She Came to Slay is a playful, illustrated biography of American badass Harriet Tubman. If, like me, your schooling was historically white, you may know little about Tubman other than that she conducted enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad and that her face would be on $20 bills right now if the fascist-in-chief hadn't delayed the currency change because, per Mnuchin, "It is still not time." AARGH.

ANYWAY, I didn't know that Tubman was disabled by debilitating headaches, seizures, and hypersomnia from a skull injury induced by an overseer--violence that was meant for a runaway, not for Tubman. That same injury is said to have prompted a religious awakening that came with precognitive visions and a sixth sense that helped her elude danger.

Slay describes Tubman's accomplishments, triumphs, and abuses: saving family members and others, networking with Frederick Douglass, John Brown, and politicians--but also not getting recognition or pay for her service to the Union army, being kicked out of the veterans car on a train (it took more than one man to move her) with spoiler/not spoiler zero help for Tubman from white passengers.

The illustrations are warm and visually uncomplicated but full of depth.