in:Alien vs. Predator Villains,Female,Superman Villains,

Cheryl Kimble

NOTE: This article is about the mainstream version of the character from the DC universe. The version fromLois & Clark can be found here:Dr. Gretchen Kelly.

Evil-doer

Superman & Lois
DCU
DC Comics

Full Name

Cheryl Michelle Kimble

Alias

Dr. Gretchen Kelley

Origin

Superman/Aliens #1(1995)

Occupation

Physician(comics)

Soldier(S&L; formerly)
Member of Lex's team(S&L; formerly)

Powers / Skills

Medicine(comics)

Seduction
Firearms
Military Protocol(both in S&L)

Goals

Kidnapp and kill Sam Lane at Lex's behest(S&L; abandoned)

Crimes

Aiding and abetting

Assault and battery
Torture
Kidnapping
Murder attempt

Type of Villain

Right-Hand Femme Fatale

“	I've known Luthor for 30 years. I've seen how he responds to people who betray him. There's no way you can keep me safe.	„
	~ Cheryl Kimble to Lois Lane

Dr.Cheryl Kimble, better known asGretchen Kelley, is a supporting antagonist in the 2021-2024 television series,Superman & Lois. She was a veteran who eventually had a romantic affair withLex Luthor and became one of his minions. She later appeared in theDCU filmSuperman as a minor antagonist.

Both Cheryl and Gretchen personas are based on DC comics characters related toLex Luthor. Cheryl is based on the character of the same name from the 1995Superman/Aliens limited series (also calledSuperman vs. Aliens). She was introduced as the head ofLexCorp's space division and plays a major role in the crossover between Superman and theXenomorphs.

She was portrayed byRebecca Staab inSuperman & Lois and byGiovannie Cruz in the DCU filmSuperman.

History[]

DC Comics[]

Cheryl Kimble was introduced inSuperman/Aliens #1 (1995). She organized a mission investigating a mysterious Kryptonian distress signal, bringing Clark, Lois, and the Kryptonian survivor Kara along aboard aLexCorp vessel.

After anXenomorph outbreak on the LexCorp satellite, Cheryl tries to study and capture the alien creature. At one point, she even blocks Lois from eliminating an xenomorph, hoping to preserve it for weaponization. In the final issue, Cheryl sabotages the station's defense efforts to prioritize her own agenda, even fighting Lois and LexCorp personnel directly. As Superman and Kara attempt escape, both are impregnated by Xenomorph embryos. Cheryl, however, survives and ultimately kills the last Xenomorph on the station before Superman departs.

Kelley was introduced inSuperman (Vol. 2) #2 (1987). She wasLex Luthor's physician and confidante, later turning against him. Gretchen conducts scientific research and, through her work, deduces that Clark Kent is Superman. She compiles compelling evidence and brings it to Lex, but he dismisses her findings because he refuses to believe Superman would pretend to be someone so ordinary. Gretchen's theory was ignored and buried, and she was later killed off-panel in an unrelated storyline.

Lois & Clark

Main article:Dr. Gretchen Kelly

Dr.Gretchen Kelly was introduced in the second season of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, being portrayed by Denise Crosby. She wasLex Luthor's personal physician and devoted ally.

Superman & Lois[]

Cheryl Kimble was introduced in the third season of Superman & Lois under the name Gretchen Kelley, being portrayed by Rebecca Staab. This version was a former decorated military/veteran woman whoLex Luthor forced into his service after a past romantic link.

Lex coerced her to pose as Sam Lane (Lois's father) love interest while secretly undermining him. She later tases Sam and helpsOtis Grisham abduct him. Gretchen and Otis tie up Sam in an abandoned building, beat him, then strip and bury him alive, left only half-buried with wet sand.

She's there when Sam fights back, but Otis knocks him out. She later went on the run after her identity was discovered. Cheryl resurfaces in Metropolis, trying to hide, but Lois tracks her down and confronts her. Though Lois offers help, Cheryl refuses, revealing she's been with Lex for around 30 years. A henchman of Lex,Hacksaw Kronick, attempts to kill her with flame gauntlets, but Superman and Superboy intervene, enabling Cheryl's escape. She attempted to flee, but was ultimately killed by Lex to tie up loose ends.

DC Universe[]

To be added

Trivia[]

Both Gretchen Kelley andAmanda McCoy were introduced in the same DC Comic;Superman (Vol. 2) #2 in 1987. They both also suffered the same fate in the comics, dying shortly after discovering Superman's identity. They also appeared in the last two seasons ofSuperman & Lois.