We’re on the second issue of the latest Dark Patterns arc, “Pareidolia.” There’s been a murder in one of the most run-down neighborhoods in Gotham, the Rookery. And so far, Batman’s the only one taking an interest, though his interest is more of an obsession.
In the last review, I mentioned that this book was finally getting around to talking about the actual dark patterns in Gotham. There have been hints, but now the questions are on the table. Are the awful things that keep happening just random crime and violence, or is there something else at work? Maybe someone’s pulling the strings? Or crazier still, perhaps it’s an evil beyond what we can see and touch? Batman’s a great character, and Gotham’s a great setting in which to explore these ideas. I think that’s why he’s so obsessed at the beginning of this issue. We all know how committed he is to bringing criminals to justice. But he’s also determined to prove, mainly to himself, it seems, that whatever’s going on can be confronted and defeated through his will and intellect, that whatever he’s facing isn’t something beyond his capacities. Early on, this determination puts him at odds with Dordon and Dr. Sereika. He’s also got the attention of tabloid “journalist” Nicky Harris again, detailing Batman’s obsession with the Rookery in one article after another (while also sharing a secret about Dr. Sereika, which I’m sure will be revealed soon). Then there’s the title of this arc, the tendency to see patterns that aren’t there. Batman doesn’t want to acknowledge the possibility that all this crime and violence could be pointing to something he can’t understand or overcome. There’s a page a little over halfway through this issue that does a great job showcasing all this. Batman hears a gunshot, and we see his very descriptive internal monologue telling us everything there is to know about the gun, bullet, and location of the shooter. But he’s narrating all this as he’s the one getting shot, helpless to stop it. If you want a great microcosm of Gotham, Batman, and his state of mind, this is it.
I’ll continue to sing praises for this book. The story, the artwork, the layouts — it’s exactly the kind of Batman solving crimes in Gotham book that’s made him so popular. The color schemes for the different locations stand out, giving you a sense of each place. And the way the panels frame the action and direct the reader around the page is masterful. Personally, I never knew that just the shape and layering of panels could be so creative and engaging, but they set the tone for the book in fascinating ways.
Hopefully, by now you’ve read the previous issue, so you know that the mystery in this arc centers around the Red Hood gang and whether they’ve resumed operating in the Rookery or not. The central murder of this mystery bears all their trademarks, which is what has Batman so worked up. I’d love to see this creative team tackle the most famous member of the gang in this book, so we’ll see where that goes. I won’t spoil what happens at the end of this issue, but it is a cliffhanger, and I wonder what it means for Batman’s theory that there’s no larger pattern to what he’s experiencing. I’d like to see that get called into question. Some evil is banal, but not all of it. We’ll see next month. – Trey Jackson
