Batman: Dark Patterns (2024-) #11

Batman: Dark Patterns (2024)

by Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman (Artist)

With the mystery of the terrifying new arsonist’s identity hanging over his head, Batman finds himself at a crossroads with one of his allies. Is it possible they’re the mastermind behind the flames devouring Gotham City?

Genres: Comics, Batman, Dc Comics

Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2025

About the author

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.

Reviews

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I'm just in a terrible mood, but this was just good. I like the set up with the great fire.

[Chris Loan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story so much, and for the penultimate issue that was great! Seeing the Child of Fire go over his motivation for setting these fires were great. I loved seeing Bruce be so committed to solving this mystery that Alfred had to scream at him, and it wasn’t until Alfred made an off the cuff comment to Bruce that he finally solved this mystery. I loved this characterization of Batman in this series and can’t wait to see the end!

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Patterns has not missed once. Every single issue has been stellar and gripping. I love this run and I don’t want it to end. Diving into each of these cases has been so much fun and I’ve really, really loved it.

[Cybernex007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has an absolute choke hold on me and I’m not ready for it to end next issue, this is peak creative freedom and art. Just everything about this series is amazing and this storyline is showing to be one of the most intense ones yet. We left off last issue with Dr Sereika being pinned as the child of fire that is striking Gotham, but in reality it is the newspaper man Nicky Harris! Had to be someone close to Batman, didn’t it? But it’s more than that, Nicky is doing all of this in an effort to win the grand struggle he believes he has orchestrated. He sees batman as something larger than all of them, something the city spawns and needs. A new myth to behold. But Nicky sees the doctor in opposition to those ideals, he drags batman down to the ground and sticks him in a lab to become nothing more than a mere policeman, not the future that Nicky is envisioning. So in order to win he is going to create the myth anew through fire. Unfortunately batman is in no healthy place to fight against this right now. Gordon can’t reach him so he has resulted to bringing firefly out of Arkham to give them a profile on the suspect. While Lynns is able to paint a picture about this arsonist being someone who wants to create something, the police are steps behind and no matter how many documents Bruce scourers over he is only getting closer to death with the infection in his back from the gunshot wound he sustained. Finally Alfred is the one to break through to him and order him to rest and heal or he will go no closer to solving this before dying himself. Only Alfred can make the dark knight take his pills, lol. And while recovery did seem to be going well, Alfred said something that broke the entire case wide open for Bruce:

“Honestly this whole ‘child of fire’ thing already sounds like a Nicky Harris headline.”

By jove Alfred you’re right this sounds just like a headline and before Alfred can turn around Bruce has pulled his disappearing trick and is roaring in the Batmobile towards the city. I’m not sure of it’s because of how weak and sick Bruce is, but as he drives towards the city he begins to physically see the city change before him into what the child of fire is planning. Batman has realized that he is replicating Gotham’s fires to form a ritual, the first one that Firefly was brought to it was pointed out that was the first place a fire was started that changed the land and shaped it for Gotham to grow…and now he’s going to skip to the big one: the great fire of Gotham. Once again I have to say how much I love this art and panel work, it’s just pure genius. We proceed to see batman race across the city as the landscape changes between the modern day and the past as he describes the environmental factors of the time, the poor investment in the fire department, and a score of other issues that led to the entire city burning down and being rebuilt completely different. Batman gets in contact with Gordon along the way but Bruce is not in a good spot to communicate well right now and I don’t blame him from how cool this art is, lol. But it’s very well know where the fire started as even though the rest of the city changed the financial district was rebuilt in the same spot in great haste. As the issue comes to an end we jump over to the Gotham stock exchange as Nicky walks inside and slams a duffel bag on the table of the front desk before putting his mask on. The guards freak out and ask what’s in the bag, and Nicky calmly explains that it’s a homemade incendiary device. One of the guard rushes to try and get it out as it begins to smoke, but it’s to no avail as right as he gets outside the two other bags outside explode alongside it. Omg that’s horrific. With the stock exchange on fire the guards still breathing make a run for it and Nicky walks back to his car out front and pulls Sereika, in his own flame proof body suit, out by a chain. Nicky is now prepared to let the fire decide whose image of the city should be allowed to continue. Did I mention this series is amazing?

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

May be one of the best arcs in this series. A villain with a real threat yet still keeps a low and creepy profile to follow the themes of Dark Patterns.

Unfortunately, the second issues of an arc always seem to lack any sustenance of plot or character development. This issue, like all the others, just feels like a bridge for the final act yet holds the story high on a pedestal.

This villain may have created events that have happened in past issues and is a bigger character than is let off to be. Same with Dr. Sereika. Both characters who get a lot more development in this ever expanding world.

My one issue…none of this would have happened if Batman simply went back to look for the fire fein when he saved Gordon. So why didn’t he? I get that he was sick, but he still was during this upcoming second encounter.

I don’t know. Still the best story arc so far.

[Derrick McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am not telling you to stop treating this godforsaken city. I gave up on that long ago. But I AM telling you that if you do not treat YOUR body, Bruce Wayne will DIE!"

Batman being sidelined due to his injuries in the previous arc, but being nursed back to health by Alfred was not something I knew I needed. But I did. I really did. This issue was GORGEOUS, by the way.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good.

I am going to miss this series. Its been a really fun ride. Love this title. The use of seldom used characters in Batman's Rogues Gallery has been a great feature that I appreciate. Read it from issue #1. Its really that good.

[Brooke ☯︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of Fire part two

Writer Dan Watters and artist Hayden Sherman make a great team. Sherman also does the art for Absolute Wonder Woman.

Batman is dark, this is darker. The panels are so creative. Highly recommend to all Batman or DC fans. 🦇🟡

[John Bolido · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, and sets up the finale very well. Honestly gutted that Dark Patterns is coming to a close, as it’s probably been my favorite run over the last year.

[Richard A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This storyline is an odd angle as they are using ex-cons to help solve crimes.

[Nick LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't beat it! Best combo of writer/artist that Batman has had in a long time! I look forward to this book every month and sadly hate to see it go. Good issue, really.

Read as a single issue.

[Aidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best DC titles at the moment.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most visually impressive issue of the whole run

[Ushnav Shroff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gripping for sure.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5/5 stars.

[Mark Cubillos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been such a great series. I love GPD going to Firefly for help against another arsonist. This is setting up for big conclusion.

[Garth · Rating 4 out of 5]

2026 - 365 Days of Whatever Is On My Comic Book TBR
Day 10