REVIEW: Abbott 1979 #3

Elana has embraced her destiny and is taking the fight to the supernatural enemies threatening her home in Abbott: 1979 #3. But before saving Detroit, can she save her own family?

Fresh off officially becoming a Lightbringer and learning about her cool new powers and mission to save the world, Elana has finally found her purpose in life. Now it’s time to get her life in order. First, she’s getting a job working in public television, her attempt to share “light” in another way besides being a superhero. Secondly, she has to reunite with her brother Elmer and save him from the streets and the drugs that have taken a hold of him. Together they fight the Umbrea, monsters of hope and despair, and have to face some of their darkest fears. Writer Saladin Ahmed starts to fill in some of Elana’s backstory and the addition of Elmer helps to humanizes Elana even more. Their dynamic as they fight the Umbrea is excellently written and gives the issue its heart.

The urban noir art aesthetic remans strong in this issue. The art is gritty, matching the urban noir vibes of the writing. The coloring equally gritty, and mostly dark. Elana and Elmer are drawn with rough edges to them as well. The art is at its best this issue during the climatic fight between Elana, Elmer, and the Umbrea. It takes the form of Elana’s greatest fear (no spoilers as to what that is) and the battle features some of the most creative and unique paneling seen in a comic in recent memory. It’s darkly beautiful. Sami Kivela (art) and Dan Jackson (colors) have done their best work in the series thus far with this issue.

Abbott: 1979 #3 continues the series’ unique vision. A mix of 70’s blaxploitation and hard-boiled detective tale with some supernatural thrown in for good measure. Things are becoming both clearer and more convoluted for Elana as she is trying to balance work, family, and heroism now. Surprises and revelations abound from beginning to end in this issue. This is the fastest moving and most visually arresting issue in the run and can serve as either an excellent jumping-on point for new readers or the best edition so far for those already in the loop.

Writing – 4.5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Coloring – 4 Stars

Overall
4.5 Stars

Written by; Saladin Ahmed
Art by; Sami Kivela
Colors by; Dan Jackson
Letters by; Jim Campbell
Published by; Boom! Studios

Author Profile

Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.