Image Comics has consistently positioned itself as a leading comic book company in the independent scene. While Marvel and DC boast iconic characters and a long history, Image is known for its profound storytelling. This depth is largely due to the creative freedom granted to its writers and artists. Among the exceptional titles in their lineup is Geiger, crafted by the talented duo of writer Geoff Johns (Green Lantern) and artist Gary Frank (Doomsday Clock).
Recently, Geiger celebrated its 25th issue. Typically, reaching this milestone prompts something significant within the storyline. In this instance, Geiger delivered more than just a tale of its protagonist, Tariq Geiger, triumphing over a formidable foe; it revealed crucial information about Tariq that he remains unaware of. One revelation is positive, while the other is not.
Tariq Becomes The Giver Of Life In Image’s Acclaimed Series
Tariq is known as the Glowing Man due to the bright green radiation emitted from his body. In this form, he appears quite fearsome. With a face resembling a skeleton, he embodies a walking atomic bomb. This terrifying appearance serves as a constant reminder of how Earth’s governments turned it into a wasteland through nuclear warfare. Unbeknownst to Tariq, while he seems to embody death, he is actually healing the planet.
During his confrontation, the President of the United States, Griffin, was not merely defeated but had radiation siphoned from him. The encounter leaves him gravely injured and allows Tariq to discover more about his powers. He possesses remarkable resilience and can absorb substantial amounts of radiation while surviving.
After his defeat, President Griffin spoke with one of his aides and made a startling comment: “Everywhere that he [Tariq] walks, the radiation follows him. Out of the ground. The ruins. The air. He isn’t just surviving what happened to America. He’s cleaning it.” Consequently, President Griffin believes he must control the Glowing Man to determine which areas of America should thrive or perish.
This attempt by President Griffin to manipulate Tariq is unsurprising as he seeks control over everything. Furthermore, if Griffin can find a way to rejuvenate certain regions of America, he will be hailed as a hero. However, Tariq will not agree to merely reviving select parts of America, leading to inevitable conflicts ahead. Unfortunately, this is not the only secret Tariq Geiger remains unaware of.
Simone Pure Is Coming For Tariq In The Latest Arc
At the conclusion of Geiger No. 19, Simon Pure made his first appearance since the Unknown War. As expected, he has devised a plan that involves targeting Tariq, which does not bode well for him. This was confirmed at the end of issue No. 25 when it became clear that Simon does not seek assistance from the Glowing Man.
Simon states, “Do keep glowing, old boy. Makes you terribly easy to hunt.” If that dialogue wasn’t explicit enough, images from the crossover titled Radioactive Revolution, featuring both Redcoat and Geiger, indicate that Simon intends to confront Tariq Geiger. Key questions arise: who is financing Simon’s pursuit of Tariq? What are their intentions? How will Simon defeat someone as formidable as Tariq? All these inquiries will be addressed in January 2027 when Image and Ghost Machine launch Radioactive Revolution.
