Comic Review: Abbott: 1973 #1 (BOOM! Studios)

In continuation of the Abbott character stories, BOOM! is releasing Abbott: 1973, #1.

This five-issue miniseries is written by Saladin Ahmed (Miles Morales: Spider-Man), with artist Sami Kivelä (Machine Gun Wizards). Colour is by Mattia Iacono, letters by Jim Campbell.

Mystical reporter Elena Abbott is now a widow, with the recent death of her husband still heavy on her mind. She’s working at a different Detroit newspaper now, and getting her journalism chops in order. In 1973, there’s a darkness called the Umbra terrorizing the motor city and Abbott is sure to encounter the evil spirits. Abbott also has a new publisher to get to know at the Detroit Chronicle. He’s a man who likes his women polite and contrite.

The dialogue and scenes are well handled by Ahmed, who with artist Kivelä manages to paint the scene of the early ’70s without getting too maudlin or cheesy.

The visuals are easy to navigate, the colours mostly pale and restrained. A heavy reliance on horizontal panels is an unusual touch, and may not signify anything stylistically, but I think they could be varied a bit more to relieve the predictability.

I like how this title is paced, the characters are interesting and there’s plenty of smokin’ conflict for Abbott. Give this one a try!

BOOM Studios, Abbott 1973 #1, $3.99 for 26 pages of content.