Creators: Geoff Johns & Gary Frank
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Gary Frank
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Editor: Brian Cunningham
Designer: Steve Blackwell
Publisher: Image Comics
Page Count: 152
Price: $16.99
Release Date: November 19, 2025
Tariq Geiger has a history of suffering. Cancer threatened
to devour him. His experimental treatments and the radiation from bombs that
destroyed his country turned Tariq into a living nuclear reactor. And he has
killed people. Oh, so many people.
But Tariq has a lot to live for. Barney, the two-headed
wolf, has proven a loyal companion. Nate, the Nuclear Knight, always seeks to
cheer him. And then there is Zigzag, a three-eyed zebra foal, the latest
addition to their little family. As they travel through the new American
frontier, can Tariq find peace and fulfillment? Or will the living nuclear
reactor always be consumed by anger? Let's grab some Boron dust, leap into
Geiger TP Vol 4, and find out!
Story
Once, he helped charities build homes for the less affluent
in his community. Now, Tariq Geiger has no home. For a moment, Tariq found a
place he thought he could belong. But after the new King of Vegas tracked him
there and threatened the community, Grover's Corners kicked Tariq out.
As they travel toward Lewistown, Montana, Tariq and Nate
defend a couple from a gang. With their home destroyed, Nate suggests they seek
sanctuary in Grover's Corners. Before they embark on their journey, the man and
woman give Nate a bag filled with books. For years, Tariq sought solace in
libraries. Now, these stories only remind him of the family he lost. And then
there was Principal William Webb, who burned books because they reminded the
inhabitants of Grover’s Corners of a world they could never reclaim.
In Geiger TP Vol 4, the pain and longing for what Tariq can
never have become too much. Overcome by rage and sorrow, not even the boron
rods Dr Molotov designed can prevent the radiation from escaping Tariq's body.
The outburst of energy alerts a pursuer to their location. And like Tariq, he
doesn't know who he is or where he belongs.
It's been a long time since Tariq and Nate bartered with the
Sheriff of Silverton for Ash Arden’s location. But when they reach Lewistown in
Geoff Johns’ story, Tariq realizes he doesn't want to be there. Pain has become
so much a part of him that he cannot imagine a life without it. Nor does Tariq
believe he deserves redemption. It doesn’t help that Ashley Arden is a puzzle
Tariq needs to figure out in Geiger TP Vol 4. But what he thinks of himself or
how many people he believes he failed don't matter. When trouble arises, Tariq
protects people in danger, regardless of the circumstances.
Art
It’s been a long road, but they’ve finally made it. A robot
in Army fatigues, a knight in plate armor, a two-headed wolf, and a three-eyed
Zebra foal stand before tall wooden gates. Around them stretches a city wall
composed of stone, wood, metal, and Wall-E's compressed cubes of salvage. The
Nuclear Knight bangs on the tall wooden gate with his sword, while Junkyard Joe
cradles Tariq in his metal arms. A woman gazes down from atop the wall, clad in
a cloak and hood, an armored vest, shorts, and boots. Two boron rods rise from
her back.
When darkness falls, Brad Anderson paints Gary Frank's art
with a subdued palette. Yet when the sun rises, this new world comes alive with
color. The bright sunlight seems a reminder of Dr Andrei Molotov's nuclear
bombs that cast their fallout far beyond where they fell. Junkyard Joe and Ash
Arden’s green attire proves a constant reminder of Tariq’s condition. Ashley's
memories share the same hatred of the yellow-green radiance that burns inside
Tariq. As she tries to help him, Tariq explodes with the all-too-familiar green
energy. Yet, the two glowing people are not the only source of green that threatens
Lewistown in Geiger TP Vol 4.
Rob Leigh places uppercase black letters in dialogue
balloons that grow bold for intonation, enlarge for volume, and shrink for
lowered voices. Intense emotions distort balloons, while white letters in colored
boxes share Junkyard Joe’s memories, off-panel dialogue, and dire warnings.
Sound effects enhance Tariq’s outbursts of anger, Junkyard Joe’s struggle with his
inner demons, and attackers who, like the King of Vegas, believe that whoever
controls Geiger controls the world. Thanks to Image Comics and Ghost Machine
for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
The former United States is an apocalyptic wasteland. While
pockets of civilization survive, it is also home to the deformed organ people,
gangs, Human traffickers, and religious extremists. In this lawless land, the
warlords of Vegas and US President Griffin vie for power. Unlike them, Tariq
Geiger wants a release from the power he wields. Instead, Tariq encounters
treachery, betrayal, and more people he must sacrifice to save in Geiger TP Vol
4.
Rating 9.8/10
For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
For more on this series, see my review of Geiger TP Vol 2
and my review of Geiger TP Vol 3.
