GEIGER #13, by Image Comics on 4/9/25, pits Ashley Arden and Tariq Geiger against the U.S. Army, but the battle could have explosive consequences for Lewistown.
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: April 9, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 40
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of GEIGER #13:
Recap:
When last we left the Glowing Man in Geiger #12, Tariq Geiger accepted Ashley Arden’s offer to help him learn to control his powers. The Glowing Couple decided to pay a visit to a religious cult called the Hillborn, who Ashley said was responsible for Dr. Molotov’s death. The sortie resulted in the decimation of The Hillborn, but Geiger’s quest to control his powers didn’t go as planned. The issue ended with the reveal that Dr. Molotov is alive, and Ashley Arden is holding him as a secret prisoner.
Plot Analysis:
In Geiger #13, the issue begins with a brief flashback showing how Ashley Arden ran from hunters who labeled her a witch due to her radiation powers. Her path eventually crossed with Dr. Molotov’s, who took Ashley under his wing as an adopted daughter. Now, Dr. Molotov begs Ashley to tell Geiger the truth about Lewistown and to get away, but she won’t listen and leaves him imprisoned in the bunker below the town.
Meanwhile, Geiger makes peace with Junkyard Joe because it’s clear Joe either means no harm. Suddenly, Joe picks up an approaching radio signal, tipping off Geiger, Ashley, and the rest that the U.S. Army has arrived to capture the Glowing Couple. Ashley orders the townspeople to get to the underground shelters while she and Geiger hit the Army head-on. Ashley and Geiger hold their own against military firepower, but the battle disrupts the town’s electrical system, which unlocks Dr. Molotov’s prison door.
The issue ends with Nate and Joe working together to save the townspeople. Geiger loses control for a brief time, and Dr. Molotov explains why the town isn’t safe.
First Impressions:
Geoff Johns presents another winner when he tosses Tariq into hot water with stakes that could blow everyone sky-high. Geiger #13 is one of the better issues in the series because it gives you everything you’re looking for – character development, plot progression, stake escalation, action, and fantastic art from Gary Frank.
Artwork and Presentation:
Did we mention Gary Frank’s art looks fantastic? Of course, it does. Gary Frank’s miraculous level of detail and dramatic action pushes the story forward with cinematic quality. Ghost Machine continues to impress as the imprint with the best art around.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
The best kind of action-focused story, regardless of the genre, furthers the plot through the action. Geoff Johns achieves that end beautifully by building out Ashley’s character, which gives the fight an extra dimension and exponentially elevates the stakes by teasing what could happen if the fight goes in the wrong direction.
The Negatives:
As a minor nitpick, Geoff Johns uses the Army’s arrival as the inciting incident for the big battle, but their arrival comes out of nowhere without explanation. How did the Army know Geiger and Arden were in Lewistown? Why did the Army pick this moment to attack when Arden lived in Lewistown for years?
Big Picture:
Series Continuity:
The Geiger series is leading the charge in bringing in multiple Ghost Machine characters together for a loose crossover. Junkyard Joe is now a supporting character, and we know Simon Pure, aka Redcoat, is aware of the situation, but the details of a major crossover event are still TBD.
Final Thoughts:
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GEIGER #13 is another excellent issue from Geoff Johns that gives readers everything they could want – character development, action that furthers the story, intrigue, and escalating stakes. Plus, Gary Frank’s miraculously detailed art is top shelf.
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