A voice haunts a Gotham City apartment building. Its hold on the residents inside is strong. A riot i taking shape. Batman works his way inside to attempt a rescue. What lies beyond the walls no one can prepare for. Cases like this forge the legacy of the World’s greatest detective.
BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS #6 by Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman, Tríona Farrell and Frank Cvetkovic concludes its latest case of an early era of the Dark Knight.
Let’s not wait any longer and see what happens now.
BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS #6 by Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman, Tríona Farrell and Frank Cvetkovic (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Watters leads Batman into an unlikely lead suspect. Michelle Rickson proves to be an easy pawn in Scarface’s deadly game. The writing shows how fractured she has become while loosing the hold on the residents. Readers watch as her story slowly comes into focus. It also provides an outlet for Batman to showcase his skills. For this moment, he does have an unlikely “partner” along for the ride.
The Ventriloquist is used as a point of sympathy. Watters plays into his weak psyche as Batman breaks down events. It leads into a dramatic finish. The resolution answers many questions for the readers. In typical Batman fashion, there is no true happy endings. Readers see as the tragic tale leaves much to ponder before closing its file. Watters hits the marks with another great crime saga.
Sherman and Farrell open with a very graphic scene. Rickson’s aftermath of Scarface’s influence is front and center. There is no shying away from its’ brutal setting. Panel structures vary from page to page here. Sherman gives this book a few new perspectives while driving home the key plot points. None may be stronger than the unlikely duo.
The breakdown of the case is an instant hit with readers. Seeing Batman examine the scenes assists in clarifying what has happened. Even the scene with a certain “organ on ice” is displayed in a ripple-esque page. Witnessing how Scarface took control is a steady mix of traditional and new panel imagery. Leading into the close, Sherman elevates the scenes to an intense level. As an evacuation takes place, a panel through Batman’s protective eyes jumps out. It’s another great example of the storytelling here. The closing page offers up one last dark full page image cementing the dangers behind the walls. A perfect sendoff to the terror.
OVERALL GRADE: 9.3
Scarface’s influence on Gotham residents pushes Batman into a dangerous corner with this chapter. Watters pens a very layered conclusion. Sherman and the art team construct impressive images to guide readers through this twisted tale. It’s another fantastic look at the Dark Knight’s early days that readers won’t want to miss.
Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on Batman: Dark Patterns #6. Thanks for reading!