Let’s be honest. There’s some un-coolness to GeoServer. It’s built on Java. It’s old(er) and multi-purpose. It has none of the cache of server side javascript or GoLang goodness. But bless me, it is a workhorse. And sometimes having a tool that can do anything is a blessing. If multi-purpose toolbelts and pocket protectors are uncool, then declare me uncool. You won’t be the first.

Anyway, this a long way of saying that GeoServer now has something that the Mapnik ecosystem has — it has compositing! Which means any cartographic effect you want is well within reach with GeoServer.

So, now you can do “Enterprise” geo stuff _with_compositing. Cheers.

http://docs.geoserver.org/latest/en/user/styling/sld-extensions/composite-blend.html

http://blog.geoserver.org/2015/01/22/geoserver-2-7-beta-released/