In this review of Batman: Dark Patterns #8, Batman close in on solving mystery of the female victim’s death. Little does he know that the Rookery has plans for him.
Batman: Dark Patterns #8 main cover by Hayden Sherman (DC Comics)
BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS #8
Written by DAN WATTERS
Art and Main Cover: HAYDEN SHERMAN
Variant Cover: MARTIN SIMMONDS
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: July 9, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Batman: Dark Patterns #8 opens with Batman on a tear through Gotham City and taking down meaningless hoods while searching for the Red Hood Gang and for whoever killed a woman in a dryer. Batman is leading the headlines in the newspaper.
Batman meets with Gordon and the forensics expert examining the dead body. Gordon tells Batman that he is taking this case in The Rookery neighborhood too far and they are other cases that deserve his attention. Batman yells back that this case matters and leaves.
Batman then meets Nicky Harris, the reporter writing about him, and tells him the forensics expert, Dr. Sereika has a shady past. While investigating the fire that seems to evoke the memory of the Red Hood Gang, Batman sees two children sneaking around and takes off chasing after them. While chasing after them, Batman comes across a fresh grave.
Batman begins to dig and dig and dig until he comes across a casket. He opens the casket and it is…… empty. While Batman is lamenting about the empty casket, a sniper fires a gun and before Batman can turn around, he is shot in the back.
Batman climbs up the stairs covered in mud and blood and breaks down the door of his shooter. His shooter is an old man in a wheelchair who is a former member of the Red Hood Gang. The old man comments on how Batman is running the Rookery and that is why he shot him. Batman then passes out while the two boys that Batman chased enter the room wearing red hoods.
Word is spreading… But is he wanted? (DC Comics)
Analysis
This was my first time reading Dark Patterns but I have all good things on the internet about. I have heard that it is one of the better Bat books being produced and after reading this issue I can see why.
Obviously I jumped in on the second part of this Red Hood Story but I didn’t feel lost and that is a testament to Watters and his writing. I knew going in that this was early days Batman and street level crime which is refreshing. I like a Batman out there solving mysteries and this is a young Batman so he is going to get too invested in the case. We see that here by snapping at Gordon and getting distracted and catching a bullet in the back.
Batman: Dark Patterns #8 is a pretty brisk read. Not overly wordy and heavy handed which again is a positive to Dan Watters.
I really like the art. I love the way Sherman draws the Bat logo on Batman’s chest. It feels like a crossover between Adam West and Michael Keaton. I also love when artists take the time to draw Batman’s utility belt. Instead of it just being a straight yellow belt with tablets on it, I want to see the pouches and the bat ropes hanging out. It felt like Dan Mora started it and Sherman is keeping it going.
I don’t know where the story will go from here. Is the real villain an old man in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank with his grandkids? I’m sure this is some other twist coming. But as of right now Batman is down and out with a bullet in his upper back. Overall a very fun issue that gives us a non BatGod version of the character who is back to roots with detective work and street level crime.
