Gates of Empire is Howard’s comic historical story set during the Crusades. It was intended for The Magic Carpet Magazine, volume 4, number 2, which was advertised as going on sale February 1, but the magazine folded before the story appeared. The story was first published nearly five years later in Golden Fleece, volume 2, number 1, in January 1939.

The legacy record notes it as Howard’s only comic historical story.