Batman: Dark Patterns #7

This is peak classic Batman content, and it's elevated to the next level by the brilliant Hayden Sherman art their style always had an eerie and surreal edge, and it's perfectly suited for bringing Gotham City's darkest secrets into the light. It might not be as immediately disturbing as the first two arcs, but this is a great start to the finale. Read Full Review

A dive into Gothams past appears to test Batmans resolve in his latest throwback case. Watters pens a dynamic start with excellent writing. Sherman and Farrell keep raising the levels with every image on page. This series never ceases in setting a high bar of storytelling. Read Full Review

: Issue #7 of this excellent title sees things seamlessly transitioning from its episodic nature to a larger narrative throughline. There has always been a sure-handed creative team at the helm here, but readers are now witnessing just how masterful their strokes are. Do not wait around for a bad Dark Patterns issue. It won't happen. Read Full Review

'Batman: Dark Patterns' #7 is what people have been asking for in a Batman story: less multiversal threats and Joker wars, more gritty mysteries and properly set up clues. No soap opera, no city-destroying threats, just a dead body and a detective. It's a premise that is executed with skill and well-defined style. Read Full Review

Batman: Dark Patterns #7 promises a compelling mystery centered around a burnt body and the re-emergence of the Red Hood gang. The art, coloring, and paneling aren't just there to serve the story; they actively enhance the storytelling experience. While this arc is clearly headed in a more mystery-thriller direction than the previous arc's intense hostage situation, it sets the stage for what could be a truly captivating and unsettling journey into Gotham's shadowed past. Read Full Review

George

Jun 11, 2025

With credit given to absolute Batman and all other Batman titles, this is what I want from a Batman book. I would buy this forever.

Ryan

Jan 02, 2026

Sherman’s art is out of this world

motorik

Jun 11, 2025

Rock solid old school Batman.

myconius

Jun 15, 2025

The fanboy in me wants to rate this as a perfect "10". But the realist in me knows that this is closer to an "8" or "8.5". But I'm sticking with "8" because I'm not really a fan when people continually give comics perfect scores. It taints the credibility, as I know for myself there are very few comics from my personal favorites that I'd honestly rate as "9.5" or even "10". That being said.... This issue was FANTASTIC!!! Very few comics can draw me back in right away to read a second time within the same week. This issue, I've went and read a total of THREE times since it came out. I truly am LOVING this series!!! This is really on par with some of the best "early" style Batman tales, up there with the original (1989) comic run of 'BAT MAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT'. I truly mean that! The art is really spectacular! and the writing is really brilliant as well. Thank goodness this new arc seems to stepped back up the tempo, as I feel the 'Scarface' arc wasn't as strong. I love the Gotham history added within this story, and it was wonderful to see Alfred aiding Bruce in his investigating the current case. The added lore to The Red Hood Gang was truly chilling and brutal!! I also really loved the VERY obscure nod to Grant Morrison (Morris & Son Launderette & Cleaner) We even get treated to seeing a brief cameo of Grant holding the bucket of bleach. I mean, that was either Grant, or I was experiencing some Pareidolia of my own? What is "Pareidolia", you might ask? Read the issue and you'll find out! Here's a fun little esoteric tidbit! "Pareidolia" is a bit like "Apophenia". And as the cameo holding the bucket had composed some years ago- "every time I try to think outside his toybox, he builds a new box around me. ... I've been driven literally in.sane. trying to get him to loosen up." <-- Bonus points if you get that reference. 😁 Anyway.... All that being said, I wouldn't mind if DC decided to change this from 12 issues to 15 issue. HECK! it'd be amazing if they decided to eventually bring back writer Dan Watters & artist Hayden Sherman for another 12 issues with a "DARK PATTERNS part 2". Better yet, make it a trilogy!! 😁 more

DDJamesB

Jul 06, 2025

I continue to enjoy this series and it's grounded, back to basics approach.