Elena Abbott is one of Detroit’s toughest reporters. And after defeating the dark forces that murdered her husband, she’s focused on the most important election in the city’s history.

But when someone uses dark magic to sabotage the campaign of the prospective first Black mayor of Detroit, it becomes clear to Abbott that the supernatural conspiracy in her city is even greater than she ever imagined. Now Abbott must exhaust all her abilities as a reporter and a supernatural savior to rescue Detroit—but at what cost to her own life?

Abbott 1973 follows up Boom! Studios’ Hugo Award-nominated Abbott series. The first issue comes from Eisner Award-winning writer Saladin Ahmed (Miles Morales: Spider-Man) and acclaimed artist Sami Kivelä (Machine Gun Wizards).

Check out our spoiler-free review of issue 1 below.

Abbott 1973 Issue #1 main cover, featuring Elena Abbott leaning on the hood of a car while smoking

Abbott 1973 #1 Review

Abbott 1973 opens with heavy exposition. Since it’s a follow up to everything that happened in the first Abbott series though, it’s definitely the necessary kind. The opening pages act as a refresher for fans who already know Elena Abbott, and as a jumping off point for people new to the character. I appreciate that the creative team of Abbott 1973 made it easy for new fans to jump into Elena’s world.

(Full disclosure: I’m one of those new fans. So that’s how I can tell you with confidence the setup of Abbott 1973 works.)

In fact, the first issue of Abbott 1973 is really everything you want it to be.

  • Abbott 1973 #1 variant cover art
  • Abbott 1973 #1 variant cover art 2

A nostalgia-filled period piece? You got it. You’re getting hella 70s fashion. Era-appropriate vehicles. Lava lamps and typewriters and smoking in the workplace. Whether you lived through the 70s or only know them from media, Abbott 1973 looks exactly how you want it to look.

A socially-conscious story? For sure. Again, we definitely know it’s the 70s. Beyond the key background setting of Detroit gearing up to elect its first Black mayor, it’s clear Elena’s going to go head-to-head with social issues. The first issue hints at her fears at how others will view her relationship with a woman. Plus, she’s dealing with a sexist boss who’s trying to make her act “more appropriately feminine.”

A supernatural showdown? Check! It looks like a whole team of dark forces will be coming for Elena, now that her power has been exposed. I love the supernatural element at play in this story and how it comes through in both the plot and the visuals. The purple tones look so ominously magical! And the coloring serves as a great dramatic cue for revealing supernatural twists and turns.

Basically, if the premise of Abbott 1973 grabbed your attention, go ahead and pick up your copy of the first issue ASAP. It delivers everything it promises – you definitely won’t be disappointed.

The first issue of Abbott 1973 is available from Boom! Studios now.

And check back to THS for more on the latest comics.