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Irish mutants 101

October 29, 9:22 PMIrish American Culture ExaminerTara Clapper
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The Marvel Comics universe is not without a familial Irish influence. Two of the mutants involved in the X-Men and related groups are Irish.

Banshee

One of the most intriguing comic book characters of all time is Banshee, one of the X-Men. As the name might suggest, this Marvel Comics superhero packs quite a scream (the power is called "sonic scream") as well as flying abilities and psionic powers. He is, however, male, whereas banshees of Irish folklore are decidedly female.

Originally known as Sean Cassidy, Banshee experiences the death of his wife due to an IRA bombing. Over the course of his life, he experiences conflicts with his cousin Tom, later known as Black Tom Cassidy. Tom originally fancied Sean's wife Maeve, which stemmed the conflict.

This type of familiar conflict is a common theme in Irish legends and history (even as Liam Neeson's portrayal of Michael Collins). Banshee joins the X-Men, has romantic dealings with Moira McTaggert, and discovers that Siryn a daughter from his marriage to the deceased Maeve.

Siryn

Unknowing that Banshee is her real father, Siryn (Theresa Rourke Cassidy) grows up under the care of Marvel villain Black Tom Cassidy, her uncle. Tom apprentices her and she learns the ways of crime. Eventually, Siryn learns that Banshee is her true father and further developed her abilities in the path of justice.

Siryn forms a relationship most notably with Jamie Madrox and carries his child, but the relationship ends as she finds that she is involved with one of Madrox's many copies (Madrox is Multiple Man).

The X-Men (Siryn and Banshee in particular) have dealins with villains Black Tom Cassidy and Bullseye, also hailing from Ireland. DC Comics also has an Irish villain named Silver Banshee who opposes Superman.

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