Scarecrow By Hervé St.Louis Jun 28, 2005 - 10:26:00 AM

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Bullied as a kid, Scarecrow is Dr Jonathan Crane, a psychiatrist who tests fear inducing drugs on patients and test subjects. Captivated with fear, Crane seeks to learn everything he can about it. After being foiled by Batman in his quest to terrorize Gotham University board’s members, Crane entered Arkham Asylum and became a member of Batman’s rogue. Crane was one of the villains in Batman Begins. Scarecrow first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3.

Likeness

Traditionally, this figure looks like the Scarecrow, although some artists have exaggerated his features. This Scarecrow is the design used by Jim Lee within the Hush storyline that appeared in Batman comics. Just like in the comics, Scarecrow’s feet neck and body are tied with ropes. He sports a large hat that resembles a witch hat. His body is skinny and twisted.

Sculpt

This is one of the best looking Scarecrow ever made. He doesn’t look human at all. All the stitches of his costume are sculpted in. His rib cage and vertebral column appear through his damped clothes. Speaking of clothes, they are ripped. This sculpt hides articulations very well. The most important, is Crane’s face and it looks scary and vicious. There’s no doubt that the guy underneath is a maniac.

Paint

The paint job is superb. There’s shading all over. The painters coloured each stich. The straw hair effect works well. This has to be one of the best painted DC Direct action figures in years. All the ropes on the Scarecrow’s hat have textures. Even those that go underneath his feet have colours. Usually, only Sota Toys goes to that length for details. DC Direct finally showed what is could do, when it really cared.

Scale

The figure is so thin and wacky that it will fit with just about any display and character. This is one of the usual advantages of such characters. Because he is squatting, Scarecrow is not his full height. Were he, he would tower over many DC Direct action figures.

Stability

This figure is stable. It’s the one figure I assume I would have problems with and it turns out it’s the easiest to pose! His feet are flat. His limbs, although twisted offer good balance and support for his thin torso and big hat. He doesn’t even need the Batman-styled action figure stand that came in the package.

Articulation

Scarecrow has thirteen articulations at the neck, the shoulders, the elbows, the wrists, the hips, the knees and the ankles. The shoulders’ articulation is stiff. Because of its construction, Scarecrow’s head doesn’t twist left and right normally. It rotates left and right from its base at the next. That means that while looking on the right or the left, he also looks up. It makes him look crazier. Articulations at the waist would have been cool.

Plastic

Scarecrow’s plastic is almost rubbery as it is soft. There might be many problems in warmer months. Be careful when handling his fingers. They are thin and long. The bottom of the sack Scarecrow uses as a mask is a thin rubber-like piece, just like the flap of his hat. It’s locked in with the character’s head on the collar. The hair, the top of the hat and the flap are glued on Scarecrow’s head.

Props

Except for a single straw that one can attach on Scarecrow’s head, there are no props. Bags of money styled like Scarecrow’s suit would have been a great addition.

Packaging

Scarecrow came in the card box pack with which all Hush figures come. To remove him, one must unglue the plastic mould stuck on a piece of cardboard inside the box and untie the wire holding his legs, abdominal and arms in place. Instead of reusing the same Hush bio, something specific about the character would have been better.

Cost

Scarecrow costs about $12 in the US and $16 in Canada. Prices vary at every store as there are no suggested prices on the package. Note that some movie theatre and stores may sell this figure for more to capitalize on the Batman Begins film. When purchased as sets, many stores offer discounts.

Availability

DC Direct released a Scarecrow action figure based on the Super Friends’ television show. Other toy vendors have also released figures in the past. In fact Mattel released one this year. However, the figure to get is this one. It is the best looking Scarecrow ever. This character is not popular, but fans of groovy action figures will appreciate its uncanny sculpt. This figure could sell out as fast as previous Hush figures.

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