NML Crossing, Episode 055 – Batman #564 (1999)
NML Crossing, Episode Fifty-Five
Batman #564 (April, 1999)
“Fear of Faith, Part Three: Life in Hell”
Writer – Devin Grayson
Pencils – Dale Eaglesham
Inks – Jaime Mendoza
Colors – Noelle Giddings & Digital Chameleon
Letters – Todd Klein
Edits – Illidge, Vincenzo, O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99
In which all them dominoes the Scarecrow has been setting up these last couple of chapters are starting to tip… Jonathan Crane truly is as dangerous without the fear toxin as he is with it… perhaps even more so!
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This arc started off kind of slow but it has reached a nice crescendo here. Scarecrow proves himself a master of fear manipulation. He feels far more cerebral than he normally does. Most Scarecrow stories rely too heavily on the fear gas as a tool. I like cerebral Scarecrow far more.
The interaction between Bruce and Leslie was my favorite part. She is another supporting character that makes sense to have stayed in Gotham. Her history of providing medical care in war zones will come in handy in this No Man’s Land.
Everyone equates Alfred as Bruce’s father figure after the deaths of his parents, but Leslie can give Bruce a real link to his actual father. She may the closest thing Bruce has had to a mother figure for most of his life.
My favorite line in the entire issue is when the False Facer talks about Batman and the 2 broads he’s working with. Lots of good breadcrumbs here for Batman’s “two” partners.