1. The problem is to evaluate $-2$ raised to the power of 2, which is written as $-2^2$. 2. According to the order of operations, exponents are evaluated before applying the negative sign unless parentheses indicate otherwise. 3. So, $-2^2$ means the negative of $2^2$, not $(-2)^2$. 4. Calculate $2^2$ first: $$2^2 = 2 \times 2 = 4$$ 5. Now apply the negative sign: $$-2^2 = -4$$ 6. Therefore, the final answer is $-4$.