One of the things readers love about Gotham is that the city is undeniably doomed, ensuring Batman stories remain vast and endless. However, the Dark Knight has now officially explained why the city is unsalvageable—and it surprisingly has nothing to do with his flourishing, colorful Rogues Gallery.
…Gotham remains a cesspool of crime and danger because its inhabitants prefer it that way…
Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman’s highly anticipated Batman: Dark Patterns mini-series launches its inaugural issue on December 11, 2024. This series promises an in-depth exploration of the Caped Crusader’s early years as he tackles four mysterious cases and works to establish himself as Gotham City’s protector.
Thanks to a four-page preview from DC, readers get an early glimpse of the issue—and a major confession from the Dark Knight. Even at the start of his career, Batman acknowledges Gotham is beyond saving, admitting that “[he] cannot save people from themselves.”
Even a Young Batman Knew Gotham Couldn’t Be Saved From Itself
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Ashley Wood for Batman: Dark Patterns #3 (2025)
Batman: Dark Patterns #1 begins with a gritty narration from the Caped Crusader, paired with snapshots of Gotham, as he reflects on the dark and often nonsensical nature of the city he has vowed to protect. Despite his dedication, Batman acknowledges that Gotham will never be completely saved. He laments the unchanging aspects of the city, such as children playing chicken with trains at Central Station—despite dozens of fatalities since the metro’s opening—or the ever-present reality of arson, whether for insurance fraud or reckless fun.
One of Batman’s most striking observations is about the locals’ bizarre habits. He recounts how people adopt vicious, wild dogs from the pound only to release them back onto the streets because, as he puts it, “the Bowery has always had wild dogs, and the people of this city fear seeing it change around them.” For Batman, this encapsulates Gotham’s greatest challenge: its people’s resistance to change, even when it’s for their own good. Ultimately, Gotham remains a cesspool of crime and danger because its inhabitants prefer it that way—and there’s nothing Batman can do to change that.
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Batman Is Either a Saint or the Ultimate Masochist
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Martin Simmonds for Batman: Dark Patterns #2 (2025)
The fact that this series is an early-years Batman story—and its opening pages have Bruce openly admitting he knows Gotham is resistant to change—speaks volumes about the Dark Knight’s character. Despite this grim realization, he still suits up every night to fight the good fight, proving he’s either on saintly levels of determination or the ultimate masochist. Granted, Bruce clearly believes there are still things he can save the city from. However, knowingly waging an endless battle feels like a form of self-inflicted torture—or at the very least, a mission destined for a tragic end. Yet, it’s this unwavering grit and determination to do what’s right, no matter the odds, that makes Batman so iconic and beloved by fans.
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Batman: Dark Patterns #1 is available December 11, 2024, from DC Comics!
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
