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WINGED MEN (1934)


Barry Windsor Smith's cover for Conan the Barbarian #9 (August 1971)

SOURCE: "The Garden of Fear" by Robert E. Howard (Marvel Tales, July-August 1934)

DESCRIPTION: "...The black man spread broad wings and rose over the parapet, carrying his captive as a condor might carry a sparrow. He soared out over the field of blossoms...The black man shot out of the air and landed on the gallery. I got a good look at him as he leaned over the parapet. His features were straight and regular; there was no suggestion of the negroid about him. His eyes were slanted slits, and his teeth gleamed in a savage grin of hate and triumph... ("The Garden of Fear" by Robert E. Howard)

NOTES: The Winged Man in "The Garden of Fear" seems to be the last of his ancient race. He holds humanity as little more than an animal. His tower has no doors or windows and can only be accessed from above.

HISTORY: Henry Kuttner & C. L. Moore would use a similar tower in "Earth's Last Citadel" (1943) and L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter would borrow this idea for their bat-creature in "The Gem in the Tower" (1978).  "The Garden of Fear" appeared in Conan the Barbarian #9 (August1971)

John Buscema & Ernie Chan's version for Conan the Barbarian #100


Barry Windsor Smith's version