Ex Machina #44 - WildStorm

Well . . Mitchell finds out this issue that the guy in the sewers isn't actually Pherson . . the guy that can control animals. He's . . it's, actually some kind of machine. "I was sent here to tell you that god is very disappointed. You have forsaken the tongues of fire with which you were blessed. I am from another brane in the bulk. I am a probe, a less-powerful version of the one that made you. You were meant to prepare this world for my makers' arrival. Step one was using a stronger frequency of my violet to corral your beasts of burden. Step two was using the red to destroy your crops. Step three was using the green to cripple your weaponry. Step four was using the white to subjugate your soldiers." And speaking of white, as they're talking Bradbury is in New Jersey recovering the white box that Mitchell made back in 2001. It was after the attacks on NYC, and he thought it was something that he would be able to use to avert other disasters. "Whatever this thing is . .I think it's going to save livers. I had a vision about . . about another attack on the city. One that the box could prevent." The problem is the reporter, Suzanne, on an anonymous tip . . from Kremlin . . has followed him. She's convinced that the mayor used it to win the election. Her and Bradbury go round and round about it, until . . he gets frustrated and accidentally swings the box hitting her in the head. Now Suzanne is infected much in the same way Mitchell was . . is. Except she seems to be able to control people. She gives Bradbury a big 'ol scenario to remember . . one that doesn't include their incident. And he's to tell Mitchell that she's decided to end her investigation. She wants the Mayor to be off-guard when she comes after him. But he's got his own problems. When she gets infected, and comes on-line . . the machine in the sewer decides that they don't need the Mayor anymore. And it self-destructs. The issue ends with the Mayor bringing in the New Year, and Dave being very suspicious about what he and Bradbury have been up to. I really like this book. First of all, Brian K Vaughan is a fantastic writer. This is another one of those books where everything is connected. Mitchell is still dealing with stuff in this issue that he has since the very first of the series. This particular issue was probably the most 'sci-fi' of the bunch. But that's ok. Brian's always eluded to it, but we've never really received any validation. It's just all been speculation so far. But with the final issue approaching . . #50, the final story-arc starts next issue . . I think he's finally showing all his cards. I also like this book because it doesn't fit into just one genre. It's a super-hero book, with a touch of 'sci-fi' . . it's a soap-opera with some social conscience. Overall . . it's a book that makes you think. And Tony Harris' artwork, throughout this series, has been fantastic. This book has had a look and feel to it since the very beginning . . and it's Brian's and Tony's.