VILLAINS! Your Thoughts On: CHEETAH!

[WonderScott]

Cheetah's a great threat because of Barbara Minerva's intelligence, amorality, remorselessness, drive and ingenuity - at least that's how she should be portrayed. The powers and gifts of the god Urzkartaga or from a cursed dagger only make her more formidable and deadly.

[SiegePerilous02]

Btw, wasn't it Rucka's Cheetah that tried to kill Diana at the World Court? If so... I have to say I think that was probably the most human I've ever seen her while being the Cheetah, since it's one of the few (if not only) times where we see the inner torment she exists in thanks to the curse.

If it's the issue I'm thinking of, it was ok. If I had to pinpoint exactly where I thought things started to go wrong with Cheetah, it would be around there. I believe Rucka was the first to write her as a bloodthirsty sex kitten who folds after a few hits. She has some interesting thought boxes in that issue, but she comes across as generically evil, killing innocent people for the lols, and not lasting too long in the actual fight. Then afterward Rucka hooked her up with Snapper Carr, and then her excruciating appearances in Catwoman followed, then Heinberg and the fail pants, etc. Before this, her appearances in the runs by Loebs, Byrne and Jimenez did a much better job of keeping her in line with Perez's characterization and focused on her human side. The crap showings really started in earnest after this, with the exception of Simone's use of her in Secret Six.

It's a shame too, because I generally think Rucka is one of the best writers the title ever had, but she's his one blind spot.

Well it could technically be Artemis/Moon that was the real voice, considering how she also reveled in her own power and might have wanted another player on the field to amuse herself with and then incidentally it becomes something Diana has to deal with later on.
But you are right, it could be anyone that was the real voice, but considering this is DC, are we looking forwards to finding out it was either a New God, Trigon or John Constantine that was behind this?

*shudders* Yeah, that's sounds like something they would do. Forget I said anything, let's go with Moon.

[Nyssane]

I agree wholeheartedly about Rucka's Cheetah. I didn't love how he used her (and he was the one who put her with Snapper? Ugh, kill me now). I think Geoff Johns did the Cheetah/Zoom team-up issues, right? It's been a long time since I read the other Cheetah appearance in Rucka's run, but I remember not being thrilled with it. I'll have to reread it. I don't really like the whole Barbara-is-a-victim-to-Urzkartaga stuff. It was good in Perez, but I much prefer the New 52 in that aspect, where she's the one who corrupted the god empowering her with her greed and malice.

I'm really worried about her use in the upcoming Suicide Squad, though. I hope the writer gets a chance to delve into her, but putting her with those other villains definitely takes away the sense that she's Wonder Woman's arch-nemesis. Giganta or Silver Swan would've been better choices for WW villains.

[SiegePerilous02]

I agree wholeheartedly about Rucka's Cheetah. I didn't love how he used her (and he was the one who put her with Snapper? Ugh, kill me now). I think Geoff Johns did the Cheetah/Zoom team-up issues, right? It's been a long time since I read the other Cheetah appearance in Rucka's run, but I remember not being thrilled with it. I'll have to reread it. I don't really like the whole Barbara-is-a-victim-to-Urzkartaga stuff. It was good in Perez, but I much prefer the New 52 in that aspect, where she's the one who corrupted the god empowering her with her greed and malice.

I'm really worried about her use in the upcoming Suicide Squad, though. I hope the writer gets a chance to delve into her, but putting her with those other villains definitely takes away the sense that she's Wonder Woman's arch-nemesis. Giganta or Silver Swan would've been better choices for WW villains.

I think Johns and Rucka co-wrote that one. She calls Zoom "baby" and makes passes at Wally while she's maiming him. It was pretty painful.
I have no hopes for Suicide Squad, as I've heard plenty of "meh" reactions towards the title in general. If she got dropped, it might be for the best.

[WonderScott]

I just picked up New Suicide Squad issue 9 in prep for the changes over in the line up. Hoping for the best since there will be several interesting characters on the team - Poison Ivy and Cheetah specifically. I'm hoping for the best, but we'll see.

[Dr. Poison]

I just picked up New Suicide Squad issue 9 in prep for the changes over in the line up. Hoping for the best since there will be several interesting characters on the team - Poison Ivy and Cheetah specifically. I'm hoping for the best, but we'll see.

Let us know if Cheetah gets jobbed by being restrained by a pair of handcuffs or a trick-arrow.

[SiegePerilous02]

Let us know if Cheetah gets jobbed by being restrained by a pair of handcuffs or a trick-arrow.

With DC's new continuity light approach, I now have an even easier time pretending that didn't happen than I already did.

[Dr. Poison]

With DC's new continuity light approach, I now have an even easier time pretending that didn't happen than I already did.

Works for me.

[Outside_85]

Let us know if Cheetah gets jobbed by being restrained by a pair of handcuffs or a trick-arrow.

With DC they might just have a big dog to chase her up a tree

[Dr. Poison]

With DC they might just have a big dog to chase her up a tree

I'm beginning to think that you may be right.

[TomServofan]

What do i think of her? HOT as hell and one of my catgirl dreamgirls even on the JL series as she is on par with Cleo on Heathcliff or Callie Briggs.

[Stormcrow]

Just finished re-reading Alex Ross's Justice and I'm seriously in love with that version of Cheetah! The look is fantastic and it feels to me like the best version of the character yet, using the classic Priscilla Rich character (my favorite thanks to Super Friends) with her delusions and societal importance while keeping Barbara Minerva's godly upgrades in a different, non were-cheetah kind of way. Along with her having a history as being Wonder Woman's friend, I really wish we had seen more of her.

[nj06]

Just finished re-reading Alex Ross's Justice and I'm seriously in love with that version of Cheetah! The look is fantastic and it feels to me like the best version of the character yet, using the classic Priscilla Rich character (my favorite thanks to Super Friends) with her delusions and societal importance while keeping Barbara Minerva's godly upgrades in a different, non were-cheetah kind of way. Along with her having a history as being Wonder Woman's friend, I really wish we had seen more of her.

While I prefer the were-Cheetah route, I can't deny that this is still a great look and interpretation of the Cheetah character. The dead cheetah skins/furs juxtaposed with her socialite and high-end persona adds a nice twist to the humanity vs. savagery concept associated with the character.

[nj06]

However, I still love the were-cheetah and I love this panel:

[Project Initiative Cascada]

Barbara Ann Minerva is one of my favorite characters. Her genuine villainy is so thrilling and exciting. No offence, but I always saw Priscilla Rich as a joke of being a threat to Wonder Woman when she is just some crazy lady in a costume. It wasn't until Justice where she is portrayed to be a worthy villain.

However, I still love the were-cheetah and I love this panel:

One of my favorite WW issues ever. The birth of one of the greatest villainesses in the DC Universe.