The World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth.

World (or the World) may also refer to:

An ontological world, by which human beings are able to make sense of things in general. See world disclosure.

A world view, the framework of ideas and beliefs through which an individual interprets the world.

The World (theology), a term referring to human society

The planet Earth

The Universe

It can also refer to:

Astronomy

Any planet or large satellite

Geography

Afro-Eurasia, also called World Island

Literature

''The World'' (Descartes), a philosophy book by René Descartes

"The World" (Marvel Comics), a secret lab run by the Weapon Plus Project used to create superior humans

Music

World (band), a musical group

"World" (Five for Fighting song)

"World" (Bee Gees song)

"World (The Price of Love)", a song by New Order

"The World" (Brad Paisley song)

The World (Bennie K album)

The World (US Bombs album)

Periodicals

''The World'', a Coos Bay, Oregon newspaper

''Tulsa World'', a Tulsa, Oklahoma newspaper

''The World'', former Johannesburg, South African newspaper, 1932-1977

''The World'', former London newspaper, 1753-1756

''World'', an evangelical news magazine

''El Mundo'', a Spanish newspaper

''Le Monde'', a French newspaper

''Die Welt'', a German newspaper

''National Geographic World'', magazine from 1975 until 2001 when name was changed to National Geographic Kids

Film

''The World'' (film)

Radio

''The World'' (radio program)

Gaming

''The World (.hack)'', a fictional game in the franchise ''.hack''

A connected series of levels in a video game

Brands and products

The World (archipelago), a group of artificial islands near Dubai

''The World'' (cruise ship)

The World (internet service provider)

The World (WWE), a former New York City restaurant

''World'', a computer software suite developed by JD Edwards, a company now owned by Oracle Corporation

Other

The World (Tarot card)

The World (archipelago)

The World (nightclub)

See also

Another World (disambiguation)

One World (disambiguation)

Possible Worlds (disambiguation)

Worlds Away (disambiguation)

de:Welt (Begriffsklärung) et:Maailm fr:Monde fy:Wrâld gl:Mundo ko:월드 it:World hu:Világ (egyértelműsítő lap) nl:Wereld ja:世界 (曖昧さ回避) no:Verden pl:Świat pt:World ro:Lume (dezambiguizare) fi:Maailma sv:Värld uk:Світ (значення) zh-yue:世界

Name	George Beals Schaller
Birth date	1933
Birth place	Berlin, Germany
Residence	Connecticut
Field	Biologist, conservationist
Work institutions	Panthera, Wildlife Conservation Society
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Madison
Known for	Mountain gorilla conservation
Influenced	Dian Fossey
Prizes	National Geographic Lifetime Achievement AwardGuggenheim Fellowship World Wildlife Fund Gold MedalInternational Cosmos PrizeTyler Prize for Environmental AchievementNational Book AwardIndianapolis Prize
Footnotes	}}

George Beals Schaller (born 1933) is an American mammalogist, naturalist, conservationist and author. Schaller is recognized by many as the world's preeminent field biologist, studying wildlife throughout Africa, Asia and South America. Born in Berlin, Schaller grew up in Germany, but moved to Missouri as a teen. He is vice president of Panthera Corporation and serves as chairman of their Cat Advisory Council along with renowned conservationist and Panthera CEO Alan Rabinowitz. Schaller is also a senior conservationist at the Bronx Zoo-based Wildlife Conservation Society.

Early life

Schaller received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alaska in 1955, and went on to the University of Wisconsin–Madison to obtain his Ph.D. in 1962. From 1962 to 1963, he was a fellow at the Behavioral Sciences department of Stanford University. From 1963 to 1966, Schaller served as research associate for the Johns Hopkins University Pathobiology department, and from 1966 to 1972, served as the Rockefeller University's and New York Zoological Society's research associate in research and animal behavior. He later served as Director of the New York Zoological Society's International Conservation Program from 1979 to 1988.

Mountain gorilla research

In 1959, when Schaller was only 26, he traveled to Central Africa to study and live with the mountain gorillas (''Gorilla beringei beringei'') of the Virunga Volcanoes. Little was known about the life of gorillas in the wild until the publication of ''The Mountain Gorilla: Ecology and Behavior'' in 1963, that first conveyed to the general public just how profoundly intelligent and gentle gorillas really are, contrary to then-common beliefs. Schaller has more recently recounted his epic two year study in ''The Year of the Gorilla'', which also provides a broader historical perspective on the efforts to save one of humankind's nearest relatives from the brink of extinction.

The American zoologist Dian Fossey, with assistance from the National Geographic society and Louis Leakey, followed Schaller's ground-breaking field research on mountain gorillas in the Virungas. Schaller and Fossey were instrumental in dispelling the public perception of gorillas as brutes, by demonstrably establishing the deep compassion and social intelligence evident among gorillas, and how very closely their behavior parallels that of humans.

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Conservation career

In 1966, Schaller and his wife traveled to Tanzania to live in the Serengeti, and Schaller conducted one of the first studies of social behavior and movement of Africa's big cats.

In his 1972 work ''The Tree Where Man Was Born'', author Peter Matthiessen described Schaller as "single-minded, not easy to know". Matthiessen went on to say Schaller was "a stern pragmatist" who "takes a hard-eyed look at almost everything", "lean and intent", and in 1978's ''The Snow Leopard'' Matthiessen wrote that by that time, some considered Schaller the world's finest field biologist.

In the fall of 1973, Schaller went to the remote Himalayan region, inside Dolpo, an area of Nepal occupied by people of the Tibetan culture and ethnicity. Schaller was there to study the Himalayan Bharal, (blue sheep), and possibly glimpse the elusive snow leopard, an animal rarely ever spotted in the wild. Schaller is one of only two Westerners known to have seen a snow leopard in Nepal between 1950 and 1978. Accompanying him on the trip was Matthiessen, and as a result of the trip, Matthiessen wrote ''The Snow Leopard'', (1978) detailing the accounts of their travels and research, which won two U.S. National Book Awards. Schaller is referred to throughout the book as "GS".

In the late 1970s, Schaller spent time in Brazil studying the jaguar, capybara, alligator, and other animals of the region.

In 1988, Schaller and his wife traveled to China's Chang Tang (Qian Tang) region to study the Giant Panda, and became the first westerners permitted to enter the remote region. Schaller sought to refute the notion that the panda population was declining due to natural bamboo die-offs. Instead, Schaller found the panda's popularity was leading to its frequent capture, and was the biggest threat to the population. Schaller also found evidence that pandas were originally carnivores, but underwent an evolutionary change to accommodate a diet of bamboo, which is difficult to digest, reducing competition with other animals for food. Since Schaller's research, the panda population has increased in the wild by 45 percent. During his time in China, Schaller would hand out cards to wildlife hunters that read: "All beings tremble at punishment, to all, life is dear. Comparing others to oneself, one should neither kill nor cause to kill." Schaller has spent more time in China, than he has spent at his home in Connecticut.

In 1994, Schaller and Dr. Alan Rabinowitz were the first scientists to uncover the rare Saola, a forest-dwelling bovine in Laos. Later that year, Schaller rediscovered the Vietnamese Warty pig, once thought extinct. In 1996, he located a herd of Tibetan red deer, also thought extinct.

In 2003, Schaller returned to Chang Tang, and found the wildlife in the area had rebounded since his first trip to the region. Most significantly, the wild yak population, which was estimated at only 13 individuals, had grown to over 187. "The Tibet Forestry Department has obviously made a dedicated and successful effort in protecting the wildlife." Schaller wrote in a letter to the World Wildlife Fund's Dawa Cering. While in Tibet, Schaller worked on researching the rare Tibetan antelope, or chiru, whose population declined due to trophy hunting for their exotic wool. Working with Tibetan authorities, and the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation, Schaller helped protect the breeding and calving grounds of the chiru in the Kunlun mountains of Xinjiang Province.

In 2007, Schaller worked with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and China to develop a new "Peace Park", that would protect of habitat for the largest wild sheep species, the Marco Polo sheep. In danger due to their impressive spiral horns, which can measure up to in length, the sheep is sought out as a trophy by international hunters. Schaller's research in the Pamir Mountains will play an important role in the park's creation.

Conservation results

Schaller's work in conservation has resulted in the protection of large stretches of area in the Amazon, Brazil, the Hindu Kush in Pakistan, and forests in Southeast Asia. Due in part to Schaller's work, over 20 parks or preserves worldwide have been established, including Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the Shey-Phoksundo National Park in Nepal, and the Changtang Nature Reserve, one of the world's most significant wildlife refuges. At over , the Chang Tang Nature Reserve is triple the size of America's largest wildlife refuge, and was called "One of the most ambitious attempts to arrest the shrinkage of natural ecosystems," by ''The New York Times''.

Bigfoot research

Schaller is one of a few prominent scientists who argue that Bigfoot reports are worthy of serious study. A 2003 ''Los Angeles Times'' story described Schaller as a "Bigfoot skeptic", but he also expressed disapproval for other scientists who do not examine evidence, yet "write [Bigfoot] off as a hoax or myth. I don't think that's fair." In a 2003 ''Denver Post'' article Schaller said that he is troubled that no Bigfoot remains have ever been uncovered, and no feces samples have been found to allow DNA testing. Schaller notes: "There have been so many sightings over the years, even if you throw out 95 percent of them, there ought to be some explanation for the rest. I think a hard-eyed look is absolutely essential".

Publications

Schaller has written more than fifteen books on African and Asian mammals, including ''Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator–Prey Relations'', ''The Last Panda'', and ''Tibet's Hidden Wilderness'', based on his own studies, and supported by long-term observations of species in their natural habitats. Schaller has also written hundreds of magazine articles, and dozens of books and scientific articles about tigers, jaguars, cheetahs and leopards, as well as wild sheep and goats, rhinoceroses, and flamingos. Over more than five decades, Schaller's field research has helped shape wildlife protection efforts around the world.

Awards

Schaller's conservation honors include National Geographic's Lifetime Achievement Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the World Wildlife Fund's Gold Medal for: "''Contributions to the understanding and conservation of endangered species''". Schaller has also been awarded the International Cosmos Prize, the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, and he was the first recipient of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Beebe Fellowship. Schaller's literary honors include the U.S. National Book Award in Science (for ''The Serengeti Lion'' in 1973). In September 2008, he received the Indianapolis Prize for his work in animal conservation.

See also

Biruté Galdikas

Jane Goodall

Dawn Prince-Hughes

Wildlife Conservation International

Virunga National Park

References

Bibliography

External links

Vice President at Panthera

BronxZoo.com History of the Wildlife Conservation Society

WCS press release WCS biologist George Schaller reports surprising increase in Tibet's wildlife

UnMuseum.org Dian Fossey and the Gorillas of the Virunga Volcanoes

Wildlife Conservation Society - Saving Wild Places

Category:1933 births Category:Living people Category:Ethologists Category:National Book Award winners Category:Naturalists Category:Guggenheim Fellows Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni

de:George Schaller es:George Schaller it:George Schaller zh:乔治·夏勒

The Cheetah is a super-villainess appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Popularly regarded as the archenemy of Wonder Woman, the Cheetah first appeared in 1943 in ''Wonder Woman'' #6 (volume 1), written by Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston. Since then, the character has undergone several updates as comic book continuities have evolved and shifted. Indeed, there have been four different Cheetahs since the character's debut, including Priscilla Rich (the Golden Age Cheetah), Deborah Domaine (the Silver Age Cheetah), Barbara Ann Minerva (the modern age and current Cheetah), and Sebastian Ballesteros (a male usurper who briefly assumed the role in 2001). In 2009, Cheetah was ranked as IGN's 69th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.

Golden Age and Silver Age comics history

Prior to the 12-issue DC Comics series ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' in 1985 (which is regarded as the starting point for DC's modern continuity), there were two women who donned spotted cat costumes to fight Wonder Woman as the Cheetah: socialite Priscilla Rich and her niece Deborah Domaine. While modern incarnations of the Cheetah possess superhuman powers, Rich and Domaine do not.

===Priscilla Rich===

The first woman to become the Cheetah, in ''Wonder Woman'' #6 (October 1943), is Priscilla Rich, a 1940s-era blonde Washington, D.C. debutante of aristocratic upbringing who also has an overwhelming inferiority complex and suffers from a split personality. After being eclipsed by Wonder Woman at a charity event, Priscilla retreats to her room and collapses before her makeup mirror. There she sees an image of a woman dressed like a cheetah. "''Horrors!''" she cries, as she gazes at her evil inner-self for the first time. "Don't you know me?" replies the reflection. "''I am the REAL you—the Cheetah—a treacherous, relentless huntress!''" The image commands her to fashion a Cheetah costume. "From now on," intones the reflection, "''when I command you, you shall go forth dressed like your TRUE self and do as I command you...''"

Priscilla was a member of Villainy Inc., a criminal association between several of Wonder Woman's female foes.

Priscilla has several run-ins with Wonder Woman before retiring to her North Shore Maryland mansion. In ''Wonder Woman'' #274 (Dec. 1980), the villain Kobra attempts to recruit the villainess for his organization. His operative finds the reclusive Priscilla an invalid. Priscilla's niece Deborah Domaine had come at her bidding, and the operative stays to observe. Before Priscilla can unburden her alter ego as the Cheetah, she dies.

Modern Age Comics History

The original Cheetah, Priscilla Rich, is established as still existing post-''Crisis'' when Queen Hippolyta becomes the Golden Age Wonder Woman. In the present, she is seen as an elderly woman when she is murdered by Barbara Minerva (the Modern Age Cheetah; see below). It is also established that she never became an invalid post-''Crisis'', as Minerva mentions how Priscilla had written books condemning her when she became the Cheetah. Rich is murdered in her home by Minerva, under the urging of Zoom. Zoom theorizes that if Minerva kills Rich, she would solidify herself as the one true Cheetah and thus be a better villain.

===Deborah Domaine=== Deborah 'Debbie' Domaine was introduced as the niece of Priscilla Rich. A beautiful young debutante, Debbie feels remorse for her wealthy upbringing and decides to become an ecology activist, meeting Wonder Woman and striking up a friendship with her. Later that same day, Debbie is summoned to her Aunt Priscilla's mansion and finds her there, succumbing to illness. After Priscilla Rich dies, Kobra's operatives capture Deborah and bring her and the Cheetah costume to Kobra's headquarters, where he questions her: "''You didn't know about your aunt's secret life, did you? Well, you'll learn—Since we couldn't have the original, we decided to make do with a recreation. You shall be that recreation, Ms. Domaine.''"

Kobra tortures and brainwashes Debbie and provides her with an updated version of the Cheetah costume. The original suit included a cat-eared cowl and clawed, flat-soled boots. Debbi's version has a V-neck, slit to the sternum, a headband with cat-ears (concealed for the most part beneath her long, auburn hair), and heeled boots. Both costumes include razor-sharp chrome steel nails, painted bright red. "''You are my servant, and I, your master. You are the Cheetah!''" he cries, "''And you will fill the world with terror!''" Debbi has several conflicts with Wonder Woman and also serves as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains in a conflict with both the Justice League of America and the Justice Society of America, before her role as the Cheetah is retconned out of existence due to the history-altering after-effects of the ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' (1985–1986). Debbie still exists post-''Crisis'', as referenced by a photo in Priscilla Rich's mansion inscribed to "''Aunt Priscilla, Love Debbie.''"

Post-Crisis

There are two post-''Crisis'' Cheetahs: Barbara Minerva and Sebastian Ballesteros, Minerva being the more prominent of the two. While the pre-''Crisis'' Cheetahs are simply women in costumes, the post-''Crisis'' Cheetahs have taken on a more mystical note, being champions of a god much as Wonder Woman is to her patrons; actually morphing into powerfully ferocious humanoid were-cheetahs with great strength, agility, and deadly claws and fangs which make them challenging opponents to Wonder Woman and other powerful heroes in battle.

===Barbara Ann Minerva===

The third Cheetah is British archaeologist Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva. Born as the heiress of a vast fortune in the ancient family site in Nottinghamshire. Ambitious, selfish, and severely neurotic, Barbara develops a passion for archaeology that eventually led her to search out a tribe in Africa who utilizes a female guardian with the powers of a cheetah. A band of marauders kill the guardian and most of what remained of her original expedition party. Barbara, with the aid of the priest, Chuma, the caretaker of the ancient plant god Urtzkartaga, takes her place after being told that she would gain immortality. Her powers are conferred to her by ingesting a combination of human blood and the berries or leaves of Urtzkartaga. Unfortunately for Minerva, the host of the Cheetah persona is intended to be a virgin. Minerva is not, so her transformations were part curse and part blessing, as she experiences severe pain and physical disability while in her human form and blood-thirsty euphoria while in her cat form.

This version of the Cheetah comes into Wonder Woman's world when Barbara discovers that Diana possesses the Lasso of Truth. As an anthropologist, Barbara covets the lasso hoping to add it to her collection of historical items. She first attempts to do so through trickery, claiming that there is a matching ancient Golden Girdle of Gaea of the same kind from which the lasso was fashioned. Unfortunately, although the scheme proceeds far enough for Minerva to hold the lasso, its magical power to make people tell the truth forces her to confess her true intentions. Diana, profoundly distraught that a woman would be so treacherous, takes back the lasso and returns home in tears. With the subtle approach having failed, Minerva resorts to attacking the Amazon as the Cheetah in order to rob her of the lasso. Their initial battle ends with inconclusive results, as Diana's friend, Julia Kapatelis, shoots the Cheetah and forces her to retreat.

Over the years, Barbara's interest in the lasso wanes and she becomes more interested in besting Diana in battle due to her bruised ego. The rivalry between the Cheetah and Wonder Woman fluctuates, though. Wonder Woman saves the Cheetah's life during an adventure in the Balkan country of Pan Balgravia. The country's dictator Baron Von Nastraed, for unknown reasons, chooses to aid a demon named Drax by capturing a powerful metahuman woman. The captive woman's body would be used to house Drax's alternate dimension bride Barremargux. When the Baron captures the Cheetah for this purpose, Wonder Woman travels to the country to save her. At the last moment, when Barremargux is about to enter Earth-One, Barbara closes the gateway before the crossing could be completed by jumping into the gateway instead. Barbara is trapped in this demonic dimension until the Boston mob boss Julianna Sazia has scientists open the dimensional gateway to retrieve Barbara to serve her own ends. Barbara double-crosses Julianna, choosing to aid Wonder Woman when she is caught in the mob war between Paulie Longo and Julianna Sazia in Boston. Seeing her debt to Wonder Woman paid for attempting to rescue her in Pan Balgravia, the Cheetah continues her quest to defeat Wonder Woman when it is convenient to her.

For a brief period of time, Minerva loses her powers to the businessman Sebastian Ballesteros (see below), who convinces Urtzkartaga that he could be a more effective Cheetah than she was. Minerva later kills Ballesteros and regains her powers.

With help from Zoom, Minerva attains a level of super speed even greater than she previously possessed. She accomplishes this by murdering Priscilla Rich, who previously went by the codename Cheetah. They later join the latest Secret Society of Super Villains, and seem to be engaged in a sexual relationship, though Zoom considers himself to still be married to his former wife.

One Year Later, the witch Circe places a spell on Minerva that allows her to change her appearance from human to Cheetah at will, even though she still remains in her Cheetah form in either guise. She controls three actual cheetahs and still possesses her super speed, which is shown demonstrated by her ability to steal the golden lasso away from Donna Troy several times in battle.

She is later seen in the ''Justice League of America Wedding Special'', forming a new Injustice League alongside Lex Luthor and the Joker. She also appears in ''Salvation Run''.

In ''Final Crisis: Resist'', she joins forces with Checkmate to rebel against Darkseid, and enjoys a brief relationship with Snapper Carr.

In the pages of ''Wonder Woman'', she is revealed as the power behind the Secret Society, responsible for the creation of Genocide. She arranges to have her ally Doctor Psycho take the place of Sarge Steel as director of the Department of Metahuman Affairs which, in the middle of Genocide's onslaught, she targets for destruction.

===Sebastian Ballesteros=== Argentine business tycoon Sebastian Ballesteros becomes the fourth Cheetah, as well as the only male Cheetah. He is an agent of the Amazon's enemy, Circe, as well as her lover. He seeks the plant god Urtzkartaga to become a new version of the Cheetah, a supernatural cat-creature like Barbara Ann Minerva. Appealing to the plant god's ego, Sebastian makes the case that the previous Cheetahs have failed in their actions and that a male Cheetah could be superior. Once Urtzkartaga is convinced, Barbara Minerva's access to the Cheetah is cut off and Sebastian is given the power in her place. Later, Sebastian proves responsible for turning Wonder Woman's old friend, Vanessa Kapatelis, into the third Silver Swan. Angered at the loss of her powers, Barbara Minerva eventually battles Bellesteros for control of the power of the Cheetah by becoming the temporary host of Tisiphone, one of the Eumenides or Furies. Minerva accesses this new power by stealing it from the Furies former host, Helena Kosmatos, the Golden Age Fury. This does not assist her in regaining the right to become the Cheetah, however, though Minerva kills Sebastian in his human form, regaining her Cheetah form as a result. She is later seen giving his blood to the Urtzkartaga plant as a sacrifice.

Amazon Cheetah

A new version of the Cheetah appears in the "Odyssey" storyline, which involves the Gods altering Diana's history so that Themyscyra was destroyed when she was a child. The new Cheetah is created from the corpse of a murdered Amazon after it is lowered into a mystical restoration pit and infused with the spirit of Magaera by the Morrigan (the villains who are hunting Wonder Woman). Alongside new versions of Artemis and Giganta (both of whom are also created from dead Amazons), the new Cheetah is tasked with hunting down and killing Wonder Woman. After tracking down the safehouse where Diana lives with the last surviving residents of Themyscyra, Cheetah brutally ambushes and slays a young Amazon as she steps outside. Cheetah is then shown carrying the woman's body away from the scene, muttering about how she too will be reborn soon.

Other versions

Wednesday Comics

A modernized version of Priscilla Rich appears as one of the primary antagonists of the Wonder Woman feature in ''Wednesday Comics''. Here, she is portrayed as a young archeologist from a wealthy Baltimore family, who relies on enchanted artifacts to grant her superhuman abilities. She initially befriends a young Diana, (before she has become Wonder Woman), after meeting her, but soon reveals her treacherous nature when she kidnaps Diana's friend Etta and uses her as bait for a trap set by Doctor Poison. In the end, both Priscilla and Poison are defeated by Wonder Woman.

''Justice''

The Priscilla Rich version of the Cheetah appears as a member of the Legion of Doom in Alex Ross' ''Justice'' maxi-series. Here, she is shown to have fashioned her costume from the fur of her pet cheetahs, which she violently killed and skinned in an ancient ritual (likely reminiscent of the Barbara Ann Minerva version).

''DC: The New Frontier''

An alternate version of Cheetah briefly appears in the final issue of ''DC: The New Frontier''. She's likely the Priscilla Rich version.

''Wonder Woman: The Blue Amazon''

Another alternate version of Cheetah appears in ''Wonder Woman: The Blue Amazon''.

Flashpoint

In the alternate timeline of the ''Flashpoint'' event, Cheetah joined with Wonder Woman's Furies. After the Furies attack Grifter and the Resistance, Cheetah is eaten by Etrigan.

In other media

Television

The Priscilla Rich version of Cheetah appears in ''Challenge of the Super Friends'' and was voiced by Marlene Aragon. In one of the Cheetah's most memeorable episodes, "The Secret Origins of the Super Friends", the Legion of Doom travel into the past to eliminate Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman before they can become heroes. The villains arrive at Paradise Island, moments before Princess Diana will compete in the Tournament she will win to become Wonder Woman. The Cheetah disguises herself as an amazon to compete in the games and stop Diana, her athletic skills allowing her to get through most of the competition. As the tournament ends, only Diana and the Cheetah remain in contention and meet each other in a battle of stun rays to crown a winner. To assist her, the Cheetah uses "radar controlled" bracelets to deflect Diana's laser rays back at her, stunning the Amazon Princess. The Cheetah is hailed as the winner and is presented with the uniform and weapons of Wonder Woman. The blonde villainess, now wearing the uniform of the amazon champion, gloats in her victory, "I've done it! Now I am Wonder Woman!" The Cheetah's victory causes Diana to be removed from the future timeline, thus eliminating Wonder Woman. However the Legion of Doom's triumph is short lived. The remaining Super Friends uncover the scheme and travel back in time to undo the damage. The Flash arrives at Paradise Island and uses his super-speed to deflect the rays meant to hit Diana and back at the Cheetah, stunning her. Diana is named the winner and goes onto become Wonder Woman.

In the Cartoon Network's ''Justice League,'' there is a new Cheetah, voiced by actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. This version of Cheetah was once a scientist who was involved in valuable genetic research. However, she explains that her funding was running out, and she was unable to perform proper experiments. In a last-ditch effort to prove the value of her research, she tested her theories on herself. The result was a mutation into a half-human-half-cat hybrid. She was shunned by the scientific community for her recklessness and ostracized by humanity as a freak. With no alternatives, she turned to crime to fund further research to undo the change. Her first appearance is in the episode "''Injustice for All''" as a member of the Injustice Gang. She joins Lex Luthor's Injustice Gang for the same reason she became a criminal in the first place: money - but unlike the others, she has little criminal intent, and merely wants to be normal again. When the Injustice Gang succeeds in capturing Batman, he realizes that Cheetah is not like the others and offers her a way out, in exchange for helping him topple Lex Luthor. However, Cheetah hesitates to take up Batman's offer, and instead, another disgruntled member betrays them. When Luthor realizes they have a traitor in their midst, he points the blame toward Cheetah, thanks to a clip from a security camera showing her and Batman kissing. She is defeated by The Joker, and then taken away by Solomon Grundy, where he supposedly kills her by petting her to death — a reference to Lennie in ''Of Mice and Men''. Cheetah's first appearance was also supposed to be her last. Producer Bruce Timm intended for Cheetah to die, while James Tucker wanted to bring the sympathetic character back. Cheetah was saved by the most unusual of saviors....an animation error. At the end of the episode, she appears alive and well in the back of the paddy wagon with the other members of the Injustice Gang. Once the producers saw the error, they decided it was easier to say she was not killed, though they still have not stated how she gets away from Grundy.

Sheryl Lee Ralph reprises her role as Cheetah in ''Justice League Unlimited''. She makes minor appearances in the series after this, and is only heard speaking again in "''Kid Stuff''". Cheetah joins Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society in the 2005–06 season of ''Justice League Unlimited'', though she remains a minor character. Despite the original intent of the producers to have her killed in her first appearance, Cheetah actually ends up as one of the few Legion members to survive the resurrection of Darkseid in the series finale.

The Priscilla Rich version of Cheetah appears in the ''Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' episode "Triumvirate of Terror" voiced by Morena Baccarin. She collaborates with Lex Luthor and Joker in order to come up with a plan to defeat Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. She easily beats Superman with martial arts, Kryptonite, and the magic amulet of Orzchartaga which channels the full power of her namesake. She is later defeated by Superman who freezes her with his super breath leaving her vulnerable to Wonder Woman and Batman's finishing blows.

Film

Cheetah appears in ''Wonder Woman''. She is seen near the end where she steals an artifact from a museum and attacks the police. At this point, Wonder Woman changes into her costume, jumps over the police cars, wraps Cheetah with the Lasso of Truth and tugs Cheetah towards her. Just as Wonder Woman is about to deliver a punch to Cheetah, the film ends.

The Barbara Ann Minerva version of Cheetah appears in the animated movie ''Superman/Batman: Public Enemies''. She appears as one of the many supervillains trying to collect the bounty on Superman.

The Barbara Ann Minerva version of Cheetah appears in ''Justice League: Doom'', voiced by Claudia Black in her English accent. She selected by Vandal Savage as part of his Legion of Doom, and is selected to kill Wonder Woman. She fights Wonder Woman on a boat and manages to cut Diana's arm, infecting her with a poison. The poison's power is revealed when Cheetah jumps onto the docks and attempts to escape, but when Diana follows her everyone she saw was Cheetah, including civilians, cops, and Cyborg. She began fighting every Cheetah she saw, knocking out police, civilians, and ripping off Cyborg's arm (he was able to reattach it soon after). Cyborg deduced that Cheetah's intent was either to make Wonder Woman's heart give out or have her get shot by police, and managed to cure Diana before either of those eventualities came to pass. She joins Savage's plan for genocide, and slits his throat when he says he cannot die. She does kill him, but he quickly gets up and hits her in the head. When the League storms the Hall of Doom she takes on Wonder Woman herself, but she is eventually defeated by Diana.

Video games

The third comic book version of Cheetah (Barbara Ann Minerva) also appears in the ''Justice League Task Force'' video game for the SNES and Sega Genesis as a playable character.

The Barbara Ann Minerva version of Cheetah appears in ''DC Universe Online'' voiced by Adrienne Mischler. In the hero campaign, Cheetah serves as a boss in the Hall of Doom. In the villain campaign, Cheetah works as the vendor in the magic wing of the Hall of Doom.

The DCAU version of Cheetah appears in "Justice League: Injustice for All" for the Gameboy Advance, serving as both a miniboss, and a full on boss.

Audio book

In 1982, the ''Wonder Woman'' audiobook story "Cheetah on the Prowl" was released with actress Sonia Manzano voicing the Deborah Domaine Cheetah.

Miscellaneous

In the first two issues of the non-continuity ''Super Friends'' comic book series, Priscilla teams with a group of other villains (Penguin, Toyman, Poison Ivy, and Human Flying Fish) to mentor junior criminals. Priscilla's partner is a teenage girl, going by the name Kitten.

Cheetah (Priscilla Rich) appeared alongside several other villains in the ''Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' comic book series based on the animated series of the same name.

Parodies

In the "Krazy Kripples" episode of the TV show ''South Park'', the Legion of Doom is spoofed. The Legion has a member that looks like Cheetah (Priscilla Rich).

In an episode of ''Attack of the Show!'' a short list of problems with being ''Wonder Woman'' listed #3 as "Your Villains are Lame", features Blair Butler (who also wrote the short) dressed as Cheetah attacking Olivia Munn (who was playing Wonder Woman), only to be easily beaten. Butler reprises the role in a second short entitled "Wonder Woman's Guide to Office Safety", in which Cheetah emerges from a refrigerator after being formed from an old lunch containing correct chemical components essential to creating her.

See also

List of Wonder Woman enemies

References

Cheetah (Barbara Ann Minerva) Category:Characters created by William Moulton Marston Category:Comics characters introduced in 1943 Category:DC Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds Category:DC Comics supervillains Category:Female supervillains Category:Fictional businesspeople Category:Fictional characters who have made pacts with devils Category:Fictional cheetahs Category:Fictional models Category:Fictional murderers Category:Fictional scientists Category:Fictional socialites Category:Fictional werecats Category:Golden Age supervillains

es:Chita (cómic) nl:Cheetah (DC Comics) pt:Mulher-Leopardo tl:Cheetah (komiks)