The Dark Knight Detective. That moniker has been applied to Batman for decades, along with “World’s Greatest Detective.” Yet somewhere along the line, Bruce Wayne became more “Dark Knight” than “Detective.” Many of his comics are now more concerned with costumed fisticuffs than finding clues. Batman: Dark Patterns addresses this point, presenting a good, old-fashioned mystery story.
Set during the third year of Bruce Wayne’s vigil, this opening arc is titled “We Are the Wounded.” The story finds Batman investigating three murders, seemingly linked only by how horrifically the deaths were. There is another connection, of course, but it takes some digging to discover it. This leads to a confrontation with a horrific new enemy.
Dark Patterns focuses on Batman as a detective
The script by Dan Watters drives home that first and foremost, Batman is an investigator. While not going to the extremes of Sherlock Holmes, he does make several casual statements regarding things he determined through simple observation. This includes noting that Gotham City’s newest medical examiner is apparently getting high on formaldehyde, based on his eye movements and habit of drooling. This helps keep the focus on the mystery of the plot.
Hayden Sherman‘s artwork perfectly captures the spirit of the script. The artwork is moody and evocative, like an old Film Noir movie. The general effect evokes many Batman books from when I first started reading comics in the late 1990s. However, while the focus here is on the process of deduction, there is also plenty of action. Indeed, Batman’s confrontation with the killer is one of the most inventive fights I’ve seen in some time.
Batman: Dark Patterns #1 is a thriller in the most classic sense. It presents an intriguing mystery with a Gothic horror tone. If you, like me, feel many modern Batman comics have forgotten why Ra’s Al Ghul simply addresses him as “Detective,” you will want to read this one.
Grade: 9/10
Batman: Dark Patterns #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
