Che Grayson and Bengal continue to deliver absolute magic with Absolute Catwoman #2. This issue functions as a perfectly paced, high-stakes mystery filled with endearing characters, effortlessly expanding the lore of this new universe while deeply fleshing out its version of Selina Kyle. The script strikes a wonderful balance between playful, nostalgic flashbacks and a global thriller aesthetic that leaves you desperately wanting more. It is a confident, visually spectacular sophomore chapter that cements this title as an absolute frontrunner for the entire DC line.
Once A Calico….
After keeping the exact nature of Selina's former crew a bit vague in the debut issue, the narrative finally pulls back the curtain on the secret identities of the Calicos. Alongside Holly Robinson and Selina, we are introduced to the literal brains of the operation, Victoria Sage, and a wealthy powerhouse named Helena Bertinelli. Helena is described as a woman born with a silver spoon in her mouth who nevertheless harbors a massive, burning grudge against the global elite. Mainline DC fans will instantly recognize Bertinelli as the Huntress of Earth-Prime, while Victoria Sage serves as a brilliant, incredibly fun play on Vic Sage, the classic Question.
The biggest shock of the sequence is just how young this crew was when they first launched their crusade. These girls were only thirteen years old, already deeply disillusioned by the crushing inequality of the world around them. The flashback sequences showcase exactly why they were so wildly successful, operating as a flawlessly well-oiled machine where every single member was an expert in her respective field.
Auction House Blues
This chapter gives us a fascinating look at just how financially successful Selina has become in her civilian life, granting her access to The Wandering Rose, a massive fleet of high-end yachts that provide elite amenities to the world's billionaires. After getting patched up by a world-class private physician following her brutal highway skirmish with Cassandra Cain, Selina realizes she needs a tactical plan to figure out the electronic orb Holly left behind. She decides the smartest move is to put the mysterious device up for an ultra-exclusive private auction, operating under the logic that whoever steps up to buy it must know exactly what it is.
The item is quickly listed, and Selina is flown out to a super-secret auction house carved directly into a massive glacier in Switzerland, where only the wealthiest people on Earth trade their stolen goods. She is escorted to the private suite of the anonymous bidder who met her extravagant asking price, only to find Victoria Sage waiting for her. Victoria, having not seen Selina in years, assumes her old friend is simply pawning off Holly’s gear for a quick buck. It turns out Holly actually approached Victoria first, only to be turned away because Victoria had zero interest in a messy Calico reunion. Victoria reveals that the only thing she remembers from that tense conversation is that Holly desperately wanted to use the orb to track down something called The Yarn. Victoria only placed the massive bid to see who had stolen her childhood friend's property. Before the two can unpack the mystery, Helena Bertinelli smashes spectacularly through the glass window, frantically warning her former partners in crime that they are all being targeted. By the time they sprint into the main ballroom, the chamber is littered with bloody bodies, though the assailants are nowhere to be found.
Cain is Able
The situation looks incredibly grim until Selina's trained eyes spot a cluster of shifting shadows across the room. Suddenly, the remaining Calicos find themselves completely surrounded by a black-ops strike team wearing advanced high-tech camouflage, which explains the optical illusions. As the trio springs into action to defend themselves, Selina spots Cassandra Cain holding the orb, instantly recognizing her as the silent assassin who kidnapped Holly, though she also struggles with a haunting sense of familiarity, feeling like she recognizes the young woman from somewhere deep in her past.
Selina immediately engages Cassandra, hoping to fare significantly better in round two of their physical rivalry. Just as the martial arts duel gets interesting, Selina’s pre-planned exit strategy activates. Before entering the mountain, she covertly set up a massive calcium chloride drip beneath the glacier to rapidly melt the ice and destabilize the structural foundation of the entire auction house. As the mountain fortress begins to cave in, Cassandra uses the structural chaos to make a break for it. Selina launches into hot pursuit, but she forces herself to stop to pull Victoria and Helena out of the rubble, dragging them through an impromptu escape hatch just as the facility collapses entirely, allowing Cassandra to slip away into the snow.
Yarn Worth Playing With
Safe from the collapse, Selina demands to know why Holly was so utterly obsessed with finding The Yarn, prompting Victoria to drop a massive narrative bombshell. The Yarn is actually a hyper-advanced piece of synthetic intelligence so completely powerful that it can fundamentally rewrite reality to match the user's specific desires. Considering the staggering global implications of the technology, Selina begins to wonder if the years she spent trying to manually steal back her stolen life would be better spent hunting down a machine capable of writing her a completely flawless new one. It is difficult not to get massive The Dark Knight Rises vibes from this revelation.
Selina’s character arc here beautifully mirrors her motivation in that film, where she spent the entire story hunting for the "Clean Slate" software to wipe her criminal record away. In that cinematic world, she was eventually heartbroken to learn the tech was a myth used to manipulate her, leaving readers to wonder if The Yarn will turn out to be a similar mirage. While the Calicos process the danger, the final panels show Cassandra Cain successfully using the orb to triangulate the exact coordinates of the software, standing directly alongside, what looks like LADY SHIVA? It may be a misdirect, but regardless, business in the Absolute Universe is officially about to pick up.
The Art That Always Lands (On It’s Feet)
Bengal’s artwork fits the specific mood of this globe-trotting script perfectly, shifting effortlessly from the playful warmth of the childhood flashbacks to the high-octane adrenaline of the mountain escape. The visual contrast in this issue is spectacular, juxtaposing the gross opulence of The Wandering Rose and the mountain glacier fortress against the sleek, modern ivory towers of Gotham City.
The environmental storytelling evokes that classic, righteous anger, visually reinforcing Selina’s old cinematic line that the elite live far too large while leaving far too little for the rest of us. Bengal does a fantastic job making every single Calico look incredibly distinct, and the costume design for Selina's high-fashion wardrobe is an absolute treat. To top it all off, Selina’s iconic Cuban curls look completely amazing in every single panel they occupy, giving her a distinct visual flair that pops off the page.
Conclusion & Verdict
Absolute Catwoman #2 delivers an exceptional continuation of Che Grayson's vision, expanding the structural world of the Calicos while introducing a cosmic-level prize that instantly raises the stakes of the entire series. By blending classic DC espionage tropes with an incredibly stylish, modern aesthetic, the creative team has crafted a book that feels fundamentally fresh. The brilliant tease of Lady Shiva and the concept of The Yarn ensure that this title remains an absolute must-read.
Verdict: 8/10.
A beautifully illustrated, rock-solid mystery that sets up a thrilling treasure hunt for the soul of the Absolute line.