Yolanda Montez
Encyclopedia
Yolanda Montez is a fictional superhero
ine in DC Comics
' shared universe
, the DC universe
. Her first appearance was in Infinity Inc.
#12 (March 1985). She was created by Roy Thomas
and Todd McFarlane
.
Roy and Dann Thomas
originally intended to create a Canadian
superheroine named "The Lynx" for new 1980s-era descendants of the All-Star Squadron
. Later, in promotional material for the new Infinity Inc. series appearing in All-Star Squadron #28, a Catwoman
like figure, riding what is referred to as a cat-cycle, appears alongside the Infinity, Inc. group. A caption refers to her as "La Garro". She however, never appears in any of the team's adventures, or its comics. However, the character ultimately appears as Wildcat.
, who operated during the 1940s. Years later, during the Crisis
, Grant is crippled while saving a child. Yolanda assumes his identity to honor her godfather and the principles he represented.
Ted Grant is at first annoyed with this new superheroine, but when he discovers she is his god-daughter, he gives Yolanda his blessing.
As the second Wildcat, she joins Infinity Inc.
and fights alongside them. During her time on the team, she has a very flirtatious relationship with Nuklon
even though he only has eyes for Fury
. In a 1987 crossover special, Yolanda assists in the liberation of the country of Markovia from the influence of the Psycho Pirate. She stays with the team until it disbands.
. She joins a mixed team of superheroes, which include Major Victory, the first Steel, Creeper, Peacemaker
and what is assumed to be the Mark Shaw Manhunter. They call themselves the Shadow Fighters
. Several Shadow Fighters, including Wildcat, infiltrate the small country that Eclipso has conquered. Using various forms, he kills them all; Yolanda is slain personally with a stroke of his sword.
Several of the surviving members of the team risk their lives in order to retrieve the bodies of the dead. Her body was then brought by her mother to a witch who was able to bring Yolanda back to life; however, this was exposed as a scam by the original Wildcat.
Yolanda is also the cousin of former JSA
Museum curator
Alexander Montez, who later defeats Eclipso and gains his power; all in an attempt to avenge Yolanda. Alex ultimately loses control of Eclipso and commits suicide.
powers include retractable claw
-like fingernails and cat-like agility.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
ine in DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
' shared universe
Shared universe
A shared universe is a fictional universe to which more than one writer contributes. Work set in a shared universe share characters and other elements with varying degrees of consistency. Shared universes are contrasted with collaborative writing, in which multiple authors work on a single story....
, the DC universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
. Her first appearance was in Infinity Inc.
Infinity Inc.
Infinity, Inc. is a team of superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The team is mostly composed of the children and heirs of the Justice Society of America, making them the Society's analogue to the Teen Titans, which is composed of sidekicks of Justice League members...
#12 (March 1985). She was created by Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
and Todd McFarlane
Todd McFarlane
Todd McFarlane is a Canadian cartoonist, writer, toy designer and entrepreneur, best known for his work in comic books, such as the fantasy series Spawn....
.
Character evolution
Dann Thomas
Danette "Dann" Thomas is a comic book writer, the wife of comic book writer and editor Roy Thomas. She has at times collaborated with Thomas on All-Star Squadron, Arak, Son of Thunder, the Crimson Avenger miniseries and Avengers West Coast.She married Roy Thomas in May 1981 and legally changed her...
originally intended to create a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
superheroine named "The Lynx" for new 1980s-era descendants of the All-Star Squadron
All-Star Squadron
The All-Star Squadron is a DC Comics superhero team that debuted in a special insert in Justice League of America #193 . Created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway.-The concept:...
. Later, in promotional material for the new Infinity Inc. series appearing in All-Star Squadron #28, a Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
like figure, riding what is referred to as a cat-cycle, appears alongside the Infinity, Inc. group. A caption refers to her as "La Garro". She however, never appears in any of the team's adventures, or its comics. However, the character ultimately appears as Wildcat.
Fictional character biography
Maria Montez and her sister are given experimental drugs by the mad gynecologist Dr. Benjamin Love while they are pregnant. Doctor Love keeps close tabs on most of his experiments, but loses track of the sisters when they travel to Mexico. In Mexico, Maria's daughter Yolanda is born on the same day her sister gives birth to Carcharo. Yolanda and her mother return to America to reunite with Mr. "Mauler" Montez. As a child, Yolanda manifests her superhuman powers, but is unaware of why she was born a mutant. She grows close to her godfather, Ted Grant, who is the mystery man WildcatWildcat (comics)
Wildcat is the name of several fictional characters, all DC Comics superheroes. The first and most famous of these is Ted Grant, a long-time member of the Justice Society of America...
, who operated during the 1940s. Years later, during the Crisis
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
, Grant is crippled while saving a child. Yolanda assumes his identity to honor her godfather and the principles he represented.
Ted Grant is at first annoyed with this new superheroine, but when he discovers she is his god-daughter, he gives Yolanda his blessing.
As the second Wildcat, she joins Infinity Inc.
Infinity Inc.
Infinity, Inc. is a team of superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The team is mostly composed of the children and heirs of the Justice Society of America, making them the Society's analogue to the Teen Titans, which is composed of sidekicks of Justice League members...
and fights alongside them. During her time on the team, she has a very flirtatious relationship with Nuklon
Nuklon
Nuklon is the name of two fictional superheroes in the DC Comics Universe.-Albert Rothstein:Godson to Al Pratt , Albert Rothstein acquired his powers of super-strength and control over his molecular structure from his grandfather, a reluctant supervillain known as Cyclotron, allowing him to fight...
even though he only has eyes for Fury
Fury
Fury is a form of anger.Fury may also refer to:In fiction:* Bryan Fury, a video game character from the Tekken series* Fury , two superheroine characters...
. In a 1987 crossover special, Yolanda assists in the liberation of the country of Markovia from the influence of the Psycho Pirate. She stays with the team until it disbands.
Shadow Fighters
She withdraws from active heroing, but is later brought out of retirement to fight EclipsoEclipso
Eclipso is a fictional supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. The character is the incarnation of the Wrath of God and the Angel of Vengeance that turned evil and was replaced by the Spectre...
. She joins a mixed team of superheroes, which include Major Victory, the first Steel, Creeper, Peacemaker
Peacemaker (comics)
The Peacemaker is the name of a series of superheroes originally owned by Charlton Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. The original Peacemaker first appeared in Fightin' 5 #40 The Peacemaker is the name of a series of superheroes originally owned by Charlton Comics and later acquired by DC...
and what is assumed to be the Mark Shaw Manhunter. They call themselves the Shadow Fighters
Shadow Fighters
The Shadow Fighters were a group of superpowered and non-superpowered DC Comics characters brought together, under the supervision of Amanda Waller, for the sole purpose of battling Eclipso in the Eclipso comic series. They were brought together in issue #11, September and disbanded through...
. Several Shadow Fighters, including Wildcat, infiltrate the small country that Eclipso has conquered. Using various forms, he kills them all; Yolanda is slain personally with a stroke of his sword.
Several of the surviving members of the team risk their lives in order to retrieve the bodies of the dead. Her body was then brought by her mother to a witch who was able to bring Yolanda back to life; however, this was exposed as a scam by the original Wildcat.
Yolanda is also the cousin of former JSA
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
Museum curator
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
Alexander Montez, who later defeats Eclipso and gains his power; all in an attempt to avenge Yolanda. Alex ultimately loses control of Eclipso and commits suicide.
Powers and abilities
Yolanda's superhumanSuperhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...
powers include retractable claw
Claw
A claw is a curved, pointed appendage, found at the end of a toe or finger in most mammals, birds, and some reptiles. However, the word "claw" is also often used in reference to an invertebrate. Somewhat similar fine hooked structures are found in arthropods such as beetles and spiders, at the end...
-like fingernails and cat-like agility.