Previous Post > > If it was checking out Gotham, wouldn't the likes of Scarecrow (who lives for fear) and Joker (Who more people must be afraid of than Batman since they KNOW he kills) be eligible? Or what about Phobia...? > > I think Batman has a leg up on them as not only is he more effective than them, he cultivates it better. Scarecrow relies on gas, Phobia her powers. Joker's just nuts. Fair enough on the first two, but aren't we talking how much fear they they generate as themselves? People are bed-wettingly scared of the Joker based on his reputation alone.

> > > If it was checking out Gotham, wouldn't the likes of Scarecrow (who lives for fear) and Joker (Who more people must be afraid of than Batman since they KNOW he kills) be eligible? Or what about Phobia...?
> >
> > I think Batman has a leg up on them as not only is he more effective than them, he cultivates it better. Scarecrow relies on gas, Phobia her powers. Joker's just nuts.
>
> Fair enough on the first two, but aren't we talking how much fear they they generate as themselves? People are bed-wettingly scared of the Joker based on his reputation alone.

True, but it's not something Joker generally intends by in large. Batman wants to create a mythic image to put the fear of God into criminals. Joker doesn't care about the fear he creates. In fact, it's incidental to his main goal, convincing Batman about 'the joke'.

Others use fear as a direct weapon through meta or chemical means, but no one relies, utilizies and understands the nuance of fear on a regular basis better than Batman, IMO.