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A maxi-series from DC Comics, Batman: Dark Patterns tells a tale of rampant crime in Gotham, set in the Dark Knight’s early days.
Dark days
So here’s a bit of a surprise, and one of the more interesting projects that we’ve seen from DC in a bit. As you can see from the headline, we’re talking about Batman: Dark Patterns, a maxi-series starring DC Comics’ famed superhero, set in his early days of crime fighting.
Yes, we’ve seen ‘prequel’ Batman tales before, but this one sounds like it might be both familiar and different. That latter comes in, in that the comic isn’t going to feature just one narrative straight through. Instead, fans can expect to see Batman tackle four different cases in Batman: Dark Patterns, with each one playing out as a separate three-issue arc. All will be tied to what sounds like a shared trauma as well, as Gotham’s citizens adapt to the city’s brutal turn.
Writer Dan Watters will be helming the twelve issue saga, along with artist Hayden Sherman, colorist Tríona Farrell, and letterer Frank Cvetkovic. They’ll all be aiming to bring readers a Batman who doesn’t have the arsenal he eventually will, and who’s trying to save a city that’s still battling back against him.
Oh, we almost forgot to tell you where that familiarity will come into play, especially for long time fans. According to the publisher, this set of stories will follow “the tradition of books such as Year One, The Long Halloween, and Dark Victory“.
Those are some mighty stories, and if Batman: Dark Patterns is anything like them, fans should be in for a treat.
From the writer:
“I love the strangeness of Batman. A man dressed as a huge, gothic bat, solving crimes in a hostile city of black magicians, mad scientists, and superstitious, cowardly criminals. I’ve always wanted to write a series of mystery stories that would home in on that aspect of the character—a dweller in the shadows of Gotham’s towering, delipidated spires,” said Watters. “After watching The Batman, this desire was reaffirmed. Batman: Dark Patterns explores the pulpiest part of the Dark Knight’s rich history and gives readers an entirely new perspective on the early years of DC’s Dark Detective.”
DC Comics press release
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“Each case is born from Gotham and its people adapting to the horrors they’ve been subjected to over recent and not so recent years—from Joker poisoning the water supply to the Falcone gang war. The criminals are superstitious and cowardly… but how could the whole city not be superstitious and afraid?” continued Watters. “And Batman’s role as a wounded healer shrouded in urban myth, who seeks to give hope to the hopeless.”
Liking what you’re seeing? If so, scroll on down to the gallery below to take a peek at a special unlettered preview of the first issue, as Batman prepares to tear through some of Gotham’s worst days. Batman: Dark Patterns #1 (of 12) publishes on December 11th.
The first case and story arc, “We Are Wounded,” involves a series of sickeningly gruesome murders sending shock waves through Gotham City. Are these the random works of a serial killer, or is there something more sinister at play? Across these first three issues of Batman: Dark Patterns, Batman attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery before any more victims are claimed.
DC Comics press release
