"When the War Demon Walks!"
NecroMantra/Lord Pumpkin #2
May, 1995

Quote: "The scent of burning flesh is like perfume to her, evaporating her false tears." - NecroMantra narrative

Credits: Mike W. Barr (writer); Gabriel Gecko (penciller); Stephen Baskerville (inker)

Cover: Gabriel Gecko (penciller); Stephen Baskerville (inker)

Main Character: NecroMantra

Supporting Characters: Arielle II, Salman, Ranadar, Tradesmen

Villain: War Demon*

Story

NecroMantra is now queen of Tavon's kingdom. A rival king, Salman, asks for her hand in marriage to secure peace between the kingdoms. NecroMantra rips open her bodice and publicly accuses Salman of attacking her. Her subjects are manipulated into demanding retribution in the form of war. NecroMantra hovers over the site of the battle, reveling in the deaths on both sides. Salman has his own court wizard use the death on the battlefield to conjure a giant creature called the War Demon. It attacks NecroMantra's kingdom, but NecroMantra creates a breach to Salman's castle. The War Demon follows her through it, and during its rampage, it kills the wizard who summoned it. After this, it disappears. NecroMantra blames the death of Lord Tavon on the War Demon and Salman.

* Denotes First Appearance
+ Character Dies