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.
Dan 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.
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.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
I already reviewed the first two stories. The third story is one of my favorites. Batman is drawn to a rarely visited area of Gotham and no matter what he does he not only can't help, he may be making it worse.
A very old gang who used to run things in that area seems to be back as a murder was committed in their unique style. But is there more too it? A sad ending but again its a mystery and a Batman who makes mistakes as he learns
The Child of Fire is the last story. Who is he? What does he want? Will he burn it all down?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Як же обожнюю саме такі історії, які нагадують, що цей персонаж найкраще працює не тоді, коли рятує мультивсесвіт, а коли стоїть у бруді Ґотема, розбитий, із пораненнями, виснажений, але все ще складає докупи сліди навколо.
Ден Воттерс бере раннього Бетмена — ще не легенду, ще не міф із мільйоном планів на випадок апокаліпсису, а впертого детектива, який тільки вчиться чути місто. І це дуже освіжає усі ці історії про нього, які виходили останнім часом. Тут немає космічної ставки чи сюжету після якого «усе зміниться назавжди». Є чотири самодостатні справи: «Ми поранені», «Голос вежі», «Парейдолія» та «Дитя вогню». Кожна з них працює як окрема міська страшилка, але разом вони складаються у більший малюнок — ті самі темні візерунки, які Ґотем виводить на тілах, будинках, пам’яті й провині своїх мешканців.
«Поранений чоловік» відкриває серію ідеально. Це похмурий детектив про біль, який став зброєю. Бетмен полює на вбивцю, що ніби вийшов із нічного кошмару медичної лабораторії, але найцікавіше тут не сама жорстокість, а питання співчуття. Автор показує, що у Ґотемі навіть монстр може бути наслідком чужого гріха, а Бетмен ще не завжди знає, як рятувати тих, хто не хоче бути врятованим.
«Голос вежі» перетворює старий будинок на окремого персонажа — з його шепотом, страхами, мешканцями й гнилими таємницями між поверхами. Це майже камерна історія жахів, де Бетмен не просто піднімається нагору до заручника, а проходить крізь колективну параною цілого дому.
«Парейдолія» — можливо, найхитріша з чотирьох історій. Вона грає з тим, як люди бачать знайомі образи там, де їх може й не бути: старі банди, старі злочини, старі страхи. Для Бетмена це справа не лише про розслідування, а й про власні упередження щодо Ґотема. Тут комікс особливо гостро ставить питання: чи завжди поява Бетмена допомагає місту, чи інколи вона лише змушує темряву набувати нового, зручного для нього обличчя?
«Дитя вогню» зшиває серію в емоційний фінал, де мотив полум’я перестає бути просто загрозою і стає символом переродження. Бетмен доходить до межі фізично й морально, але саме через це його образ остаточно переходить із рівня міських пліток до рівня легенди. Ця історія працює як кульмінація всіх тем: біль, страх, травма, провина — усе спалахує разом, і з цього вогню народжується захисник, який приймає темні візерунки Ґотема як власну мапу.
Найсильніше вражає те, що Воттерс не просто вигадує загадки для Бетмена. Ґотем тут не декорація, а хвора жива тканина, де травма повторюється, змінює форму, повертається іншими обличчями. Бетмен намагається не тільки зупинити злочин, а й розібратися, чому біль пустив коріння саме так.
Гейден Шерман робить для цієї історії майже непристойно багато. Його Ґотем грубий, ламаний, задимлений, але не хаотичний. У лініях відчувається нуар, трохи архітектурного кошмару, трохи сну після поганої ночі. Панелі дихають тривогою: сходові клітки здаються пастками, кімнати черевом будівлі, а сам Бетмен часто виглядає не героєм на обкладинці, а тінню, яка ледве тримається на ногах. Колір окремо підкреслює цю липку атмосферу: темні тони не просто роблять все похмурим, вони створюють температуру страху.
Особливо добре працює поступове перетворення Бетмена з міського самосудника на урбаністичну легенду. Люди ще не знають, хто він: загроза, привид, рятівник? Комікс постійно грає з цією невизначеністю. Найкращі сцени не там, де Бетмен перебуває в бійках (але вони теж класні), а там, де його допомога не потрібна, де його бояться, відштовхують або змушують сумніватися у власній ролі. Для персонажа, якого часто зображцють надто непохитним, це справжній подарунок.
«Темні візерунки» відчуваються як любовний лист до старих детективних похмурих історій про Бетмена, де загадка важить не менше за удар у щелепу. Як результат, комікс читався вкрай захопливо.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Batman: Dark Patterns is a book that pays homage to the stories that came before it. You can see glimpses of Batman 89, Batman the Animated Series, Batman: Year One, The Long Halloween, and Hush. It is a realistic, gritty Batman story that focuses more on the crime and detective aspects of the superhero rather than the supernatural.
This arc is 12 issues. There is one overarching story and four smaller stories. Someone is setting fires across Gotham. At the same time, some new takes on the old rogues gallery (Scarface and the Red Hood Gang) and a new villain (The Wound Man) start stirring up trouble. Batman is only in his third year of crime fighting and is quite vulnerable (he takes quite the beatings here).
The art is mostly realistic and with clean lines, again much like some of the Batman classic comics of the past. I love the big yellow circle bat emblem!
All in all, a fun read that will likely be added to the Batman canon.
i like when the caped crusader picks up a spyglass. a grim collection of stories w the pared-down cast of bruce, commish, and alfred; well-illustrated by sherman. i think sherman is more suited to batman than to wonder woman, though i know that the absolute ww run has garnered him a lot of praise...i just like his burtonesque neoclassical gotham city.
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.
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.
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.
A throwback to the LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT series but told with modern technique and skill, making this the best Batman comic of the decade. Really hope we’ll see more of Watters on Batman.
This is easily the best stand-alone Batman story I've read in ages. I can't recommend it enough for the drawing, the colors, the 4 mysteries strung together across its arc. Don't sleep on this one!
Easily a classic story worthy of exploring Batman’s early years, fresh out of Year One. Gothic with detective work, minimal gadgets, modern Batman at his best and refined.
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!
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.
A finales del 2024 y durante todo el 2025, DC Cómics publicó una historia que ha encantado tanto a los fans, que se ha convertido en un clásico moderno de Batman. Esta miniserie se llama “Patrones Oscuros”, y está compuesta por 12 números en total.
En esta novela gráfica nos trasladaremos a los primeros años de Batman en Gotham, en donde seremos testigos de cuatro casos que parecen aislados pero que terminan estando muy relacionados entre sí. Cada caso se desarrollará en 3 cómics, cumpliendo así un total de 4 historias en 12 cómics. Hay algo en común en cada historia, todas inician con un incendio.
La primera historia se llama “We are the wounded”, aquí batman seguirá el rastro a lo que parece ser un asesino serial que está acechando la ciudad. Más adelante sabremos que este asesino es “The Wound Man”, un antagonista completamente nuevo. Y hablando de nuevos personajes, también conoceremos al Dr. Sereika, quien también se integra a la enciclopedia de personajes que conforman el universo de Batman.
Wound Man es un personaje que impacta desde la primera impresión, pues en su cabeza y en varias partes de su cuerpo tiene incrustadas tachuelas y puntillas. Además, su cuerpo es atravesado por varillas y demás elementos contundentes que de ser removidos o golpeados, podrían generar la muerte de este personaje. Esto es relevante porque, como saben, Batman no mata a sus oponentes, por lo que tendrá que averiguar la mejor manera de luchar contra este individuo.
Pero como puede un hombre vivir de esa manera? Con el pasar de las páginas conoceremos que él tiene Analgesia, es decir, no puede sentir dolor. Y esto es algo que no solo lo sufre él, sino también todo su barrio. Sí, The Wound Man es un hombre que ha decidido tomar justicia por mano propia contra aquellos quienes pusieron en riesgo a su familia y a su comunidad.
La segunda historia es “The voice of the tower” y en ella nos adentraremos en un críptico edificio que será demolido, pero cuyos habitantes se niegan a desalojar. Algunos de sus habitantes son violentos y han secuestrado a dos policías, por lo que Batman debe ingresar al edificio para rescatarlos.
Una vez dentro del edificio, Batman se entera que Scarface, el malvado muñeco de ventrilocuo, está detrás de todo esto, y ahora no controla únicamente a quien lo posee, sino que puede influir en la mente y acciones de los habitantes de la torre, convirtiéndole en la torre de Scarface.
La tercera historia se llama “Pareidolia”. En ella un nuevo incendio ocurre, esta vez en un barrio llamado Rookery, el cual es tal vez la zona más marginada de Gotham, en donde el gobierno local prefiere no hacer presencia. En el primer piso del edificio incendiado se encuentra una lavandería, y dentro de una de las máquinas encuentran el cuerpo incinerado de una mujer. Sin embargo, el examen forense indica que esta mujer había sido quemada con limpido antes de haber sido ubicada en la máquina de lavandería, por lo que Batman debe revelar el misterio de qué fue lo que realmente ocurrió.
Durante su investigación, y con el apoyo de Alfred, Batman intuye que esto puede ser obra de una organización mafiosa del pasado que se hacía llamar los Red Hood. Sin embargo, esta mafia se extinguió hace varias décadas. ¿Podrán haber regresado? Y si es así, ¿Por qué regresaron? A mí personalmente me molesta un poco la sobreutilización de los Red Hood. Justo el mes pasado leí otra historia de los New 52 con los Red Hood, y ya cansa ver que además no hay sincronía con lo que realmente son los Red Hood. Lo que sí debo decir es que me gustó mucho el final de esta tercera historia. Batman se dio cuenta que a veces es mejor no hacer nada.
La cuarta y última historia es “Child of Fire” y aquí veremos la conexión real que existe en todas las historias que hemos leído previamente en este volumen. En ella nos contarán detalles de la historia de la creación de Gotham, la cual involucró un gran incendió que allanó la tierra para que los colonos establecieran su ciudad. Además, conocemos que Gotham ha sufrido varios incendios grandes a través de los años y que ellos han significado puntos de quiebre a grandes cambios en la ciudad.
El antagonista se llama Child of Fire y su identidad la conocerás al leer el cómic. Su objetivo es recrear el gran incendio y ha engañado a Batman para lograr su cometido. Este villano nos revela que él estuvo detrás de los tres casos anteriores, moviendo los hilos para distraer al hombre murciélago, y veremos si está cerca de cumplir con su cometido.
En general esta novela gráfica me ha encantado. Entiendo por qué los fans la han amado tanto, y estoy de acuerdo en que es un clásico moderno del hombre murciélago. Sin pensarlo dos veces, yo lo sumo al gran canon de Batman, uniéndose así a historias como El Largo Halloween, Año Uno, Victoria Oscura. La Broma Asesina y muchos más. Me encantó además que Dan Watters logra retomar ese ambiente misterioso que sólo las historias policiales pueden transmitir. Se siente muy bien ver una historia en la que Batman debe ser nuevamente un detective.