Who is BANSHEE?
BANSHEE is Sean Cassidy, an Irish mutant possessing a "sonic scream," capable of harming enemies’ auditory systems and causing physical vibrations. He is named after the BANSHEE, a legendary ghost from Irish mythology, said to possess a powerful cry. BANSHEE was a former Interpol agent and NYPD officer, an X-Men and mentor of the team Generation X.
BANSHEE is a Marvel Comics superhero created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Werner Roth, BANSHEE first appeared in X-Men #28 (January 1967).
CHANGING LOOKS
First Appearance
BANSHEE's first appearance he acted as an adversary to the X-Men under coercion, but soon he befriended the team. BANSHEE's first costume was a green suit with a yellow triangle in front that became a high collar in the back. He wore matching tight yellow gloves and boots. Distinct to his costume was the black and yellow winglike stripes, connecting the arms to his hips, which made it easier for him to fly. While serving in Factor Three (a villainous group), he was outfitted with a headband that allowed the group to influence him, this was lined with explosives to prevent him from tampering with it.
X-Man
When he was later invited to become an X-Man he continued wearing the same costume sans the headband.
Sometimes he would wear his green yellow costume with the X-Men's traditional belt with the X-buckle.
Changing Color
Later on he would wear the X-Men's traditional Blue and Gold uniforms, but with his distinct yellow and black wing.
Generation X
As Generation X's instructor, Sean rarely used a costume at all, but wore average streetclothes. Only when training with his young charges, he went back to his modified blue and gold standard X-Men look. Much like the rest of the team, Sean wore clunkier boots and, occasionally, switched to a similar outfit without the striped wings, often wearing a jacket over the suit.
X-Corps
BANSHEE became a leader of the paramilitary X-Corps, where he wore a sleek black military style uniform, trimmed with some red lines, a subtle X-logo and a gun belt. He manipulated some members of the Villainous Brotherhood of Mutants to be a part of this group. Unbeknownst to him Mystique was masquerading as one of its member. In one instance Mystique stab him in his throat, fortunately for him he survive his ordeal.
Death of BANSHEE
BANSHEE died trying to save passengers on a commercial airline from a head on collision with an X-Jet, unfortunately his throat has not yet fully recovered and his plan to alter the jets direction with his sonic scream, did not materialize and he was smashed between aircrafts and died along with the other passengers.
Back with the Living
Again, this is comics so death does not mean permanent, we first see BANSHEE in the land of the living in the Necrosha storyline where he was revived by the transmode virus. It seems that that revival was only temporary as we see BANSHEE once returning from the death realm in the Chaos War storyline.
LIVE MEDIA
1. Jeremy Ratchford
Actor Jeremy Ratchford plays the character of BANSHEE in a 1996 live-action Generation X television movie. In the movie, BANSHEE runs Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters with Emma Frost. Sean is much more laid back in his teaching approach than Emma, and wants to make sure that the students bond as a team. In the movie, he can produce a sonic scream that can stun people.
2. Caleb Landry Jones
Actor Caleb Landry Jones has been portrays BANSHEE in X-Men: First Class.
POWERS & ABILITIES
Note: Due to the nature of comicbooks being an on-going tale, the character's powers along with his appearance, is in a constant state of flux.
Audiokinesis: he creates powerful sonic waves with his voice with which he can achieve various effects, often with the assistance of psionic abilities which function only in unison with his sonic power.
Sonic Scream: ability to shatter solid objects with a sonic scream
Flight: ability to fly at subsonic speeds by using his voice to propel him through the air and ride the sound waves.
Sonar: can use his sonic powers as a form of sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging). By sending out a precise, pure note and listening to the returning, altered wavefront of the note, he can evaluate his surroundings in total darkness with varying degrees of resolution.
Sonic Shield: can tighten sound waves around himself or others near him, making a barrier against outside attack.
Vocal Disorientation: ability to change someone’s balance, by affecting their equilibrium using his sonic scream
Vocal Trance: ability to subtly influence people's subconscious mind by changing the tones and vibrations of his voice using sonics
Vocal Unconsciousness: ability to affect the fluid in someone’s ear causing the person to go unconscious.
Sound Immunity: BANSHEE's hearing and equilibrium are unaffected by his power or other similar abilities.
Superhuman Vocal Stamina: possesses superhuman stamina in his lungs, throat, and vocal cords.
AbilitiesA gifted detective, seasoned undercover operative, and unarmed combatant, Sean was also well-versed in combat strategy and tactics. He was an excellent marksman, amateur machinesmith, educator, organizer and lobbyist. His interests included American country music and playing the piano.
sources : http://www.uncannyxmen.net/db/spotlight/showquestion.asp?faq=10&fldAuto=95 : http://www.uncannyxmen.net/db/spotlight/showquestion.asp?faq=10&fldAuto=95&page=8 : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banshee_(comics) : http://marvel.wikia.com/Sean_Cassidy_(Earth-616) : http://marvel.wikia.com/Sean_Cassidy : http://www.comicvine.com/banshee/29-9708/ :
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