Wildcat (Yolanda Montez)
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Yolanda Montez is a fictional superheroine in DC Comics universe. Her first appearance was in Infinity Inc. #12 (March 1985). She was created by Roy Thomas and Todd McFarlane.
[edit] Character evolution
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.
[edit] Character biography
Maria Montez and her sister are given experimental drugs by the mad gynecologist Dr. Love while they are pregnant. Dr. 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 returne 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 Wildcat 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.
As the second Wildcat, she joines Infinity Inc. and fights alongside them until the team disbands. Ted Grant is at first annoyed with the young upstart, but when he discovers that she is none other than his god-daughter, he gives Yolanda his blessing. Her superhuman powers include retractable claw-like fingernails and cat-like agility.
She withdraws from active heroing, but is later brought out of retirement to fight Eclipso alongside the Shadow Fighters. She is slashed open with a sword by Eclipso, and dies in issue 13 of the Eclipso series. She is also the cousin of former JSA Museum curator Alexander Montez, who later defeats Eclipso and gains his power to avenge Yolanda. Alex ultimately loses control of Eclipso and commits suicide.
