Rovaine Beckford June 11, 2025

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Batman: Dark Patterns #7 kicks off the third arc of this intriguing series, with Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman delving deep into a mystery that stretches back to Gotham’s earliest days. While the previous arc was a high-octane thrill ride, this issue takes a more measured, reflective approach, reminiscent of the series’ debut.

We open with Bruce Wayne connecting some unsettling dots. The fires that marked the beginning of this series and the dramatic conclusion of his fight with Scarface at Bledin Towers now feel like part of a larger, terrifying pattern. Bruce sees Gotham itself as a living entity, its rising temperature a feverish attempt to purge him. Yet, with grim resolve, he dons the cowl as another fire ignites, signaling the start of a fresh, chilling arc.

Our setting this time is “The Rookery,” a section of Gotham that Batman carefully navigates, familiarizing himself with its residents. It’s here that he discovers a gruesome find: a dead body in a washing machine. Naturally, the first person Batman consults is the surprisingly trustworthy Dr. Sereika. With no initial leads, it’s Alfred that comes in the clutch with a crucial piece of information: a book detailing the grim history of the Red Hood gang, a group from the interwar period known for their brutal laundry-mat operations. Soon after, Commissioner Gordon informs Batman of a new discovery by Dr. Sereika, and now “the game’s afoot.”

DC Comics

Unlike the action-heavy previous arc, “Pareidolia” leans heavily into the thriller genre. Batman is meticulously picking up the pieces of a truly bizarre case, one that immediately stands out from his usual encounters. More importantly, this opening represents a significant realization for Bruce about Gotham’s current state. Throughout the series, Batman’s monologues often highlight the unseen, rampant crime flooding Gotham’s streets – crimes he can’t possibly tackle all at once. He can’t be everywhere, but he can’t shake the unsettling patterns emerging from the city’s darkest corners.

This arc has immense potential, showcasing Batman’s unwavering determination to help, even when Bruce Wayne feels helpless. And all of this happens within the first few pages, leaving plenty of room for speculation on cosmology theories and whether this new Red Hood gang is the original or a group of imitators. However, fans looking for immediate action might find this issue, with its focus on building the mystery, a bit slower paced.

DC Comics

One consistent standout in the Batman: Dark Patterns series has been its impressive coloring, and this issue is no exception. The choice of warm colors for moments of violence and conflict, contrasted with cooler tones for respite and safety (unless Batman is delivering a beatdown, of course!), becomes even more impactful when Bruce highlights the city’s “burning” sensation.

The art and paneling also deserve high praise. The stylistic art harks back to classic comic drawing while maintaining a modern feel. The paneling is particularly engaging, cleverly framing characters within their environment. A prime example is Batman’s traversal through the Rookery – what could have been mundane transitional pages become a fascinating spread, especially once you realize the buildings themselves are integrated into the paneling.

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.

Rovaine Beckford June 11, 2025

• Facebook
• X
• Reddit
• Instagram

Batman: Dark Patterns #7 kicks off the third arc of this intriguing series, with Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman delving deep into a mystery that stretches back to Gotham’s earliest days. While the previous arc was a high-octane thrill ride, this issue takes a more measured, reflective approach, reminiscent of the series’ debut.

We open with Bruce Wayne connecting some unsettling dots. The fires that marked the beginning of this series and the dramatic conclusion of his fight with Scarface at Bledin Towers now feel like part of a larger, terrifying pattern. Bruce sees Gotham itself as a living entity, its rising temperature a feverish attempt to purge him. Yet, with grim resolve, he dons the cowl as another fire ignites, signaling the start of a fresh, chilling arc.

Our setting this time is “The Rookery,” a section of Gotham that Batman carefully navigates, familiarizing himself with its residents. It’s here that he discovers a gruesome find: a dead body in a washing machine. Naturally, the first person Batman consults is the surprisingly trustworthy Dr. Sereika. With no initial leads, it’s Alfred that comes in the clutch with a crucial piece of information: a book detailing the grim history of the Red Hood gang, a group from the interwar period known for their brutal laundry-mat operations. Soon after, Commissioner Gordon informs Batman of a new discovery by Dr. Sereika, and now “the game’s afoot.”

DC Comics

Unlike the action-heavy previous arc, “Pareidolia” leans heavily into the thriller genre. Batman is meticulously picking up the pieces of a truly bizarre case, one that immediately stands out from his usual encounters. More importantly, this opening represents a significant realization for Bruce about Gotham’s current state. Throughout the series, Batman’s monologues often highlight the unseen, rampant crime flooding Gotham’s streets – crimes he can’t possibly tackle all at once. He can’t be everywhere, but he can’t shake the unsettling patterns emerging from the city’s darkest corners.

This arc has immense potential, showcasing Batman’s unwavering determination to help, even when Bruce Wayne feels helpless. And all of this happens within the first few pages, leaving plenty of room for speculation on cosmology theories and whether this new Red Hood gang is the original or a group of imitators. However, fans looking for immediate action might find this issue, with its focus on building the mystery, a bit slower paced.

DC Comics

One consistent standout in the Batman: Dark Patterns series has been its impressive coloring, and this issue is no exception. The choice of warm colors for moments of violence and conflict, contrasted with cooler tones for respite and safety (unless Batman is delivering a beatdown, of course!), becomes even more impactful when Bruce highlights the city’s “burning” sensation.

The art and paneling also deserve high praise. The stylistic art harks back to classic comic drawing while maintaining a modern feel. The paneling is particularly engaging, cleverly framing characters within their environment. A prime example is Batman’s traversal through the Rookery – what could have been mundane transitional pages become a fascinating spread, especially once you realize the buildings themselves are integrated into the paneling.

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.