ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Celebrate the luck and lore of Ireland as we spotlight characters of Irish heritage!
GEMS OF THE EMERALD ISLE
In Uncanny X-Men (1963) #28
The Interpol cop-turned-X-Man was first an adversary to Xavier’s students, using his sonic scream and super-powered flight to disarm the team. In later years, Banshee would be an important partner to Dr. Moira MacTaggert, and would lead his own X-students in GENERATION X (1994). His death in X-MEN: DEADLY GENESIS (2005) #2 is forever on the books as one of the X-Men’s most heroic moments.
Siryn, AKA Theresa Maeve Rourke Cassidy
In X-Factor (2005) #244
Siryn inherited her father’s sonic scream and flight, (plus his ancestral home Cassidy Keep), although she was actually raised by her “uncle,” Black Tom. A former member of Cable’s X-Force, Siryn later set to work as a detective with Multiple Man’s mutant agency in X-FACTOR (2005). In one of her most pivotal issues, here, Theresa merged with the legendary Morrigan, Celtic “warrior goddess of many faces.”
In Uncanny X-Men (1963) #102
Often written off as Banshee’s vengeful cousin (and Juggernaut’s only friend), Black Tom is a formidable mutant all his own. Known for wielding a traditional shillelagh, Tom can manipulate and generate concussive energy, and now has control over plant life too. In fact, his most recent time on Krakoa has strengthened his abilities, and he marks an important part of the island’s defense in X-FORCE (2019).
Shamrock, AKA Molly Fitzgerald
In Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions (1982) #3
Although she first appeared in issue #1, Ireland’s “Lucky Lass” shined in the Grandmaster’s combat trial alongside Storm and the Collective Man. Continue with GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL (1991) #3 to see the ghostly side to Shamrock’s abilities, and check out one of Molly’s recent appearances in GIRL COMICS (2010) #2!
Irish Wolfhound, AKA Cuchulain
In Guardians of the Galaxy Annual (1991) #3
A real figure in Celtic lore, Cuchulain, Ireland’s most ancient and revered warrior, was introduced in battle against the original Guardians of the Galaxy. On a mission to uncover the Book of Kells, the team came across this “Wolfhound,” plus felt the wrath of Gae Bolg, his mythic spear.
Spider-Man 2099, AKA Miguel O'Hara
In Spider-Man 2099 (1992) #1
Did you know that future Spider-Man is of half Irish, half Mexican descent? Born in the corporate dystopia of Nueva York, Miguel O'Hara was an Alchemax engineer before a genetic experiment granted him a spider’s senses.