Barbara Ann is friggin’ awesome.

Wonder Woman #8
Writer:  Greg Rucka
Artist: Bilquis Evely
Colors:  Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer:  Jodi Wynne
Editor:  Mark Doyle
Assistant Editor:  Rebecca Taylor
Covers:  Bilquis Evely; Jenny Frison
Publisher: DC Comics
$2.99

Barbara Ann Minerva. Polyglot. Archeologist. Genius. The Cheetah. We explore the events leading up to Barbara Ann becoming the Cheetah in Wonder Woman #8. Her childhood obsession with Greek mythology, particularly with the Amazons, takes her all over the world and despite personal and professional discouragement she pursues every lead she can find on the Amazons. However, it’s only after a visit from Apollo – in mouse form, natch- that she goes down the path that will eventually lead her to Diana.

Rucka captures Barbara Ann’s genius, her boldness and her sarcasm perfectly, making her brilliant and compelling in various ways. Barbara Ann is fun, you want to hang out with her because frankly? She’s hilarious. You root for her to show up those who think she’s wasting her time in her pursuit of proof of the Amazons existence and you really, really want her to meet the people she’s spent a lifetime admiring. Beyond making the Cheetah more than just a Wonder Woman villain, and showing her as one of the most intriguing and multifaceted characters in the DC universe, the issue is gorgeous to look at with guest artwork from Bilquis Evely and colors from Romulo Fajardo Jr.. Every scene is evocative, no detail too small and nothing is unimportant.

Wonder Woman continues to be the shining light, amongst a constellation of fantastic books, of DC’s Rebirth. 5 out of 5 cave ins.