Yolanda Montez was born with meta-human powers due to the genetic manipulation studies of the criminal Dr. Love. Yolanda became the god-daughter of Ted Grant, also known as the hero Wildcat, a close boxing friend of her father, "Mauler" Montez. Due to the prenatal treatments given to her mother, Yolanda was born with sharp retractable claws on her fingers and toes, and cat-like agility and reflexes. She concealed her abilities and lived a normal life as best she could, always feeling the draw to action.