Bêlit’s control of the seas goes back for decades with her introduction in WEIRD TALES #23, first published in 1934. Although this femme fatale followed many of the conventions of that era – when women found themselves depicted as lithe, buxom, and scantily-clad – Bêlit made a name for herself apart from being a love interest for the male protagonist. In this regard, the She-Devil of the Sea set herself apart from so many others that the Cimmerian conquered on and off the field of battle.

In fact, her ability to remain not only unconquered by Conan but to subdue him forced the barbarian and his hordes of fans to respect Bêlit, not dissimilar from the raiders aboard her ship who never dared question or approach her as anything other than their captain. And as a ship’s captain, she taught the Cimmerian the art of pirating at sea aboard her ship of raiders – something that would add to Conan’s fame and notoriety.

Like Conan, however, Bêlit’s passions ran deep as evidenced by the fact both she and Conan met and fell in love while battling against one another. Although the two lovers were inseparable, her spirit could not be tamed no matter the harm it brought upon them. Following a successful raid, the avaricious pirate queen found herself slain at the hands of a winged-demon, which sought to retrieve the ruby-laced treasure to which she held fast. Yet even death would not separate the Queen of the Black Coast from her barbarian for long, as she briefly returned from the dead to aid Conan in the destruction of the demon that slew her.