Scott's Take: Batman: Dark Patterns by Dan Watter and illustrated by Hayden Sherman

 

Batman: Dark Patterns by Dan Watter, illustrated by Hayden Sherman, is a read that I read through Hoopla and the DC Universe Infinite App. This is a twelve-issue miniseries where each of the four separate story arcs contain three issues each. These stories are set in Batman’s early career.

 

These tales are supposed to be grounded street level mysteries which means they are not supposed to have supernatural, space aliens, or other fantastical elements. Yet, there are implications in the read that those elements are, in fact, very much present. The read does not match the plot synopsis marketed with the book. This is a mystery series with some horror elements.

 

My favorite of the four separate story arcs was the second one. The tale was clearly inspired by the movie, The Raid. (A way better movie than the sequel.) In the story arc, Batman has to fight his way through an entire apartment building full of people to solve the mystery at the heart of that story.

 

Overall, I enjoyed this miniseries even if each story arc is a bit rushed. If you are looking for some less fantastical Batman reading than the normal fare, this is a book for you.

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/48nIbUA

 

Some of this I read by way of the Hoopla App through the Dallas Public Library System and some by way of the DC Universe Infinite App.

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026