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Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Wonder Woman #3!A key character in Wonder Woman lore is finally sinking her teeth into the publisher’s new alternate universe, as Cheetah is officially teased to debut in Absolute Wonder Woman’s explosive first arc. There have been a few different iterations of Cheetahthroughout DC Comics history, and the inventive series is set to introduce yet another take on Diana’s fierce feline foe for the revamped hero from Hell.
A preview for Absolute Wonder Woman #3 by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman sees Diana prepare to battle the massive Tetracide, a powerful monster that even the Princess of the Underworld fears. As the supernatural face-off is televised, a peculiar character named Barbara watches in awe from the Gateway City Natural History Museum.
Though Barbara’s last name isn’t outright stated in the preview, she is definitely the Absolute Universe’s Barbara Ann Minerva – perhaps the most popular character to take up the Cheetah mantle. Since she appears in human form, the series will seemingly feature an updated origin for the villain.
Absolute Wonder Woman #3 by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire, and Becca Carey
The first glimpse at the character in Absolute Wonder Woman #3’s preview looks pretty similar to the beginnings of Barbara’s main continuity counterpart, but there are still endless possibilities for Cheetah as she’s reimagined for the Absolute Universe. While the first Cheetah debuted in 1943’s Wonder Woman #6 by William Marston and Harry G. Peter, Barbara Minerva was created in 1987 by Len Wein and George Pérez and still holds the mantle today. As arguably Diana’s quintessential sparring partner, it was only a matter of time until Barbara’s Absolute Universe debut.
Absolute Wonder Woman’s version of Barbara seems to follow her traditional origin with just one page of evidence so far.
In her traditional origin, Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva starts out as a highly-intelligent yet meek archaeologist who uses ancient magic to undergo a ferocious transformation that makes her the iconic villain Cheetah. With her introduction at the Gateway City Natural History Museum – and also seemingly invisible to those around her – Absolute Wonder Woman’s version of Barbara seems to follow her traditional origin with just one page of evidence so far. However, as another classic villain has become Wonder Woman’s mom in this universe, among other inventive lore changes, a few exciting twists on the Cheetah should be expected.
Our Take On the Debut of Barbara Ann Minerva In DC’s Darkseid-Fueled Alternate Universe
Thompson and Sherman’s Brand-New Version of Cheetah Could Be the Most Vicious Yet
As Absolute Wonder Woman continuously raises the stakes for its titular Amazon, the creative team could conjure up the fiercest Cheetah ever. With the new universe being made from the energy of Darkseid, its depiction of the savage villain could be untamed in ways never seen before. Thompson’s current Birds of Prey series, one of Screen Rant’s best comics of 2024, highlights the writer’s ability to capture DC’s heroines and their camaraderie, so it’ll be exciting to see how the dynamic between Diana and Barbara unfolds in her Absolute Universe series.
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Though not much is known about the new Barbara Minerva before she appears in Absolute Wonder Woman #3, her first reaction to seeing Diana is already notable. When Barbara lights up, quietly says “Wonder Woman”, and runs off, it marks the first time that Diana is actually called by her superhero name in this new universe and could further point to the character’s importance in this version of DC Comics lore. As the Wonder Woman from Hellreaches new heights in the Absolute Universe, the reinvigorated Cheetah is finally on the board and could be on the prowl very soon.
Absolute Wonder Woman #3 is available December 25th, 2024 from DC Comics.
“}]] Barbara Ann Minerva makes her Absolute DC debut. Read More