The Cheetah has been one of the most definitive Wonder Woman villains since she was created first created by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter in the 1940s. The first two Cheetahs ended up being Priscilla Rich and Deborah Domaine, and other DC villains have used that famous moniker in the intervening decades.
Even though she wasn't the first Cheetah, the Post-Crisis version of the character, Barbara Ann Minerva, is the definitive modern version, and she's set to appear in the upcoming Wonder Woman 1984, where she'll be portrayed by Kristen Wiig. Before she leaps onto the big screen, we're taking a look back at the history of the character, her role in the DC Universe and how she went from being one of Diana's closest friends to one of her deadliest foes.
WHO IS THE CHEETAH?
Doctor Barbara Ann Minerva was created by George Perez and Len Wein as an archaeologist who sought out various magical artifacts and aspects of the DC Universe. One mission took her to Africa, where she looked for a tribe that worshiped the ancient plant deity Irzkartaga. After she ingested a serum meant to give her powers, she suffered from several physical ailments in her human form, and eventually lost her sense of self and gave into a bloodthirsty side as the Cheetah.
After Wonder Woman arrives into man's world, the Cheetah seeks to steal the Lasso of Truth from Wonder Woman. She initially presents herself as an ally to Wonder Woman, helping her during some of her earliest missions in the Post-Crisis world. Still trusting of the greater world, Diana is genuinely hurt when she Lasso of Truth ends up revealing her treachery, turning Barbara into an outright villain. Slowly, he desire for the lasso wanes as the more brutal and animalistic side of Cheetah grows to hate Wonder Woman. slowly she becomes more a more and more dangerous villain, even as Wonder Woman saves her life and tries to bring back to the side of angels. However, Cheetah becomes increasingly cruel in her battles with Diana, remaining her steadfast enemy until the dawn of the New 52.
THE NEW 52
In the New 52, Cheetah is reimagined as a more direct counterpoint to Wonder Woman. Still known as Barbara Ann Minerva, she was introduced as a friend of Diana and expert in dangerous mystical artifacts. She even shares an origin with Wonder Woman, having been raised as an orphan in a community of just women (albeit in the United States) known as Amazonia, which had been inspired by the legends of the Amazons.
She and Diana became quick friends when they met, with Barabara even assisting her in her early time in the United States. But her own sense of anger and jealousy towards Diana led her to open herself up to the Spirit of the Hunt. Empowered, she battled Wonder Woman but eventually was defeated by the Justice League. However, Diana holds onto hope that her friend had been corrupted by the Spirit of the Hunt and that, if she could unleash her from this curse then her friend would be restored.
DC REBIRTH
The origin that was given to Cheetah in the New 52 was revealed to have been a lie a few years later in the DC Rebirth era. Minerva's origins are altered as a result, tying her closer to Diana during the events of Wonder Woman: Year One. After growing up with a father who did not care for her or her "childish" obsession with mythology, Minerva became an archaeologist, eventually finding proof that the Amazons had in fact existed. Brought in to be a translator for the newly arrived Diana, she became fast friends with her and Etta Candy. She even taught Diana English. Upon seeing the full extent of divine power, Barabra became obsessed with it and sought out various figures, including Urzkartaga. Manipulated by Ares sons' Deimos and Phobos, she was wed to the God and forced into the form of Cheetah.
She ultimately blamed Diana for exposing her to this world of magic and sought revenge for how it brought out her animalistic and even cannibalistic side. However, her relationship with Wonder Woman has led her to ally herself with her old friends like Erra on occasion. Despite her own personal sacrifices, she is abandoned by the Gods and swears vengeance upon all of them - which led her to join Lex Luthor's Legion of Doom so she could gain the God Killer's power to finally bring down the deities.