Generally speaking, most foes facing down Superman can’t put a dent in him, most frequently thanks to him being consistently bathed in the glow of Earth’s yellow sun. But beyond scenarios involving green or red suns, or being able to match his overwhelming cosmic might, enemies have long had to use his relatively few weaknesses against him. Of these, the most well-known way to level the playing field or outright debilitate Superman has most often been Kryptonite, the radioactive debris left of his destroyed planet of birth. But another weakness genuinely capable of threatening Superman’s life has always been magic.
This generally results in epic clashes such as against Black Adam or battles of wits like against Mister Mxyzptlk, but one villain seldom-discussed for her ability to wound or even kill Superman is Barbara Minerva, the most well-known and beloved Cheetah. Already one of of the fastest characters in DC lore and able to technically wound even the Flash, Cheetah’s abilities may be underestimated against the more typical adversaries put before Superman or other Kryptonians. But as revisited in a recent crossover event’s conclusion, Cheetah’s powers are shockingly effective at bypassing Kryptonian invulnerability.
The Kryptonian Weakness To Magic Is Revisited In New Cheetah Fight
While fans may remember specific previous clashes, such as Sebastian Ballesteros’ Cheetah, which was a worthy fight against Superman, Barbara Minerva has proven once again she’d make an even more devastating one. Her long-standing and deep connection with Urzkartaga has given her the ability of potentially limitless strength and common recognition as the best iteration of the villain. This has been shown most recently in DC x Sonic the Hedgehog: Metal Legion #5, in which Cheetah is shown fighting Supergirl and immediately wounding her with her magically-bestowed claws. She is ultimately subdued with the help of Krypto, but it’s a quick distillation of how dangerously Cheetah can seize the initiative and inflict immediate harm.
This advantage is frequently underused for Cheetah in DC continuity. While this crossover with Sonic the Hedgehog is not canon, this particular clash is between canonical characters published by DC with a clear understanding of their weaknesses, with Supergirl being reminded that her opponent is “some funky kind of magical girl” and, therefore, a threat to herself and others like her. Superman is typically a step higher due to his lifetime of being accustomed to the yellow sun, but Cheetah is a fearsome antagonist whose combined speed and magic-infused power make her a deadly opponent that even other clashes haven’t properly addressed.
Past Cheetah Fights With Superman Show How Dangerous She Can Be
Cheetah fights with Superman have been done on odd occasions, such as in November 2001 for Wonder Woman Volume 2 #174. Sebastian Ballesteros was shown overpowering Superman, with him even remarking how his strength, gathered from the same source as Minerva’s, was on a similar level to Wonder Woman or Shazam (Captain Marvel). Cheetah is even shown holding Superman’s incapacitated body triumphantly above his head as Bane would to Batman once upon a time, proving the powers granted by plant-god Urzkartaga are not to be trifled with. But even this moment was followed by others that conversely showed lower appreciation for those bearing the name of Cheetah.
In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Priscilla Rich’s Cheetah directly addresses in season 3, episode 8, Superman’s vulnerability to magic while making a hilariously Silver Age-style move to level the playing field: Kryptonite nail polish on her deadly claws. It can be somewhat jarring to see how quickly she can turn the tables against him, and it’s something that frankly doesn’t get explored enough. Again, she is seen putting up more than enough of a fight. However, this should merely serve as a great example of Wonder Woman’s powerful rogues’ gallery, and the particularly enjoyable potential some of them have.
Themyscira · Amazonian Trial Edition How Well Do You Know Wonder Woman?
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01
Wonder Woman is an Amazonian princess who left her hidden island homeland to help humanity during a great conflict. What is the name of the island paradise where the Amazons live?
✓ Correct! Themyscira, also known as Paradise Island, is the hidden homeland of the Amazons — a race of immortal warrior women blessed by the Greek gods. Shielded from the outside world for millennia, it is where Diana was raised and trained before venturing into the world of men.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Themyscira. Atlantis is the underwater kingdom of Aquaman, Asgard is Thor’s realm in Norse mythology, and Olympus is the home of the Greek gods. Themyscira is the hidden paradise where the Amazons have lived for thousands of years.
02
In DC Comics’ classic origin, Wonder Woman was formed from clay by her mother and given life by the Greek gods. Who is Wonder Woman’s mother, the Queen of the Amazons?
✓ Correct! Queen Hippolyta is Wonder Woman’s mother and the ruler of the Amazons. In the classic origin, she sculpted baby Diana from clay and the gods breathed life into her. Hippolyta is a fierce warrior and wise leader who has guided the Amazons for centuries.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Hippolyta. Hera is the queen of the Olympian gods, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, and Artemis is a fellow Amazon warrior (and sometimes rival to Diana). Hippolyta is Diana’s mother and the beloved Queen of the Amazons.
03
Wonder Woman wields a magical golden weapon that forces anyone bound by it to tell the truth. This iconic weapon is one of the most recognizable in all of comics. What is it called?
✓ Correct! The Lasso of Truth (also known as the Golden Perfect) was forged by the god Hephaestus from the Golden Girdle of Gaea. Anyone bound by it is compelled to speak only the truth. It is virtually indestructible and can also restore lost memories and dispel illusions.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is the Lasso of Truth. While the lasso is sometimes connected to Hestia in certain continuities, its official and iconic name is the Lasso of Truth — Wonder Woman’s most signature weapon and a symbol of her commitment to honesty and justice.
04
Wonder Woman’s most iconic arch-nemesis is a powerful figure from Greek mythology who represents war and conflict. In many storylines, this villain is the god of war himself. Who is Wonder Woman’s greatest enemy?
✓ Correct! Ares, the Greek god of war, is Wonder Woman’s most mythologically significant foe. As a champion of peace, Diana stands in direct opposition to everything Ares represents. Their conflict is the eternal struggle between peace and war, compassion and destruction.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Ares. Circe is a powerful sorceress and recurring villain, Cheetah is one of Diana’s most personal enemies, and Hades is the god of the underworld. But Ares — the god of war — is Wonder Woman’s ultimate mythological nemesis.
05
Gal Gadot portrayed Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films starting in 2016. In her first solo film, Wonder Woman (2017), Diana travels to the world of men during which historical conflict?
✓ Correct! The 2017 Wonder Woman film set Diana’s first adventure during World War I, a deliberate departure from her comic book origins which were tied to World War II. Director Patty Jenkins chose WWI to emphasize the senseless horror of war and Diana’s idealistic belief that humanity is worth saving.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is World War I. While Wonder Woman’s original 1941 comic debut was set during WWII, the 2017 film moved the timeline back to WWI. Diana leaves Themyscira with pilot Steve Trevor to fight in “the war to end all wars,” believing Ares is behind the conflict.
06
Wonder Woman wears a pair of iconic silver accessories on her wrists that can deflect bullets, energy blasts, and virtually any projectile. What are these indestructible accessories called?
✓ Correct! The Bracelets of Submission are indestructible gauntlets worn by all Amazons as a reminder of their past enslavement by Hercules. Wonder Woman’s pair are particularly powerful — forged from the remnants of Zeus’s Aegis shield in some versions — and she uses them to deflect virtually any attack.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is the Bracelets of Submission. The Gauntlets of Atlas grant super strength in some storylines but are a different item. Wonder Woman’s iconic silver wrist guards — the Bracelets of Submission — are among the most recognizable accessories in comic book history.
07
Wonder Woman first appeared in DC Comics in 1941, created by a psychologist who was also the inventor of a real-world device. Who created Wonder Woman?
✓ Correct! William Moulton Marston, a psychologist who also invented an early form of the lie detector (polygraph), created Wonder Woman. He designed her as a feminist icon — a hero who would triumph through love and truth rather than violence. The Lasso of Truth was directly inspired by his polygraph work.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is William Moulton Marston. Stan Lee co-created Marvel heroes like Spider-Man, Bob Kane co-created Batman, and Jack Kirby co-created many Marvel and DC characters. Marston, a Harvard-trained psychologist and lie detector inventor, created Wonder Woman in 1941.
08
The Cheetah is one of Wonder Woman’s most enduring villains — a woman who transforms into a powerful cheetah-like being. In the DCEU film Wonder Woman 1984, which actress portrayed Barbara Minerva/Cheetah?
✓ Correct! Kristen Wiig, best known for comedy roles in Bridesmaids and Saturday Night Live, took on the dramatic role of Barbara Minerva in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). Her character starts as a shy, overlooked archaeologist who gradually transforms into the savage Cheetah after wishing for Diana’s power.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Kristen Wiig. Robin Wright played Antiope (Diana’s aunt and training mentor), Connie Nielsen played Queen Hippolyta, and Lucy Davis played Etta Candy (Steve Trevor’s secretary). Kristen Wiig portrayed the villainous Cheetah in Wonder Woman 1984.
Trial Complete Your Amazonian Rank
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Are you worthy of the Lasso of Truth — or still in training on Themyscira?
Finally, with the Absolute Universe debuting Barbara Minerva’s Cheetah transformation for Absolute Wonder Woman #27 granting a truly monstrous form to fit her incredible augmented strength, there’s a new upcoming opportunity for her to steal the show. Donning a far greater body horror aspect to her design this time around, it’s high time Cheetah properly struck fear into the hearts of her foes, be they Wonder Woman, Superman, or others across the DC Universe.
