CHAPTER 1 THE FOG OF FEAR Darkness crawled across the morning sky like a giant bat from a nightmare The residents of Gotham City stared up from the streets or peeked out of windows for a sign of the vanished sun Somehow mysteriously it had become twilight before noon A sudden fear of the dark gripped the entire city Then a bright light sliced through the shadows The Bat-Signal shined against the darkened clouds It was a welcome sight for their frightened eyes 4
Never dreamed I’d have to shine the Bat-Signal in the daytime Commissioner Gordon said He stood on the police department rooftop I hope Batman sees it wherever he is The towering smokestacks of the Gotham City power plant spit a thick cloud of black fog high above the skyline Creating its own eclipse the darkness draped over the panicked streets It grew like a great uncoiling snake Before long the bright morning spring air was as dark as midnight The citizens of Gotham would have been even more afraid if they’d seen the figure atop the highest smokestack Dressed in tatters and thin as a skeleton the weird being shed small scraps of straw with every footstep 5
He pulled a glowing jack-o lantern from a bag in his hand He had already tossed several others down into the smoldering smokestack The ragged man cackled a laugh like the sound of breaking glass Trick or treat Gotham City the Scarecrow cried ready to drop a pumpkin into the next chimney Today is Halloween six months early SCHINGGGG Suddenly a Batarang flew through the air and knocked the pumpkin out of the Scarecrow’s grasp A black-cloaked creature appeared out of nowhere his eyes burning white-hot through the slits of his cowl Not in my city the Batman said Now it was the Scarecrow’s turn to be afraid 6
Too late Batman the Scarecrow shrieked You’ve lost already Flinging his sleeves the Scarecrow threw a clump of stinging straw into Batman’s face Like a bundle of living rags the villain dashed around the narrow rim of the smokestack Escape was the only thing on his evil mind Gripping a hooked rope the Scarecrow prepared for his descent Twice he rapidly glanced behind His eyes grew wide with surprise through the holes of his mask Where was Batman Among the drifting ribbons of the thick fog the Scarecrow’s enemy was nowhere to be seen The Scarecrow quickly hurried down the long rope An evil smile crossed his lips Had Batman fallen to his doom Perhaps he was finally rid of his enemy forever 7
