GEIGER #12, by Image Comics on 3/12/25, finds Ashley Arden training the Glowing Man to get his power under control. Their training starts with a doomsday cult responsible for Dr. Molotov’s demise.
Credits:
- Writer: Geoff Johns
- Artist: Gary Frank
- Colorist: Brad Anderson
- Letterer: Rob Leigh
- Cover Artist: Gary Frank, Brad Anderson (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: March 12, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 36
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of GEIGER #12:
Recap:
When we last left the Glowing Man and Nate the Nuclear Knight in Geiger #11, Tariq Geiger was brought to Lewistown with the help of Junkyard Joe. There, they found out that Ashley Arden is the supposedly cured person with the secret Tariq is looking for, but Tariq’s relief turned to frustration when he learned Arden wasn’t cured. However, she learned to control her power without the use of her rods and offered to show Tariq how to do the same.
Plot Analysis:
In Geiger #12, Tariq’s training begins. Ashley Arden takes Geiger out into the field and explains that his ability to control his power is psychological, not physical. She encourages him to remember the one time he kept his power in check without the rods – his happy thought – to regain that moment of control. Geiger’s efforts don’t go so well.
Lately, Arden takes Geiger to a settlement of religious zealots calling themselves the Hillborn, who believe they survived the Unknown War to become God’s chosen rulers of the Earth. Arden explains the Hillborn were responsible for killing Dr. Molotov, and they’ve come to hold them accountable. The Hillborn’s leader and his armed entourage come out to greet Arden and Geiger, but he’s not interested in surrendering any of his people, so the group attacks the Glowing Couple.
Arden fights with skill and grace, and she encourages Geiger not to release his rods until he’s centered himself on his happy thought. Sadly, Geiger can’t hold control, and he burns everyone in sight with radioactive fire. Arden absorbs the fire and encourages Geiger to stay with her to keep trying.
The issue ends with Geiger reluctantly choosing to stay and keep trying while Arden shows the reader that she’s not telling Geiger the whole truth.
First Impressions:
Writer Geoff Johns delivers another strong issue in the series as Tariq Geiger takes his next steps on his journey to evolving into whatever he’s meant to be. Geiger #12 is a fairly standard issue, but its value comes in the form of intriguing promises for where this issue will lead.
Artwork and Presentation:
Gary Frank’s artwork is gloriously detailed, pristine, and gorgeous. Frank’s pristine figure work is imply outmatched, especially during a hand-to-hand brawl with superpowers. The grounded, personal struggle Geiger endures is echoed in the big, flashy moments and his painful expression of quiet emotion.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
The highlights of Geiger #12 fall into two categories. First, the hint/tease/promise that Tariq can control his powers has the potential to be a gamechanger for the series. As long as the tease isn’t a trick, the series could go in new and interesting directions.
Second, the last-minute reveal that Arden is keeping secrets could be a gamechanger of a different color if it turns out her big secret works against Geiger in unforeseen ways. We shall see, but the potential is exciting.
The Negatives:
The mild downside of this issue is the lack of progress on any other front. What’s going on with Junkyard Joe? Where is Nate? What about the assortment of bounty hunters sent to capture Geiger? The issue is interesting on its own, but it lacks the urgency Geiger should be feeling from being hunted.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Besides the previous cameo of Junkyard Joe and Redcoat, neither appearing in this issue, there’s no clear announcement concerning a crossover event for the assorted Ghost Machine titles. There could be a big development later in the year, but for now, the characters are showing up as cameos in Geiger only.
Final Thoughts:
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GEIGER #12 is a fun, thrilling issue when Geiger’s training to control his power goes horribly wrong. Geoff Johns’s script delivers plenty of fun and games, and the developments in this issue promise intriguing plot twists in the future. Plus, Gary Frank’s artwork is next-level gorgeous
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