Comic Review: Abbot 1973 #1

Abbott 1973 #1

Boom! Studios

Writer: Saladin Ahmed

Artists: Sami Kavela & Mattia Iacono

Letters: Jim Campbell

Back in 2018, I was new to comics. Compared to many at Sequential Planet (indeed, to many of our readers) I am still new, and Abbott took me right away. It had everything I loved. A journalist our for the truth, magic swirling around real problems of racial justice and equity, a steller author at its helm, and beautiful art and letters. When I read Abbott back, I realized comics were for me and I never looked back. So, when I saw Abbott was brought back for another run, I was ecstatic. But could Abbott 1973 live up to the big shoes of the original 5-issue series? It remains to be seen.

Much of this first issue is the background. There’s a handy synopsis, sort of like a “previously on Abbott,” kind of thing to get those who didn’t read the original up to speed. But after that, there’s some rather stilted dialogue that feels like it’s for the benefit of the reader, rather than the people (characters) in the story. However, this is easy to look over, since it’s a #1, and new readers need to be brought into the fold. After that, the story picks up quickly. It picks up where the original left off. But what’s most interesting in this issue is the nod to the racism and sexism that (while not uniquely 70s), permeated the era. This social commentary gives the story real-world stakes, rather than fantastical objectives. Abbott never lets readers forget the real problems Black and Brown folks faced in the 70s, and how those problems are still just as severe today.

There’s also a new Big-Bad in town, but as of yet, there’s not much information about it. Elena Abbott, herself, is on top of the world. Fallen back in love, and even bought a house with her partner. Of course, it’s too good to last. A new owner/editor has arrived at the paper Elena works at, and he’s a little old-fashioned when it comes to women in the workplace. The result being some tense dialogue between the two. I’m excited to see how that plot point unfolds.

Sami Kavela hasn’t missed a step in the line art department, and neither had Mattia Iacono. The use of splashes to illustrate nightmares, the color pallet, the art is all together spot on. But where the visuals really shine is in the paneling and letters. The sequencing is never dry or contrived, never stilted or predictable. Instead, each page is sectioned out in a flowing manner that keeps the eyes rolling across the page, and only lingering on what is important. This is never more clear than when Elena is writing an article for the paper and the captions catch the typeface of her story. Jim Campbell has a good eye for typeface. Each time Elena’s writing appears, it really feels like you’re reading a news clipping.

While this is certainly a good place to start, I hope this second run of Abbott introduces something new to the series. This issue is a good (re)introduction to one of my favorite comics. Let’s just hope they can keep the momentum.\

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