Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: N/A
Written by: Tony Bedard
Penciled by: Paul Pelletier
Inked by: Dave Meikis
Colored by: Laura Martin
Lettered by: Troy Peteri
Editor: N/A
Publisher: CrossGen
Naming a dog!
While a great portion of Negation this month centers on the naming of a canine, this book is by no means a dog. This sci-fi tour de force follows a group of incongruent humans, sigil-bearers, and even demi-gods, misplaced from their own universe. Negation is kind of like a super cool version of Lost in Space or Star Trek: Voyager on a major caffeine rush! It’s everything a sci-fi comic should be, but never was, until now! This book…well I think you get the point.
I don’t think any other monthly elicits more talk around the 411 water cooler each month. With the possible exception of Jugs, of course that’s neither here, nor there. Daron (our mighty Dark Overlord), Mike, Kyle, Gary, and myself are all huge proponents of the series. With stalwarts such as these behind the book, how could you ever go wrong reading it! Hey, what’s with the laughing?
I’m sure the mention above, that this month’s issue is about naming a canine, has you bubbling over with excitement. The real fun comes into play, as our heroes are about to confront their old friend Javi, now an enemy, and his new friends. Many of the characters in Negation are Sigil-Bearers, who it seems are a dying breed at CG. The events bring us to a confrontation that’s been building for a while, as the group is going to battle their opposites in the Negation, the Ligis-Bearers.
War, we don’t need no stinking war!
The final pages of the book lead to a cliffhanger that would make Geoff Johns proud. Writer Tony Bedard spins events from the recent mini-series Mark of Charon into Negation perfectly. Bedard has crafted a wonderfully diverse universe, and he’s not afraid to go all out to tell his stories. CrossGen’s War is fast approaching, and in-between comes a reckoning, even for those titles not currently listed as cancelled. Much of this huge CrossGen event apparently centers on the Negation Empire and their invasion of the CG Universe proper. So changes, they’re in the offing!
Writer Tony Bedard and penciller Paul Pelletier are quite possibly the duo most in tune at present in the industry. Bedard’s scripts are utterly brilliant each month. There isn’t a book on the stands that has such a fully realized cast of characters, mixed with such a high action quota. The artwork is simply amazing; Paul Pelletier and Dave Meikis will hopefully remain with CrossGen, and continue to pump out this stunning work for a long time to come.
While the War mega-event promises big changes for the Sigil related titles, I think it will all but spell and end for these books. Following the epic confrontation to come, I don’t see how this book can survive with its current dynamic intact! Come on CrossGen prove me wrong!
Honestly, the survival of these books isn’t really the key issue right now. CrossGen’s recent money problems have had an adverse effect on a large number of people. The loss of much of the fantastic output churned out each month is regrettable, but not the most important thing. While I don’t want to see books I enjoy cancelled, the first thought must be for the current and former employees of CrossGen. I’m really hoping you guys can all pull through!
