Spawn #179 - Image

This is another issue that goes back and shows how Mammon . . "Lord Mammon actually." . . has had this agenda with Al Simmons since . . well, the very beginnings of his family line. This issue takes us back to World War I . . the "Great War". It seems as if this Captain, Thomas Coram, is Al's direct descendant. He was a man of means from Europe who fell in love with one of his parents house-keepers, Selma. Through the course of events, she has his child. He sends her money, but doesn't see her again. Not until the war that is. He's decided to enlist and he goes to see her before he leaves. That's when he meets Michael. It seems that Michael is taken up with the cause also and joins the Army. Selma is heart-broken and begs Thomas to keep an eye on him. To do so he keeps him in his regiment. They are in the battle of Somme . . the single bloodiest day in military history . . and Michael is hit. Thomas goes rushing to his aid and that's where he meets Mammon. He offers to save Michael's life in return for his own. Of course Thomas agrees. Selma and Michael move back to America. By the 60's he's a grandfather. His favorite? . . . Wanda. And Thomas? Thomas serves in hell as the commander of Malebolgia's army. "When Armageddon comes, you will serve as a commander in my army. You will lead a legion of demon warriors against the forces of heaven. Until that day, you'll rehearse your role without pause, without a moment's respite. You will wage war until war becomes your nature. With every blow you strike in my name, the life you've left behind will slip further away. With every shot you fire, you'll lose one more precious memory until all you see and smell and hear is war . . . and all that you remember is war, and all that your are is war, War, WAR!!" Another fantastic story by David Hine. This guy really knocks my socks off. It's incredible what he's done on this book. This issue is illustrated by Mike Mayhew. He does it in the painted style and it's absolutely incredible. I know it's hard to believe but this book gets better and better with every issue. Keep up the good work guys.