Banshee (comics)
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Banshee (Sean Cassidy) is a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, and a member of the X-Men. He first appeared in X-Men volume 1 #28 (January 1967).
Banshee is a mutant who can generate powerful sonic effects with his voice. He can use the vibrations produced by this "sonic scream" for a variety of effects, including flight, concussive force that can repel, weaken, or shatter physical objects, and mind-effecting vibrations that can disrupt a person's equilibrium, cause a person to fall unconscious, or, on occasion, induce a low level of hypnosis in the subject.
History
Sean Cassidy was both the heir to a small fortune and a castle in Cassidy Keep, Ireland. In his youth, he married Maeve Rourke, and took a job at Interpol. While Cassidy was away on a long mission, his wife discovered she was pregnant and gave birth to their daughter, Theresa Cassidy. Not much later, Maeve died in an IRA bombing. With no means to contact Sean, his cousin Tom took care of Theresa. When Sean returned to learn of his wife’s death, he was devastated. Before Tom could even tell him of the existence of his daughter, Sean lashed out at Tom with his sonic scream for not having taken better care of Maeve. While Sean flew away in anger, Tom fell into a chasm, breaking his leg as a result of the attack, which left him with a limp. Angrily, Tom swore to make Sean pay and vowed to never tell him about his daughter, raising her himself instead.
Cassidy left Interpol to become a freelance operative. The villainous Changeling discovered him through the group Factor Three, and invited him to join the organization. Cassidy was appalled upon learning of Factor Three's goals and adamantly refused. However, Factor Three captured him and placed a headband containing explosives around his head to force him to obey them. Code-named The Banshee after the banshee, a spirit from Irish mythology, Cassidy felt forced to obey Factor Three's commands, and performed various criminal missions for the organization. On a mission in New York City, Banshee encountered the mutant team of superheroes called the X-Men. Professor Charles Xavier was able to use his telepathy to disarm the headband and remove it, and Banshee helped the X-Men defeat Factor Three.
A few years later (Giant-Size X-Men #1), Xavier approached Banshee to join his second group of X-Men, and Banshee accepted. There he met and fell in love with the X-Men's ally, Dr. Moira MacTaggert. However, Banshee lost the use of his powers when his voice was damaged in battle with the terrorist Moses Magnum and left the X-Men. His powers gradually returned as he healed, and he remained an ally of the X-Men and especially of Moira MacTaggert.
Banshee later learned of his daughter Theresa's existence. Theresa had developed sonic powers of her own, which she used under the alias of Siryn, and felt obligated to Black Tom, who had raised her, to assist him in his crimes. But Siryn reformed after the pair were defeated by Spider-Woman and the X-Men, and she was reunited with her true father.
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For a time, Banshee was the co-headmaster at the Massachusetts Academy, where he taught the young mutants of Generation X in the use of their powers alongside Emma Frost. However, the Academy eventually closed its doors; during this time period, Dr. MacTaggert was killed in an explosion set up by the shapeshifter Mystique. Banshee, distraught and possibly suffering from a breakdown, founded the "X-Corps", a group of mutant adventurers who came into conflict with the X-Men over their questionable methodology and membership (which included several former members of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants). It was revealed that Banshee was having the new Mastermind (the daughter of the deceased original Mastermind) manipulate the Brotherhood's members into having them work with him. However, it turned out that Mystique was posing as one of the members and she was working with the new Mastermind behind Banshee's back. Mystique helped the brainwashed members revolt, several members of the X-Corps was killed, and Mystique slit Banshee's throat before being stopped by the X-Men. Banshee survived the attack and is recuperating in a hospital. The state of his powers remains to be seen.
Siryn later joined a similiarly-named, less militant organisation, known as the X-Corporation.
Other Appearances
Banshee appeared in several FOX kids television episodes called the X-men The Animated Series. He also fought Black Tom in the Phoenix Saga.Banshee1.jpg