Negation: Bohica TPB Review

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Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Bohica!

Written by: Tony Bedard (prequel, 1-6), and Mark Waid (prequel, 1, 2)
Penciled by: Paul Pelletier (prequel, 1-5), Andy Smith (6)
Inked by: David Meikis (prequel, 1-5), Brad Vancata (6)
Colored by: James Rochelle (prequel, 1-5), Jason Lambert (6)
Lettered by: Troy Peteri
Editor: N/A
Publisher: CrossGen

I enjoy CrossGen comics, I read ROUTE 666 monthly and I follow SOJOURN and SCION in the TPB format. I stopped reading MYSTIC, but I plan to keep up with it in TPB as well. I never read NEGATION though, and due to a tempting offer by the Dark Overlord himself, our esteemed editor Daron, and the kindness of CrossGen comics; I’m pleased to present to you a review of the first chapters in the saga of NEGATION.

As I touched on in my SAVAGE DRAGON review this week, Daron asked me if I’d be interested in trying out NEGATION as a means for others to give SAVAGE DRAGON a shot. SAVAGE DRAGON is drastically under read so I couldn’t let a shot to get it some attention go by. I agreed to pick up a recent issue of NEGATION, but was then blown away by CrossGen’s Bill Rosemann’s kind offer to supply me with the first two TPB volumes of NEGATION to review. CrossGen is on the cutting edge with regard to promotion as well as innovative product offerings, and continue to show why they’re the nicest company in the business.

With the opening pleasantries out of the way, let’s get to the heart of NEGATION!

NEGATION is a clear-cut sci-fi action series, that’s beginnings are a prison drama with a varying selection of disparate characters. 100 beings have been taken from the CGU and are being held and studied by the Negation Empire. Under great scrutiny from their jailers, these individuals in a strange place must come together. A break out which rivals that from the classic film THE GREAT ESCAPE, launches us into the true direction of the series. A small group struggling to return home, and their fight against the powerful oppressors who hope to prevent this.

The cast is a nice mix of the CrossGen’s Universe. A number of Sigil-bearers, which are so integral to most of the CG series, play an important part of NEGATION. The female powerhouse of the group is Evinlea of the First, who are the Gods of the CGU. Sigil-bearers, members of the First and other mainstay races of the CGU are a part of the book, which creates a nice fusion of what the company has to offer. I don’t want to spend much time reviewing the cast of the series, as our previously mentioned Dark Overlord did so perfectly in a recent “Missing the Boat”. I do want to mention though the primary role in NEGATION, which falls to Kaine, a very human man with no powers beyond an indomitable spirit, and tremendous intellect. Since most of the CG books follow Sigil-bearers or characters with immense power, it’s great to see such a character take center stage.

While most of the CrossGen books I’ve read have a deliberate pace, NEGATION is anything but plodding. As a matter of fact, the story is lightning paced. Bedard, with a assist from Mark Waid, introduce the heroes, villains, and premise in a excellent on the fly approach dropping us right into the middle of things. The epic story takes enough breaks to allow us time to savor all the new characters, but always moving forward at a relentless pace. The characters travel so far in the space of the first seven chapters, yet you know that’s only the beginning for this group.

CrossGen has put the comic industry on their collective backsides, with its ability to grab so many top artists from the big two. Greg Land, Dale Eaglesham, George Perez and so many others make up what’s probably the best stable of talent in the industry. Paul Pelletier pencils the bulk of the TPB, with a single-issue contribution from Andy Smith. As with each of the other books that CG produces, the art is wonderful! Pelletier’s ability is astounding, as the detailed sci-fi landscapes are always vibrant and enthralling. As an added bonus the TPB contains a rather funny text piece about Pelletier, which includes some fantastic design sketches.

The first volume left me eager to read and review the second collection of NEGATION. With a pull list that’s well over 40 issues a month now, I don’t plan to add the title to my monthly read pile. Instead I will continue to read the book as the TPB are released. I feel the stories are going to be much more satisfying in the collected format. Since CG does such a wonderful job quickly collecting their titles in these wonderful volumes, I’m going to take advantage and read this title in one heaping helping. That’s a promise! By the way, when does the third volume come out? Man I might not be able to wait that long.