Fear Toxin
Fear Toxin is a chemical that features in DC Comics.
Contents |
History
Pre-Crisis
Fear Toxin
The first time that Scarecrow used his fear chemical, he used various methods of application such as spray and smoke. (Batman v1 #189) Scarecrow then created unique pills that would give him the ability to project fear into the minds of his enemies. Unfortunately, these proved ineffective for a second use, as the effect turned against anyone who consumed the pills. (Batman v1 #200) Scarecrow later created a more potent version of the toxin, which forced the victim's brain to trigger the fear of their worst phobia. This new chemical was liquid and although, the fumes expelled from the toxin were also effective, the best way to dose a person was by direct contact. This is why Scarecrow used coated straws as a decoy to force his victims to touch the toxin. He also coated some of the chemical on his costume to infect Batman, once they came in conflict. His plan succeeded, but Batman's will was stronger than the toxin's effects, which were nullified. (Batman v1 #296)
Using a previous idea, Scarecrow developed a fear pheromone, which once injected into the body, would cause every person nearby to fear that person infected. He also made it so that any infected person would turn insane after 6 days from the first injection. He used this new chemical on Batman, but the Dark Knight found Scarecrow's antidotes and reverted the process. On the other hand, Scarecrow was accidentally dosed with a stronger version of the fear pheromone and he was taken to Arkham Asylum as he was frightened of himself. (Detective Comics v1 #503)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Fear Toxin
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Fear Toxin
Years ago, the Gotham City Police Department brought in Hugo Strange the study the effects of the fear toxin on the victims of the Scarecrow. Afterwards, the Scarecrow found himself in the employ of a figure called Mother who had used of his fear gas leading to Dr. Crane co-opting an industrial plant to produce large quantities of the toxin. (Batman & Robin Eternal v1 14)
Dr. Crane later came under the employ of the Many Arms of Death who operated under the guise of the Kali Corporation where he was creating new powerful variations of his Fear Toxin. (Batwoman v3 #8)
Overview
There were a number of variations of the Toxin included:
- Fear Toxin/Venom Combination :
- Super Toxin 451-A :
- Cassandra Toxin :
- Trauma Toxin : a new variant created by Dr. Crane whilst he gained Mother as a benefactor for his experiments. This version scarred the brain in the same way as a deeply traumatic event and was said to operate far beyond fear. It was said to replicate the same chemical reaction experienced by a body when it went through something horrific to the point that it could rip a mind apart. Thus, it would leave a person a husk of their former self. (Batman & Robin Eternal v1 14)
- Essence de Trauma : original version of the Trauma Toxin. Scarecrow used it to cause his victims to recreate their most traumatic experience. (Batman v1 #457)
- Cheerdrops : modified version of fear gas was created that was used as a new street drug that seemingly created the opposite reaction to the original. (Batman: (Urban Legends v1 #1)
Users
- Jonathan Crane :
Notes
- Fear Toxin was created by Gardner Fox and Sheldon Moldoff where it made its first appearance in Batman v1 #189 (February, 1967).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In Batman: The Animated Series, the fear gas appeared in the setting of the animated television series set in the DC Animated Universe starting from the episode "Nothing to Fear". Initially, Crane as the Scarecrow simply used it as a weapon to protect himself or ward off interferences by spraying it through vents in the fingers of his gloves. Batman, however, finds his lair and opens the tanks containing the toxin, exposing Scarecrow to his own gas and showing him his own fear of bats. Batman sends him to Arkham Asylum.
- In Titans, fear gas appeared in the setting of the live-action television series.
Films
- In Batman Begins, Fear Toxin made an appearance in the setting of the live-action film. It was shown as being a gas that was created from Blue Poppies near Ra's al Ghul's dojo. Dr. Jonathan Crane who was a corrupt chief therapist for Arkham Asylum was secretly working for Ra's and Falcone to produce much of the deadly fear toxin. The gas was tested on numerous of his patients and he created a special mask to shield himself from its effects whilst special dispensers were kept in his wrists that he would spray on his enemies. Large quantities of the toxin was pumped into the water supply where it was distributed throughout Gotham City whilst a Wayne Industries device was stolen for Ra's al Ghul that could convert water into gas. The plan was to activate the machine to turn the liquid fear toxin into a gas and cause a mass panic throughout the city leading to its destruction. Crane would have the gas accidently sprayed on himself and reveal Ra's plan to Batman who would manage to halt the plot with the toxin flushed out of the water supply.
- In Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem, the Fear Gas appeared in the setting of the direct-to-DVD animated film. It was used by the Scarecrow and consisted of Tetrocyclene and aerosol residue. Scarecrow used it on Nightwing and Green Arrow to knock the pair out whilst he aided in the escape of Silver Banshee and Solomon Grundy.
Video games
- In Batman: Arkham Asylum, fear toxin appeared in the setting of the video game. After being exposed to the gaseous toxin while walking through the halls of Arkham Asylum, Batman experienced elaborate hallucinations ranging from finding his parents' bodies in the Morgue, reliving his last moments with them and an 'inversion' where he was the lunatic brought to Arkham by the Joker which culminated in him being forced to travel through a twisted, nightmare-esque version of Arkham composed of islands floating over a brown whirlwind while fighting skeletons and evading a giant Scarecrow who normally crushed him if caught in his gaze. The confrontations ended when Batman shone the Bat-Signal on Scarecrow at the end of each 'maze'; the signal apparently represented Batman's strength of will as he focused to get out of the hallucinations. Scarecrow himself noted after the third and final confrontation that he continued to resist even after taking in enough toxin to apparently drive ten men insane. In the DLC content of Arkham Asylum and Batman: Return To Arkham, Batman could enter a Scarecrow Nightmare where he needed to avoid being hit for as long as possible.
- In Batman: Arkham Knight, the fear gas appeared in the setting in the video game. After being exposed to Scarecrow's toxin again, Batman experienced horrifying flashbacks of Joker's heinous crimes (the crippling of Oracle and torture of Jason) as well as an auditory and visual recreation of Joker who taunted the Dark Knight. Along with this, Batman experienced vivid hallucinations where Oracle committed suicide, he snapped Joker's neck while fighting him in Crime Alley and essentially became Joker himself. Unlike the hallucinations in Arkham Asylum there was no definite way to break free as most were cinematic in nature and did not offer much in the way of gameplay. Unfortunately, exposure to the toxin caused Joker to see his fear of being forgotten letting Batman retake his being, and Scarecrow was not immune to his latest batch of toxin causing him to go mad. Scarecrow had the Arkham Knight and his militia secure the ACE Chemicals factory that was being used to create enough fear toxin to encompass the entire east coast.
- In Injustice 2, the fear gas appeared as part of the game mechanic for Scarecrow in the setting of the fighting video game.
Appearances
- Batman v1: (1967)
- Detective Comics v2:
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat v1:
- Batwoman v3:
- Batman & Robin Eternal v1:
External Links
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