Summary

• Diana Prince's heroism in Wonder Woman #10 introduces a dark twist that mirrors Batman and Joker's complex relationship.
• DC establishes a cosmic connection between Wonder Woman and Cheetah, similar to the link between Batman and Joker.
• Wonder Woman and Cheetah break the cycle of violence and potentially set up a legendary enemies-to-lovers story arc.

WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Wonder Woman #10!DC has permanently enriched Joker's relationship. Fortunately for Diana Prince, though, it appears the Amazon Warrior won't be trapped in the endless cycle of violence that ensnares the Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime.

DC clearly establishes a cosmic connection between Wonder Woman and Cheetah, similar to the link between Batman and Joker.

Various comics and other media have ed the idea that Joker only exists because of Batman, creating a catch-22 for Gotham’s protector when it comes to ending the clown's havoc. However, it seems that Joker and Batman aren’t unique in their paradoxical relationship.

DC has recently revealed that Barbara “Cheetah” Minerva only exists because of Wonder Woman, mirroring Joker's relationship with Batman. This revelation occurs in Tom King, Daniel Sampere, and Tomeu Morey’s Wonder Woman #10, where The Sovereign specifically states, “...if there is a Wonder Woman, there must also be a Cheetah.”

DC Confirms That “...If There Is a Wonder Woman, There Must Also Be a Cheetah”

For context, the Sovereign’s narration begins with him noting that Barbara wasn’t the first to be cursed with the Cheetah moniker and appearance; there were two predecessors: Priscilla Rich (the first Cheetah in DC comics) and Deborah "Debbi" Domaine, Priscilla's niece. He then states that it “matters little” who specifically is Cheetah. The key takeaway is that the “... Gods have decided that if there is a Wonder Woman, there must also be a Cheetah.” This clearly establishes a cosmic connection between Wonder Woman and Cheetah, similar to the link between Batman and Joker.

However, unlike Joker and Batman, Diana and Barbara have managed to break their endless cycle of violence, as shown in Wonder Woman #10. The two initially fight, but after some much-needed conversation, they are able to not only put their rivalry to rest but also become allies. Moreover, King might be setting up the two characters for something beyond allyship and friendship. The issue is heavily imbued with 'women who love women' themes, suggesting that Wonder Woman and Cheetah may soon enter a romantic relationship, creating a legendary enemies-to-lovers story arc for these iconic characters.

Cheetah Only Exists Because of Wonder Woman, Putting a Twist on the Famous Theory That ‘Joker Only Exists Because of Batman’

Unlike Cheetah and Wonder Woman, Joker and Batman have yet to have a comic in mainstream continuity explicitly stating that Joker only exists because of Batman. However, the subtext of various storylines strongly suggests this. This notion is ed by Joker’s origin story in Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s The Killing Joke (1988), where Joker, then part of the Red Hood gang, falls into a vat of chemicals while being chased by Batman, which can be interpreted as Batman literally ‘creating’ the Joker.

Further comes from J.M. DeMatteis’ Going Sane story arc in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (Volume 1), where Joker becomes ‘sane’ after believing he has killed Batman, implying that without Batman, there is no Joker. While there are some key differences in the context of these relationships, it’s interesting to see how Cheetah and Wonder Woman mirror Joker and Batman in the sense that one exists because of the other.

Wonder Woman #10 is available now from DC Comics!