Batman #630

As the Crow Flies Part Four: Home Invasion

Judd Winick Writer
Dustin Nguyen Penciller
Richard Friend Inker
Alex Sinclair Colorist
Clem Robins Letterer
Michael Wright Assoc. Ed.
Bob Schreck Editor
Batman created by Bob Kane

Our cover by Matt Wagner shows a bloody, mask-less Batman fighting in Wayne Manor, surrounded by ... several strands of straw. If you take away the straw, this is a pretty fun concept. Batman caught off guard, forcing to fight for his life in the sanctuary of his own home. Of course, this is hardly an original concept. I've seen it done several times before and since this comic.

The bulk of the story deals with Batman, Robin and Alfred battling a 10-foot-tall "Scarebeast" in Wayne Manor and the Batcave. Once the monster is defeated, it transforms back into the real Scarecrow, Dr. Crane. Batman then goes and deals with Penguin, who was somehow involved, and Robin heads out to Titans Tower in San Francisco.

While Bart and Beast Boy battle over the TV remote once again, Alfred calls Robin to tell him that Scarecrow transformed into the monster while being taken to Arkham Asylum and escaped. Alfred also finds a clue that suggests Jason Todd could be alive.



Dustin Nguyen would later become well-known for having a light, whimsical style, popularized by the Li'l Gotham series. But in 2004, he tried to be darker, grittier. And it just did not work. This was not a fun comic book to look at. And I can't say I'm a fan of the idea of Scarecrow turning into a monster, either. But I do appreciate having other books acknowledge the Teen Titans.

Speaking of which, next time, we'll review Teen Titans #13.