Comic Review

When it comes to superhero movies, people are no longer interested in origin stories, but comic book readers and writers are still passionate about what made a character become the crime fighter they are known to be. During the post-Crisis era, Batman’s early years as the Caped Crusader were explored in depth. Perhaps to the degree that DC Comics lost interest. A few decades later, the past feels more present than ever, with writers regularly revisiting the lore they discovered as readers and modernizing dated elements. But it goes even further. It’s not just about comic books from the past, it’s about giving characters a place in their own history. That said, this book is perfect for any new reader looking to enjoy a complete Batman tale.

Written by Dan Watters with art by Hayden Sherman, Batman: Dark Patterns is a 12-issue miniseries that explores Gotham City’s past and carves out a place for its greatest detective within it. Set around Batman’s third year, the story is divided into four thematically linked investigations that slowly build upon each other to form a larger tale.

Each case starts as an apparently self-contained crime. Batman follows leads, questions suspects, and moves methodically through the city. He collaborates with Jim Gordon, who introduced him to Dr. Sereika, a forensic pathologist at Gotham University. Sereika is an odd man, but a competent one. His insights are valuable, but his attitude is suspect. Like everybody else, he has secrets. Dark Patterns is about uncovering those secrets, and everyone else’s, especially those rooted in Gotham’s past.

Read More »Batman: Dark Patterns (Review): A Carefully Crafted Dark Knight Tale