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Abbott #5 is the concluding issue to the series, as Elena Abbott faces off against the perpetrator of the heinous, supernatural crimes she’s encountered. This issue wraps up all the existing plotlines, but does the series end on a good note?
Writer Saladin Ahmed’s script ties up nearly all the loose ends and wraps everything from the series up very neatly. So neatly that the ending leaves me wanting a little more. The conflict resolves fairly quickly save for one plot thread that allows some potential for the character returning one day, so I don’t feel particularly affected by anything that happened. The stakes never feel very high so it is hard to get emotionally invested in the plot. On the other hand, series that feature a cast of black and mixed-race characters kicking ass against the supernatural are too far and too few between and I appreciate that the issue allows the characters to just be heroes and beat the bad guys in ways people of color don’t get to see themselves do as often.
Sami Kivelä continues to deliver excellent work in this final issue. The purple, supernatural smoke we’ve seen through the whole series is used with gorgeous abandon throughout the issue and paired with Jason Wordie’s colors, it continues to be one of the series’ strongest visual effects. Characters continue to look consistently rendered and anytime a non-human creature appeared, the level of detail shows how carefully Kivelä recreates animals. There is a pile of vultures on one page that looks grotesque, yet instantly recognizable as they add to a scene littered with all kings of macabre props. I’d love to see Kivelä on a horror series, particularly one involving some sort of lycanthropy.
Once more when reviewing this series, I have to pay compliments to the panel layouts. Throughout the whole series, the layouts have always been kinetic and clever and this issue’s are no different. One page in particular arranges the panels into a sort of urn that’s relevant to the dialogue while also encourages the eye’s movement down the page in a brilliant way. Jim Campbell’s lettering only adds to that effect, either with word balloon placement or some sound effects that curve down the page to lead the reader right where they need to go.
Overall, Abbott #5 provides a completely satisfying ending to the series. Though I wasn’t blown away by the plot, it also doesn’t disappoint in any regard. The artwork continues to show the team putting forth their best work and the possibility of Abbott returning one day is one I’d love to see realized.
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