Title Batman: As the Crow Flies Format TPB Binding TPB Date 2004 Writer(s) Judd Winick Artist(s) Dustin Nguyen, Richard Friend Collects Batman 626-630 Storyline Batman went after a mob hitman who appeared to be high on some hallucinogenic drug. The man evaded Batman and fell from the window of a high-rise building. Robin was sent into the morgue incognito for investigation. Another man freaked out after being hit up for "protection" money. After a fight with Batman, he died of heart failure. The mobsters returned to their boss - Oswald Cobblepot. His apparent partner, Scarecrow, informed them they gave the two men concentrated doses of the fear toxin. Batman saved Eddie "The Buck" Buccelli from being tortured at the hands of his fellow mobsters. Cobblepot reminded Scarecrow who was boss and ordered him out of his costume. Crane and his associate, Linda Friitawa (who had the hots for him), continued working on their project. Batman threatened Cobblepot: stop what ever it is you're doing - I'm watching. Scarecrow, vowing to earn Penguin's respect, attacked a rival mob. Jimmy Lemongelo, a small time mobster, killed three other 'made' men. He was attacked by what appeared to be a beast-like Scarecrow. With 18 dead at one scene and thirteen at another, Batman believed the killer to be around 14 feet tall. He and Robin found hidden security footage at the second scene. Batman told Robin to go off with the Titans while he took care of things in Gotham City. Penguin talked to Crane about the Scare-beast. Crane insisted he had nothing to do with it. The Scare-beast attacked a meeting between Cobblepot and some of his 'employees.' Batman was there for it. As they fought, it dosed him with fear gas. Batman, though prepared for the fear gas, was infected. He was able to escape by jumping through a window and calling the Batmobile to him. Though Alfred tried to calm him, Batman saw Joker in his passenger seat. Alfred got worried and called Robin in to help Batman. Two-Face appeared to him in the car. As Tim neared the car, Batman saw him as Jason / Hush. He was able to hang on as the car got back to the cave. Batman was knocked unconscious and Alfred dosed him. Nine hours later, Bruce awakened. The Scarebeast was attacking Wayne Manor. The Scarebeast attacked Wayne Manor. Alfred, while being carried by the beast was able to stab it in the eye. Robin got Alfred to safety and attacked it while it went for Bruce. They were able to get the beast into the cave where Bruce got into an armored batsuit. Alfred hit it with tranquilizers until it shrunk into Jonathan Crane. Batman confronted Penguin about his role in transforming Crane so that he would murder unloyal underlings. Linda Friitawa, Crane's assistant, was also in on it. She escaped, calling herself Fright. Crane transformed into the beast once again while being transported and escaped. Alfred found a green eye mask in the Batmobile.