Siobhan McDougal (New Earth)

From DC Database

Silver Banshee

Gallery

Real Name

Siobhan McDougal

Current Alias

Silver Banshee

Identity

Secret

Alignment

Bad

Affiliation

formerly Secret Society of Super Villains

Relatives

Beven McDougal (brother); Seamus McDougal (uncle)

Universe

New Earth

Base Of Operations

Hell

Characteristics

Gender

Female

Eyes

White

Hair

White

Unusual Features

Black and White Skin and a white skull-like pattern on her face.

Status

Citizenship

Irish

Marital Status

Single

Occupation

Professional Criminal

Origin

Origin

An Irishwoman turned into a banshee by an ancient curse, then augmented in power by the demon Blaze.

Place of Birth

Ireland

Creators

John Byrne

First appearance

Action Comics #595 (1987)

History

The Banshee first appeared in Metropolis in search of an arcane book. Superman, being very gung-ho in this early part of his career, confronted her right away, believing that her touch is what was deadly and that his invulnerability would save him. It was not her touch, however, but rather her voice that proved her deadly weapon, and she nearly killed him. Supes recruited J'onn J'onzz, who deduced that Banshee's power was tied to visual cuing. Superman allowed everyone to think he had died and had J'onn assume the shape of his "ghost." Convinced that she was fighting Superman's ghost, the Banshee could not harm the Martian and fled.^[1]

It was not long before the Banshee returned, still looking for her prize, which was apparently a book taken from Ireland. Superman managed to trick her twice into not killing him, this time by masquerading as the Batman. Then the Banshee's brother Beven showed up, claiming that she had committed some terrible crime against their clan. The Banshee again withdrew in a flash of light.^[2]

Batman came to Superman not long after with the book that the Banshee had been searching for. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen had gone to Ireland, to Castle Broen, the ancestral home of the Clan McDougal. They were seized by Beven and his uncle, Seamus. Superman, with the book in his arm, flew towards Ireland. The Silver Banshee, her powers greatly augmented, attacked him en route, demanding the book which he did not relent. Seamus revealed that for a thousand generations the oldest sons of the clan McDougal had descended into the chamber beneath the castle and confront the forces there. Siobhan insisted that the old law was only for the oldest child, not the oldest son, and as she was the oldest she insisted on going. She was distracted by Beven during the ritual, seized by some mystic force, and dragged down into an underworld. An ancient spirit in the form of an old woman allowed Siobhan to return as the Silver Banshee. The crone wanted to see if the clan had evolved, but seeing that Siobhan had murdered anyone that had crossed her path to get the book (which was the provision for which she was sent back) the crone condemned her. The Banshee's power was broken and the castle was destroyed.^[3]

Banshee next entered a deal with the demoness Blaze, who offered her great power and a chance for revenge against the Crone if Banshee would kill Superman. The Banshee failed and was again stripped of her power.

Later she turned up trapped in a cage beneath Leesburg adjacent to a chaos stream. Supergirl unknowingly released her, but the Banshee's memory was fragmented. She wandered into Leesburg thinking that she was just Siobhan, not remembering what she had become. Lord Satanus contacted Supergirl and insisted that the Banshee be recaptured. Banshee was immaterial, seeking a body to inhabit. She could not possess Supergirl, as at this time SG had become an earthbound angel. Banshee was confronted by the police and remembered what she had become. Her powers had changed slightly--she had to know a person's name in order for her cry to be lethal. Not knowing that Supergirl had bonded with Linda Danvers, Banshee could not kill her outright. She merged with Mattie Harcourt instead. Mattie was so angered by the murder of her brother during the final night by Gerald McFee that the Banshee was driven to seek him out in the asylum he was locked up in. Supergirl managed to reach the two women, causing Banshee to leave Mattie's body and disappear.^[4]

During the Day of Judgement, Silver Banshee was ordered by Neron to guard Lois Lane, trapped in Hell, while he tried to break Superman. Superman foiled Neron's scheme and battered aside Banshee.^[5]

She next emerged as one of the villains used by Manchester Black in the Ending Battle Saga. Banshee, along with Mongul II and Bizzaro #1, were the last warriors to be unleashed against the Man of Steel. Banshee's role in the fight was very small, however, even though she had been taught his Kryptonian name in Kryptonese, her scream did little more than stun Superman. She was said to have been "downed" by the explosion caused by the "detonated" Neutron.^[6]

Silver Banshee attempted to collect the billion dollar bounty President Luthor placed on Superman’s head, but failed.

Silver Banshee later joined the Secret Society headed by Alexander Luthor. She was one of the members who turned on Black Adam when Luthor needed him for his machine. She also took part in the Battle for Metropolis.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Superhuman Speed

Superhuman Durability

Superhuman Strength: ability gives her the strength of ten men

Death Wail: Her wail could kill human beings in her line of sight as long as she is aware of their identity. Her death wail has been shown to be effective even against the undead once the Banshee was aware of their proper names.

Teleportation: Her sonic powers also allow her to teleport.

Abilities

None known.

Strength level

About the strength of ten men

Paraphernalia

Equipment: None known.
Transportation: None known.
Weapons: None known.

Notes

• No special notes.
  

Trivia

• Siobhan is pronounced "shee-vaughn".

Related Articles

• Superman
• Blaze

See Also

• Discuss Siobhan McDougal (New Earth) on the forums

• Appearances of Siobhan McDougal (New Earth)
• Character Gallery: Siobhan McDougal (New Earth)
  
• Images featuring Siobhan McDougal (New Earth)

Recommended Reading

• None.

Links and References

• Silver Banshee at Wikipedia.org
  

Footnotes

Superman Villain(s) This character is or was primarily an enemy of Superman in any of his various incarnations, or members of the Superman Family. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Superman Villains category."