Geiger #21 is published by Image Comics under the Ghost Machine imprint, with writing credits attributed to co-creator Geoff Johns, art by co-creator Gary Frank, colors by Brad Anderson and lettering by Rob Leigh.
Man Outtatime: Talking about The Plot
Geiger #21 kicks off directly following the thrilling issue #20, in which we got the excellent and long-awaited return of the Northerner, who, up to this point of writing, easily takes the cake as my favorite character in the Ghost Machine canon. We got some clues about his origin, but also more mysteries about who he is, other than that he is from an alternate timeline in which the Confederacy won the American Civil War. We also got a glimpse more into Tariq Geiger's true character and sadness, in a world he has only found misery in, as he is back alone with his two-headed pooch, Barney, and even then, he is ready for the dog to abandon him.
The shocking cliffhanger at the end of Geiger #20 saw the Northerner call in a weapon drop from the mysterious agency he works for to help them combat Goldbeard's crew, who were about to majorly outnumber Tariq Geiger and the Northerner. Unbeknownst to him, though, it wasn't a gun he got sent, but a WWII Panzer tank, which was something neither myself nor our protagonists saw coming. What made it even more interesting, though, was how the interior had the nameplate of a familiar Mr. Pure, as well as a Miss Hollow. Does this mean Simon Pure helped create this agency and is responsible for sending the Northerner through time to fix everything?
Something I found really fun about this issue, being a huge fan of the Northerner and thinking he's got a cool look and backstory, is how we finally get to learn about his origin and the world he comes from. It seems in this world, after the South won the Civil War, America got split into two halves, leading to a drastically different world in which WWII ended a couple of years later than it should have, in part because one side of America aided the Axis and the other aided the Allies. Regardless, this seems to have led to a much different post-war Europe in which Britain is crushed and the Soviet Union is the last remaining global superpower.
I really enjoy alternate history media, so this divergent timeline of historical events was really cool to me, even if it made me a little sad, as a member of the UK, that Britain gets crushed forever. I also felt like the events that are described made sense in the context of the story. In my opinion, Geoff Johns was clever in giving us some cool revelations about the Northerner's world but also leaving some gaps and questions there for a later date to keep us intrigued and guessing. Judging by the cover preview of issue #22, it looks like we will learn more about his world and how it exists socially and politically, which, personally, I'm really excited about.
This is starting look a little similar…
I was reminded of The Man in the High Castle slightly while reading this, especially in how the Northerner came to know that his timeline had been corrupted. His being exposed to a reel of Martin Luther King Jr. giving his famous speech was very similar to The Man in the High Castle, where characters are exposed to a reel of the Nazis being defeated in the Battle of Berlin at the end of the Second World War. Even as I'm recounting both stories, it really strikes me how similar these two narratives are. It wouldn't really surprise me if Geoff Johns came forward and said The Man in the High Castle was an inspiration, as I think it's pretty clear it is, but, personally, I'd like to see a bit more originality, even if it is a powerful moment.
A big aspect I liked about this issue is that it strips back a lot of the larger Geiger cast in favor of exploring the character dynamics between Tariq Geiger and the Northerner, and seeing how they play off each other in a way that felt, admittedly, a bit predictable, but also fun and rewarding to finally see happen. It was a pretty surprising but well-written moment when Tariq questions the Northerner on if he's wondered if he's actually the villain, because he wants to bring back nuclear weapons to a timeline that never had them. This line actually caught me off guard and really made me reflect on the page for a few minutes because, I mean, he's right, kinda—well, as long as you don't think about the racism and hatred that likely exists in the Northerner's universe.
The shocking cliffhanger at the end of the issue made me very eager for the next installment of the series, especially since it looks like we'll be seeing more of Ashley Arden. She's a character I really liked and found to be extremely sympathetic, and she also had a great redemption arc. I even gushed about her special focus issue in a review a few months back. I hope her next appearance delivers again and brings us closer to a potential Glowing Woman series.
The Fantastic Art of Gary Frank: Talking About The Art
I found the art of Geiger #21 to be up to the usual standard of the series, as I am already a pretty big fan of Gary Frank's work. However, I also think it is uplifted by the colors of Brad Anderson, who, in my opinion, really understands how to complement Gary Frank's art. Honestly, I would be happy to look at this work forever, as I think both the characters and the backgrounds look fantastic.
The way the Northerner's time-jumping abilities are depicted visually is pretty great, in my opinion, too. You really feel like things have jumped out through a portal due to the blue streaks trailing off them and the smoke from the force of them traveling through space.
It is difficult to talk about much of anything else regarding the art, because this issue is so stripped down and focuses on the relationship between Tariq Geiger and the Northerner. However, I do believe the emotion on both men's faces is depicted really well, with them looking as real as their dialogue.
The Final Verdict
In conclusion, Geiger issue 21 is another very solid and fun issue that is definitely designed for longtime readers of The Ghost Machine canon. That doesn't mean that new readers won't find something to enjoy, though, as I firmly believe they will.
Tariq Geiger and The Northerner's volatile relationship may be the driving force in a much more stripped-down issue, but Geoff Johns still finds ways to make the issue pack a real punch.