Catwoman #43

PEST CONTROL

In the Hill, Onyx and her crew are on patrol when one of their number, Marcus, disappears. They soon discover his body, and in her horror, Onyx asks, "What kinda monster could do this?" Killer Croc announces his presence by saying, "That'd be me." Onyx and her crew run.  In the East End, Catwoman has chased down a pimp whom she doesn't recognize. She asks him if he works for Black Mask, but he denies it. Catwoman decides it doesn't matter because if she ever sees him in the East End again, she'll break his neck. She tells him to leave and go make something of his life. Catwoman gives the girls money and a card for a group that helps former sex workers get back on their feet.  Catwoman realizes she's getting paranoid and seeing Black Mask's fingerprints everywhere, but she also knows that sooner or later he'll come gunning for her again. She kicks out when someone approaches her from behind, but a bruised and scratched-up Onyx catches her leg and says that Batman told her where she could find Catwoman.  Selina takes Onyx back to her apartment where Onyx fixes herself up. Batman can't help her right now, so he suggested she go to Catwoman. Selina can hardly keep an eye on her own territory. Onyx understands, but she's desperate. She has already lost four good men. Selina remembers her own friends and allies, and she knows that the Hill is the only thing stopping Black Mask from having another go at the East End. She agrees to help.  Back in Black Mask's hideout, Black Mask coos over Killer Croc and tells him that now he's tasted Onyx's blood, he can track her down and finish the job.  Selina and Onyx spend half the night coming up with a plan. The next morning, "Ms. Windermere" (Selina's alias) goes to the bank where Craig lets her into her safe-deposit box to remove a necklace she stole from the Duchess of Markovia six years ago in Capri. She brings that to the Tailor, who says it will be perfect for his new lenses. She runs a few more errands before going to see Onyx again in the Hill.  Selina and Onyx set a trap for Croc, and they wait until Black Mask releases him. Onyx then makes a small cut on her arm, which draws Croc towards them. She acts as though she were injured. Catwoman sees Croc trying to make a sneak attack on Onyx using her infrared goggles. Onyx strikes at Croc with a knife when he gets close enough, but it does little.  Catwoman jumps onto Croc's back and scratches him with the uniquely sharp claws the Tailor made for her. Onyx runs towards the trap while Catwoman stalls Croc for time. She then runs into the trap, and Croc follows her, getting caught. Onyx punches Croc across the face in revenge for her boys, and Catwoman scratches "MEOW" across his chest for Black Mask when he comes looking for his mind-controlled killer.