An old city and its’ stories. The streets of Gotham City can all tell a tale. One of its’ oldest neighborhoods has quite a tale. It is called the Rookery. When Batman investigates a dead body found in the area, it starts a dark path.
During the journey, Batman is shot. The culprits claim to represent an old evil. It leaves a haunting message: Is The Red Hood Gang back?
BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS #9 by Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman, Tríona Farrell and Frank Cvetkovic concludes “Case 03: PAREIDOLIA”.
Let’s take a closer look at how this case wraps up.
BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS #9 by Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman, Tríona Farrell and Frank Cvetkovic (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Watters gifts readers with a very strong closing chapter. Orchestrating the notion of their return, the family’s motives are clear. Batman sees through their play. It reveals a sad truth. The dialogue paints the depressing sense of grasping for more. Seeing how the Grandpa tries recreating the past indicates how far gone things are. Batman works this to his advantage. Stealing the false victory shows a turn in favor.
Readers watch as the facade starts breaking away. Watters implies a slow burn style for the shattering of reality. The Dark Knight makes a final surge with time running out. His words keep landing shots. Readers start seeing the emergence of the Caped Crusader they know in present times. The verbal warfare ends in a devastating finish. Watters gives a tragic spin to the conflict. It hits on a few levels. The event leaves an dismal impression on Batman’s work. This leads into a satisfying parting shot. Even in defeat, sometimes good can emerge.
Sherman and Farrell work their magic yet again for this issue. A simple full image of a bucket of Bleach welcomes readers in. Once the story starts moving, its’ true meaning comes to life. The near full image of the family towering over Bats makes a loud statement. Seeing Grandpa stand and speak his peace ushers in a great flashback montage. Panel set-up continues to impress with this series. It almost feels like puzzle pieces trying to mesh for a picture. This method works wonders as the case progresses along.
The picture of Batman’s “torture” reveals the dark thoughts going through the family’s head. This leads into a spectacular two page splash. Everything from the colors to the literal face-off will wow readers. It moves the events into a mortifying air. The visuals of a tragedy scream the shock and pain happening. It’s followed up by an equally impressive full page image. Once in its fallout, the art locks in on Batmans’ frustration and failure. Readers loop back in for the final page. It’s a bittersweet full page image leaving some notion of hope for the future.
OVERALL GRADE: 9.7
“PAREIDOLIA” wraps up with a somber and stunning final bow. Watters navigates through the mental chess game with excellent writing. Sherman and Farrell continue to elevate each visual to amazing new heights with the art. There is no debate: This is THE best Batman series at the shops.
Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on Batman: Dark Patterns #9. Thanks for reading!