The second half of Geiger: Ground Zero from Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson and Rob Leigh doesn’t let up on the gas for a minute. Picking up in the aftermath of the first issue, Ground Zero #2 finds Tariq Geiger aka the “Glowing Man” losing control of his mental state as well as his newfound radioactive powers. His only salvation lies with Dr. Molotov, the man who may have been responsible for the nuclear apocalypse.
Johns’ script packs a lot into 32 pages, which proves to be a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, this comic moves with purpose, explaining the significance behind his trademark black cloak and dual batons (the latter are a pair of spent uranium rods – a nice touch that ties into the underlying radiation theme.) On the other hand, the back half squeezes in what could have filled half an issue or even an entire issue into the space of a few pages. I can’t help but wish more of the issue was dedicated to Geiger and Molotov’s bond rather than promoting the upcoming Ghost Machine initiative.
That being said, Frank still delivers some captivating – and horrifying – imagery throughout the book. Where he really shines is depicting the transformation that Geiger undergoes when he becomes the Glowing Man. First, his eyes start to burn. Then, his flesh turns a sickly green, revealing bone and crackling radioactive energy within. Frank doesn’t skimp on the gore either, as bones crack and blood flies with abandon – I don’t think I’ve seen him draw something this gritty since the Supreme Power maxiseries. Anderson’s colors shroud the scenery in darkness – save for the blazing green flames wrapped around Geiger – while Leigh’s lettering underlines the action taking place. A nuclear explosion goes off with a massive green “Fwoosh”. Bullets piercing flesh are accompanied by a blood-red “Blam”. Perhaps the most chilling is the ever present tick of a Geiger counter, its needle moving with each dark-green “Kt” stamped across the page.
Perhaps the biggest moment involves Johns and Frank’s other creation, the walking war machine called Junkyard Joe. In two pages, the setup for the new Geiger series is laid out, creating a mystery that will hook newcomers as well as those who’ve been with Geiger for the beginning. World building isn’t an easy task, but this creative team seems to have pulled it off.
Geiger: Ground Zero #2 packs a lot into its finale, wrapping up the title character’s origin story while setting the seeds for future adventures. It needed an extra issue to breathe, but as far as introductions to new characters go I’ve seen worse. Rev up the Ghost Machine!
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