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Batman: Dark Patterns (2024) #1-12
Batman: Dark Patterns
A series of four self-contained, street -level, evergreen Batman mysteries exploring the early days of Batman’s place within Gotham City and his healing presence within its streets.
Batman: Dark Patterns is a grounded, mystery-driven series set in the early days of Batman’s career, echoing the tone and style of classics such as The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and Hush. Written by Dan Watters, with art by Hayden Sherman, each three-part story is a self-contained detective case rooted in the trauma and transformation of Gotham’s people and cityscape. Emphasizing Batman’s role as a methodical sleuth and shadowy symbol of hope, the series avoids cosmic or supernatural elements in favor of lo-fi, solvable mysteries that showcase the Dark Knight as a healer cloaked in darkness.
Batman: Dark Patterns is a grounded, mystery-driven series set in the early days of Batman’s career, echoing the tone and style of classics such as The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and Hush. Written by Dan Watters, with art by Hayden Sherman, each three-part story is a self-contained detective case rooted in the trauma and transformation of Gotham’s people and cityscape. Emphasizing Batman’s role as a methodical sleuth and shadowy symbol of hope, the series avoids cosmic or supernatural elements in favor of lo-fi, solvable mysteries that showcase the Dark Knight as a healer cloaked in darkness.
304 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2026
About the author
Dan Watters
408 books154 followersDan Watters is a UK based comic book writer. His first book, LIMBO, was released through Image Comics in 2016. He has since written THE SHADOW at Dynamite Comics, and ASSASSIN’S CREED and WOLFENSTEIN for Titan Comics.
Currently he is writing the relaunch of LUCIFER for Vertigo’s Sandman Universe, as well as DEEP ROOTS for Vault Comics. Deeply rooted in London Town, and firmly of the Devil's party.
Currently he is writing the relaunch of LUCIFER for Vertigo’s Sandman Universe, as well as DEEP ROOTS for Vault Comics. Deeply rooted in London Town, and firmly of the Devil's party.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 23, 2026
Bat-tastic.
Honestly I don't even know where to begin other than, for me, this volume holds it own against treasured past self-contained Batman titles like The Long Halloween, Year One or The Killing Joke. My personal preferences lean very heavily toward a "street level" Caped Crusader (no surprise that I absolutely adored "The Batman") with heavy Detective Story elements.
In particular I really don't vibe with a lot of Batman titles' treatment of the title character as some kind of invincible badass who's always 18 steps ahead of any opponent. This version of Batman is demonstrably not capable of laying a beatdown on an entire high school auditorium full of musclebound thugs by himself. In one of these stories
And how about the art? Well, in a word, SUBLIME.
The use of perspective and the colouring of many panels give it a, dare I say it, cinematic quality that you won't find in a lot of comics that feel 2-dimensional by comparison.
I don't really feel I need to say more other than run, don't walk, to get your hands on this one. Just kindly do note that these stories are pretty darn dark so please don't give it to your niece or nephew on their 8th birthday.
Honestly I don't even know where to begin other than, for me, this volume holds it own against treasured past self-contained Batman titles like The Long Halloween, Year One or The Killing Joke. My personal preferences lean very heavily toward a "street level" Caped Crusader (no surprise that I absolutely adored "The Batman") with heavy Detective Story elements.
In particular I really don't vibe with a lot of Batman titles' treatment of the title character as some kind of invincible badass who's always 18 steps ahead of any opponent. This version of Batman is demonstrably not capable of laying a beatdown on an entire high school auditorium full of musclebound thugs by himself. In one of these stories
And how about the art? Well, in a word, SUBLIME.
The use of perspective and the colouring of many panels give it a, dare I say it, cinematic quality that you won't find in a lot of comics that feel 2-dimensional by comparison.
I don't really feel I need to say more other than run, don't walk, to get your hands on this one. Just kindly do note that these stories are pretty darn dark so please don't give it to your niece or nephew on their 8th birthday.
May 2, 2026
I enjoyed this book. As much as I like the action packed stories of Batman kicking butt. I also enjoy the detective stories. This book is a different side of Batman pushed to his physical and mental limit. Can he stop Gotham City burning around him? The book has four three issue/chapter arcs.
The Wonded Man: As the city burns. A serial killer is on the loose. How does Batman stop someone that feels no pain, but a touch can kill him.
The Voice Of The Tower: A building of ghosts? Who or what is the spirit of the building? Can Batman reach the hostage at the top before it all burns down?
Pareidolia: Old gang, old rules and now they are back or are they? An old murder, look like the return of an old gang. However maybe this is one time Batman is really not wanted.
The Child of Fire: Who is the Child of Fire? What does he want and how far is he willing to go and is Batman in any condition to stop him?
Even though this book is 12 issues/chapters it is a pretty quick read. Batman is worn down but never out. The book finishes with a behind the scenes character design.
The Wonded Man: As the city burns. A serial killer is on the loose. How does Batman stop someone that feels no pain, but a touch can kill him.
The Voice Of The Tower: A building of ghosts? Who or what is the spirit of the building? Can Batman reach the hostage at the top before it all burns down?
Pareidolia: Old gang, old rules and now they are back or are they? An old murder, look like the return of an old gang. However maybe this is one time Batman is really not wanted.
The Child of Fire: Who is the Child of Fire? What does he want and how far is he willing to go and is Batman in any condition to stop him?
Even though this book is 12 issues/chapters it is a pretty quick read. Batman is worn down but never out. The book finishes with a behind the scenes character design.
May 5, 2026
Batman: Dark Patterns
Gotham City is still getting used to the shadow of the Batman protecting the people from evil and these four cases see Bruce Wayne come to realise that his heroic alter ego is all too human.
Fantastic inking and panelling, with good use of colours and shadow to evoke the noir feeling so necessary for a good Batman story. Watter's plots are good for expanding Batmn's experience as a detective.
Gotham City is still getting used to the shadow of the Batman protecting the people from evil and these four cases see Bruce Wayne come to realise that his heroic alter ego is all too human.
Fantastic inking and panelling, with good use of colours and shadow to evoke the noir feeling so necessary for a good Batman story. Watter's plots are good for expanding Batmn's experience as a detective.
April 19, 2026
Although it says "volume 2", it's the only edition with 300 pages that corresponds to all twelve issues of this series (volume 1 and 2). This was such a brilliant year-one-ish collection of stories, showing us a Bruce Wayne/Batman still trying to figure out this whole vigilante thing, remaining composed when it matters, but still being reckless and on the edge when things get difficult. The villains contained in these short stories are original and well-developed, the intrigue is in all the stories, and the artwork is brilliant. The world needs more stories like these.
April 2, 2026
Folks, we love a dark Batman mystery that's focused on solving a case and not just beating up bad guys, don't we? We love it when the Caped Crusader is depicted as something of an unknowable creature of the night from the perspective of the common man. We love it when he's human and makes mistakes but doesn't let that stop him from doing good for the city. We love a rogues gallery of new, inventive characters blended with unique takes on some old favorites, as well as a complicated, well-rounded supporting cast.
Love the art in this book. Big time Tim Sale vibes (the whole book has kind of a Long Halloween feel to it in general, honestly) in terms of the somewhat exaggerated linework and great, moody color palette (check out Absolute Wonder Woman for more of Hayden Sherman's art). Got a brand new lockscreen for my iPad out of one of the covers.
Honestly kind of regret getting this one on Kindle, though it looks great on an iPad screen. There have been several good Batman stories lately that I'm genuinely miffed I missed out on getting in a monthly format just because I haven't regularly gone to a comic shop since before the pandemic.
Love the art in this book. Big time Tim Sale vibes (the whole book has kind of a Long Halloween feel to it in general, honestly) in terms of the somewhat exaggerated linework and great, moody color palette (check out Absolute Wonder Woman for more of Hayden Sherman's art). Got a brand new lockscreen for my iPad out of one of the covers.
Honestly kind of regret getting this one on Kindle, though it looks great on an iPad screen. There have been several good Batman stories lately that I'm genuinely miffed I missed out on getting in a monthly format just because I haven't regularly gone to a comic shop since before the pandemic.
April 7, 2026
This was fantastic. Woah. It feels like a cross between Batman, the X Files and a classic gritty noir detective drama. Which is to say, exactly how I want Batman to feel. I also got strong “Gotham” (2014-2019) vibes to depict a Gotham City full of monsters and mystery rooted in a criminal underworld. We get a young, inexperienced Batman who is still getting to know his city and this leads to some of the tensest moments I’ve read in one of his comics as he’s beaten, shot, broken and burned. I love how each story feeds into another to see this Batman evolve from vigilante to urban legend. We Are the Wounded starts the series off perfectly (very X Files coded) as Batman uncovers a pharmaceutical company coverup. The moment when the affected reject Batman’s help in the matter had me hooked. The Voice of the Tower gives room for one of Batman’s most underrated rogues in Scarface to shine as it delivers equal part action to paranormal case study. Pareidolia forces Bruce Wayne to confront his preconceptions of Gotham and reflect on his own impact as the Batman, resulting in tragic consequences. Child of the Fire brings it together so perfectly as Batman’s evolution reaches its crescendo and he is reborn in flames as the protector of Gotham. The theme of fire throughout allows this link between stories as well as keeping it alive and dangerous. Dan Watters writes the character as an action hero and detective rolled into one and it feels as natural as anything. It feels like the perfect characterisation. Oh, and Hayden Sherman’s art is as amazing as ever. Seriously, when I tell you this somehow managed to articulate exactly how I want a Batman comic to read and look - this creative team is nothing short of dreamy. I can’t quite put into words how much I’d recommend this comic to anyone who grew up a fan of spooky mysteries as well as of the character. All I want is more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2026
Both imaginative and street level take on early Batman. The twelve issues collected here cover four different and very loosely connected cases. There's much more focus on Batman as detective here, which I always love. There are some fascinating new characters that I don't expect to ever see again, and a couple of regular Batman villains put in good showings. Each of the four stories are absorbing on their own, and work well together besides. I love the art, that kind of splits the difference between something as stylized as Loeb and something more realistic. It looks great, there are some interesting and readable panel layouts, and it fully suits the story.
April 12, 2026
This is so precisely everything i want in a Batman comic that it makes me, frankly, suspicious. Did I fill out a survey or attend a focus group that i don't remember? Dark detective stories with a dash of superhero. check it out.
May 9, 2026
I have no issues with a dark, gritty Batman as some of the best Batman stories, whether through comics and other media, lean into those dark sensibilities. From comic book creators like Frank Miller and Alan Moore to filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Matt Reeves, they have told mature stories that are not made for the sake of edginess, they are interested in exploring the psychology of The Dark Knight and his relationship with Gotham City that is populated by villains, who are just as broken and tragic as he is.
The appropriately titled Batman: Dark Patterns by Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman explores those themes through four story arcs with a strong focus on Batman as a detective. Considering the episodic nature with each arc being three issues long, the series explores the various areas of Gotham through its citizens who have plagued by their or someone else’s twisted desires, and it is up to Batman to prevent more death from happening.
While Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez present Batman as a colourful superhero with a wide range of gadgets in their current run of the main Batman title, Dark Patterns focuses on a vigilante who is always seeing the horrors on the city and yet he must focus on one terror and then move on to the next. Taking inspiration from iconic storylines like Year One, Watters writes Batman as a man who is not without his limits and pushing himself towards physical and psychological torment that he doesn’t realise but everyone else does.
You may have known cast members like Commissioner Gordon and the trusted butler Alfred, Dark Patterns introduces some new characters such as Dr. Sereika, the eccentric forensic pathologist who Batman initially mistrusts, but becomes an unlikely ally, albeit one with his complicated backstory. Although Batman has the best rogues gallery, there is a tendency to use the villains that everyone knows (I’m looking at you, Joker). However, Watters either uses some of the more obscure villains or completely new creations, all of which used to tell stories that are not grand in action, but intimate with unexpected results.
Best known nowadays as the artist of Absolute Wonder Woman, Hayden Sherman bring his own highly detailed flourish to Gotham City which doesn’t seem place in a specific time when you look at the cars and buildings. Make no mistake, this is not for the youngsters or the faint of heart as from reading the first arc opens with a horrific murder scene to the eventual reveal of the villain, the Wound Man. As previously stated, the series is not defined by action as these arcs tend to climax on a personal note, but Sherman’s dynamic panel layouts keep the storytelling gripping, most notably in the second arc where Batman is trapped in a building where its residents are mysteriously under the possession of the puppet Scarface.
In this current age where Batman comics are exciting as well as diverse, Batman: Dark Patterns is not interested in acknowledging the main DC continuity or the Absolute Universe, but rather be in its own dark and psychological bubble that actually has something to say about its flawed hero’s psychology, as well as the people he is trying to protect and not always succeeding.
The appropriately titled Batman: Dark Patterns by Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman explores those themes through four story arcs with a strong focus on Batman as a detective. Considering the episodic nature with each arc being three issues long, the series explores the various areas of Gotham through its citizens who have plagued by their or someone else’s twisted desires, and it is up to Batman to prevent more death from happening.
While Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez present Batman as a colourful superhero with a wide range of gadgets in their current run of the main Batman title, Dark Patterns focuses on a vigilante who is always seeing the horrors on the city and yet he must focus on one terror and then move on to the next. Taking inspiration from iconic storylines like Year One, Watters writes Batman as a man who is not without his limits and pushing himself towards physical and psychological torment that he doesn’t realise but everyone else does.
You may have known cast members like Commissioner Gordon and the trusted butler Alfred, Dark Patterns introduces some new characters such as Dr. Sereika, the eccentric forensic pathologist who Batman initially mistrusts, but becomes an unlikely ally, albeit one with his complicated backstory. Although Batman has the best rogues gallery, there is a tendency to use the villains that everyone knows (I’m looking at you, Joker). However, Watters either uses some of the more obscure villains or completely new creations, all of which used to tell stories that are not grand in action, but intimate with unexpected results.
Best known nowadays as the artist of Absolute Wonder Woman, Hayden Sherman bring his own highly detailed flourish to Gotham City which doesn’t seem place in a specific time when you look at the cars and buildings. Make no mistake, this is not for the youngsters or the faint of heart as from reading the first arc opens with a horrific murder scene to the eventual reveal of the villain, the Wound Man. As previously stated, the series is not defined by action as these arcs tend to climax on a personal note, but Sherman’s dynamic panel layouts keep the storytelling gripping, most notably in the second arc where Batman is trapped in a building where its residents are mysteriously under the possession of the puppet Scarface.
In this current age where Batman comics are exciting as well as diverse, Batman: Dark Patterns is not interested in acknowledging the main DC continuity or the Absolute Universe, but rather be in its own dark and psychological bubble that actually has something to say about its flawed hero’s psychology, as well as the people he is trying to protect and not always succeeding.
April 5, 2026
When you think of great starting places for new Batman readers what do you normally think of? Is it The Long Halloween? Maybe the Dark Knight Returns? Or could it be Year One? All of these books are the ones that everyone gets recommended when getting into Batman comics. Well now we got a fourth book to add to this list, Batman Dark Patterns. Dan Watters struck gold with this series, and is something WE NEED MORE OF. A lot of current Batman books don't have the feel of those classic detective Batman stories--Or aren't as new reader friendly. This book is a perfect place for new readers.
The twelve issue series is broken down into four different cases for Batman, and there is a throughline with all of them--however they all can be read as standalone stories. This book is really about Batman being a detective; before Batman has faced Gods, and gone to space with the Justice League. Everything is grounded, but also bombastic in the all the right classic comic booky Batman ways. Hayden Shermans line work is clean, his paneling is creative and interesting, and the noir style enhances so much of this book. Lastly, Triona Farrell's coloring in this book is spectacular, and seriously levels up Shermans amazing artwork.
Overall this was an amazing read, and is a book everyone should check out. This is one of the best Batman books out right now. Highly recommended.
The twelve issue series is broken down into four different cases for Batman, and there is a throughline with all of them--however they all can be read as standalone stories. This book is really about Batman being a detective; before Batman has faced Gods, and gone to space with the Justice League. Everything is grounded, but also bombastic in the all the right classic comic booky Batman ways. Hayden Shermans line work is clean, his paneling is creative and interesting, and the noir style enhances so much of this book. Lastly, Triona Farrell's coloring in this book is spectacular, and seriously levels up Shermans amazing artwork.
Overall this was an amazing read, and is a book everyone should check out. This is one of the best Batman books out right now. Highly recommended.
April 16, 2026
Easily the best Batman story to emerge post 2020, and an instant classic that will stand the test of time. It's most criminal flaw is none other than the fact it simply had to end, albeit too soon. Perhaps all good things must indeed, in fact, come to an end.
Review of advance copy
Read in single issues format
December 3, 2025
Pretty much all my thoughts on this book are the same as volume 1. See previous review for details.
Writing, plot, and art are all top notch.
I really hope this series gets extended from a mini series to an ongoing, or at least bring this team back for another mini series run.
Writing, plot, and art are all top notch.
I really hope this series gets extended from a mini series to an ongoing, or at least bring this team back for another mini series run.
May 12, 2026
I was wary at first because I have very strict rules about how exactly dark Batman should get that only makes sense to me and the first arc was getting close to crossing that line. Once we got to the second arc…that may be the most innovative reinvention of a villain since Heart of Ice. That would have been enough for me but the team really lands the ending too. The book looks gorgeous as well. Great stuff.
Review of advance copy
Single issues.
May 4, 2026
The art was GORGEOUS and I really enjoyed the story! It was a little spooky imagery wise but I am a scared cat and I couldn’t put it down!
April 21, 2026
One of the scariest Batman books I've read. Adored how it felt like something out of Resident Evil. A true Batman detective story about the how Gotham's citizens cope with being a Gotham citizen. The best part of this book is how it doesn't rely on famous villains. One villain in particular, I don't think I've ever read in any Batman book despite knowing them well. Glorious panels, excellent art that feels like a cross between Mazzuchelli and Allred, and a great mystery with effective twists! You can't ask for more!
April 12, 2026
Started strong with a Saw inspired tale, followed by a The Raid-inspired one. Doesn’t really work for me in the end, though I appreciate that a big crux of this story is Batman being completely wrong about something and the reader being way ahead of him. Clearly influenced by Pattinson’s Batman. Really liked the art style and dynamic paneling. Liked too the collision of eras in Gotham, how it is seemingly at once the 1930’s and the 2020’s.
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May 12, 2026As a rule i don't even like Batman, but this is the Batman I do like, positively reeking of the post-Tim Burton comics Alan Grant, Peter Milligan and others were doing in the nineties. No gaudy army of 600 costumed sidekicks, just Gordon, Alfred, and Bruce Wayne on the precipice of becoming a myth. Even when recent Batman comics have been any cop, as in the Ram V Detective run on which Watters frequently wrote back-ups, the art has sometimes let them down – early on, that story's Gotham could sometimes look a bit too much like Basingstoke. Not here, where Sherman and Farrell build a city of glass canyons, ominous neoclassicism, and in one of the three-issue arcs a full-on barrio, which even I thought might be slightly overdoing it. A place existing at right angles to time, where there are mobiles and Labradoodles but people still dress like they're in a noir film, because they are. In the first story, Watters even invents an antagonist, the horrifying Wound Man, who for once makes good use of Batman's prohibition against killing, which helps tip it, if only for the duration, from idiocy into legendary geas. Elsewhere, we get old foes (and not just the same five overdone ones it usually is) reworked in new and terrifying form, while in the background the everyday horrors of the city continue – unless there's a pattern to them too? Aside from one early misunderstanding of where the solar plexus is, it's pretty much perfect, psychogeographical detective stories from the shadows tipping into carefully rationed action spectaculars.
April 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫-Just now finished Batman Dark Patterns Written by Dan Watters and Illustrated by Hayden Sherman. I been reading this the past 3 days, little at a time. This 12 issue run has been hyped up so much , people claiming it in the same vein/level as such legendary runs as The long Halloween, Year One, Batman Animated Series show. Does it live up to the hype? Nope, not even close in my opinion. I have recently reread all those iconic runs and Dark Patterns does not hold a candle to those runs, it would honestly probably do better if it didn’t get compared lol. If anything I would say it is closer to The Batman 2022 movie(had Nirvana something in the way song stuck in my head whole time I was reading this) I thought it was good, i appreciated Batman being a Detective again, that was super awesome and fun! Love how they made some new original characters as well. Also the two existing Batman Rogue they used are pretty niche. Which was a great choice and a breathe of fresh air. There is 4 different cases in 12 issues here. All pretty solid, but I probably enjoyed the wounded man and the second story the most. I’d say this is a good run, but sadly completely overhyped and didn’t completely live up to the hype but hype aside. I’d say it was a good Batman run just shouldn’t be compared to the legendary ones. (Sets almost an impossible bar)In my opinion .. I give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars
November 28, 2025
A finale that lifts the entire series, including my old rating.
Batman: Dark Patterns Vol. 2 ended up being a genuine surprise for me. In a way, giving this a 5/5 feels like my attempt to make up for the 3/5 I gave the first volume. The last three issues of this collection retroactively strengthened the entire series. They tied together every thread, including several I had not even realized were being set up, and made the whole run feel far more intentional.
I struggled at first with the vulnerability Bruce shows in the early part of the story. I am now so used to the version of Batman who survives falling from orbit, walks away from explosions, and shrugs off injuries that would end anyone else. This series presents a more grounded, believable Batman, and it threw me off. That was my mistake. Looking back, this approach gives the story more weight, and it ultimately makes the payoff far more satisfying.
Dan Watters delivers some of the strongest modern Batman writing I have read in a while, and Hayden Sherman’s art is fantastic from start to finish. Together, they make this volume feel like an instant classic - one that I'll need to buy in deluxe format when it becomes available.
Batman: Dark Patterns Vol. 2 ended up being a genuine surprise for me. In a way, giving this a 5/5 feels like my attempt to make up for the 3/5 I gave the first volume. The last three issues of this collection retroactively strengthened the entire series. They tied together every thread, including several I had not even realized were being set up, and made the whole run feel far more intentional.
I struggled at first with the vulnerability Bruce shows in the early part of the story. I am now so used to the version of Batman who survives falling from orbit, walks away from explosions, and shrugs off injuries that would end anyone else. This series presents a more grounded, believable Batman, and it threw me off. That was my mistake. Looking back, this approach gives the story more weight, and it ultimately makes the payoff far more satisfying.
Dan Watters delivers some of the strongest modern Batman writing I have read in a while, and Hayden Sherman’s art is fantastic from start to finish. Together, they make this volume feel like an instant classic - one that I'll need to buy in deluxe format when it becomes available.
April 27, 2026
A quick note that this edition collects all 12 issues of Batman: Dark Patterns and I’m not sure why Goodreads lists it as #2 in a series.
Anyway. I really enjoyed this back-to-basics, street-level take on Batman. This volume contains four stories of three issues each and requires no prior knowledge of Batman or his mythos. To that point, Dark Patterns introduces two new villains, both of whom make a great impression and could conceivably appear in future stories.
Dan Watters has a great take on Batman, seeing him as vulnerable and nearly driven mad by his quest to end crime in his home. Neither Commissioner Gordon nor Alfred can pull him back from the brink. The Gotham in Dark Patterns feels like hell on earth, and a lot of the credit there goes to Hayden Sherman. In addition to depicting Gotham as fundamentally broken, his unconventional layouts really draw the reader in and service the story well.
I’d recommend Dark Patterns to any Batman fan, truly. It feels at once fresh and of a piece with classic, defective-inflected tales of the 1970s. There’s a timelessness to Dark Patterns I really enjoyed.
Anyway. I really enjoyed this back-to-basics, street-level take on Batman. This volume contains four stories of three issues each and requires no prior knowledge of Batman or his mythos. To that point, Dark Patterns introduces two new villains, both of whom make a great impression and could conceivably appear in future stories.
Dan Watters has a great take on Batman, seeing him as vulnerable and nearly driven mad by his quest to end crime in his home. Neither Commissioner Gordon nor Alfred can pull him back from the brink. The Gotham in Dark Patterns feels like hell on earth, and a lot of the credit there goes to Hayden Sherman. In addition to depicting Gotham as fundamentally broken, his unconventional layouts really draw the reader in and service the story well.
I’d recommend Dark Patterns to any Batman fan, truly. It feels at once fresh and of a piece with classic, defective-inflected tales of the 1970s. There’s a timelessness to Dark Patterns I really enjoyed.
Review of advance copy
Review of full series:
Just absolutely brilliant in every way. The most obvious and prominent feature is Hayden Sherman’s art, which not only looks incredible but frequently uses creative panels and layouts to induce claustrophobia and a sense of motion and flow that an artist has to work extremely hard to create.
Then there’s the stories on the surface, four fantastic crime noir horror stories, each of which builds upon the ones before it. These stories are exciting, tense, and maybe a little easy to predict but so well executed you’ll find it hard to really care. Beneath it, this comic has some of the clearest but strongest thematic and symbolic writing I’ve seen in a DC comic in a while, all in service of the character arc of the title character. It’s subtle in its progression, but you can see Bruce’s character, in his narration and the physicality of the art, go through change, doubt, and pain, and come out the other side just a little bit changed.
Fantastic comics, highly recommended to everyone, even people who don’t really read DC.
Just absolutely brilliant in every way. The most obvious and prominent feature is Hayden Sherman’s art, which not only looks incredible but frequently uses creative panels and layouts to induce claustrophobia and a sense of motion and flow that an artist has to work extremely hard to create.
Then there’s the stories on the surface, four fantastic crime noir horror stories, each of which builds upon the ones before it. These stories are exciting, tense, and maybe a little easy to predict but so well executed you’ll find it hard to really care. Beneath it, this comic has some of the clearest but strongest thematic and symbolic writing I’ve seen in a DC comic in a while, all in service of the character arc of the title character. It’s subtle in its progression, but you can see Bruce’s character, in his narration and the physicality of the art, go through change, doubt, and pain, and come out the other side just a little bit changed.
Fantastic comics, highly recommended to everyone, even people who don’t really read DC.
Review of advance copy
This has been resolicited I believe, because it's now one twelve-issue volume rather than two halves.
Either way, these twelve issues, broken into four three issue arcs, all build upon one another in some unexpected ways to a crescendo of a final act that had me gagging for the next issue each month.
This is a story about Gotham as much as it is about Batman, or his villains, and that's an easy thing to write, but a hard thing to get right - which of course, Watters manages easily. Watters's Batman is a detective first and foremost, and even he, like me, managed to miss some of the clearer clues here, which makes the conclusion satisfying without being too obvious.
And of course, Hayden Sherman's artwork is phenomenal. This guy's going in my pile of "How are they drawing more than one monthly book at a time and still doing them both so fucking well?" with Dan Mora.
There's a lot of Batman out there, there's no denying that, but Dark Patterns definitely deserves your attention.
Either way, these twelve issues, broken into four three issue arcs, all build upon one another in some unexpected ways to a crescendo of a final act that had me gagging for the next issue each month.
This is a story about Gotham as much as it is about Batman, or his villains, and that's an easy thing to write, but a hard thing to get right - which of course, Watters manages easily. Watters's Batman is a detective first and foremost, and even he, like me, managed to miss some of the clearer clues here, which makes the conclusion satisfying without being too obvious.
And of course, Hayden Sherman's artwork is phenomenal. This guy's going in my pile of "How are they drawing more than one monthly book at a time and still doing them both so fucking well?" with Dan Mora.
There's a lot of Batman out there, there's no denying that, but Dark Patterns definitely deserves your attention.
April 11, 2026
My favorite non Absolute Batman story in recent years. This book was everything I love about Batman, the down to earth gritty stories, the detective angle, the Gotham city that is larger than life and the wounded citizens who call her home, the Smokey skies and neon signs with buildings that tower over one another and rise as you reach the center, the noir tone that reads perfectly with some noir jazz music in the background. We follow 4 cases that all do perfect jobs at capturing the detective Batman and the hauntingly beautiful city he protects and the individuals who inhabit it. The story does an amazing job and making Gotham city and its citizens actual characters here that matter and have heart, we see a year 3 Batman still evolving and growing, we see key characters like Gordon and bullock, but we also see new faces that fit in perfectly. This book doesn’t rely on Batman’s amazing rogues gallery yet it stands as one of the best Batman tales. It’s a book you start and can’t put down. “There’s a fire in Gotham tonight.”
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May 8, 2026Folks weren't lying, this is absolutely the best current Batman book I've read in a minute - Sherman's art and, in particular, the way he lays out pages is incredible, both visually and in the sense that it carries your eye through the action - and Triona Farrell's colors are right there beside him. Not really a page here that doesn't look great and some of the panels in issues 9 and 12 (among many other great ones) should really go down in the annals of Bat-books as some of the absolute best in form. Doesn't hurt that Watters's script is rock-solid, giving us strong street-level detective work alonsgide moments of incredible pathos (again, issue 9 is the book in miniature and the ending is probably the most affecting of any comic I've read this year, maybe even the last few years), introducing new faces, reintroducing old ones, and remixing a few familiar ones here and there. Just great stuff.
April 8, 2026
Posiblemente de lo mejor que he leído en mucho tiempo. Venía con ciertas dudas por el primer tomo, que no me pareció tan espectacular como se decía, pero este cierre lo redondea todo bastante. Sigo pensando que habría funcionado mejor como un único volumen, sin tanta separación entre entregas.
El tono es lo que más me ha atrapado. Ese equilibrio entre lo detectivesco y lo oscuro, casi con aire de thriller a lo David Fincher, pero sin dejar de ser plenamente Batman, sin perder el componente superheroico. No es fácil sostener eso y aquí lo consiguen.
El dibujo suma muchísimo, es clave para generar esa sensación de angustia y frenetismo constante.
He quedado totalmente prendado de esta obra, tendrá una relectura seguro.
El tono es lo que más me ha atrapado. Ese equilibrio entre lo detectivesco y lo oscuro, casi con aire de thriller a lo David Fincher, pero sin dejar de ser plenamente Batman, sin perder el componente superheroico. No es fácil sostener eso y aquí lo consiguen.
El dibujo suma muchísimo, es clave para generar esa sensación de angustia y frenetismo constante.
He quedado totalmente prendado de esta obra, tendrá una relectura seguro.
Review of advance copy
While I was relatively impressed by the writing and presentation of the first volume in this series, presenting 2 seemingly unconnected vigettes in the world of Batman, this second volume works to create an overarching conspiracy that connects all 4 short stories and in the process undermines some of the simplicity and beauty I felt the series benefited from. By the end of the final short story, I felt pretty clocked out of the experience, with the tone shifting from a Saturday morning cartoon to an all-important statement on Gotham, Batman, and the world these characters exist within.
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January 11, 2026Volume 2 exceeded expectations. The last three issues interconnected various plotlines effectively, enhancing the series' overall coherence. Bruce's vulnerability contrasted with typical depictions, adding weight to the narrative. Incredible storylines connecting to a surprising big reveal that I should have seen, but glad I didn't. This is a full circle of darkness and what fires can reveal in life.
May 12, 2026
Might be the strongest "Batman" or even "Bat detective" I've read in years. Watters really gets throwing in enough detail in to paint a picture, which only adds to Sherman's incredible layouts and the impeccable coloring by Farrell. Every little 3 issue arc slowly builds to finale, and it's so strong. Maybe some of the pacing isn't perfect, and does run to the ending, but I loved the ride. It's so good, I had to go out and look for my own copy.
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