William the Cannibal

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They fell upon the unwary traveller and dragged him with savage whoops and cries to the fire. There they bound him to a tree and danced around brandishing sticks and chanting wild songs. Then they cooked him in a cauldron over a blazing fire, and ate him. Ginger was the first traveller, then it was Henry’s turn, and then Douglas’s. Finally William was eaten, his dying groans arousing real admiration. Altogether being cannibals was jolly good fun.

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Original covers for Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories, published between 1933 and 1936

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All nine were painted by Margaret Brundage, who was the most popular of Weird Tales’ cover artists. She was known for her images depicting bondage and flagellation of women. Authors would insert unnecessary scenes depicting nude women being tortured or whipped to ensure their story got the cover of an issue.