90 YEARS OF WEIRD: Margaret Brundage

Ninety years ago this month, the first issue of Weird Tales was published. In recognition of our big anniversary, we’re going to be celebrating all year long, in the magazine and on the website, with articles delving into the illustrious history of the Unique Magazine.

To kick things off, we’ve compiled all of Magaret Brundage’s Weird Tales covers. At the peak of the magazine’s classic run in the 1930s, Brundage’s lush, sensual and controversial covers were as much a draw as the stories inside.  Long before Frank Frazetta, she was the first Conan cover artist. She depicted scantily clad damsels in distress, Doctor Satan, a “Bat-Girl,” and plenty of whips and skulls. She sold 66 original cover illustrations to Weird Tales from 1932 to 1945. (All of them are below.)

Fittingly, a book devoted to the groundbreaking artist, The Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage: Queen of Pulp Pin-Up Art, will be published next month.

Which of her covers below is your favorite (scroll over image for cover date)?

Click thumbnails for full-size photos.