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Ex Machina: The Deluxe Edition #2
Ex Machina, Book Two
Award-winning writer Brian K. Vaughan (PRIDE OF BAGHDAD, Y: THE LAST MAN) uniquely combines big city politics and superheroes in this criticially acclaimed series. Set in our modern-day world, EX MACHINA tells the story of civil engineer Mitchell Hundred, who becomes America's first living, breathing super-hero after a strange accident gives him the power to communicate with machines. Eventually Mitchell tires of risking his life merely to maintain the status quo, retires from masked crime fighting and runs for mayor of New York City, winning by a landslide after the events of 9/11.
Illustrated by Tony Harris, EX MACHINA BOOK TWO finds Mayor Mitchell Hundred making a difficult decision about his own future, becomes part of a shocking trial complicated by the unexpected arrival of an all-new superhero, and leaves New York City for the first time since his election to embark on a strange adventure.
Plus, a shocking tragedy strikes an Iraq War protest in downtown Manhattan.
Illustrated by Tony Harris, EX MACHINA BOOK TWO finds Mayor Mitchell Hundred making a difficult decision about his own future, becomes part of a shocking trial complicated by the unexpected arrival of an all-new superhero, and leaves New York City for the first time since his election to embark on a strange adventure.
Plus, a shocking tragedy strikes an Iraq War protest in downtown Manhattan.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2009
84 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Brian K. Vaughan
1,056 books14.2k followersBrian K. Vaughan is the writer and co-creator of comic-book series including SAGA, PAPER GIRLS, Y THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, and most recently, BARRIER, a digital comic with artist Marcos Martin about immigration, available from their pay-what-you-want site www.PanelSyndicate.com
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 25, 2017
I really, really envy the majority who have read this second deluxe volume of Ex Machina and liked it. I believe that this is an "it's not you, it's me" type of issue. I mean, Brian Vaughan totally slayed it in Saga and for most parts of Y: The Last Man, so why can't I see through the goodness of Ex Machina?
Maybe because I see the story of the series as two things which try to meld into one cohesive literary material - the political views and issues that engulf post-9/11 NY City, and the whole of America and Hundred's exploits as the Great Machine prior to his election as the Big Apple's mayor. Sometimes they work, like the brilliant storytelling in the ricin poison mini-arc, but sometimes they do not, like in that very underwhelming story about Pherson, a sound engineer turned villain who can talk to animals as Hundred can talk to machines. That flashback about Pherson was so vague and unnecessarily long, though it managed to reveal a little bit of information about this superhuman power of communication.
The right mindset will definitely let you experience some level of entertainment reading it.
Moreover, I also do not share many of Hundred's (and ultimately Brian Vaughan's) patriotic political views. Even sometimes, the story doesn't give a sh*t about balance of views and just throws in arab terrorism and white supremacy stuff, though in very minute doses. At least, journalist Spider Jerusalem of Transmetropolitan as much as possible presents the opposing views of warring ideas and "sees" beyond the surface to uncover what is really happening in the world of politics.
But like I say, this low rating is more of an "it's not you, it's me" issue. Once you get the right mindset and dig the political viewpoints presented in the story there's no doubt that you'll experience some level of entertainment reading Ex Machina.
Maybe because I see the story of the series as two things which try to meld into one cohesive literary material - the political views and issues that engulf post-9/11 NY City, and the whole of America and Hundred's exploits as the Great Machine prior to his election as the Big Apple's mayor. Sometimes they work, like the brilliant storytelling in the ricin poison mini-arc, but sometimes they do not, like in that very underwhelming story about Pherson, a sound engineer turned villain who can talk to animals as Hundred can talk to machines. That flashback about Pherson was so vague and unnecessarily long, though it managed to reveal a little bit of information about this superhuman power of communication.
The right mindset will definitely let you experience some level of entertainment reading it.
Moreover, I also do not share many of Hundred's (and ultimately Brian Vaughan's) patriotic political views. Even sometimes, the story doesn't give a sh*t about balance of views and just throws in arab terrorism and white supremacy stuff, though in very minute doses. At least, journalist Spider Jerusalem of Transmetropolitan as much as possible presents the opposing views of warring ideas and "sees" beyond the surface to uncover what is really happening in the world of politics.
But like I say, this low rating is more of an "it's not you, it's me" issue. Once you get the right mindset and dig the political viewpoints presented in the story there's no doubt that you'll experience some level of entertainment reading Ex Machina.
September 12, 2022
i said in my last review that the story is political in a nonpartisan way, but with this volume i realized i was totally wrong about that. this is progressive advocacy disguised as a neutral take on politics. which i am not against? but i wonder if the series will keep that perspective; vaughan displays an admirable flexibility and nuance when it comes to viewing various political stances. anyway, vol. 2 features more adventures of the super-powered mayor of new york city as he fights jury duty, an anti-war protest, an attack on that protest, racial profiling, and his nemesis who is able to boss animals around like he is able to order machines around. super-mayor remains an appealing everyman protagonist, even (or especially) when losing his temper with an annoying radio talk show host and calling him a motherfucker or when he's baiting a shotgun-toting redneck by calling him a faggot. i like a relatable mayor/superhero. i enjoyed this volume just as much as the prior volume, but not quite sure i will continue with the series. there's like 5 more volumes of this and while i'm intrigued by things like mysterious superpowers and also a dude who pretends to be a crime-fighting robot (been there), much of the story reminds me of reading local news. which is not something i tend to read for pure enjoyment.
March 22, 2018
I can't believe I waited so many years to read this book. It's fan-fucking-tastic.
So Hundred is trying to balance his political campaign with his superhero past. It's not so easy running for Mayor when you used to be a superhero. It's hard enough when the media twist your words, people believe every little thing they hear and read, but when you have the power to control Machines by talking to them? Yeah...it only gets harder.
What I love about Ex machina is that it's a big political campaign storyline but it feels like a lot of shorter stories all equaling into one big adventure. So we have one where Hundred goes to Jury Duty. That already sucks, right? What happens when a crazy guy in there starts making demands by holding someone hostage? Then we deal with a protesting march that goes really wrong. Last but not least it ends with a super villain story of sorts but not a big old traditional one. Which was refreshing.
Good: I loved it all to be honest. Each story tries to balance superheroism, political moments, and human feelings. Even the weakest stuff about Hundred's dad was still pretty interesting. But then we get into things like Jury duty case, the protest march, and our very first super-villain story? Yeah, Brain is the king of making stories captivating throughout. On top of that the art is great and the feel of each character, the emotion, and the overall tone is amazing.
Bad: I can't think of much. Maybe a LITTLE long-winded at times.
Another fantastic look into the political superhero world of Ex Machina. Really reading it slow so it never ends. I have a feeling this will be in top 10 comics along with Saga and Y the Last Man in the end. A 5 out of 5.
So Hundred is trying to balance his political campaign with his superhero past. It's not so easy running for Mayor when you used to be a superhero. It's hard enough when the media twist your words, people believe every little thing they hear and read, but when you have the power to control Machines by talking to them? Yeah...it only gets harder.
What I love about Ex machina is that it's a big political campaign storyline but it feels like a lot of shorter stories all equaling into one big adventure. So we have one where Hundred goes to Jury Duty. That already sucks, right? What happens when a crazy guy in there starts making demands by holding someone hostage? Then we deal with a protesting march that goes really wrong. Last but not least it ends with a super villain story of sorts but not a big old traditional one. Which was refreshing.
Good: I loved it all to be honest. Each story tries to balance superheroism, political moments, and human feelings. Even the weakest stuff about Hundred's dad was still pretty interesting. But then we get into things like Jury duty case, the protest march, and our very first super-villain story? Yeah, Brain is the king of making stories captivating throughout. On top of that the art is great and the feel of each character, the emotion, and the overall tone is amazing.
Bad: I can't think of much. Maybe a LITTLE long-winded at times.
Another fantastic look into the political superhero world of Ex Machina. Really reading it slow so it never ends. I have a feeling this will be in top 10 comics along with Saga and Y the Last Man in the end. A 5 out of 5.
June 5, 2020
Again, a well done plot that moves back and forth from Hundred's time as the Great Machine and his time as mayor. The art is good, and the political angle is pretty well done as well, since these characters are well fleshed out, and not just stand ins for a republican or a democrat or a hippie or whatever other stereotype.
I was a little confused on how Hundred's voice gave the other guy the powers he had, but that's a plot to be revisited, I hope!
I was a little confused on how Hundred's voice gave the other guy the powers he had, but that's a plot to be revisited, I hope!
May 3, 2025
(1) Fact Vs. Fiction
A new super-hero is sighted in NYC – the Automaton, who claims to have been created by ‘the engineer’ and will continue to operate until his ‘return’. The police commissioner suspects Mitchell, but the mayor denies any involvement. He then tasks Bradbury to find out who this mystery person is. Meanwhile, Mitchell serves jury duty and has to deal with a hostage situation in the jury deliberation room (while himself being a hostage and seemingly having no way of contacting ‘the outside world’). This arc was one of the best ones of the entire series.
(2) Off The Grid
Mitchell takes some personal time off and visits his recovering alcoholic mother. He learns from her that his father did not die in a cave-in (as she'd told him years ago), but rather from a fatal blow to the head that she'd given him in self-defense.
These two stories are some of the strongest of the series. Their overall theme is an exploration of what we consider to be "The Truth": we believe what we're told because we have no reason to doubt, but it doesn't necessarily mean that we're being told the truth. If a lie is plausible enough, convincing enough, who's to say it's not true?
(3) March To War
There is an anti-war protest being organised in NYC and Journal, one of the mayor’s former interns and now a junior member of the cabinet, decides to attend. The mayor tells her she cannot participate while she still works for the mayor’s office, so she resigns. Things turn sour at the protest when some protesters fall victim to a ricin attack, including Journal, who ends up in a coma, then dies. This marks the first time (in this series) where an arguably main character dies. She will be replaced by her sister (sounds like something you'd see on cable TV) who will be holding a grudge against Mitchell, blaming him for her sister's death.
While Journal was, at best, a prominent supporting character, her being «killed off» showed us that Vaughan is willing to change things up and throw his readers a curve ball or two. Her being replaced by her own sister (who looks almost just like her - except mostly for the hair) might seem like a cheap tactic on the writer's part but, knowing what's coming up in the next volumes, my guess is Vaughan needed a «spy» and Journal really had no motive to become one.
(4) Life & Death
A story arc spread over the first 2 of 4 Special issues, we are introduced to Pherson, the Great Machine’s ‘arch-nemesis’ and we’re treated to his origin story, which goes something like this: Working as a sound engineer for direct-to-DVD porn, Pherson hears about the new vigilante and attempts to isolate the frequency the Great Machine uses to ‘speak’ to machines, patent it and then sell it and become rich. Of course, something goes wrong and instead he ends up acquiring powers of his own, the ability to communicate with animals.
The whole mystery with Mitchell's powers, where they're from (and perhaps more importantly: what they're FOR) deepens in this 2-parter.
Click here for the review of Ex Machina: The Deluxe Edition, Vol. 3.
A new super-hero is sighted in NYC – the Automaton, who claims to have been created by ‘the engineer’ and will continue to operate until his ‘return’. The police commissioner suspects Mitchell, but the mayor denies any involvement. He then tasks Bradbury to find out who this mystery person is. Meanwhile, Mitchell serves jury duty and has to deal with a hostage situation in the jury deliberation room (while himself being a hostage and seemingly having no way of contacting ‘the outside world’). This arc was one of the best ones of the entire series.
(2) Off The Grid
Mitchell takes some personal time off and visits his recovering alcoholic mother. He learns from her that his father did not die in a cave-in (as she'd told him years ago), but rather from a fatal blow to the head that she'd given him in self-defense.
These two stories are some of the strongest of the series. Their overall theme is an exploration of what we consider to be "The Truth": we believe what we're told because we have no reason to doubt, but it doesn't necessarily mean that we're being told the truth. If a lie is plausible enough, convincing enough, who's to say it's not true?
(3) March To War
There is an anti-war protest being organised in NYC and Journal, one of the mayor’s former interns and now a junior member of the cabinet, decides to attend. The mayor tells her she cannot participate while she still works for the mayor’s office, so she resigns. Things turn sour at the protest when some protesters fall victim to a ricin attack, including Journal, who ends up in a coma, then dies. This marks the first time (in this series) where an arguably main character dies. She will be replaced by her sister (sounds like something you'd see on cable TV) who will be holding a grudge against Mitchell, blaming him for her sister's death.
While Journal was, at best, a prominent supporting character, her being «killed off» showed us that Vaughan is willing to change things up and throw his readers a curve ball or two. Her being replaced by her own sister (who looks almost just like her - except mostly for the hair) might seem like a cheap tactic on the writer's part but, knowing what's coming up in the next volumes, my guess is Vaughan needed a «spy» and Journal really had no motive to become one.
(4) Life & Death
A story arc spread over the first 2 of 4 Special issues, we are introduced to Pherson, the Great Machine’s ‘arch-nemesis’ and we’re treated to his origin story, which goes something like this: Working as a sound engineer for direct-to-DVD porn, Pherson hears about the new vigilante and attempts to isolate the frequency the Great Machine uses to ‘speak’ to machines, patent it and then sell it and become rich. Of course, something goes wrong and instead he ends up acquiring powers of his own, the ability to communicate with animals.
The whole mystery with Mitchell's powers, where they're from (and perhaps more importantly: what they're FOR) deepens in this 2-parter.
Click here for the review of Ex Machina: The Deluxe Edition, Vol. 3.
January 24, 2016
Finally the story is picking up a bit. I really whipped the archnemisis in this volume.
June 23, 2020
Simple review for Book Two - I love where this is going and I'm completely hooked.
April 21, 2022
Dalszy ciąg przygód wojaży burmistrza Nowego Yorku, Mitchell Hundred, który jakiś czas temu kostium bohatera zamienił na garnitur polityka, aby zrobić więcej dal lokalnego społeczeństwa niż mógł latając w kostiumie superbohatera. Jakie są zatem jego moce?
Może rozmawiać z maszynami, urządzeniami i wszystkim co ma jakieś elektroniczne części, a także rozkazywać im do woli. Tymczasem znów coś zagraża miastu, kiedy tu i ówdzie coś wybuchnie, albo ktoś zostanie zamordowany. Akcja dzieje się też dwutorowo. Z jednej strony widzimy Mitchell oraz jego ekipę zwalczającą przeciwników, z drugiej zaś Vaughan pokazuje nam trudności w zarządzaniem zajmowanym stanowiskiem.
Wiele elementów tej układanki sięga do przeszłości Hundreda, a także ujawnia dosyć personalne sensacje, dotyczące życia bohatera lub jego bliskich. Sprawia to, że historia nabiera smaczków i czyta się to lepiej niż bardzo dobry poprzedni tom. Autor wprowadza też postać, która ma moce podobne do Mitchella, ale dotyczy ona zwierząt. Piętrzy to tylko pytania. Ile jeszcze jest osób podobnych burmistrzowi? Jakie mają plany?
Wszystkie te zabiegi sprawiają, że chce się poznać całą tą historię. Czapki z głów należą się także dla rysowników. Zarówno Harris, jak i Sprouse robią tu koncertową robotę. Postacie są szczegółowe, a autorzy nie szczędzą nam nawet bardzo sugestywnej nagości. Dzięki tym elementom składowym lektura Ex Machiny jest doznaniem. To nie typowy komiks superbohaterski, a coś minimalnie więcej i lepiej. Całość ma większą otoczkę w postaci polityki niżeli walk i wyszło to świetnie.
Może rozmawiać z maszynami, urządzeniami i wszystkim co ma jakieś elektroniczne części, a także rozkazywać im do woli. Tymczasem znów coś zagraża miastu, kiedy tu i ówdzie coś wybuchnie, albo ktoś zostanie zamordowany. Akcja dzieje się też dwutorowo. Z jednej strony widzimy Mitchell oraz jego ekipę zwalczającą przeciwników, z drugiej zaś Vaughan pokazuje nam trudności w zarządzaniem zajmowanym stanowiskiem.
Wiele elementów tej układanki sięga do przeszłości Hundreda, a także ujawnia dosyć personalne sensacje, dotyczące życia bohatera lub jego bliskich. Sprawia to, że historia nabiera smaczków i czyta się to lepiej niż bardzo dobry poprzedni tom. Autor wprowadza też postać, która ma moce podobne do Mitchella, ale dotyczy ona zwierząt. Piętrzy to tylko pytania. Ile jeszcze jest osób podobnych burmistrzowi? Jakie mają plany?
Wszystkie te zabiegi sprawiają, że chce się poznać całą tą historię. Czapki z głów należą się także dla rysowników. Zarówno Harris, jak i Sprouse robią tu koncertową robotę. Postacie są szczegółowe, a autorzy nie szczędzą nam nawet bardzo sugestywnej nagości. Dzięki tym elementom składowym lektura Ex Machiny jest doznaniem. To nie typowy komiks superbohaterski, a coś minimalnie więcej i lepiej. Całość ma większą otoczkę w postaci polityki niżeli walk i wyszło to świetnie.
December 11, 2023
Druga knjiga za nijanslu slabija ili je možda prva knjiga postavila prevelika očekivanja koja nisu ispunjena. Mislim čak da je ovo drugo u pitanju.
Nakon druge knjige malo je definisanije kako će ovaj narativ pisan i kako će ići verujem i do kraja celog serijala.
Brian nalazi događaje tj slučajeve kji se razrešavaju kroz 4-5-6 brojeva, gradeći slučaj i aktuelnu temu a kroz taj neki "mini-arc" se provlače i glavni narativni tokovi. To je poznato i već viđeno i provereno u američkim posebno stripovima. Ono što me je malo razočaralo, a to će se verovatno sleći na kraju serijala, je što ovde ima tih epizoda koja zanemaruju glavne narativne tokove. Verovatno su pisane usled uspeha serijala kako bi se dobilo još materijala i daleko od toga da su oni loši, naprotiv. Ali u ovoj drugoj knjizi je npr potpuno zanemaren narativ vezan za poreklo njegovih supermoći pozadinsku priču oko toga.
Serijal me podseća na momente na "House of cards" gde konstantno izbijaju neki politički problemi koje glavni junak rešava i kako to i biva u politici dok zakrpiš jednu rupu otvori se druga, i to mi savršeno odgovara sve dok kroz te "slučajeve" se grade likovi i priča u celini. Koliko npr priča vezana za majku glavnog junaka ili pomoćnicu Journal iz ove druge knjige će doprineti u celini na kraju, ostaje da vidimo.
Nakon druge knjige malo je definisanije kako će ovaj narativ pisan i kako će ići verujem i do kraja celog serijala.
Brian nalazi događaje tj slučajeve kji se razrešavaju kroz 4-5-6 brojeva, gradeći slučaj i aktuelnu temu a kroz taj neki "mini-arc" se provlače i glavni narativni tokovi. To je poznato i već viđeno i provereno u američkim posebno stripovima. Ono što me je malo razočaralo, a to će se verovatno sleći na kraju serijala, je što ovde ima tih epizoda koja zanemaruju glavne narativne tokove. Verovatno su pisane usled uspeha serijala kako bi se dobilo još materijala i daleko od toga da su oni loši, naprotiv. Ali u ovoj drugoj knjizi je npr potpuno zanemaren narativ vezan za poreklo njegovih supermoći pozadinsku priču oko toga.
Serijal me podseća na momente na "House of cards" gde konstantno izbijaju neki politički problemi koje glavni junak rešava i kako to i biva u politici dok zakrpiš jednu rupu otvori se druga, i to mi savršeno odgovara sve dok kroz te "slučajeve" se grade likovi i priča u celini. Koliko npr priča vezana za majku glavnog junaka ili pomoćnicu Journal iz ove druge knjige će doprineti u celini na kraju, ostaje da vidimo.
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August 20, 2020In the first story, Mayor Hundred serves jury duty which results in a hostage situation where he’s forced to intervene in ways he’d rather not. Then he visits his mother who reveals a secret she’s been harboring for years. After that, he approves a protest for the Iraq War, which comes home to roost in more ways than one. Finally, we see what happened with the Great Machine’s archnemesis, Pherson.
I really enjoyed this continuation of Mitchell’s story, which I’m realizing is about a man trying to help people through politics but realizing he can only do so much. The storytelling is frequently brilliant. And for someone who isn’t very politically minded like me, the political stuff is always compelling. Reading this, I’m reminded of The Boys which I read earlier this year. Both are explicitly post-9/11 comics about New York, comment on superheroes, and heavily deal with American politics. What all Vaughan has to say about superheroes remains to be seen, but I anticipate his assessment being at least partially negative. Or at least his assessment of how people perceive superheroes will be negative (I don’t think it’s possible to be as anti-superhero as Ennis is in The Boys).
I really enjoyed this continuation of Mitchell’s story, which I’m realizing is about a man trying to help people through politics but realizing he can only do so much. The storytelling is frequently brilliant. And for someone who isn’t very politically minded like me, the political stuff is always compelling. Reading this, I’m reminded of The Boys which I read earlier this year. Both are explicitly post-9/11 comics about New York, comment on superheroes, and heavily deal with American politics. What all Vaughan has to say about superheroes remains to be seen, but I anticipate his assessment being at least partially negative. Or at least his assessment of how people perceive superheroes will be negative (I don’t think it’s possible to be as anti-superhero as Ennis is in The Boys).
April 26, 2020
I'm back on my Brian K. Vaughan kick...if I'm being honest, I probably won't ever be off, but at some point I'm sure I'll finish all of the series he has out so far, but I don't want to think about that dark day. I think I read Vol 1 of this series over a year ago at least, so I reread the first one before I picked this back up. This might be the most complex storyline? Mostly because there are about three plots going on in each (usually political, past, and something along the lines of super heroes or maybe just other lol), so it can be fairly easy to get a little tangled up. There are also a lot of characters of course, but it's SO good and such an interesting story. It makes me both really want to get into politics and have any type of super hero ability (both equally feasible story lines for my real life, right?) and want to never, ever, ever have to experience anything along those lines whatsoever. As much information as you get about Mitchell Hundred, he still remains a bit of a mystery. I'm very interested to see where this will continue to go!
April 29, 2021
In which the tension ratchets up a notch and things get weirder.
Something alien (?) is hacking people's brains, turning them into murderous psychos, and/or (in the case of the Great Machine's nemesis Jack Pherson) giving them extrasensory powers. All this, plus more terrorist conspiracy, and more backstory on Mayor Hundred's pre-political vigilante phase, including a chilling full page panel of him facing the 767 hurtling toward the South Tower, from a perspective behind the airplane.
As in the previous volume, Vaughan expertly leverages post-9/11 chaos (anti-Arab sentiment, civil liberties, police over-reaction, etc.) into the threads of his tightly woven plot. And as before, Mayor Hundred (who lacks political party or, as is the running gag, any declared sexual orientation) mostly stumbles through the same historical Catch-22s, often consuming the advice of his advisors, trusted friends, and his police commissioner, before deciding against them as often as not. He's not your typical superhero or politician.
Something alien (?) is hacking people's brains, turning them into murderous psychos, and/or (in the case of the Great Machine's nemesis Jack Pherson) giving them extrasensory powers. All this, plus more terrorist conspiracy, and more backstory on Mayor Hundred's pre-political vigilante phase, including a chilling full page panel of him facing the 767 hurtling toward the South Tower, from a perspective behind the airplane.
As in the previous volume, Vaughan expertly leverages post-9/11 chaos (anti-Arab sentiment, civil liberties, police over-reaction, etc.) into the threads of his tightly woven plot. And as before, Mayor Hundred (who lacks political party or, as is the running gag, any declared sexual orientation) mostly stumbles through the same historical Catch-22s, often consuming the advice of his advisors, trusted friends, and his police commissioner, before deciding against them as often as not. He's not your typical superhero or politician.
April 17, 2020
This is brilliant. Brian K. Vaughan is such a good writer i can’t believe it. However, I can see why someone would struggle with the concept of this book and lose interest in it but for me, this does exactly what it should. It gives me something different in a superhero story, it gives me a more realistic and political look at the problems superheroes and regular people face. It’s an extremely thoughtful and thought provoking view on politics and the war on terror especially in that time of the Bush administration.
For me that is all very interesting stuff and I want more of it, especially since BKV is such a good writer that he serves it in a really interesting way but I can sympathise with someone who wouldn’t like it.
It’s tough for someone to eat a serving of The West Wing when they ordered ‘Invincible’.
But that’s why I love it.
For me that is all very interesting stuff and I want more of it, especially since BKV is such a good writer that he serves it in a really interesting way but I can sympathise with someone who wouldn’t like it.
It’s tough for someone to eat a serving of The West Wing when they ordered ‘Invincible’.
But that’s why I love it.
September 14, 2018
This installment was better than the last, I felt that the story was more focused and the flashbacks didn’t disrupt the main story too much, and I actually liked the story that explained Pherson. I will say that these deluxe editions aren’t great for me because they mesh all the issues together and sometimes you don’t know which issue begins and ends, and the way sections of the book are organized into “chapters” rather than “parts” seems kinda lazy to me. Also, this book has a foreword from The Wachowskis and they’re credited as, “The Wachowski Brothers”, and that seems a bit shortsighted on Vertigo’s part to not change that.
Overall, this was good, but I don’t think I’m as obsessed with this series as I was with Vaughan’s other works.
Overall, this was good, but I don’t think I’m as obsessed with this series as I was with Vaughan’s other works.
September 1, 2021
This continues to be a great series. The art evokes emotion unlike almost any art in comics.
The story remains politics heavy as this volume is set during the invasion of Iraq. We also get to see The Great Machine's archnemesis. He talks to machines, so it only makes sense his rival would talk to animals. I was little spotty on how the power was developed, and the tactic used to fight him was odd as well.
In any case this remains a strong series and unlike anything I've read.
The story remains politics heavy as this volume is set during the invasion of Iraq. We also get to see The Great Machine's archnemesis. He talks to machines, so it only makes sense his rival would talk to animals. I was little spotty on how the power was developed, and the tactic used to fight him was odd as well.
In any case this remains a strong series and unlike anything I've read.
March 27, 2024
I really like the way Tony Harris draws eyelashes. 👀 So I really missed them in the final chapter, which was drawn by someone else. ☹️
We get the Pherson origin story in this volume! It's been mentioned in the last volume that he got out of prison after three years for doing archnemesis level crimes, but this is the first time we actually get to see him and his powers (in a flashback). I like him! I like his soft curly hair, and his parrot. 🦜 I now want a cloak... I mean, "Irish walking cape".
This volume discusses the American invasion of Iraq after 9/11, jury duty, the death penalty, racial and religious profiling, protesting, family tragedy, Valentines Day and Superman. A lot of different topics but all very interesting.
We get the Pherson origin story in this volume! It's been mentioned in the last volume that he got out of prison after three years for doing archnemesis level crimes, but this is the first time we actually get to see him and his powers (in a flashback). I like him! I like his soft curly hair, and his parrot. 🦜 I now want a cloak... I mean, "Irish walking cape".
This volume discusses the American invasion of Iraq after 9/11, jury duty, the death penalty, racial and religious profiling, protesting, family tragedy, Valentines Day and Superman. A lot of different topics but all very interesting.
March 3, 2019
The second volume of Ex Machina continues what is a quite original and thought provoking series. Like the first volume, it balances a super hero backstory and a political drama.
There's a pivot towards more of the political and character drama for the majority of this book and I think the volume was better for it. It continues to run right up against the line between thought provoking and distastefulness when dealing with ethical questions but I found the dilemmas less forced here.
I'm unsure about the seeming shift towards more superhero content as the series continues, but we'll see how the creators handle it.
There's a pivot towards more of the political and character drama for the majority of this book and I think the volume was better for it. It continues to run right up against the line between thought provoking and distastefulness when dealing with ethical questions but I found the dilemmas less forced here.
I'm unsure about the seeming shift towards more superhero content as the series continues, but we'll see how the creators handle it.
June 2, 2025
Ex Machina Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 collects Vertigo Comics issues Ex Machina 12-20, Ex Machina Specials 1-2, and Ex Machina: Tag written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Tony Harris, and colors by JD Mettler.
New York City Mayor and retired superhero Mitchell Hundred never has a dull day whether it is dealing with a hostage negotiation during jury duty, rescuing his mother from a relationship with a degenerate gambler, investigating a ricin attack on a peaceful protest, or battling a man who can communicate with animals.
In this second volume Ex Machina continues to blend superhero antics with American politics in a post-9/11 world. The safety of the city and preventing other terrorist attacks all the while trying to protect civil liberties is central to the book’s message. Tony Harris’s art, while not super flashy, is highly effective. It’s hard to bring out emotion and action through talking head segments, but Harris gets the job done expertly.
New York City Mayor and retired superhero Mitchell Hundred never has a dull day whether it is dealing with a hostage negotiation during jury duty, rescuing his mother from a relationship with a degenerate gambler, investigating a ricin attack on a peaceful protest, or battling a man who can communicate with animals.
In this second volume Ex Machina continues to blend superhero antics with American politics in a post-9/11 world. The safety of the city and preventing other terrorist attacks all the while trying to protect civil liberties is central to the book’s message. Tony Harris’s art, while not super flashy, is highly effective. It’s hard to bring out emotion and action through talking head segments, but Harris gets the job done expertly.
January 25, 2019
Continuing in the same vein as the first volume, this one continues to interweave the current-day challenges of being mayor with Mitchell Hundred's previous time as The Great Machine. While the first three chapters are mostly standalone stories (albeit with long term consequences for at least one character), the final one starts to hit on the origin of Hundred's ability to talk to machines. Vaughn's storytelling continues to be top notch, and the art is crisp and detailed. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
July 18, 2022
Just absolutely love this series
Wow just so many undertones and questions with layers upon layers and then the aspect of him trying to do good as mayor and what he did as the great machine, it's just such a great job capturing I think the 2,sometimes more sides,ideas,things that make up a person and feeling one way about one thing doesn't mean that's your view of everything and every situation is different. A great read and a great way of viewing the world through many different eyes.
Wow just so many undertones and questions with layers upon layers and then the aspect of him trying to do good as mayor and what he did as the great machine, it's just such a great job capturing I think the 2,sometimes more sides,ideas,things that make up a person and feeling one way about one thing doesn't mean that's your view of everything and every situation is different. A great read and a great way of viewing the world through many different eyes.
March 1, 2023
When I read Vol. 1, I thought it was subversive. It's about a superhero that hangs up the 'cape' and becomes a politician. How maturrre, I thought.
It's still good, very good. But it's not subversive. He uses his powers to solve each problem. I also wish it was serialised. But the stories are not short, and there's a lot of depth, a lot of real-world problems and issues, as well as meaningful character stories, being discussed on top of what you might call 'light sci-fi elements'. A very neatly-balanced blend.
It's still good, very good. But it's not subversive. He uses his powers to solve each problem. I also wish it was serialised. But the stories are not short, and there's a lot of depth, a lot of real-world problems and issues, as well as meaningful character stories, being discussed on top of what you might call 'light sci-fi elements'. A very neatly-balanced blend.
August 3, 2020
Mayor Mitchell (aka The Great Machine) is just a good guy doing his best to make the world a better place. In his path are bureaucratic red tapes and the occasional crazies (because this is still a superhero tale).
Kinda like Aaron Sorkin's hopeful shows such as The West Wing meet Amazon's The Boys (the moral questions, not the violence).
My favourite part of this volume is about a particular character development. Saying anymore than that would be spoiler.
Kinda like Aaron Sorkin's hopeful shows such as The West Wing meet Amazon's The Boys (the moral questions, not the violence).
My favourite part of this volume is about a particular character development. Saying anymore than that would be spoiler.
October 10, 2020
You know what? Yeah. This is an unbelievable rare superhero book that does politics in at least a semi-believable way. And I'm impressed with the way Vaughan keeps me guessing about whose politics are right.
Weirdly, I'm not that into the actual superhero, supervillain storyline. It seems like the charm of the series should revolve around a superhero in retirement. Kind of the flipside of Zenith's Peter St. John, if I have that right.
Weirdly, I'm not that into the actual superhero, supervillain storyline. It seems like the charm of the series should revolve around a superhero in retirement. Kind of the flipside of Zenith's Peter St. John, if I have that right.
January 11, 2022
It would've been tough for this one to live up to the operatic heights of the first, but to be fair, Brian K. Vaughan comes darn close. The dialogue is still great and it's neat to see Hundred's days as a superhero teased out more. Could've done without one of the post-9/11 subplots, not only because of what Vaughan was trying to say but also because it just hasn't aged well given all that's happened even since these came out. But it's still another great entry in a great series.
June 23, 2018
A good continuation of the story, the pace is beginning to pick up a little and he is tackling some issues like weighing what is legal vs what is right, and who gets to decide? I still am quite taken with the whole idea this story and BKV continues to play with it in fascinating ways, though I am still somewhat reserved about his characters here.
November 7, 2022
Continuation of a fantastic story. This time the Great Machine has an arch enemy who can talk to the animals. But he is no Dr. Doolittle. He is much more of a violent vigilante who gets the animals to do his dirty work. For awhile, anyway. Both the art and story are top notch, and I have already downloaded the next volume.
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November 6, 2025Not much to say here beyond the Iraq war political discourse has aged terribly, and what they did to Journal feels cold, BUT very funny to read an introduction from the Wachowskis back when they were still credited as the brothers and they’re heaping effusive praise on the “all the men die” premise of Y and quoting Sappho. lol. lmao even.
April 28, 2018
Artfully done, but the series never really explores the villains but has no problem pausing everything to go on and on about libertarian "post-political" platitudes that it's pretty sure you haven't heard a dozen times already. It's definitely not BAD, but I had a hard time engaging with it.
May 1, 2018
Hundred is being a major but his city gets attacked and everyone thinks that is a terrorist job. He also gets visited by some past memory of a guy who talks to animals, and then back in 2003 (present) there is a hint that he is back. So, lets see in book 3. Lots of drama and political views.
May 1, 2018
Reading this series for a second time, well at least the first four volumes. I still love it and I think Hundred speaks, story pun intended, to me more now than in college. I wish we all wanted to make a difference.
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