Merge:Bandit

Bandit is a mutant adventurer in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Fabian Nicieza and Ken Lashley, he first appears in Night Thrasher v2 #3.

History
Donyell Taylor is the product of a one night stand between his unnamed mother and Daryl Taylor father of Dwayne Taylor. With Night Trasher's father leaving his mother and his illegitimate son, Donyell apparently lived a hard young life, but somewhere in that life found a teacher to train him in the martial arts and effective usage of his powers. He later learns about his brother Dwayne and about the life of leisure he led, he also discovers that Dwayne is secretly Night Thrasher.

Learning of Dwayne's relationship with Silhouette, Donyell, adopting the name Bandit, seduced her and then confronted Dwayne. Dwayne endures a severe beating at Bandit's hands. Later wanting a rematch, Bandit abducts Silhouette keeping her tied to a chair under blinding lights in order to lure Dwayne into a confrontation, but Dwayne wins the rematch. Donyell later comes to terms with his half-brother, finding common ground during their battle against the Sphinx.

Lover
During his time with the Warriors Donyell became romantically involved with Silhouette, they eventually left the team together, and Donyell would take her to Chicago with him, and that is the last time that they are seen together. The next time Donyell shows up, he has apparently been seeing Gambit's ex-wife Belladonna for a few months. No one knows what exactly happened between Silhouette and Bandit in Chicago that caused them to separate, but according to Gambit they are still together.

Warrior
In the epic storyline "Time and Time Again," the core roster of the New Warriors is kidnapped by the Sphinx. Silhouette was dating Bandit at the time of her disappearance, and this led a worried Donyell to contact Warriors HQ inquiring as to her whereabouts. Carlton Lafroyge (also known as Hindsight Lad) who, at that time, was the team's in-house strategist, suggested that Bandit form his own rescue team. Bandit and Hindsight Lad call in the team's reservists Darkhawk, Turbo, Dagger, and Powerhouse and brief them on the situation. Bandit and his team track down the Sphinx, and free the Warriors, together they defeat him. 

Thief
Some time later, Bandit shows up in New Orleans. Where he is apparently romancing Belladonna Boudreaux, leader of the local Thieves Guild. Bandit set in play, a plan to destroy the Thieves Guild which fails because of Gambit's interference. Gambit explains to Belladonna that Bandit had been manipulating her, and that he had never broken off his relationship with Silhouette Chord. The guild was confronted and defeated only after turning on all three of them, and in the confusion Bandit escaped New Orleans.

If what Gambit said was true then apparently Bandit and Silhouette might be attempting on a larger scale what Silhouette, Midnight's Fire and Night Thrasher used to do as teenagers. But with much more dangerous targets.

Powers
Bandit is a mutant with bioelectrical powers similar to an electric eel that require physical contact and a conductive medium to work. He can channel an electrical charge strong enough to stun, injure, or kill through someone just by touching them, as long as they are not grounded. He augments the range of this power by shooting special wire-tethered quarrels from his wristbow. He has also demonstrated superhuman speed and reflexes on par with Midnight's Fire and Silhouette. Donyell is an accomplished marksman, acrobat, and martial artist.

Alternate Versions
An alternate version of Donyell was revealed in What If...? v2 #81, living in the Age of Apocalypse. When that world got attacked by Galactus, Bandit was killed in battle. One of the main features of the story was the fact that Donyell and his brother Night Thrasher were more reconciled emotionally than they are in the 616 universe.

Equipment
Bandit carried a specialized wrist mounted crossbow, that fired wire-tethered quarrels tipped with miniature grappling barbs which would penetrate an opponent's flesh and then open up beneath the skin. He would then use his powers to send a debilitating bio-electric charge along the electrically conductive tether, basically making himself a living taser. He also carries a variety of throwing stars.

Notable Appearances

 * Night Thrasher v2 #3-5, 7-8, 13, 14
 * New Warriors v1 #47-51
 * Gambit v4 #10-12

Resources

 * Bandit Chronology
 * New Warriors.com profile on Bandit
 * New Warriors Continuity Conundrum