Geiger #1
Image/Mad Ghost Comics
Words by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank
Color by Brad Anderson
Letters by Rob Leigh
Moving away from the world of DC and superheroes, writer Geoff Johns brings his first creator controlled comic with long time collaborator Gary Frank. It is also worth mentioning that colorist Brad Anderson and letterist Rob Leigh along with Johns and Frank worked on the DC Comics Maxi-Event Doomsday Clock. Even though it is John’s first foray into original content, he still worked with familiar faces.
Geiger is a story of an apocalyptic future where nuclear war and other events caused the destruction of civilization. One area that many scavengers groups avoid because of the myth of a radioactive man is Boulder City, Nevada. We come to find out that the myth is true and Joe Glow or Meltdown Man actually goes by Tariq Geiger.
The first issue sets the origin of how Geiger became a radioactive protector. His purpose is to protect his family who have been living in a fallout shelter for 20 years. We are also introduced to one of the many Vegas Crime Lords, The King, and his goal to eliminate Gieger and take what he is protecting.
Geiger is the first creator owned story for Johns and it shows in this issue. As he is creating his own universe, he is unable to use the established history of the superheroes he normally writes. The story still uses many superhero tropes and Geiger’s creation is eerily similar to a few popular superheroes.
The art that Frank creates compliments the tone and feeling of the story. As a frequent collaborator of Johns, he understands what parts of the story can be emphasized or allows the art to make the narrative move. It is refreshing to see Frank flex his skills creating normal characters and is not a bunch of superheroes.
Geiger is a unique comic as this is an unusual first for Johns. His historical knowledge of superheros is rendered useless and allows him and Frank to create whatever world and narrative they want. Hopefully as the series continues, they are willing to take more risks and explore different elements they might not be able to utilize if this was a superhero comic.