‘Karmen #2’ (review)

Written and Illustrated by Guillem March
Published by Image Comics

Karmen #2 is even more of a visual treat than the first issue as Cata has fully embraced her new-found power of flight. She glides through the skies of her city, reveling in this new perspective on the place she has always lived. Lush parks, soaring cathedrals, placid lakes. Folks going about the business of their daily lives–some with more enthusiasm than others. It’s a whole new marvelous perspective.

Cata has several near-misses with the living as she darts in and out of pedestrians at street level. The slightest brush against one of them, and she would become immediately visible, in her nude, bandaged, heart-broken state. She registers the hazards but barely. Cata is too busy reveling in this new existence.

Her seemingly-aimless flight takes her to a familiar spot. It’s the place she and Xisco used to come as teenagers to hang out. Bittersweet memories flood her, remembering their complicated relationship.

And there he is, in reality! Cata sees Xisco sitting there in their favorite spot. She wants so much to reach out to him and share this incredible experience.

Cata is a moment away from touching him when overhears his phone conversation about her. In an instant, fresh rage and despair flood her. Horrified, she flees. Tears and blood come rushing back. It is all too much.

She’s about to pitch herself into the street below when Karmen catches up to her.

“What are you doing? Jumping into the void is kind of silly when you’ve just learned how to defy the laws of gravity!”

And this is where it becomes evident that Cata still doesn’t know that she’s dead.

She’s jumping to try to wake herself out of the awful dream where her best friend has betrayed her. Karmen has to break the news in her inimitable way, reminding Cata that Cata was the one who decided she was dreaming. Karmen never told her this was true.

The truth finally comes out. Xisco was more than a childhood friend. He was more than a best friend. More than a convenient hookup.

She loved him. Maybe in time he could see that and love her too. Now Cata is certain that was never going to happen.

This is what drove her to the edge.

Karmen is willing to give her that last push over the edge. What is Cata prepared to do about it?