Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer #1 is a comic by David Crownson (Author) and Courtland Ellis (Illustrator). It combines Black History with someone who is easily one of the most heroic protagonists of all time: Harriet Tubman. Warning: Light spoilers ahead!
If you’re looking for Black creators to support, please consider reading this graphic novel series. Writer David Crownson is an outstanding Black voice with a knack for spinning unique stories and bringing them to life. Courtland Ellis is a Black artist whose vivid pictures make you feel immersed in the graphic novel’s ongoings. From concept to execution, the words and art combine to capture some of Harriet Tubman’s badassery through a supernatural lens. This graphic novel idea began as a Kickstarter campaign that wound up raising $21,649. Victory Comics began publishing the first of these comics on October 29, 2019. At a time when we need to stress that #BlackLivesMatter more than ever, Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer offers Black representation with a paranormal edge.
In this comic book, Harriet Tubman is a wise and strong ninja warrior. When slave owners can’t stop her, they summon the supernatural for help, forcing Tubman to battle an army of vampires, werewolves, witches, and more in order to lead a family to freedom. Let’s be real here: The real Harriet Tubman overcame things that are a lot more harmful than supernatural creatures, but seeing the protagonist kick ass is riveting and rewarding.
This graphic novel is packed with action and fun, clever fight scenes. Tubman’s reflexes and cleverness make her a formidable force to be reckoned with. Much like how Tubman carried a small pistol with her while rescuing slaves, the protagonist Harriet Tubman is well-versed in weaponry and knows her way around a katana. With her cleverness comes wit that she spits out in racists’ faces like a potent venom for justice.
When I found out about this graphic novel, I was immediately enchanted by the concept and knew I would enjoy it. Wow, was I spot-on! I found myself cheering as Harriet Tubman put slave owners in their place, especially after reading them use the N-word so freely and repeatedly without shame. These comics give you a glimpse into just how brave Harriet Tubman was as well as why her legacy deserves so much recognition and celebration.
I appreciate how the graphic novel compares slave owners to beings you’d find in an actual horror movie. After all, many people think that you have to be a literal monster to be racist. And to some extent, they’re right—racism is a monster in its own right. Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, the effects of the monster called “racism” are far scarier and more destructive than anything we’ll ever have to worry about coming from vampires or witches. (By the way, I’m a witch.)
This graphic novel serves epic representation in the form of Black history meeting a horror movie. I can only imagine how much a young BIPOC would enjoy reading this and seeing an important Black historical figure being represented as smart and strong! I’m also hoping that if white people read through these comics, they will acknowledge racism as the evil it actually is, prompting us to stop tolerating it as part of our culture and lives. Overall, Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer #1 was a great read and I highly recommend checking it out along with the other 2 books in this series.
Check out Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer #1 on Amazon. Thanks for reading! Remember: Black lives matter more than white comfort.
