Reading List: Cheetah, Part 2

With the help of Greg Potter and George Perez, DC Comics relaunched its Wonder Woman title in 1987. Her continuity was rebooted and she was given a new origin. By erasing the narratives that existed previously, this gave the creators a chance to reinvent several of Wonder Woman’s most dangerous enemies.

Arguably, the most successful reinvention was that of the Cheetah. George Perez introduced readers to Barbara Ann Minerva, a power hungry archaeologist who wants nothing more than true divinity and the death of Wonder Woman.

Below you will find a list of the most notable appearances the modern Cheetah has made since her introduction in 1987. Watch out for those claws!

Wonder Woman v2 #7-9 (1987)

Barbara Ann Minerva made her first appearance in Wonder Woman v2 #7, which led to her dramatic transformation into the Cheetah two issues later.

Along with her faithful servant Chuma, archaeologist Barbara Minerva flew from her home in England to the United States to meet the media sensation known as Wonder Woman. Intending to steal her golden lasso, Minerva’s plan goes off the rails when the lasso violently rejects her.

Not one to give up easily, Minerva is transformed into the Cheetah through an ancient ritual and attacks the Amazon at her Boston residence. What ensues is a knock-down drag out fight between the Amazon Princess and her most dangerous foe.

Read these issues online on Comixology.

Wonder Woman v2 #27-35 (1989)

In one of George Perez’s most epic storylines, the Cheetah successfully steals Wonder Woman’s mystical lasso. The Amazon Princess pursues the feline fatale to Africa, where she learns of the Cheetah’s origins and of the long lost tribe of Amazons known as the Bana-Mighdall.

Wonder Woman v2 #94-95 (1995)

After losing the title of Wonder Woman to the Bana-Mighdall Amazon named Artemis, Diana is captured by the combined forces of Poison Ivy, Cheshire, and the Cheetah. She must defeat these deadly foes without her Gods-given gifts.

Read these issues online at Comixology.

Wonder Woman v2 #118-119 (1997)

In these John Byrne-penned issues, the Cheetah returns more dangerous than ever. These issues mark a few dramatic twists and turns, which ultimately lead to Diana’s shocking death at Neron’s hands a few issues later.

Read these issues online at Comixology.

Wonder Woman v2 #186-187 (2002-2003)

After Minerva loses her divine powers to the businessman known as Sebastian Ballesteros, she strikes a deal with the spirit of vengeance to reclaim her mantle.

This two-part story serves as the ultimate climax for Phil Jimenez’s run on Wonder Woman. It is dramatic and manages to wrap up all his most pressing plot points.

Read these issues online at Comixology.

Catwoman: When In Rome (2005)

Even though she’s largely been Wonder Woman’s number one nemesis, the Cheetah makes a surprising appearance in this mini-series helmed by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale.

Suspecting that she may have family ties to the mafia, Catwoman travels to Italy to learn the truth about her heritage. This vacation turns deadly when she is forced to face off against the nefarious Cheetah.

Read these issues online at Comixology or purchase the trade paperback on Amazon.

Wonder Woman v3 #1-4, Annual #1 (2006-2007)

Following the dramatic events of “Infinite Crisis,” Donna Troy takes over as Wonder Woman. In her first outing, she is attacked by the combined forces of her sister’s enemies. The Cheetah returns and is revealed to now be able to control her transformations. 

Read these issues online at Comixology or purchase the graphic novel on Amazon.

JLA: Wedding Special, Justice League of America v2 #13-15 (2007)

Following the wedding of superheroes Green Arrow and Black Canary, Lex Luthor assembles an army of supervillains to bring down the Justice League of America. The Cheetah joins this anti-Justice League and faces off once more against the Amazon Princess.

Read these issues online at Comixology or purchase the trade paperback on Amazon.

JLA: Salvation Run (2008)

In this company-wide crossover, DC Comics’ most dangerous villains are transported to an uninhabited island to repent for their crimes. The Cheetah is amongst these criminals and quickly aligns herself with Lex Luthor in order to get back home.

It’s worth noting that the Cheetah was also featured in the issues of Catwoman that tied into this event.

Read these issues online at Comixology or purchase the trade paperback on Amazon.

Wonder Woman v3 #26-33 (2009)

When Gail Simone took over Wonder Woman’s title, fans were excited to see what the critically-acclaimed writer would do with the Amazing Amazon. In 2009, she launched an epic six-part storyline known as “Rise of the Olympian.”

In this event, Wonder Woman faces off against a deadly new foe known as Genocide and deal with the machinations of the Greek Gods as they launch a plot against the Amazon Princess. On top of all of this, she must contend with the return of the Cheetah.

Read these issues online at Comixology or purchase the graphic novel on Amazon.

Justice League #13-14 (2012-2013)

In 2011, DC Comics rebooted its continuity and relaunched 52 new titles under an initiative known as “The New 52.” As part of this, Wonder Woman was given a new origin and the story of the Justice League’s first meeting was retold.

Geoff Johns re-introduced the Cheetah into the New 52 in this two-part story. Minerva is portrayed to be an enigmatic and manipulative woman, who gains divine powers through the use of a mystical dagger.

Read these issues online at Comixology.