Cheetah’s tumultuous history of questionable character designs takes a back seat with this formidable redesign, catapulting her into the realm of Wonder Woman’s truly worthy adversaries. This iteration makes a compelling argument that, under the guidance of the right artist and the right kind of story, Cheetah could evolve into a force to be reckoned within the DC Universe.
A seismic shift in the portrayal of Cheetah takes place in Wonder Woman #187 by Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning, Trish Mulvihill, and Comicraft — with cover art by Adam Hughes — delivering her most fearsome and visually captivating incarnation to date.
Cheetah transforms into a dark version of her typical cat-like design, her “fur” becoming all-black with white spots — not to mention her glowing red eyes. Undoubtedly, this issue secures its place in Cheetah’s over 80-year comic history as one of her most potent and visually striking forms, leaving an indelible mark on the character’s legacy and arguing that Cheetah deserves more striking character designs like this one.
Cheetah’s Darkest Character Design Elevates Her to Wonder Woman’s Level
The issue marks a pivotal moment in Cheetah’s character evolution and stands as a testament to the creative team’s ability to breathe fresh life into a classic villain. In this issue, Diana, Wonder Girl, and Troia find themselves in midst of a clash between the male and female incarnations of Cheetah. Barbara Ann Minerva undergoes a Fury-possession transformation, evolving into a cosmic predator of unparalleled ferocity. This narrative twist unveils fury-fueled powers for Minerva and marks a departure from the conventional Cheetah design. With Minerva sporting glowing red eyes and adopting a shadowy, almost ethereal form, the redesign is nothing short of bone-chilling, providing Cheetah with an appearance that truly befits her status as an adversary worthy of Wonder Woman.
While Cheetah is one of Diana’s most enduring adversaries, her portrayal has historically struggled to match the godlike might embodied by her nemesis. Often hindered by lackluster or downright cheesy character designs, Cheetah has struggled to achieve the gravitas befitting a foe of Wonder Woman’s caliber. However, in this particular issue, a welcome transformation unfolds as Cheetah sheds the shackles of past representations and truly embraces a power and aesthetic that rivals Diana herself. The formidable redesign and compelling storyline finally lend Cheetah the credibility and menace necessary to pose a genuine and formidable threat to Diana, injecting new life into their age-old rivalry.
DC Needs to Give Cheetah Her Next Epic Redesign
Cheetah’s fury-possessed makeover is a resounding testament to the untapped potential within her character design. Despite a history marked by numerous missteps, this DC villain proves she can transcend corny villainy. Elevating Cheetah to a stature befitting Wonder Woman’s arch-nemesis requires a departure from the pitfalls of the past and, perhaps, even a bold move like shedding Cheetah’s tail to infuse a more serious tone into the character’s aesthetic. The possibilities are vast, and hopefully there will soon be a next-level, badass redesign that revitalizes Cheetah’s image the next time this classic villain faces off against Wonder Woman.
