Inspired by their previous partnerships with Image Comics, writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank launched their own comic studio, Ghost Machine Pro. Under this umbrella, the duo brought out a special issue comic, titled Ghost Machine, that brings together new elements of The Unnamed Universe and its heroes. Debuting on January 24, 2024, the 64-page volume furthers the existing story of Geiger and introduces many new characters, including the families of the Rocketfellers, Hornsbys, and Halos.
The Universe Grows
The Unnamed Universe names one of its planets besides Earth, the terraformed Exodus. The adventures of Rook take place on this planet, comprised of Earth expatriates. Other adventures take place on Earth, using time-shifting like that in the Geiger story. The special issue brings levity to The Unnamed, although not in the additions to the universe that includes Geiger, also known as Tariq Geiger or The Glowing Man, Junkyard Joe, and Redcoat, also known as Simon Pure.
Made for Collaboration
The brainchild of Johns and Frank, the duo welcomes a plethora of creators at Ghost Machine, including Jason Fabok, Bryan Hitch, Lamont Magee, Francis Manapul, Brad Meltzer, Ivan Reis, Snejbjerg, Peter Tomasi, and Maytal Zchut. Each person contributes to the stories in Ghost Machine, so the special issue offers a diverse landscape with a range of characters that offer something for every age group. Although adults will most aptly appreciate the tales of Geiger and other Unnamed Heroes, such as Junkyard Joe, in this special issue, the writers offer a coming-of-age story and a family story, both likely to appeal to preteens and teens.
Overall Theme of Belonging
Despite the diversity between the stories and their settings, most explore the central theme of belonging. In Geiger’s tale, the hero struggles with the loss of his family and health amidst a world of nuclear holocaust. In the storyline of the Rocketfellers, a family must travel back in time to 2024 from the 26th century. To survive in the past, they must hide all their traditions, technology, and beliefs, conforming to the ways of the 21st century, to maintain their lives and remain a family.
As Rose and Zach near puberty, the two preteens search for their place in the world. Their development into adults becomes more complex when the storyteller reveals that their parents traded them at birth. Rose, a demon, and Zach, an angel, befell an experiment in nature vs. nurture when baby Rose went to live with the Halo family, while baby Zach went to live with the Hornsby family. Neither has really ever fit in, but despite the trade, they must persevere to grow into the adults they need to become.
Stories that Stand on Their Own
Whether you follow The Unnamed Universe closely or want a well-written, fully-plotted diversion to keep you company on spring break, pick up a copy of Ghost Machine. It provides 64 pages of action, laughs, and one horror story, so regardless of your favorite genre, it contains it.
