Shout, shout, let it all out!

Continuing with the birthday swag is Silver Banshee, from the Target exclusive Superman/Batman: Public Enemies 6" action figure line.

Silver Banshee comes with a base and a piece of the "collect and connect" figure Brimstone. Silver Banshee is the only figure from this line I wanted. I don't need any more Supermen or Batmen for the time being, and Icicle, Black Lightning and Major Force don't interest me. So I won't be building Brimstone - but the base is a very nice addition, because these thin limbed female DCUC figures really do need one.

Silver Banshee had a very small part in the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies cartoon, but she is a visually striking character and a nice addition to my DCUC villain ranks. She's basically the DC Universe Classics basic female body (also known as the "buck") with a unique headsculpt.

While I'm on the subject, the X-Man known as Banshee has always bothered me. A Banshee is supposed to be female. It would be like having a male superhero named "Mermaid." Or a female superhero named "Dude Man." It's stupid and Marvel should stop it this instant.

Fortunately DC Comics' Silver Banshee is female, and pretty creepy looking to boot. I have read a few comic stories with her in them (mostly Supergirl) but I don't know her origin, so allow me to quote Wikipedia for those of you equally in the dark:

Siobhan McDougal was the first-born child of Garrett McDougal, the patriarch of an old Gaelic clan that has occupied an island midway between Scotland and Ireland for a thousand generations. On that island is Castle Broen, where first-born McDougals undergo a ritual to prove themselves worthy to lead the clan. When Siobhan was young, she traveled the world, only returning to Castle Broen when she heard of her father's death. Her uncle Seamus determined that no woman would lead the clan and intended her brother Bevan to become the new patriarch. She went ahead with the family ritual by herself, which involved calling on supernatural forces for power. She was interrupted by Bevan, and the distraction proved disastrous as she was dragged away into an infernal netherworld. An entity called "the Crone" granted her powers and the ability to return to Earth as the Silver Banshee, but demanded payment in the form of an occult book that belonged to her father. She found that her father's book collection had been shipped off for sale in the United States. Her quest brought her to Metropolis. Killing anyone that stood in the way of her search attracted the attention of Superman. Unable to defeat Superman, she chose to retreat and continue her mission at a later date.

Silver Banshee returned to Metropolis twice more, but was halted both times by Superman. It was Batman who finally found the book amongst some stolen goods in Gotham City. Superman brought the book to Castle Broen where he was confronted by Silver Banshee. The Crone appeared at the castle, and after an enigmatic warning to Superman, she dragged the Banshee, Bevan, and Seamus off to her netherworld.

In Leesburg, Supergirl rescued Silver Banshee from Satanus' Netherworld when the chaos flow brought the river Styx to the town. Silver Banshee was left in a confused state, eventually going back to her psychotic persona and using Supergirl's friend Mattie as a host while rampaging on the streets. Mattie and Silver Banshee thus proceeded to nearby Schnaffenburg where Mattie tried to get revenge on Gerald McFee, who killed her brother during Final Night while in thrall to Gorilla Grodd. Supergirl calmed Silver Banshee, separating Mattie from her, which led to Silver Banshee temporarily vanishing.

Silver Banshee attempted to collect the billion dollar bounty President Luthor placed on Superman’s head in Superman/Batman #3, 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 of Metropolis.

Silver Banshee battles Supergirl in Supergirl #34, and is expected to be a recurring nemesis for Supergirl, as well as Superman, as part of an attempt to tie Supergirl's book in with Superman's titles.

In Superman #682, Supergirl was used as a diversion as some members of Kandor captured Silver Banshee, placing her in the Phantom Zone. Later, Superman freed Silver Banshee to be taken to Belle Reve.

Silver Banshee has superhuman strength, agility, speed, endurance, a high degree of resistance to physical and energy attacks. Her wail can kill anyone within a certain range as long as she can see her victim and knows their true name. Victims are usually reduced to desiccated husks. Silver Banshee is able to use her sonic powers to teleport. In Justice League Unlimited and Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, she is capable of flight under her own power.

So now you know, and knowing is half the battle ;)

Silver Banshee is a great figure, although she's not that easy to come by. The fact that she styalistically fits right into the DCUC line-up, that she's a cool looking female character, and that she's a Target exclusive do nothing to assure that fans will actually find her in the wild.

It's enough to make you wanna scream!