Definitely 'Batman: Year One'. While not centered around Scarecrow, his presence in it is notable. It sets the foundation for the Batman universe and shows how Scarecrow is one of the many threats that Batman has to face in the early days of his crime - fighting career.
'Batman: No Man's Land' is also a great pick. The story takes place in a Gotham that has been cut off from the rest of the world. Scarecrow thrives in this lawless and desolate environment. It gives a different perspective on his character as he takes advantage of the fear and despair around him.
Highly recommended is 'Batman: Endgame'. It has a very intense story where the Joker returns in a big way and challenges Batman like never before. The art is top - notch. Another one is 'Batman: Detective Comics' in the New 52. It has some great detective stories, which is what Batman is all about. It shows his intelligence and his ability to solve complex mysteries. And 'Batman: Son of Batman' is also good. It explores the relationship between Batman and Damian Wayne, his son, in an interesting way.
I would recommend 'Hush' for new readers. It has a lot of action and features many of Batman's most popular enemies. It's a great introduction to the world of Batman's rogues gallery. Also, 'Batman: A Death in the Family' can be interesting as it shows the more emotional side of Batman, especially in relation to the loss of Robin.
One of the best is 'Batman: The Long Halloween'. It features Scarecrow among other iconic Batman villains. The story is a noir - style mystery that unfolds over the course of a year, with holidays as a backdrop. It delves deep into the criminal underworld of Gotham and shows how Scarecrow fits into that dark tapestry.
I highly recommend 'Laika' by Nick Abadzis. It tells the story of the first dog in space from a unique perspective. The female characters in it add depth to the story. Another one is 'Through the Woods' by Emily Carroll. Her work often features female protagonists in dark, fairy - tale - like stories. And 'Jem and the Holograms' is a classic in its own right, with strong female characters and a fun, pop - culture - filled story.
A great and scary graphic novel is 'Scary Godmother'. It has a unique take on the world of monsters and witches. The art style and the stories told within are both fun and a bit spooky. 'Wytches' is also very scary. It shows a world where wytches are real and they prey on humans in the most disturbing ways. The atmosphere created in the graphic novel is one of constant dread. 'Invincible' has some very intense and scary moments too, especially when dealing with the more powerful and malevolent villains that the hero has to face.
'Daredevil: Guardian Devil' is a must - read. It has a complex and engaging plot that involves Daredevil protecting a baby that might be the Antichrist. It really tests Daredevil's moral compass and makes for a great read.
I would highly recommend 'Solo'. It offers a fresh take on Bond. The story is full of twists and turns, and the art is quite distinct. It shows Bond in some rather unique situations that we haven't seen much in other Bond media.
I highly recommend 'The Boys'. It has a post - apocalyptic feel in terms of the corrupt world it portrays, where superheroes are more like villains. 'V for Vendetta' is also great. Set in a dystopian future that can be seen as post - apocalyptic in nature, it's about a masked man fighting against an oppressive regime. 'Akira' is a classic. It has a post - apocalyptic Tokyo filled with gangs, psychic powers, and a lot of chaos.
I highly recommend 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. It's a deconstruction of the superhero genre which can be seen as a form of epic fantasy. The complex characters, the alternate history setting and the deep themes make it a must - read. The art is also very detailed and adds to the overall atmosphere of the story.
I think 'Old Man Logan' is one. It has an amazing story set in a post - apocalyptic world. Then there's 'Wolverine: Weapon X' which is very intense. 'Wolverine: Origin' too. It's a great exploration of his past.