Among current Batman books, “Batman: Dark Patterns” stands out as one of the finest. It’s arguably the best, thanks in large part to its deep insight into what makes Batman tick. The series revolves around a trilogy of mysteries occurring early in Batman’s career, with a strong emphasis on his legendary abilities as the World’s Greatest Detective. The latest storyline, “Paraeidolia,” finds Batman fighting against the Red Hood Gang, which has reemerged in one of Gotham’s poorest districts, the Rookery. The last issue wrapped up this saga, with Batman being captured by the neighborhood’s criminal mastermind in the previous issue. Beyond offering a gripping mystery with a tear-jerking conclusion, this issue also powerfully demonstrates the influence that Batman has on Gotham City.
The Truth Behind the Red Hood Gang
The story begins with Batman reflecting on the numerous fires Gotham had experienced lately, questioning if he was perceiving connections that didn’t exist. However, a new fire broke out at an ancient laundromat within the Rookery, revealing a deceased woman inside a washing machine. This murder echoed the old Red Hood Gang, who caused chaos in Gotham more than seven decades ago and served as the foundation for the Joker’s character. The victim’s face had been disfigured with bleach. Despite trying to gather information from the Rookery residents, no one was willing to provide answers. Instead, Batman spent several days monitoring the area until an elderly man ambushed him while he slept. Upon waking up, he found himself restrained with his hands and arms bound behind him. The old man sat in a wheelchair, accompanied by two boys wearing red hoodies.
At once, Batman understood how blindly he’d been led, caught up in some elaborate, dark narrative for an obvious truth. The Red Hood Gang hadn’t returned as the old man had manipulated everyone into believing; instead, he wanted to create a false impression of their return.
The reason no one had ratted on them was that nobody knew who was responsible, and the body in the dryer belonged to a woman who had been murdered by the actual gang decades ago and buried near the laundromat. The old man and his two grandchildren had exhumed her corpse and left it in the dryer as a tactic to instill fear, but when no one reacted, they set the dryer on fire.
The only individual who took notice of this was Batman. In an attempt to restore order in the Rookery through intimidation, the old man wanted people to believe that the gang had returned. However, in present-day Gotham, they were simply another fire ignited amidst a city filled with arsonists.
Given that they didn’t even remove his cowl during the incident, Batman deduced that these perpetrators had never taken a life before and were petrified of doing so.
In a different turn of phrase: The elderly gentleman never belonged to the Red Hood Gang; instead, he was merely a boy who witnessed a woman being buried. They dispatched Jake, a younger lad, outdoors to assassinate Batman, yet Bruce managed to scare them off by explaining graphically how their actions would make his face distort and mocking the old man. The other child, Sam, aimed to use bleach to kill Batman, but the elderly man resisted because he desired to carry out the deed himself. In the ensuing struggle, the gun went off, killing Sam. With his dying breath, the old man lamented that his only goal was to better his neighborhood. Batman took an additional twelve minutes to free himself from restraints, and by then it was already too late.
Batman’s True Impact
Batman departed, instructing Jake to stay outside until the police arrived. He confided in Alfred that his vigilance over the Rookery was fruitless and only caused distress. However, back with Jake, a group of men intended to attack him, but they halted upon seeing a shadow on the rooftop. In a twist of perception known as pareidolia, they mistook this for the Dark Knight in rags. Frightened by the sight, the would-be assailants fled, saving Jake. Although Batman questioned his significance, believing he was powerless to truly aid the Rookery, he was oblivious to the impact he had already made. His persistent patrol of Gotham’s neglected areas left a lasting impression on its residents, making them feel his protective presence even when he wasn’t there. Unknowingly, Batman achieved what he always strived for: becoming an intimidating symbol that deters criminals from harming anyone.
In simpler terms, instead of trying to find someone else’s wrongdoings to instill fear among criminals, Batman creates his own fear factor by appearing unexpectedly anywhere in Gotham, ready to dish out punishment. Even though Batman can’t be everywhere at once, the uncertainty of where he might appear next keeps criminals on edge. His tireless efforts in fighting crime and upholding justice have a profound effect on Gotham, although Batman may not always recognize it himself. While Batman personally tackles ongoing crimes and emergencies, his legendary status deters potential wrongdoers from even starting trouble in the first place. It’s essential to remember, particularly for Batman, that he plays an important role in keeping Gotham safe, even when he struggles to see the impact of his actions.
Batman: Dark Patterns #9 is on sale now!
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2025-08-17 00:14