The very idea of a year-long maxi series featuring Batman is immediately exciting. Batman: The Long Halloween spent a year perfecting the idea of solving a mystery, but it almost never comes to fruition. To date, Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman have begun work on “Batman: Dark Partners,” a story that explores a gruesome murder case during Batman’s early years in office.
This is a great opening issue for the new Batman series. From the brooding Batman, to the detective skills on display, to the physicality of the fight scenes, to the moral dilemmas explored, to the atmosphere of Gotham on display, to the corruption evident in the mysteries, to the cool cars, to the great art, this is a great Batman. Everything you need for your story. The only thing missing is an iconic villain, but considering the interesting new villain introduced here, I’ll give this one a pass.
What you immediately notice about Sherman’s art is how dynamic and larger-than-life it is. The very first page features a large bust of Shakespeare, and the surrounding panels guide you through the lawlessness and danger of Gotham through captions. The first time we saw Batman, it was very close to his chest, with only his arms and chest visible. The level of detail is great and the layout design is interesting throughout. I’ve never seen a Batman book like this. Once you put this book down, you might as well read it.
He’s night!
Credit: DC Comics
After a reminder of how messed up Gotham is, with buildings being randomly set on fire, the story delves into recent murders. The men were not only killed, but also tortured with needles being inserted in all directions. James Gordon’s newest coroner, Dr. Sereika, also accompanies him. He is a very strange man, who appears to enjoy homicidal perfectionism. You will feel anxious as Batman explains how this murder and the other two murders are related.
Watters does a lot here to lay the foundation for the mystery. It feels like the answer is in the details, but it still takes 11 questions to piece it together.
This issue also provides some satisfying information, including the introduction of a new villain. Not since Victor Zsasz has a villain been so strange, so frightening, so truly unhinged. Sherman’s design enhances the harrowing and terrifying villain.
It helps that this series is set in an era where Batman is still fairly new. It may not be obvious right away, but you can get a hint. For example, Batman ignores the Bat-signal for an entire day, knowing that Gordon is angry that he broke into his office to steal his files. It’s not like Batman to care what Gordon thinks, but here he does. He also takes heavy damage at times and even neglects to remove all the bullet fragments from his side at one point.
Fans of the Batman movies will have a lot to enjoy here, including Batman’s yellow emblem and the general setup of a murderer on the loose and a victim.
Batman: Dark Partners #1 is a great kickoff to the highly anticipated Max series, combining intense detective work, fresh character dynamics, and unforgettable visuals to captivate fans of the Dark Knight. There’s no iconic enemy, but the introduction of a terrifying new villain and a down-to-earth early Batman makes this a can’t-miss start for Batman enthusiasts.
Batman: Dark Patterns #1 is off to a great start
Batman: Dark Pattern #1
Batman: Dark Partners #1 is a great kickoff to the highly anticipated Max series, combining intense detective work, fresh character dynamics, and unforgettable visuals to captivate fans of the Dark Knight. There’s no iconic enemy, but the introduction of a terrifying new villain and a down-to-earth early Batman makes this a can’t-miss start for Batman enthusiasts.
A great depiction of the early Batman with his moral dilemmas and vulnerabilities.
Dynamic and innovative artwork by Hayden Sherman.
He’s an interesting new villain, with his unbridled brutality reminiscent of Victor Zsazs.
A great atmosphere capturing the corruption and chaos of Gotham.
Strong detective elements and a fascinating setting for a year-long mystery.
The lack of an iconic villain may be a drawback for some readers.
