Comic Review: Geiger #6

Image Comics

Writer: Geoff Johns

Art: Gary Frank & Brad Anderson

Letters: Rob Leigh

Another title of the most recent original superhero era at Image reaches the end of its first volume. Despite being developed by a dream team the eyes on the big picture might have undermined Geiger for Image readers.

Ok, first off, my first statement may seem too judgmental, but this last chapter starts off with what I think is the problem with this issue and with what creators Geoff Johns and Gary Frank intend to do with the series. The first pages lay the foundation to what it’s obviously supposed to delineate a Geiger-verse. A multi-series creator owned universe, similar to what Kirkman developed back with Invincible.

The story itself picks up nicely after that fact. Good action and world building. Up until when the power of compassion makes Geiger contain his radioactive burst. I must admit I was caught by surprise when that happened. Of course that’s not the first time a writer went with such an idea, but I’d hoped for a bit more development on Geiger’s relationship with the kids before or after that event. But no, after that the kids are dropped at a facility and the comic sets up future events connecting many of the groups we’ve seen throughout this first volume.

As I mentioned above, Johns does get it quite right for most of this issue. The action is captivating and seeing Geiger let go with his powers is a blast. This was always supposed to be an original superhero title instead of a great innovation. There’s nothing wrong with that.

The artistic team deserves tons of credit for this issue as well. Gary Frank’s hang on human anatomy and especially facial details and expressions is always incredible to look at and adds immensely to the comics’ storytelling. The coloring is, yet again, amazing. Anderson really brought Frank’s scenes to life with the color palette and added an extra highlight to Geiger’s outburst. Beautiful stuff, really.

However, it bummed me out that the creative team didn’t mind taking the time to try and develop any of their other characters. They seem to be relying on the hype of the multiverse which really shouldn’t be the attractive aspect of comics. Yes it is nice to have the possibility of crossovers, but these characters should be also interesting and compelling on their own.

This was a cool first volume. It mostly developed the world of Geiger instead of its main character, but it was an enjoyable story and the mystery did good to Tariq’s persona as a ghost of the apocalypse. I did get disappointed with the unified cannon approach they’re going with. Especially this soon. It did affect my experience reading this last issue but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a nice superhero story which brings the experience of an incredibly talented team of artists forth.

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