Batman: Dark Patterns #12

A new classic in the Batman cannon in the vein of "The Cult" and "The Black Mirror," "Batman: Dark Patterns" comes to a satisfyingly ambiguous close in its twelfth-and-final issue, cementing its status among the very best modern Batman stories. Read Full Review

The villain's ultimate fate is sudden and surprisingly karmic, and while this story is just one small chapter in Batman's complex career in Gotham, this feels like a story that's going to be something DC needs more of an evergreen title that will be a mainstay on bookstore shelves for years. Read Full Review

Batman: Dark Patterns #12 closes the series on a fiery, heartfelt note, balancing noir mystery with mythic heroism. Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman, and Triona Farrell deliver a finale that's both reflective and intense, reinforcing Batman's place as Gotham's guiding light amid the flames. Even when weakened, this Batman proves that resolveand artistryburn brightest in the dark. Read Full Review

Aesopjer

Dec 17, 2025

Hayden Sherman is firing on all cylinders. Best artist I discovered in 2025, and the page layout is on another level. Worth rereading alone just to gaze at it. Top 5 of 2025. Easy.

daspidaboy

Dec 25, 2025

this is a series that I will definitely be buying and reading over trade. What a great Christmas present for me. I love the art, and detective aspects of this story.

Ryan

Jan 02, 2026

Amazing series. This last arc was probably the weakest in my eyes but obviously still great

myconius

Nov 11, 2025

This was an excellent conclusion to the series. The art was some of the best in all of the issues. There was one beautiful homage to a classic Neal Adams Batman that brought a smile to my face. It was the famous splash page from Batman #251. Sherman homages it in the sequence where it’s being said- “Fire does set the lizard brain alight”. Look at that Batman figure in comparison to the figure Neal used on the cover of Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams vol 1 and you’ll see what I mean. Anyway….. beautiful issue!! Cannot wait to double dip into the collected edition! Hoping for a nice hardcover! Deluxe edition would be lovely! * EDIT It makes me a little sad that this series has been pretty low on the radar. It’s honestly the best Batman story we’ve gotten in recent years. I’m hoping it takes off once the collected edition gets released. more

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myconius - Nov 14, 2025

It makes me a little sad that this series has been pretty low on the radar. It’s honestly the best Batman story we’ve gotten in recent years. I’m hoping it takes off once the collected edition gets released.

George

Nov 14, 2025

Not my favorite issue of the run, but still very enjoyable. The whole thing requires a reread.

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myconius - Nov 15, 2025

I really loved the part where it appeared that Batman was standing amidst the flames watching them both, with his silhouette getting distorted by the burning fire. Then when the arsonist revels in his overconfidence, Batman actually shows up.

myconius - Nov 15, 2025

I did enjoy how this final arc tied all the previous arcs together.

George - Nov 15, 2025

That was a cool moment. Overall I thought the series was great and want more. But this probably doesn’t get a sequel.

myconius - Nov 15, 2025

I’ve been hoping for the same thing myself. But I think you’re right. I doubt the series is going to get a sequel. As at the moment it doesn’t even appear. It’ll be getting a hard cover. Which really is a shame. This to me honestly was one of the best Batman stories to come out in a good long while. Unfortunately, it seems to have slipped under the radar.

George - Nov 15, 2025

They’ve hard covered a lot of random stuff to not hard cover this. But that’s probably the market today. Watters needs a big hit, then maybe they go back and do a hardcover

myconius - Nov 15, 2025

I believe it was league of comic geeks that earlier this year had announced. There was a hardcover being released. A shortly after it had been announced that it was canceled and only the trade paperback was coming out. I was very disappointed, but I still plan on getting the soft cover. As I’m almost afraid to touch my single issues considering how rare issue number two is. I’ve also been getting the series for Kindle. But this art is just too beautiful to be read on a cell phone.

George - Nov 15, 2025

Issue 2 is rare?

myconius - Nov 15, 2025 (edited)

Yes, extremely rare. I was watching a few auctions for it on eBay. just that issue alone had two auctions were sold for over $30 a piece. I’ve been contemplating selling my entire set of 1 through 12 highlighting issue number 2. …But I’m sure I’ll miss them if I let them go.

myconius - Nov 15, 2025

I just did an eBay search for batman dark patterns 2. It’s listed for 25 to 30 dollars just by itself. One seller has issues 1 through 12 listed for $120.

myconius - Nov 15, 2025

It looks like batman dark patterns 3 is also rare. I see one listed for $20

George - Nov 15, 2025

Wow. Never would have guessed that. These are keepers for me. So no selling on this end unless I have to.

myconius - Nov 15, 2025

Yeah. Same here. Makes it all the better seeing how much some of these issues are selling for. And I thankfully jumped on both sets of covers A & B. Definitely keeping them.

DDJamesB

Nov 30, 2025

Pretty solid end to the series. Fantastic art.

Tempra16v2.0Turbo

Dec 03, 2025

Ah, so this is where Watters puts in some effort.