DC Confirms an R-Rated Redesign for an Iconic Wonder Woman Villain

Published Jul 29, 2026, 10:56 AM EDT TJ Mills is an editor on ScreenRant's Comic team, where she combines her lifelong passion for DC with her analytical background as a former Intelligence Analyst. Since joining ScreenRant in 2023, she has specialized in covering major DC storylines, character evolutions, and industry developments. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Ever since the launch of DC’s Darkseid-created Absolute Universe, it feels like the publisher has been delivering nonstop reimaginings of its most iconic villains, and Wonder Woman’s rogues are no exception. Now, ahead of the Princess of Hell’s next appearance, DC has unveiled a new image showcasing a redesign for one of her most infamous villains... and it's not for the faint of heart. DC Comics’ October solicitations have finally arrived, and among the many newsworthy reveals is the solicitation for writer Kelly Thompson and artist Hayden Sherman’s upcoming Absolute Wonder Woman #25, releasing on October 28, 2026. The issue’s synopsis confirms the arrival of Absolute Cheetah, with the full solicitation text teasing what fans can expect: The world-shaking "Heretic" arc kicks into a new gear as Diana's search for Barbara Minerva comes to a bloody end in a milestone oversized issue! Do not miss the debut of the devastating Absolute Cheetah — she's not quite what anyone expected... which is the only way Barbara Minerva would have it! Beyond seemingly confirming that this will mark Barbara Minerva’s first appearance as Cheetah in the Absolute Universe, the solicitation also gives fans their first glimpse at her upcoming design. Hayden Sherman and colorist Jordie Bellaire’s main cover for the issue showcases the villain’s new look, and it is nothing short of nightmare fuel. From Priscilla to Barbara: Absolute Wonder Woman’s Cheetah Redesign, Explained Main Cover by Hayden Sherman & Jordie Bellaire for Absolute Wonder Woman #25 (2026) Those who have been following Absolute Wonder Woman from the beginning will remember that the fully human historian and archaeologist Barbara Minerva first debuted in Absolute Wonder Woman #3. Since then, she has served as one of Diana’s closest allies in the world of men. However, that relationship has taken a devastating turn in recent issues, with Veronica Cale kidnapping Barbara and holding her captive. Trapped in the Hell realm, Wonder Woman has been unable to rescue her friend, leaving Barbara alone to endure Cale’s torture and the supernatural presence of Priscilla Rich, the original Cheetah. While Priscilla appears to be dead, she remains psychically connected to Barbara, creating an even more unstable situation. All of this is to say that while one version of Cheetah has already debuted in the series, Priscilla’s time as the villain was short-lived, and Barbara has yet to take up the mantle herself at present time. However, Barbara claiming the Cheetah mantle now seems more imminent than ever following the release of the solicitation for Absolute Wonder Woman #25, which also appears to tease her upcoming design. As a quick refresher, Priscilla’s Cheetah design remained relatively similar to the main universe version of the character, albeit with a more feral and rabid aesthetic. Now, fans have been treated to a completely different Cheetah redesign courtesy of Sherman and Bellaire’s main cover, which depicts a behemoth-sized Cheetah-like creature that fully embraces the Absolute Universe’s recurring theme of body horror in its reimagining of DC’s villains. Instead of simply being a humanoid cheetah like her main universe counterpart, this version of Cheetah appears to be something far more horrific. In addition to her massive size, Absolute Cheetah is a grotesque combination of flesh and fur, with portions of that fur ripped away to reveal the villain’s exposed innards. Assuming the character shown on the cover is Barbara, it appears that her human features have not completely disappeared but have instead been warped and stretched across the creature’s cheetah-like form, with her human face notably wrapped around the beast’s head. Considering the official synopsis mentions both Barbara and “the debut of the devastating Absolute Cheetah,” it is safe to assume that the character featured on the main cover is indeed Barbara finally embracing her Cheetah form. However, in true Absolute Universe fashion, her transformation appears to have a much darker origin and a far more horrifying design, making this one of the most striking redesigns yet for the Wonder Woman villain. Themyscira · Amazonian Trial Edition How Well Do You KnowWonder Woman? 🌏OriginsParadise ⚡PowersTruth ☠VillainsWar! 🎥FilmsDCEU 💫LegacyIcon FOR THEMYSCIRA! → 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? AAtlantis BThemyscira CAsgard DOlympus ✓ 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. NEXT → 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? AHera BAthena CHippolyta DArtemis ✓ 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. NEXT → 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? AThe Golden Bolas BThe Lasso of Truth CThe Chain of Honesty DThe Rope of Hestia ✓ 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. NEXT → 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? ACirce BCheetah CAres DHades ✓ 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. NEXT → 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? AWorld War II BWorld War I CThe Cold War DThe Vietnam War ✓ 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. NEXT → 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? AGauntlets of Atlas BThe Bracelets of Submission CSilver Shields DAmazonian Arm Guards ✓ 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. NEXT → 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? AStan Lee BBob Kane CWilliam Moulton Marston DJack Kirby ✓ 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. NEXT → 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? ARobin Wright BKristen Wiig CConnie Nielsen DLucy Davis ✓ 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. REVEAL MY SCORE → Trial Complete Your Amazonian Rank / 8 Are you worthy of the Lasso of Truth — or still in training on Themyscira? ↻ FACE THE TRIAL AGAIN Absolute Wonder Woman #25 from DC Comics will be available on October 28, 2026! Created By William Moulton Marston, H. G. Peter Cast Gal Gadot