Cheetah The tumultuous history of questionable character designs takes a backseat with this formidable redesign, catapulting it into the realm of Wonder Woman 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 with within the DC Universe.
A seismic shift occurs in Cheetah’s depiction in Wonder Woman #187 by Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning, Trish Mulvihill and Comicraft, with cover by Adam Hughes, offering its most fearsome and visually captivating incarnation to date.
Cheetah transforms into a dark version of his typical feline design, his “fur” turning completely black with white spots, not to mention his glowing red eyes. Without a doubt, this issue secures its place in Cheetah’s 80+ year comic history as one of its most powerful and visually striking forms, leaving an indelible mark on the character’s legacy and arguing that Cheetah deserves more eye-catching character designs. like this.
The formidable redesign and compelling story finally give Cheetah the credibility and menace needed to pose a genuine and formidable threat to Diana, breathing new life into their old rivalry.
Cheetah’s darker character design elevates her to Wonder Woman’s level
The issue marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Cheetah’s character and is a testament to the creative team’s ability to breathe new life into a classic villain. In this issue, Diana, Wonder Girl, and Troia find themselves in the middle 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 incomparable ferocity. This narrative twist reveals powers fueled by Minerva’s fury and marks a departure from the conventional Cheetah design. With Minerva sporting glowing red eyes and taking on a shadowy, almost ethereal form, the redesign is nothing short of chilling, giving Cheetah a look that truly befits her status as Wonder Woman’s worthy adversary.
While Cheetah is one of Diana’s most enduring adversaries, her portrayal has historically struggled to match the divine power embodied by her nemesis. Often hampered by mediocre 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 throws off the shackles of past representations and truly embraces a power and aesthetic that rivals Diana herself. The formidable redesign and compelling story finally give Cheetah the credibility and menace needed to pose a genuine and formidable threat to Diana, breathing new life into her old rivalry.
DC needs to give Cheetah her next epic redesign
Cheetah’s Fury Possessed Makeover is a resounding testament to the untapped potential of his character design. Despite a history marked by numerous mistakes, this DC villain proves she can transcend campy villainy. Elevating Cheetah to a stature worthy of Wonder Woman’s archenemy requires moving away from the dangers of the past and perhaps even a bold move like ditching Cheetah’s tail to infuse a more serious tone into the character’s aesthetic. The possibilities are huge and hopefully there will soon be a next level badass redesign that reinvigorates Cheetah Image the next time this classic villain faces Wonder Woman.
Wonder Woman #187 It’s now available at DC Comics!