Yikes! The Silver Banshee is truly one of the more bizarre characters ever to be featured here on Super-Vixens, but I guess that’s a testament to the art of John Byrne that he can take a girl who’s literally death becomes her, and put such a sexy spin on her that you find yourself strangely attracted…
There have been many yeas and nays regarding John Byrne’s SUPERMAN reboot back in 1986, and while I’ve agreed and disagreed on the various pros and cons of the jumpstart, the very creation of Silver Banshee has already made it worth my while- folks, I just LOVE this super-villainess!
Look at this splash page that introduces the character to us…YE GODS what a shot! I have to say, I fell in love with her right on the spot! I’ve always said that nobody drew gals’ legs like Byrne, and to see the 7 foot tall demoness struttin’ her stuff down 5th Avenue, complete with sexy heels, WOW! I was hooked!
Yes, she’s (like) a walking vampire, sucking the life out of anyone hapless enough to get in her way, but at times, she is downright ADORABLE! YES! So powerful and yet so much like a “fish out of water” in ways…gotta love when she’s propositioned by the construction worker, and asks, “Are you addressing ME, little man?”! She couldn’t believe some guy of the street was trying to pick her up…I, however, fully understood!
(and I guess would have met the same fate as the now-deceased dude!)
Byrne really went all-out with this character- from the very beginning you’re drawn into her story, and want to find out more about her! Strangely cute to watch her flipping out when she can’t find her book, and that little lost look on her face when “Superman” passes through her…she’s completely befuddled!
And I think secretly even Jimmy Olsen has a thing for Ms. McDougal, because it really seems like he spends an AWFUL lot of time spying on her as she “does her thing” in those bookstores. He ‘s always peeking at her through a window in the background! Ahahaha!
Another thing to ponder. Back in the day, me and my friends used to think the Marvel Comics Soul –Searching Silver Surfer was WHITE… only later when they released an action figure of him all painted in shiny chrome that we realized, “Hey, yeah…he was supposed to have been silver-but comic colors just couldn’t give us the metallic sheen, so they just left him white!”
Now, what’s the deal with Silver Banshee? Is she ALSO supposed to be silver with black accents? I hope not…I think the solid black and white contrasts give her the shocking impact you’re supposed to have, reminding me so much of a pirate ship flag with its stark skull and crossbones design. Plus, the white gives her the ghostly, ethereal look, too!
Siobahn McDougal
Silver Banshee
First Appearance Action Comics #595
Created By John Byrne
