Ex Machina

Mitchell Hundred gains the ability to communicate with machines after a mysterious accident under the Brooklyn Bridge. He uses his powers to become the world's first superhero, "The Great Machine," before retiring from vigilante work to run for mayor of New York City. The story alternates between Hundred's term as mayor in the early 2000s and flashbacks to his superhero career. As mayor, he faces political challenges and threats while navigating the complex landscape of post-9/11 New York City politics. The narrative combines elements of political drama, superhero action, and science fiction as Hundred confronts both mundane administrative duties and extraordinary situations that test his abilities and principles. The central question emerges: can someone with superhuman powers truly serve the public good through conventional political channels rather than vigilante justice? The series examines themes of power, responsibility, and the relationship between technology and humanity. Through its parallel storylines, it raises questions about how society views heroes versus public servants, and what true civic duty means in an age of both terror and technological advancement.

Readers appreciate the political drama and complex character development, with many highlighting the realistic portrayal of city government operations. The dialogue receives frequent mention for its authenticity, particularly in political exchanges. Positives: - Balance of political intrigue with superhero elements - Sharp political commentary and real-world parallels - Character interactions and relationships - Tony Harris's detailed artwork, especially facial expressions Negatives: - Some readers find the pacing slow in early volumes - Political storylines can become dense/confusing - Several readers note difficulty connecting with the protagonist - Some feel the ending doesn't deliver on early promises Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) "The series excels at showing how even small political decisions impact real lives," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another common sentiment: "More about politics than powers, which works both for and against it." Multiple readers compare it favorably to The West Wing, though with darker themes and consequences.

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🔷 Ex Machina brilliantly blends real-world events like 9/11 with superhero elements, making it one of the first major comics to directly address the September 11 attacks in its narrative. 🔷 Creator Brian K. Vaughan was inspired to write the series after witnessing the Twin Towers fall from his Brooklyn rooftop on September 11, 2001, leading him to explore themes of heroism and political responsibility. 🔷 The series' main character, Mitchell Hundred, was partially based on real-life New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who took office shortly after 9/11. 🔷 The comic's title comes from the Latin phrase "deus ex machina," meaning "god from the machine," which refers to both the protagonist's technological powers and the storytelling device of an unexpected solution to a seemingly impossible situation. 🔷 The series won the 2005 Eisner Award for Best New Series, and helped establish Vaughan as one of comics' most prominent writers before he went on to create other acclaimed works like Saga and Y: The Last Man.