The Good
Judd Winick laid the groundwork for the Batman and Catwoman relationship starting at the end of the first issue of Catwoman, and the second issue picks up where the first left off. The start of issue #2 opens with a pretty hot and heavy scene -- definitely not for kids, but also kind of necessary in order to establish the kind of relationship these two characters have with one another. Is this more than "casual sex"? Yes, it is. There's evidence in that first scene that there is some affection that goes beyond sexual compatibility that exists between the two of them. In the first issue, the encounter began when Batman asked her if she was "ok," which is what the subject reverts to when the scene is over. He reiterates the question and once agai Selina avoids the discussion. There's a sense that she is attached, and doesn't want to be, and she knows he is attached and he probably doesn't want to be, either.
This is, in a nutshell, the way their interactions have always been, it's just that Winick is a lot more blunt about it. My perspective on the sexual implications of the scenes in this issue is this: implying that the two characters engaged in sexual activity is not outside the realm of either of their characters. Catwoman has always been portrayed as sexy and sexual. She's always used her sexuality as a weapon and often as a defense, so I was never under the impression that she was, by any means, puritanical which is why I was never really offended by the scenes in the first issue. Again, this is my personal opinion.
Winick does a good job demonstrating that Selina doesn't only use her sexuality; but that she's pretty smart too. He outlines Selina's plans to pit two major Russian mobsters against one another which definitely demonstrates the fact that she's clever. Selina is a character with many layers and I think that Winick is making an effort to demonstrate these different character attributes while still pushing the limits of how far he can go. There's also a very interesting moment of foreshadowing in the beginning of the comic in the scene between Batman and Catwoman.
The Bad
The Verdict
I honestly like this series so far. I think it's provocative, sexy and fun and I think it does a good job depicting Selina as being a smart character, as well. I wasn't too crazy about the ending. The tone definitely took a different turn, and I have to wonder whether or not it would have been more effective to keep Lola alive than to kill her off in the second issue. What Lola's death does do, however, is put Catwoman's lifestyle into perspective for her: whoever she brings into the fold she is ultimately putting in danger, something that is alluded to in the beginning of the issue. I'm honestly not crazy about Guillem March's art in the comic; I think another artist would have provided a different tone for the character.