Origin

Ash Arden was only three years old when the Unknown War broke out. Her family died, but she was irradiated just like Geiger. She was put in her grandmother's care, who thought it was divinity. After her death, Ash was taken in by a religious family. One by one, the family died off from cancer caused by Ash's radiation. When it was revealed she was radioactive instead of divine, she was forced to run away. She eventually crossed paths with Dr. Molotov, who outfitted her with a vest and boron rods just like he had devised for Geiger.

Creation

Ash Arden debuts in Geiger (2024) #10 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank

Major Story Arc

Lewiston, MT

After Ash finds out that Molotov designed the Russian nuclear weapons that destroyed the world, her anger got the best of her. She held Molotov in captivity in Lewiston, MT on top of an old US nuclear missile silo. When she learned of Geiger, she rigged the missile to explode without being fired. She hoped to trick Geiger into triggering the device, which would force him to absorb the radiation including her own, thus finally killing her. She lured Geiger to her location by spreading a rumor of a cured glowing man.

Ash's plans were escalated when the U.S. Army showed up to take custody of Geiger. Geiger, Ash, and Junkyard Joe (who joined Geiger's travelling companions) tried to fight them off. In the ensuing battle, Molotov was revealed to be alive to Geiger. Molotov told him everything, and Geiger tried to confront Ash about it. Unfortunately, she had already triggered the device.

The fallout was too much for Geiger to handle. The radiation started to kill him, but Ash was convinced by Molotov to share it with him after all. After the dust settled, Ash sneaked away.

Character Profile

• Height: 5'3"
• Weight: 117 lbs
• Eyes: Green
• Hair: Black with white streak
• Marital Status: Single
• Distinguishing Features: Without her boron rods, Ash glowed neon green and her skeleton became visible through her skin.

Powers & Abilities

Walking Bomb: Ash is a walking, talking source of radiation that would glow green, displaying her skeleton. She is able to generate heat and was also capable of exploding with energy.

• Superhuman: The radiation also enhanced her strength and durability.
• Immunity: Ash is capable of surviving in the irradiated landscape without a hazmat suit.
• Dampening Vest: A scientist created a vest to stabilize her powers with two boron rods in it. These rods could be pulled out and used as offensive weapons, however, she has learned to focus her radiation without the rods.