Batman: After Dark Pattern #8, Batman is in a terrible situation. It’s too bad for Batman to escape the situation on the ground in the old man and two teenagers. His detective work appears to have prevented him from seeing direct danger. Even if there is little chance of getting away, much of this problem shows that he can’t lie about the mystery as he unleashes the truth from a very low leverage position.
Batman: Dark Pattern #9 is an impressive issue when you think of Batman as tied to most of it, but you’re on the edge of your seat and wondering what’s going to happen next. Writer Dan Watters and artist Hayden Sherman open up the question with a very high stake: a bucket filled with bleach. Certainly, it sounds harmless, but not when the criminal realizes he’s using it to break Batman’s body for Briel!
A lot of this exhausted and injured issue is that Batman buys time, thinking about what is actually going on. That is aided by clever writing from Watters, who sprinkles Batman with clues to polish. They are never forced because they may not notice until Batman does. There is a surprise hanging from every word while he and his readers find out what actually happened and who the old man is.
Pay attention to the symmetry of the panels.
Credit: DC Comics
The ongoing theme of this early Gotham, destroyed by a crime without a policeman in the corner, continues how this story ends. There is no happy ending. Obviously, Batman has a lot to do. Finally, you’ll feel bad for the criminal and Batman. They all wanted Gotham to get better, but it was too late. This is a question of making a strong claim that Batman’s use of fear is necessary in such lawless cities.
The shaman art continues to be fantastic with interesting layouts that catch the eye and look brand new. In one double-page layout, Batman’s face looks at the old man, overlaying them as if the panels were in his head. Shamans are always good at symmetry, and they beg you to naturally draw your eyes to the pages everywhere. As you step outside the room, Batman is tied up, Shaman is littered across the street with trash, and many details delight readers with the epic almost page splash of the Batmobile.
Batman: Dark Patterns #9 is a tense, strictly made thriller, proving that high stakes don’t require non-stop action. Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman glue readers to the page with incisive detective work, revealing layer characters and inventive visual storytelling, providing one of the series’ most fascinating chapters.
“Batman: Dark Pattern” #9 is a skillfully crafted thriller
Batman: Dark Pattern #9
Batman: Dark Patterns #9 is a tense, well-built thriller that proves that high stakes don’t require non-stop action. Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman glue readers to the page with incisive detective work, revealing layer characters and inventive visual storytelling, providing one of the series’ most fascinating chapters.
High Stakes will open the hook immediately
Drops clever, natural clues that attract readers to Batman’s investigation
The strong theme of Gotham’s lawlessness and the need for fear
It is mainly limited to one location.
