In this review of Batman: Dark Patterns #11, the second part of the series’ final arc blazes on.
Batman: Dark Patterns #11 main cover by Hayden Sherman (DC Comics)
BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS #11
Written by DAN WATTERS
Art and Main Cover: HAYDEN SHERMAN
Variant Cover: MARTIN SIMMONDS
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 10/8/25
This review contains spoilers
Batman: Dark Patterns #11, the second part of Child of Fire opens with Commissioner Gordon bringing everyone’s favorite arsonist Garfield Lynns in as part of the investigation into Gotham’s newest pyromaniac. Lynns is happy to smell fire ash again and questions where Batman is because if he’s still around, then wouldn’t Gordon have him here instead of Lynns?
Cut to Wayne Manor and Bruce has all evidence of the fires laid out on the floor ala Robert Pattinson in The Batman. Bruce still thinks that it is Dr Sereika and Alfred has to yell at Bruce for being too focused on this case and that his body needs to heal from his gunshot wound or he will die.
Nicky Harris talks with Dr Sereika on how he has weaved Batman’s story into the city but is mad that Sereika has turned him into essentially a policeman. In the Cave, Alfred casually comments how the Child of Fire sounds like a Nicky Harris. This shocks Bruce and he quickly leaves in the Batmobile.
Batman deduces that the Child of Fire is going to try to recreate the Great Gotham fire which started in the financial district of the city. Harris is there and starts his great flame with Sereika as his hostage.
Analysis
The highlights of Batman: Dark Patterns #11 for me are the first two scenes. Gordon bringing Lynns in on the investigation was great. I love the trope of the police bringing in a criminal to help with a crime. Shades of Batman and Gordon going to the Calendar Man in The Long Halloween. I don’t think we’ll get some arsonist vs arsonist showdown because this case seems to have become very personal for both Batman and Nicky Harris.
The second scene was just a classic Bruce and Alfred scene. Bruce, running on fumes both mentally and physically but cannot rest one bit. Alfred, only caring for Bruce’s safety. You know Alfred is serious when he drops the “Master” and just says “Bruce”. It makes me miss Alfred and who knows when we’ll see him back in the main continuity barring a universe reset. I know Fraction is bringing in A.I. Alfred but if its not Michael Gough in a computer suiting up Alcia Silverstone then I don’t want it.
The art and the layouts in Batman: Dark Patterns #11 remain strong as well. Sherman is putting layouts together that I haven’t really seen before and I would love to see him on the main book someday.
