Wonder Stories April 1931 – Man Disintegrated in Energy Field, 'The Fatal Equation'

A scientist is being torn apart — or perhaps transformed — inside a crackling hourglass-shaped energy containment field, his body rendered translucent by writhing yellow and red electrical tendrils. A group of suited observers watches from the right, some operating controls, their expressions unreadable behind stylized fedoras. The laboratory hums with menace. Is this a demonstration gone catastrophic, or an experiment reaching its terrifying conclusion? The golden energy column dominates the frame with garish, hypnotic power.