Hello and welcome to another edition of Marvel Snapshot! In this week’s spotlight, we’ll take a look at another character from the new movie-X-Men First Class, in Banshee! Yes it’s time to hear that sonic scream and grab a six pack, because the spotlight will be on Sean Cassidy right now!
Sean Cassidy was born in Ireland as heir to the family castle, Cassidy Keep. He married at a young age, and very soon after he was married, he started work for Interpol. Shortly after leaving, his wife bore a daughter, Theresa. A few months later, Sean’s wife was killed in a bombing by the IRA. Sean’s brother, Tom, assumed custody of Theresa until Sean returned from an Interpol mission. Sean’s wife died before she could get word to him about the baby, and when he returned, he blamed Tom for not taking care of his wife, and in a fit of rage, threw him off a ledge. At this point, they became bitter enemies, and also Tom didn’t tell Sean about the baby, and raised her on his own.
Years later, Sean was mind controlled and fought the X-Men. Professor Xavier helped him overcome the mind control and he later became one of the X-Men when the original team disbanded. On more than one occasion, Banshee’s sonic scream helped the X-Men defeat an opponent. His long time nemesis, though, has to be his Brother, Black Tom, and Juggernaut. They have plagued him at many different times in his life, usually for revenge. After some time with the X-Men, Sean met the love of his life, Moira MacTaggert. The two were inseparable for quite some time, and stayed that way until Moira’s death.
After leaving the X-Men for a while, Banshee made his return when he and Emma Frost were chosen to run the new Massachusetts Academy for Mutants. This was the beginning of the Generation X book. Jubilee, Chamber, Husk, M, etc., were all students that Banshee had to train. The students eventually turned their backs on their teachers, though, and the school closed. Banshee eventually started his own team called X-Corps. They were very radical in their beliefs and actions. In the end, it’s shown that Mystique had been manipulating the team, and the entire thing blew up in his face. On a good note, Banshee found out about his daughter, Theresa, and they reunited. Banshee ultimately lost his life in an attempt to save a plane full of people that were going to crash thanks to Vulcan in the Deadly Genesis story.
As always, check out my recommended reading list, along with some great pics below. See you next week!
Recommended Reading
Essential Uncanny X-Men vol. 2 – Tpb
Essential X-Men vol. 1 – Tpb
Generation X Classic vol. 1 – Tpb
X-Men: Deadly Genesis – Tpb
X-Men: Proteus – HC
Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net
I’ve always thought Banshee was pretty lame. lol
@Nick- No way! I’m a firm believer that every Marvel team needs a drunk Irish guy! 😀
Along with Sunfire and Nightcrawler, Banshee was my favorite character when he became part of the next generation of X-Men. Then when he was featured prominently in the 90s it was even better seeing him back with the team and involved in pretty good stories.
Has he been showing up prominently in the trailers? Because I don’t recall seeing him specifically. Just Havok.
@Kris- I wouldn’t say prominently, but he’s the dude flying around using his sonic scream.