Since its debut, “Dark Patterns” has thrilled fans with its look at Batman’s early years. The cases featured have pushed an inexperienced Dark Knight to his limits. It has helped forged Bruce Wayne in becoming the World’s Greatest Detective.
One more case is left on the docket. Standing to close to Gotham’s flame might be more than Bats can handle.
BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS #10 by Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman, Tríona Farrell and Frank Cvetkovic begins the final case: “The Child of Fire”
Let’s see how Batman withstands the heat!
BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS #10 by Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman, Tríona Farrell and Frank Cvetkovic (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Watters takes Batman into a dangerous road for this final case. Over the course of the series, the wear of being Gotham’s protector has been growing. Wayne is recovering from a gunshot wound in the beginning pages. He is helpless to stop a pyrotechnic from gruesomely attacking a couple. The writing indicates how this crime is taking over Jim Gordon’s world. It leaves him with a tough call to make. Luckily, there is more help coming his way.
Readers see that Batman is already processing clues from the past. The insight starts peeling back layers of a deeper crime. This inquiry takes Gordon to the heart of the matter. It provides a faster pace as Gordon becomes lost in the deep scheming. The result gives readers much to cheer as the event takes a heroic turn. This pushes the story into its’ close. Watters has thrown many curves into this series overall. The final page proves he has more left up his sleeve before bowing out.
Sherman and Farrell start events with a haunting recap of where this series has been. Watching the use of a flame as panels is next level creative. It makes the criminal activity pop off the page. This moves into a startling attack. The near full pages leave no doubt on what evil is looming. This is a big contrast to a wounded Bat. Seeing the breakdown shows how human the vigilante is. The two page splash shows what has been building in the shadows. It couldn’t come at a more worse time.
As Gordon picks up the investigation, the art leans into the trap at hand. The near full shot of a burning Bat instantly connects with the audience. Sherman keeps building up the suspense as Gordon starts slipping away. There is a face-off that indicates the madness swirling around. It leads into a dramatic rescue via near full page. The fallout teases what’s next to come. It doesn’t compare to the final page. Secrets are unveiled as readers depart with an image that shakes everything up. It’s another strong display of imagination with page set-ups. Another winning factor to this series.
OVERALL GRADE: 9.4
The final case of “Dark Patterns” begins on a strong note. Watters constructs an intriguing start filled with mystery. Sherman and Farrell continue to find new ways of elevating the visuals. Until further notice, this is THE best Batman book at the shops!’
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