Barbara Minerva, also known as Cheetah, is the main antagonist in DC RWBY #3. A bloodthirsty psychopath who was cursed with the ability to transform into a vicious Werecat, she is the archnemesis to Wonder Woman.
Appearance
She appears to be an anthropomorphic cheetah woman.
Personality
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Powers and Abilities
Semblance
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Biography
Background
The heiress of a vast fortune, Barbara Ann Minerva was born and raised in Nottinghamshire, England. Sometime after reaching adulthood, her life dramatically changed when she led an expedition into a dense African jungle, in search of the lost city of the Uzkartagan tribe. During the expedition, Minerva’s team was betrayed by their guides, ultimately culminating in an ambush by the Uzkartagan tribe itself. Only Minerva and one of her colleagues, Dr. Tom Leavens managed to escape alive.
Upon reaching a nearby River, both Minerva and Leavens washed ashore to find the lost city where a ritual was taking place. One of the other members of Minerva’s team had been captured and was offered as a human sacrifice to the bloodthirsty African plant god Uzkartaga, by Chuma, the tribe’s high priest, in hopes of healing an ailing woman who had been chosen as the avatar for their cheetah god.
Before the ritual could be completed, an outside tribe suddenly appeared and slaughtered much of the tribe. Only Chuma survived the massacre thanks to Minerva’s timely intervention. The detonation of a grenade resulted in them both being trapped in the temple, their fate seemingly sealed. Chuma explained that the ritual, which was to be performed on a full moon and required a blood sacrifice, would have restored the youth of the would-be avatar.
Minerva demanded that the ritual be done to her, only for Chuma to refuse, reminding the former that a human sacrifice was required. When Minerva’s research partner found them and dug them out, Minerva immediately murdered him and drank his blood. As a result, Chuma obliged.
During the ceremony, the invading tribe returned, only to find Minerva, who had been transformed into an unholy fusion of human and cheetah. She then slaughtered the tribe and devoured their remains, before reverting to her human form.
Grateful for Chuma’s compliance, Minerva chose to bring him with her to England. Chuma explained that there was a catch: in order for the avatar to receive immortality, the sacrifice had to be a virgin. As Minerva was not a virgin, she became weak and frail, and only during the night, would she receive her powers. She first encountered Wonder Woman, when she had attempted to steal the lasso of truth, having heard about its capabilities, only to fail. Eventually they would become bitter rivals.
DC RWBY #3
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Gallery
Trivia
- Cheetah is the second serial killer to appear in the series after Tyrian Callows.