Geiger – Book Six
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Gary Frank
Color Artist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Reviewed by Steve J. Ray
Summary
This series began with two men sitting in a crater, with one of them telling the other the story of just what happened there. Geiger #6 brings that tale to a close and sets the foundations for the future… not just Tariq Geiger’s, but one with will expand Geoff Johns, Gary Franks, Brad Anderson, and Rob Leigh’s Mad Ghost Universe’s.
Oh, and we finally find out just who’s telling the story.
Positives
I’ve said in past reviews that the only thing that let this series down was the pacing. In hindsight, I think I may have been a bit harsh. In preparation for this “Pulse-Pounding Oversized Conclusion of Volume One” I went back and re-read issues #1-#5. I’m so glad I did.
Reading comics on a monthly basis, particularly when it’s with the purpose of reviewing them, isn’t the best, or the most fun way to do so. Many titles these days are produced with the foreknowledge that many readers will read them in collected form, rather than as individual issues. Geiger, like many other titles, works far better as a book than it does in episodic instalments.
More Positives
Don’t get me wrong, the individual chapters invariably always left me wanting more, but there were lulls in some issues that disturbed the flow of the story, in my opinion. Geiger #6 was all-go, action-packed, wall-to-wall entertainment, and when read as the final chapter of a book, made all that came before feel all the more satisfying.
Something that has always satisfied me has been the stellar artwork produced by two of the finest talents in comics (and two of the nicest guys I’ve ever met) Gary Frank and Brad Anderson. Thankfully, as this finale is supersized, we have a few more incredible pages of art to share than we normally would. Look at them!
I’ve always maintained that Gary Frank draws amazing, real, lifelike people. The way he’s captured Henry’s glee, surprise, fear, and pain in the space of a few short pages, then Tariq’s concern and Hailee’s wide-eyed care and devotion to her younger brother is simply stunning.
Then we get to the action pages and the introduction of Junkyard Joe; a character who will come into his own this winter, and in future Mad Ghost publications.
Even More Positives
I grew up reading back & white comics. While there always has been, and always will be a place for them, the medium would be far poorer without the color art of Brad Anderson. This man is truly an artist, so using the term colorist to describe what he does sells his phenomenal talent short. He doesn’t just add color, he adds texture, depth, light, darkness, and – dare I say – emotion, too.
Everything Brad does enhances the mood; be it fear, rage, pain, or high-octane action. His concrete corridors feel cold, and his radioactive energy looks like it could burn off your skin, or light up the desert skies. Everything he touches turns to gold, and I will gladly pick up and buy any book I see with his name on it.
Positives ‘R’ Us
Rob Leigh, I salute you. I have wanted to thank this man for so long, but he doesn’t have a social media presence. I don’t really blame him though, because the internet, and comics fans, can be horrible at times. It’s also sad because I know of many like-minded fans who know just how important a letterer’s work is, and how much they add to the final look and feel of a great comic.
Rob works on a ton of books every single month, and he makes them all look fantastic. He doesn’t just put the writer’s words on the page, he creates sound effects that you can hear (and sometimes feel) and adds so much to the flow and dynamism of Gary and Brad’s art. I know I can’t tell him how much I appreciate his work directly, but I hope that Gary and Brad will pass on my thanks and best wishes.
Negatives
Geiger #6 has given me nothing to complain about. From cover to cover the book is a joy. It works, not just as a standalone issue of a comic book, but as the perfect end to what’s been an extremely fun introduction to a whole new universe of characters.
I can’t wait to meet the rest of “The Unnamed” or to see more of Junkyard Joe and Geiger himself. Yes, while this volume may be over, the Mad Ghost universe has only just had its Big Bang, and the ripples of its energy will only continue to grow and expand in the months and years to come.
Verdict
If you’ve been sleeping on this series, you’ve really missed out… but there is still hope. The complete Geiger volume 1, which collects issues #1-#6, will be available to buy in November, as will a special 80-page giant Geiger anthology. Buy them, because they’re just the start of something that promises to be a whole lot of fun.
This series began with two men sitting in a crater, with one man telling the other the story of just what happened there. Geiger #6 brings that tale to a close and sets the foundations for the future… not just Tariq Geiger’s, but one with will expand Geoff Johns, Gary Franks, Brad Anderson, and Rob Leigh’s Mad Ghost Universe’s.
Covers and Art Courtesy of Image Comics
