THIS WEEK: Batman Dark Patterns #4 delivers an interesting start for a new story arc, while Absolute Superman #5 shows the fate of Krypton in this world, and more!
If you want a quick, spoiler-free buy/pass recommendation on the comics in question, check out the bottom of the article for our final verdict.
Batman Dark Patterns #4
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Triona Farrell
Letterer: Frank Cvetkovicy
Batman Dark Patterns #4 starts a new story arc for DC Comics best Bat-book right now —and to say the least, I was not disappointed. The new arc revolves around Batman infiltrating Bledin Towers, an apartment complex that makes abundantly clear that no cops are welcome — first by sending an officer plummeting to his death and then by holding another officer hostage inside. With limited options, the GCPD calls in Batman.
I love how writer Dan Watters works to establish the tone of this Batman story before we even get started with a full page of someone falling to their death. We next see Batman and Gordon discussing the case behind a police barricade, their faces illuminated by the swirling red and blue lights. Before them is a burned-out, soon-to-be-demolished apartment complex, home only to the poor and desperate — and also the Batman rogue, Scarface.
Scarface and has always been one of Batman’s eeriest villains to me, and what makes it even more interesting in this book is that there isn’t a sign of Albert Wesker anywhere. In Dark Patterns #4, this rogue is given an extra layer of menace. Bledin Towers isn’t just a hideout — it’s a fortress. Scarface has turned it into his own lawless kingdom, where the GCPD holds no power, and his rule is enforced with brutal efficiency. Genuinely, I can’t help but expect this to go terribly wrong for our hero, especially with tenants inside that make this feel like more of a horror story than a detective case, and that tension is present from the very first page.
Artist Hayden Sherman has delivered stunning art across this four-issue run so far, and this issue is no exception. From Batman and Gordon discussing options outside to Batman stepping into the Towers and revealing its cluttered, detailed, and mazelike features, you are immersed as soon as you open the comic. Every hallway feels like a trap, every shadow like it’s watching. The whole building is a reflection of Scarface’s warped sense of control — chaotic, broken, and unpredictable.
To top that off, Triona Farrell’s coloring — meshing dark blues, bright reds, pastel greens, and purples — sells the eerie, winding atmosphere, almost like stepping into a neon-lit nightmare. They’ve made it clear that this Batman is still fresh to the job, and after the Wound Man case, I can’t help but be hyped to see how he handles his own Nakatomi Plaza — maybe not as tall, but just as much of a death trap.
I won’t spoil the reveal at the end, but trust me, this is shaping up to be one of those runs you just have to dive into.
I had a lot of fun reading this comic, and it is a for sure pickup for new comic book day. Even with Absolute Batman seemingly selling a million books, Dark Patterns is still my pick for the best running Batman story right now.
Verdict: Buy
The Round-Up
There’s a quote from the last issue of Absolute Superman that stuck with me: “We pray for the Superman’s rage.” The moment I read that, I knew this issue was going to be something special. It starts with a bang — throwing us into the revolution erupting on Krypton. The truth is out. Everyone knows the world is dying. They know the elite planned to abandon the workers, leaving them to perish. And they are furious. Then, we see it—Kal and Krypto, silhouetted against Krypton’s explosion. Green waves of destruction swallowing everything. Their sun fading into oblivion. A haunting, almost biblical image. And just as quickly, we’re ripped back to the present—to a rageful Superman. And God, what a menacing Superman. They prayed for him, and they got something that looks more like a devil. He tears his way into the Peacemaker’s base, hunting down the one responsible for slaughtering civilians in cold blood. Rafa Sandoval absolutely cooks with illustrating these pages—watching Kal storm through this facility, melting everything around him with sheer fury is breathtaking. But then there’s Jason Aaron. The way he twists words into something so raw, so visceral—it’s infuriating in the best way possible. Every page doesn’t just tell a story—it drags you into it, forces you to sit with the why and how of it all. And the more you read, the more you need. This issue doesn’t just recount the fall of Krypton—it recontextualizes it. The decision to show that the elite had ships but none of them made it out? That if they had chosen unity over self-preservation, more Kryptonians would have survived? The background of collapsing buildings, exploding ships, Krypton cracking open like an eggshell—it’s haunting, it’s devastating, and yet, somehow, it’s beautiful. And even in Krypton’s destruction, Kal finds hope. Not in the certainty of survival, but in the choice to believe in something better. But as he barrels toward his confrontation with Smith, the man he’s been hunting, there’s a moment where he hesitates—where he realizes that if he does get his hands on him, he’s genuinely afraid of what he might do. And that page—where he looks at his hands, shadowed in darkness, realizing they’re weapons? That moment is everything. A stunning interplay of light and shadow, a visual echo of his struggle with the kind of man he is… and the kind of man he refuses to become. Folks, I won’t spoil the ending of this issue, but I will say this—after that final page, I cannot wait to see what Issue #6 has in store. This run is shaping up to be something unforgettable. If you’re not reading it, you are missing out on something truly special.- Batman and Robin continues to push forward with its Memento story arc, and this issue finally gives us a deeper look into Robin’s connection to the hospital, as well as Bruce’s ongoing struggle to mend his relationship with Damian—albeit in his own stubborn and unconventional way. At its core, this issue focuses on Bruce’s desire to apologize to Damian, only for him to inevitably backtrack on his own promises in an attempt to keep his son safe. It’s an interesting dynamic, as it becomes clear that while Bruce may not have been entirely wrong in his actions, his judgment is still clouded by Memento’s version of the fear gas toxin. For fans of Damian, this issue offers plenty to appreciate. Phillip Kennedy Johnson makes a strong effort to showcase how Bruce and Damian’s relationship has evolved, particularly through the way they communicate with each other. There’s just the right mix of humor and awkwardness in their interactions, making their moments of affection feel both genuine and endearing. Overall, this issue has been an enjoyable read, but it hasn’t necessarily delivered anything groundbreaking or game-changing. While it may not be the most impactful installment, it’s still a worthwhile pick for Bat-Family fans who appreciate the nuanced dynamic between Bruce and Damian
- Issue #1 of Green Lantern Corps had me feeling like I was reading a space cop novella, and honestly, I loved every second of it. It’s been a while since we’ve had a real deep dive into the inner workings of superhero teams—aside from the current Justice League Unlimited run—and I’ve always had a soft spot for those lesser-known characters coming together to form a truly formidable force. This issue delivers exactly that. The stakes only get higher as the Lanterns return to Thanagar, now a devastated wasteland in the aftermath of the Civil Corps conflict. But this time, John Stewart and his crew aren’t alone—they’ve got Hawkwoman fighting alongside them. Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding the Fractal Lanterns deepens, becoming even more intricate, as Atrocitus sets out on a path of vengeance after losing his powers. This issue brings action, intrigue, and a much-needed focus on the teamwork that makes the Green Lantern Corps so compelling. It’s clearly building up to a major reveal, and with this story running parallel to the current Fractured Spectrum arc, I’m excited to see what else they have in store. Morgan Hampton and Jeremy Adams have more than proven they can craft an impactful story and I’m excited to see what’s next.
There’s a quote from the last issue of Absolute Superman that stuck with me: “We pray for the Superman’s rage.” The moment I read that, I knew this issue was going to be something special. It starts with a bang — throwing us into the revolution erupting on Krypton. The truth is out. Everyone knows the world is dying. They know the elite planned to abandon the workers, leaving them to perish. And they are furious. Then, we see it—Kal and Krypto, silhouetted against Krypton’s explosion. Green waves of destruction swallowing everything. Their sun fading into oblivion. A haunting, almost biblical image. And just as quickly, we’re ripped back to the present—to a rageful Superman. And God, what a menacing Superman. They prayed for him, and they got something that looks more like a devil. He tears his way into the Peacemaker’s base, hunting down the one responsible for slaughtering civilians in cold blood. Rafa Sandoval absolutely cooks with illustrating these pages—watching Kal storm through this facility, melting everything around him with sheer fury is breathtaking. But then there’s Jason Aaron. The way he twists words into something so raw, so visceral—it’s infuriating in the best way possible. Every page doesn’t just tell a story—it drags you into it, forces you to sit with the why and how of it all. And the more you read, the more you need. This issue doesn’t just recount the fall of Krypton—it recontextualizes it. The decision to show that the elite had ships but none of them made it out? That if they had chosen unity over self-preservation, more Kryptonians would have survived? The background of collapsing buildings, exploding ships, Krypton cracking open like an eggshell—it’s haunting, it’s devastating, and yet, somehow, it’s beautiful. And even in Krypton’s destruction, Kal finds hope. Not in the certainty of survival, but in the choice to believe in something better. But as he barrels toward his confrontation with Smith, the man he’s been hunting, there’s a moment where he hesitates—where he realizes that if he does get his hands on him, he’s genuinely afraid of what he might do. And that page—where he looks at his hands, shadowed in darkness, realizing they’re weapons? That moment is everything. A stunning interplay of light and shadow, a visual echo of his struggle with the kind of man he is… and the kind of man he refuses to become. Folks, I won’t spoil the ending of this issue, but I will say this—after that final page, I cannot wait to see what Issue #6 has in store. This run is shaping up to be something unforgettable. If you’re not reading it, you are missing out on something truly special.
Batman and Robin continues to push forward with its Memento story arc, and this issue finally gives us a deeper look into Robin’s connection to the hospital, as well as Bruce’s ongoing struggle to mend his relationship with Damian—albeit in his own stubborn and unconventional way. At its core, this issue focuses on Bruce’s desire to apologize to Damian, only for him to inevitably backtrack on his own promises in an attempt to keep his son safe. It’s an interesting dynamic, as it becomes clear that while Bruce may not have been entirely wrong in his actions, his judgment is still clouded by Memento’s version of the fear gas toxin. For fans of Damian, this issue offers plenty to appreciate. Phillip Kennedy Johnson makes a strong effort to showcase how Bruce and Damian’s relationship has evolved, particularly through the way they communicate with each other. There’s just the right mix of humor and awkwardness in their interactions, making their moments of affection feel both genuine and endearing. Overall, this issue has been an enjoyable read, but it hasn’t necessarily delivered anything groundbreaking or game-changing. While it may not be the most impactful installment, it’s still a worthwhile pick for Bat-Family fans who appreciate the nuanced dynamic between Bruce and Damian
Issue #1 of Green Lantern Corps had me feeling like I was reading a space cop novella, and honestly, I loved every second of it. It’s been a while since we’ve had a real deep dive into the inner workings of superhero teams—aside from the current Justice League Unlimited run—and I’ve always had a soft spot for those lesser-known characters coming together to form a truly formidable force. This issue delivers exactly that. The stakes only get higher as the Lanterns return to Thanagar, now a devastated wasteland in the aftermath of the Civil Corps conflict. But this time, John Stewart and his crew aren’t alone—they’ve got Hawkwoman fighting alongside them. Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding the Fractal Lanterns deepens, becoming even more intricate, as Atrocitus sets out on a path of vengeance after losing his powers. This issue brings action, intrigue, and a much-needed focus on the teamwork that makes the Green Lantern Corps so compelling. It’s clearly building up to a major reveal, and with this story running parallel to the current Fractured Spectrum arc, I’m excited to see what else they have in store. Morgan Hampton and Jeremy Adams have more than proven they can craft an impactful story and I’m excited to see what’s next. Miss any of our earlier reviews? Check out our full archive!
