trying to catch him. But then once the Scarecrow clears off, a sergeant tells the men to back off as it's Batman and Robin. Maybe some of the police just didn't get the memo?
Bruce visits Crane's home under the guise of a man needing to use a phone. Once done, he steps right outside and removes his guise to reveal he's Batman. Loudly, he proclaims he will get the rest of the proof he needs bring Crane in. This upsets the man who chases them into a nearby playground where the two are able to capture him.
