Batman: The dark pattern is in the third case and remains riveted. For a legacy character like Batman, seeing him early in his hard-hitting career in Batman: Dark Pattern #8 is always persuasive. Exhausted, he is trying to solve the murder of Red Hood’s gang, but Red Hood’s gang hasn’t been in a while. It’s time to make headlines, but it’s not a good way to do it.
Batman: Dark Pattern #8 begins with Batman interrogating the Purp and creating a headline. These headlines Hayden Sherman renders brilliantly and sends him to the man who is writing him. The reporter has a good point, but Batman still shows that in his career he is making sure the reporter is able to reach him. It leads to rather important bullying about the issues that need to be resolved, but that’s another day.
Detective work continues to be a highlight, as is customary in this series. Batman arrives in a scene where two young men observe him, and soon things are discovered. Sherman continues to do a great job in layout, especially on the pages where Batman jumps down and discovers boys. The intersection of the panel and its grooves adds interest to the scene and makes the pursuit exciting. All of this leads to new clues and ultimately a big conflict.
Writer Dan Watters gives this issue a kick in the pants thanks to a window-like twist at the rear. I won’t ruin it, but it’s a clever turn of the story that sets Batman logically in a new direction.
I love these newspaper clippings.
Credit: DC Comics
Perhaps the highlights in question include bullets. Drilling into Batman’s mind, Watters reveals all the information Batman has learned from the gun’s explosion, but unfortunately, due to his human frailty, his mind works fast enough to discover the details before he gets out of his way. It’s a cool way to show Batman’s mind is a superpower.
These short but sweet scenes make for a great problem, but I think this feels like a table setting more than a revelation problem. A great chapter in a bigger book, so to speak.
Batman: Dark Pattern #8 continues his series’ smart, grounded detective storytelling streak, with young Batman still improving his methods and managing his emotions. The outstanding visuals by Hayden Sherman and the clever twist courtesy of Dan Watters make this issue a mystery despite the fact that he positions himself as a set-up rather than a reward. Still, when the setup is this good, you don’t mind waiting.
“Batman: Dark Pattern” #8 continues its smart, grounded approach
Batman: Dark Pattern #8
Batman: Dark Pattern #8 continues his series’ smart, grounded detective storytelling streak, with young Batman still improving his methods and managing his emotions. The outstanding visuals by Hayden Sherman and the clever twist courtesy of Dan Watters make this issue a mystery despite the fact that he positions himself as a set-up rather than a reward. Still, when the setup is this good, you don’t mind waiting.
Seeing the more false and emotionally reactive blues makes it an attractive character’s job.
The mystery unfolds logically, with sharp clues and a window-style twist at the rear, kicking the story into new gear.
From inventive panel intersections to dynamic chase scenes, art adds energy and intelligence to every page.
There are strong moments in this issue, but many of them set up tables for what is coming, rather than making a big revelation.
