Harriet Tubman is a Black superhero. Her stance on the various covers of issue four of ‘Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer’ of being fed up, tired, standing amongst the bones of her enemies shows her humanity and that no matter what happens Harriet has to do the right thing. She’s not allowed to be tired, angry or exhausted. Instead she’s the strongest ferryman there is. Perhaps Harriet is taking this moment after seeing what her son does in the previous issue and helping a family escape to freedom because writer David Crownson and artist Courtland Ellis makes her ever present even though she isn’t seen throughout most of the comic-book.
Yes, Harriet Tubman is prescient and it’s the reason why her life maybe in the biggest set of danger she will ever face. Think about it this way, a man comes into town and says that this Black woman who’s barely five feet is the biggest threat to white supremacy. Of course they laugh and bad things happen soon after to the racist characters in the meeting place. It’s because no one wants to believe the truth. People would rather see their enemy as some monstrous huge thing that is not only superhuman but male. A Black woman who arguably could be the same size as a child is not the chosen enemy of bigoted individuals. But here she is and Maurice Jones is not only dropping truth bombs, he’s calling in supernatural forces to accomplish his goal. Maurice is smart, he knows there’s no way to face Harriet Tubman head on. What he doesn’t understand is that Harriet is someone with nothing to lose. Her fight is bigger than herself. When you look at Tubman’s real life and that of the character in this comic she never had to return to Maryland or any other plantations to help bring enslaved Black people to freedom. Harriet was already free and risked being recaptured to help others. She indeed was a revolutionary, a renegade and a criminal. In all she’s the hero that was needed.
Still returning to the indie comic-book take a look at what will happen in issue five where Harriet appears to be rejuvenated. In her superhero stance with traditional garb, holding a long sword in each hand, with a barrage of white sheets hanging in trees in the background. The striking artwork reveals just how much Harriet is not to be played with. Historical fiction is at it’s most interesting when allegory, metaphor and demons meet. The next installment should be a wild one.
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