Wonder Woman #8 To Feature Pre-Cheetah Barbara Ann Minerva

For those enjoying the current Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott, and Liam Sharp run on Wonder Woman, you know that the book has been alternating between stories set in the past (Year One) and the present (The Lies), with both tales involving Barbara Ann Minerva.

While fans have already seen the form she eventually assumes as the Cheetah in the present time, Diana has just met Minerva in the past. Now Rucka and artist Bilquis Evely (DC Bombshells, Sugar & Spike) will explore the character before she assumed her more known form in the pages of Wonder Woman #8.

"The 'interlude' issue arose very organically out of the stories we've been telling in both Year One with Nicola Scott, and The Lies, with Liam Sharp," said Rucka. "The opportunity to focus on Cheetah, on the origins of Barbara Ann Minerva, is one of those decisions that I think is going to add even more to what we're doing."

"This story is very thoughtful and human," said Evely, "and I'm trying to bring this to the pages as well. We visit a lot of different places and archaeological reference points, which means I get to have a lot of fun! I think the readers will never see Barbara Ann in the same way again, after what Greg has been doing here! This is a singular opportunity I couldn't pass up."

Rucka has had the pleasure of working with some A-list talent since he started his run on Wonder Woman, and this partnership should produce some wonderful results as well.

"The fact that we've got Bilquis Evely drawing this issue just makes this all the sweeter," continued Rucka. "I am such a fan, and her work is so consistently wonderful—everything from her characterization to her linework to her laser-sharp storytelling. So when her name came up, I pretty much fell over myself saying yes. One of the greatest joys about working on Wonder Woman has been the privilege of working with such tremendous collaborators, everyone from Laura Martin and Romulo Fajardo Jr to Jodi Wynne to the entire editorial team and, of course, Nic, Liam, and now Bilquis. I'm really hoping people will enjoy this issue as much as we do."

Minerva has been one of the most pleasantly surprising elements of Rucka's work so far, and fans will get a chance to get to know the character even more in this special interlude.

Wonder Woman #8 hits stores on October 12, 2016.