It is over. The American Scream is silenced. The others are all mad. 
- — Spectre
Spectre (Volume 3) #50 is an issue of the series Spectre (Volume 3) with a cover date of February, 1997.
Synopsis for "The Haunting of America - Conclusion: Patriots"
The Spectre reappears, having feigned his own demise. But the National Interest have all the pieces of the American Talisman, and they now have the power to reshape the American Dream. Nate Kane knows that the National Interest must be stopped, so he reluctantly merges with the Spectre so that he can have more power.
At the National Interest's headquarters, Dwayne Hawke yells at Armistead for letting Sorcerer escape. As Hawke is about to impale Armistead with the Spear of Destiny, Duchloss interrupts him and says they must begin their work immediately.
Tahzey and Victorio arrive at Mount Rushmore, where they are joined by Lonetree, Sorcerer, and several others who have also been summoned there. Lonetree explains that the American Talisman was inherently flawed because it didn't represent all the people in America. So they will make a new one, literally made of the people. To do so, everyone present must be willing to sacrifice themselves to the ideal. Victorio convinces Tahzey to take part. Sorcerer will be the vessel for the new Spirit of America. Lonetree calls out to the Great Spirit to make them one, and Patriot is created—the embodiment of the hopes and dreams of America. Patriot then flies off to confront the National Interest.
Nate Kane (with the Spectre) sneaks into the National Interest's headquarters just as they are beginning their ceremony. The Spectre bursts out of Kane's body and interrupts the proceedings, just as a new entity has been created: the American Scream, a deranged version of Uncle Sam. The American Scream makes everyone live out their deepest fears. Even the Spectre is susceptible.
Suddenly, Patriot arrives to confront the American Scream. Dwayne Hawke attempts to stab Patriot with the Spear of Destiny, but Nate Kane pulls it out of his hands and impales Hawke. The Spectre enters the American Scream's soul, where he finds Shadrach. Shadrach says that the Spectre's vision of America is out of date and out of touch. The Spectre yells "Sic semper tyrannis" and kills Shadrach with a blast of energy. The American Scream withers and dies.
The Spectre casts the Spear of Destiny toward the sun. Patriot says he now exists as a living talisman; they live within him, and he exists for them—for the dream that is America.
The Spectre and Nate Kane leave the National Interest's headquarters, but the Spectre is still troubled by what the American Scream said: "You cannot kill madness! Madness never dies! You can only beat it down until it returns... and screams."
Appearing in "The Haunting of America - Conclusion: Patriots"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Lt. Nate Kane
- William Lonetree (As a spirit)
Villains:
- The National Interest
- Dwayne Hawke (Dies)
- Mr. Armistead
- Mr. Duchloss
- Shadrach (The American Scream) (Dies)
Other Characters:
- Spirit of America ("Patriot") (As a spirit)
- Sorcerer (Sam Wilson)
- Victorio Cutter
- Tahzey Wovoka
- Anna Tsange-Taylor
- Sojourner Tsange-Taylor
- Randall Taylor
Locations:
- Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation
- National Interest Headquarters
Items:
- American Talisman
- Spear of Destiny
See Also
Recommended Reading
- The Spectre Recommended Reading
- Adventure Comics (Volume 1): Adventure Comics #431– #440
- Countdown to Mystery
- Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre (Volume 1)
- Day of Judgment
- Day of Vengeance
- Final Crisis: Revelations
- More Fun Comics (Volume 1)
- Spectre (Volume 1)
- Spectre (Volume 2)
- Spectre (Volume 3)
- Spectre (Volume 4)
- Tales of the Unexpected (Volume 2)
- Wrath of the Spectre (Volume 1)