SYNOPSIS: In search of clues regarding the bounty that’s been placed on her head, Selina travels to Berlin hoping to reconnect with one of her old accomplices from her days as a roaming international thief. But it seems not even her cache of disguises and tricks can protect Catwoman from the watchful eyes of those hunting her. With deadly assassins coming out of every nook and cranny, Selina’s chances of uncovering the secrets of her unseen enemy seem slim. Can Catwoman find out who exactly wants her dead, and why?
“No Further Bets” continues this issue, with writer Torunn Grønbekk whisking Selena Kyle, or should I say, Evie Hall, off to scenic Berlin for chess, IPAs, and intrigue.
Selena, in a poor disguise of a blonde wig, meets with a friend from her former life as “Evie”, one Suzy Sinner. Suzy is someone she did wrong with her sudden disappearance all those years ago and there is a lot of pain in her eyes.
Unfortunately, this meet puts Selena out in the open, and she gets spotted, allowing whatever forces that are conspiring against her to tighten their net.
Grønbekk does a fantastic job creating a sense of modern-day paranoia, where no one is truly safe from a state of constant surveillance. In fact, the tone of this book has shifted dramatically from super-hero heist comic to international spy games. Catwoman in this All-In era is a completely different book, one I find myself captivated by.
Fabiana Mascolo and Patricio Delpeche also return, providing art and colors respectively. My hat is off to them both for making this feel like a different book from the last issue. While they perfectly captured the neon glow of Gotham City, their Berlin is a more cheery affair, serving in contrast to the danger surrounding Selena. Layouts are strong when it comes to the action scenes and have a great flow to them.
While I don’t feel any closer to solving the mystery of why Selena is being chased or ultimately by who, this is a strong entry in the series. While we just wrapped up an arc that showed Catwoman globe-trotting, this feels completely different and not repetitive in the slightest. If you like spy thriller type of stories Catwoman comes highly recommended. – Javier E. Trujillo
