FIRST LOOK & INTERVIEW: Geiger #21 from Ghost Machine at Image Comics

The world of Ghost Machine at Image Comics continues to grow. As two major titles of theirs begin a crossover, we’ve got a first look at Geiger #21. We also got some questions answered about the future of Geiger from one of the creators and writers, Gary Frank.

Tariq Geiger, AKA The Glowing Man, lost everything thanks to the Unknown War. Now living in a wasteland of what used to be, he’s just trying to survive in a world where his wife and kids no longer are. While a nuclear explosion took his family, it left him with powers. Despite feeling mostly lost, he and his 2 headed companion, Barney, continue to wander this new world, making friends and enemies along the way.

While Simon Pure from Redcoat made a cameo at the end of Geiger #19, another familiar face became friends with Geiger in issue #20. This new “friend” sounds insane, but Geiger is listening.

Check out the review for the last issue of Geiger by CLICKING HERE.

Preview pages for Geiger #21

Issue #20 of Geiger set up a ton for what is to come. Here’s a little preview of what to expect in Geiger #21, out February 11, 2026.

An Interview with Gary Frank

Along with Geoff Johns (writer and creator), Brad Anderson (color artist), and Rob Leigh (letterer), Gary Frank (writer and creator) brought Geiger to life. As the “Glowing Man” gets ready to embark on a new journey with a new friend nicknamed The Northerner, Gary was kind enough to answer some of our questions.

LAUREN: With Simon Pure and Malcolm North (AKA the Northerner) making cameos in 19 and 20, respectively, how big of a crossover can fans expect issue-wise?

GARY: Right now, we’re just getting everyone acquainted. We know Simon is hunting The Glowing Man, but we won’t see him again for a bit. The Northerner and Geiger will be together through issue #23 for the “Dead America” arc. Geiger, Simon, and The Northerner will meet again soon, but the really big crossover is still a way off, S, and it won’t just feature the three characters you mention; you’ll see a fourth character begin to be introduced in Geiger #21. We call her Widow X, she’s also included in the second Ghost Machine Guidebook issue in May.

LAUREN: Can fans of Redcoat expect any future Geiger appearance or influences in the storyline for that comic?

GARY: At some point, yes. As Geiger and the Northerner explore the new Time Tank in issue #21, there are more hints at how they’ll develop. There is a crossover being planned down the line that’ll bring them all together for the first time.

LAUREN: While everyone should read both Redcoat and Geiger, will fans of just Geiger or Redcoat be able to follow the crossover without completely diving into the other comic?

GARY: I mean, yeah, sure if you want to deny yourself a great comic!! Seriously, though, we plan to make it accessible to new readers who haven’t necessarily been with us since day one.

LAUREN: Was a crossover for these two main characters, Simon Pure & Tariq Geiger, planned from the beginning of Redcoat, or was it a natural progression? 

GARY: It was always planned. Simon’s first ever appearance was in the Geiger 80-page special, along with Nate. Our plan has always been to create this expansive alternate American history from Redcoat’s time, beginning in 1776, all the way to 25 years in the future, when Geiger takes place. Our first story that takes place in the “present” will be FIRST GHOST by Geoff, Brad Meltzer, and Gene Ha.

LAUREN: Has the story changed or evolved from the original intention? How so, and what led to those changes?

GARY: I think these things always evolve as the characters take on a life of their own and reveal themselves to us. Nate is a good example of this, and I think we are enjoying seeing his relationship with Tariq develop as much as the readers.

LAUREN: Without a mission or hope, Geiger seems to give up. How important was it to his overall story at this point to give him a glimmer of hope, even if he’s not fully buying what the Northerner is saying?

GARY: Yeah, the thing with Geiger is that he is almost untethered to the rest of mankind. He doesn’t know it, but he is constantly in need of those human interactions, or he risks becoming a monster again. 

LAUREN: In issue 19, we saw Simon Pure accidentally follow the trail of Ashley, the glowing woman (who is amazing). Will she play an integral part in this crossover? 

GARY: I’m not sure but we both love the character, so she will be around in the future. 

Geiger #21 out February 11th

When you grab this next issue of Geiger, make sure to catch up on Redcoat, too. Both are fantastic stories with great characters, and as these stories continue to cross paths, the more you know, the more fun you’ll have!

CHECK OUT A RECENT INTERVIEW WITH THE LETTERER OF GHOST MACHINE COMICS, ROB LEIGH!

For more from Lauren, check out ‘Hops GEEK News.’

Have you checked out the world of GHOST MACHINE? Are you a Geiger fan? Let us know your thoughts!