Hold onto your short-boxes, speculator purists and Gotham City collectors! If you thought the hype surrounding DC’s bold new Absolute Universe initiative was just typical comic book marketing spin, it is time to throw out the old playbook. In an absolute mic-drop announcement that proves consumer demand is shattering expectations, DC officially revealed that Absolute Catwoman #1 has completely sold out at the distributor level and is immediately returning to press for an emergency second printing.
What makes this announcement an absolute jaw-dropper for back-issue hunters is the timeline: DC triggered this second printing on Tuesday, June 9, 2026—a full day before the first printing even landed on comic shop spinner racks on Wednesday, June 10, 2026! Excitement for this completely reimagined take on Selina Kyle is hitting a fever pitch as the publisher aggressively builds out the next massive, creator-driven chapter of its DC All In initiative. If you want to stay ahead of the curve on the biggest independent and mainstream keys hitting the market, make sure to keep your eyes locked onto our comprehensive New Comics master hub for weekly drop breakdowns.
Unveiling the Absolute Apex Predator: What is Absolute Catwoman?
In this brand-new, highly anticipated six-issue series masterminded by co-writers Che Grayson and Scott Snyder alongside sensationally kinetic interior artist Bengal, we are introduced to a version of Selina Kyle unlike any iteration you have ever read before.
Forget about the traditional cat-and-mouse relationship with the Dark Knight; in the darker, more visceral landscape of the Absolute Universe, Selina Kyle has carved out a life purely through raw ingenuity, ruthless survival instincts, and completely unmatched skill.
“With all the wealth…with all the gear…with all the skills, she is the Absolute Apex Predator!”
Clad in specialized, high-tech tactical gear and wielding state-of-the-art weaponry, she has clawed her way up to become the undisputed greatest thief the world has ever known. No vault is secure enough to keep her out, and no score is too dangerous to touch.
However, the core narrative hook of this debut issue triggers a major threat to everything she has built. When a mysterious figure from her past unexpectedly comes knocking on her door, her entire criminal empire begins to collapse under the weight of a global conspiracy. To survive the fallout, Selina is forced to deploy her deadly toolkit to unravel a global mystery that will take her from high-society penthouses straight into the deepest, darkest shadows of the Absolute Universe.
Speculator Blueprint: Second Printing Variant Breakdown
With retail orders locked in as of June 9, the highly sought-after second printing copies are officially scheduled to make landfall in local comic shops on July 15, 2026—arriving exactly one week after the release of Absolute Catwoman #2. Backed by the flawless colors of Giovanna Niro and the sharp lettering of Lucas Gattoni, the release features a spectacular trio of fresh cover configurations that variant hunters need to add to their pull lists immediately:
- The Second Printing Main Cover: Illustrated by interior artist Bengal, this primary second printing variant showcases a breathtaking, dynamic action shot of Selina diving headfirst down a city skyscraper backdrop, complete with a specially modified, recolored series logo to differentiate it from the first print.
- The Open-to-Order Variant: Crafted by fan-favorite illustrator Guillem March, this spectacular alternative cover presents an incredibly striking, atmospheric portrait of Selina crouching under a warm sunset sky, resting her clawed glove on a high-tech motorcycle helmet.
- The Foil Incentive Variant: A jaw-dropping, high-end premium variant by master artist Kaare Andrews, featuring a punk-rock inspired, hot pink “REVOLT!” graffiti background that frames a stunning, highly stylized close-up portrait of Catwoman.
Spinning Out: Absolute Cassandra Cain One-Shot Announced!
As if an immediate second printing wasn’t enough to supercharge the fanbase, DC dropped a massive secondary bombshell for timeline completionists. The publisher announced a brand-new, standalone one-shot issue that will explicitly bridge the gap between the first and second halves of the main miniseries, publishing directly between issues #3 and #4.
Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1 is officially set to hit shelves on September 9, 2026, before the main Absolute Catwoman series resumes its regular monthly publication schedule with issue #4 in October.
This companion book features the exact same high-caliber creative pedigree, written by Che Grayson with a main cover by Bengal and spectacular interior artwork and variant cover design by Matias Bergara.
A Darker, Deadlier Origin Story
The narrative premise of this one-shot introduces a bone-chilling twist to classic DC lore. Years ago within the Absolute Universe, the Joker didn’t just terrorize Gotham; he actively trained alongside the legendary League of Assassins. Once the Clown Prince of Crime had extracted every single drop of deadly knowledge he could from the shadow organization, he cold-bloodedly slaughtered the entire collective.
Out of the smoking wreckage of that absolute massacre rose Lady Shiva and her deadly daughter, Cassandra Cain. The Shadow’s Hand #1 pulls back the curtain to reveal the definitive origin story of the Absolute Universe’s most terrifyingly formidable assassin. Most importantly for collectors, this issue will map out exactly how Cassandra’s bloody journey is irrevocably intertwined with the path of the world’s greatest thief, Selina Kyle!
The companion variant cover by Matias Bergara highlights Cassandra emerging from a beautiful, atmospheric wash of ink and shadows, brandishing dual traditional blades under a haunting, backlit halo.
Final Verdict: The Next Level of DC All In
The sheer speed at which Absolute Catwoman #1 has commanded a second printing proves that the creative collaboration between Che Grayson, Scott Snyder, and Bengal has struck an immediate nerve with the modern comic book community. Following hot on the heels of May’s massive Absolute Green Arrow launch, the Absolute Universe is rapidly cementing itself as a powerhouse of uncompromised, creator-driven narrative depth.
With DC teasing a massive, top-secret event miniseries born from the darkest corners of the cosmos launching in Q4 2026, there has never been a more perfect time for new fans and lapsed readers to jump onto the ground floor of a brand-new universe. Grab your first printing copies this week while supplies last, and make sure to tell your local retailer to lock in your second printing variants before July 15!
📢 Join the Conversation How do you feel about Selina Kyle’s massive new transformation into the high-tech Absolute Apex Predator? Are you planning to add the Absolute Cassandra Cain one-shot to your pull list this September? Drop your thoughts, theories, and favorite variant cover picks in the comments section below!
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