Virgil Finlay illo

SOURCE: "Pigeons From Hell" by Robert E. Howard (Weird Tales, May 1938)

DESCRIPTION: "“Was that thing a woman once?” whispered Griswell. “God, look at that face, even in death. Look at those claw-like hands, with black talons like those of a beast. Yes, it was human, though — even the rags of an old ballroom gown. Why should a mulatto maid wear such a dress, I wonder?” “This has been her lair for over forty years,” muttered Buckner, brooding over the grinning grisly thing sprawling in the corner. “This clears you, Griswell — a crazy woman with a hatchet — that's all the authorities need to know. God, what a revenge! — what a foul revenge! Yet what a bestial nature she must have had, in the beginnin', to delve into voodoo as she must have done———” ("Pigeons From Hell" by Robert E. Howard)

NOTES: The zombie-like Zuvembie has the power to control her victims. She places them in a dream-state then commands them. Once in her midst she likes to chop them with hatchet and drink their blood.

HISTORY: Robert E. Howard based this story on the old legends his grandmother told him in West Texas. It's rather a racist story by today's standards but without doubt Howard's scariest horror tale. (He tended to do better with Sword & Sorcery style fantasy.) It was made into an episode of Thriller (June 6, 1961). The Zuvembie was played by Ottola Nesmith.