Reviews

Abbott by Saladin Ahmed

aedens's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

nica00's review against another edition

4.0

When I was a kid in the 70’s, I could only talk my mom into buying me comics during summer family road trips. I stocked up with about a dozen & had to make them last until the next summer so I read & reread them all year long until they fell apart & Silly Putty wouldn’t lift the images any longer. The old school tribute here of Abbott’s artwork, colors, and lettering invoked some fun nostalgia in me such that I could almost sense the newsprint feeling on my fingertips as I turned the page on my e-reader. This strong female MC detective noir comic definitely has that throwback vibe including all the cheesy stereotypes and cookie cutter plot line. I enjoyed it none the less.
Art ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

joshine's review

adventurous dark hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

cecepurnsley's review

4.0

This was a story that I came across randomly but I'm glad I did. I'm always up for any kind of noir type of story, and if it has a supernatural twist? Sign me up. This takes place in the 70s with Detroit as the background. The period setting was woven perfectly in the storytelling as Abbott encountered much of what was going on in the Detroit 70s-racism, sexism, white flight, etc. Even the backstory of the supernatural was perfectly woven in for a shorter graphic novel. Nothing felt rushed and the only thing I wish was elaborated on a bit more was the villains intentions. We didn't really get to hear the 'why' until that last couple pages, but none the less I'd recommend it.

emcorliss's review

Art and character design was A+

sincrusade's review

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

nicoelle's review

adventurous mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

thecolourblue's review

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

TPB compilation of the five-issue miniseries.

Follows a black journalist in 1970s Detroit who gets pulled into a supernatural conspiracy linked to her own dark past.

In the course of the story it's revealing that the force killing young black men in the city is the same one that killed her late first husband. With the help of her ex-second husband and a magician of sort (who enjoys illicit substances) she repells the evil forces by coming into her role as Lightbringer.

Elena Abbott is a good character, one with flaws and a past that leaves her paranoid and with a need for control and routine, but also someone who is smart and skilled and passionate about what she does. Her world feels real and grounded with real stakes. The art is good quality, especially the constructed magical creatures. 

tromatojuice's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jonwesleyhuff's review

4.0

‪ I need to read more tales of Abbot. The 70s Detroit setting is a rich backdrop for the supernatural goings on.‬ The art is gorgeous.