Ex Machina #49 - WildStorm

I love this book! But . . I hate that there's only 1 issue left. I guess I can see how it kind of needs to wrap up, but . . you'd think there would be a spin off. Or a continuation under another name. I sure hope that the Great Machine, Mayor Hundred, doesn't get killed at the end. But . . it does look like he's going to be arrested.

Anyways, the ironic part about all of this is that it looks like, at one time . . the Mayor and Suzanne may have had a relationship. I'm guessing that they put it on hold because of his election . . and the conflict with her being a journalist. But he promised her that she'd be the first person he'd call when he left office. However, with the events of this story-line . . it looks like that decision may be taken out of their hands. So . . last issue, Suzanne made her play to put NYC into a bit of chaos. She sent out a signal over the radio waves, that put a whole lot of people under her influence. But the Great Machine has a way of counter-acting that . . a device that he and Kremlin made when they had to stop Pherson. So now he just has to stop Suzanne, and save January. Suzanne had already taken the gun that was the opener for the other dimension. But she didn't know, until the Great Machine finds her at Coney Island, that his back-pack was the actual power-source. She also has another piece of insurance, the Nullifier. So while she's tying to open the doorway, the Great Machine won't be able to stop her. The problem is . . the Mayor is . . well, a politician . . he lied. 'Really? That thing would cancel out my voice? Kremlin and Bradbury were always scared of what I might do with unchecked power. So was the election board. So I told them all I invented a 'Nullifier'. But really . . it's just a piece of an old garage door opener. Doesn't even have batteries in it.' Instead of interrupting the process, he lets her continue and then tosses her through. But it's not a dimension of angels and prophesy. Instead . . it looks like a realm of demons. 'This . . this isn't how it looked in my head. Nah! That . . that burns. Please! This isn't right! You can't do this to me! I'm Press! I"M PRESS!!' And then he closes it up. January thinks he's her hero. But by the time all of this has happened, the Commissioner has shown up with a couple of Police Officers, and cross-bows, to arrest the Mayor. What a fantastic way to go into the last issue. I think Brian K Vaughn and Tony Harris have had a masterpiece here ever since day 1. The stories are touching, relevant and full of escapism and irony. Not to mention exciting and entertaining. What more could a comic-geek like me ask for in a book? I'm really going to miss this one. But . . I'm glad I came along for the ride. Couldn't last forever. Right?

Ex Machina #47 - WildStorm

With only a couple of issues left to go in this series, Suzanne Padilla is trying to make her move against Mayor Hundred. But there's actually a few things going on here. First of all, now that she's gained her powers, Suzanne has decided that it's up to her to make the mayor pay for stealing the election. Not that she really has any proof of that, but . . that's just how she's put the pieces together. I mean, the person she's got backing her up is Kremlin. And we already know that he's not as together as he once was. Secondly, we've got the person who has given all of these people their powers. And it appears to be an alternative version of Mitchell from a different dimension. On thier Earth pollution, disease and war ravaged their Earth. So he sent out probes to other dimensions looking for habitable places to move the people. Now he's got his eyes set on this Earth. However, before Mitchell realizes who he is, he asks, 'How many worlds are out there? How many New Yorks have you people ruined?' Apparently he's looking for another piece of equipment that Mitchell built called 'the Opener'. I'm guessing that's how they access the various dimensions. Anyways, Kremlin and January have been helping Suzanne. They think she's doing the right thing. I'm just wondering how long it's going to take before they realize that she's just another nut-job. Kremlin is at Mitchell's mother's house. He talks to Suzanne to tell her where he's at, and that he's got the device Mitchell gave him, a long time ago, called the Nullifier. Suzanne is practically drooling in anticipation of this, so she comes rushing over. She knocks out Kremlin, but kills Mitchell's mother. And at the end of the issue, we see Mayor Hundred going into the subterranean vaults of the mansion. It looks like he's going to have to become the Great Machine once again. Most of this story takes place in 2005. So, I'm guessing, at the end of this series we'll finally get some current information, 2010, and find out what Mitchell's up to right now. Brian K Vaughan and Tony Harris have done a terrific job with this series right from day 1. And it looks like they're planning on heading out with a bang. We only have 3 issues to go, and personally . . I can't wait to see how this all plays out. If you don't read this book, you really need to go to the library and check out the TPBs. It really is a great book that'll suck you right in.

Ex Machina #46 - WildStorm

Well . . we're getting closer and closer to the end. And it looks like Suzanne Padilla, the reporter, is going to get what she wants . . to bring down Mayor Hundred, and to bring about the invasion of Earth. Very lofty and noble ideals. Right? Anyways, Suzanne was changed much in the way the Mayor was when she came across the white box that Bradbury was supposed to take care of. But not to fault him, Suzanne did follow him to Atlantic City. Anyways, with her . . it gave her the ability to control people, with her voice. Much in the way that the Mayor controls machines. In a flashback we see that while pursuing a child abductor back in 2001, the mayor built what he thought was a stun gun. It came to him in a dream. At the time . . 'Whatever I dream, I build.' It turned out to be a trigger to open a portal to another dimension. The Mayor never actually saw into that dimension, but the person he aimed it at did. And he was terrified. So now Suzanne is looking for that gun . . or 'opener', as she calls it. But the Mayor doesn't even remember it, let alone know where it's at. So she drops him in the East River. Meanwhile, Kremlin has come to warn Martha, the Mayor's mom, that she may be in danger. She says she feels safe though because he son gave her something to protect herself with. It turns out to be the 'opener'. Oh yeah, and there's a little bit in there also where the Mayor is arguing with his assistant about pro-life choices. He wants the city to fund a 'day-after' pill to curb the tidal-wave of abortions that happen here yearly. Brian K Vaughn is a brilliant writer. It's about time that we got down to what the purpose of the Mayors 'gift' actually was . . why it was given to him, and how it works and is related to that other guy who can control animals, and Suzanne's 'gift'. But I also like the way the Brian writes political commentary into his stories without them sounding all preachy, or party biased. It's really going to be a sad day when we reach the final issue of this book. This is one of those books that gets your head racing. There aren't to many of those left. Anyways, he and Tony Harris have just done a terrific job here . . right from issue #1. I'll have to keep an eye out for whatever new project they take on. I can't imagine that they'd be idle for to long. This was a good issue . . and a great cover.

Ex Machina #45 - WildStorm

It seems like Suzanne Padilla, the reporter that became infused with the technology of the 'white box' that Bradbury was trying to retrieve for the Mayor, is getting ready to make her move. As per her instructions . . she can control humans now, much in the same way that Mitchell controls technology, and that other guy controlled animals . . her instructions to Bradbury were to convince the Mayor that she had decided to drop the investigation because supposedly her 'source' had flaked out on her. Luckily though, the Mayor is smart enough to not just take things at face value. Plus, just because she says she's going to back off, doesn't mean that there still isn't a problem. 'She still had a 'source'. No matter how flaky. That means someone else out there wants to use my past against me. Someone on the inside.' I'm not sure why he hasn't put the pieces together and suspect Kremlin. The guys got perfect motive and opportunity. I know he used to be a friend. He was tight within the Mayor's circle, but . . they've had a falling out since. Why wouldn't he want to hurt the Mayor. Anyways, until he figures that out the machinations of Suzanne are going to continue unfettered. This issue she brings January into the fold. 'Ivan never gave you up as the one who got him that election day file the Governor's people put together on Hundred. I knew it had to be someone close enough to Hundred to get access to his most private records. But also someone with an axe to grind. Your sister was killed in the gas attacks . . you probably . . accepted an internship so you could take him down from within.' But this chick may be loony enough to get January to switch sides. After Suzanne beats her up a little bit, January asks 'You're . . you're gonna kill him, aren't you?' To which Suzanne replies, 'Don't be ridiculous. I'm going to kill everyone on the planet.' And the title of the last chapter of this title is . . Pro-Life ? How ironic is that? I only have one question that kind of nags at me . . if Suzanne, and Mitchell and that other guy got their powers from the same source, shouldn't they be able to sense or find each other also? I'm guessing they just never really tried. Anyways, another amazing job by Brian K Vaughan and Tony Harris. They continue to do an excellent job with this book. My only complaint is that it's almost finished. I can't believe that after 5 fantastic years it's almost over. Well . . at least it looks like they're going out with a bang!

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.

Ex Machina #43 - WildStorm

This continues to be one of my favorite comics. And the reason? Because it is so smartly written. I absolutely love what Brian K Vaughan brings to this book. Of course Tony Harris' pencils don't hurt either, but . . the story, and the way it makes you think is what draws me back month after month. In this issue, Mayor Hundred's city is threatened, yet again, by someone from his past . . Pherson. He the guy that controls animals the way the Mitchell controls machines. Anyways, he thought he took him down once . . twice actually, but he seems to keep coming back. This time it seems like he's sending a message specifically for the Mayor. There's been some rat attacks around town, and no one seems to be able to make the connection except for the great machine. Pherson's words keep ringing through his head . . "You need to know why. Why you are what you are. You don't know who you're really supposed to be. You're failing the people that made you. You and I are meant to be the harbingers of . . . " But that's when he awakens from his dream. All he knows about their connection is that they seem to have gotten their powers from the same source, and . . Pherson considers them to be blood brothers. Underneath City Hall there used to be a City Hall Station, the MTA closed it back in '45. "There's some large tubes under Warren St. and Broadway. Parts of it are still connected to the City Hall Station." That's where he believes Pherson is operating out of. As he's going down there, Mitchell is taping his last words. Whether it's a confession, or 'last will & testament', or just the ramblings of a wannabe hero . . you'd think that in the words that he's saying, he'd start to put some of the pieces together. He's actually leaving it for Kremlin, but he's talking about Bradbury also. When he's talking about Kremlin's 'stupid theories and insane stories', you'd think that he's start to put some of the pieces together and at the very least raise a red flag about Kremlin's involvement here, and in other things. "There's been a noose around my neck since the day I was elected. And someone out there has finally started pulling it taut." So as he descends into his own personal hell . . Bradbury is in New Jersey on his mission to destroy the 'white-box'. The reported woman has followed him there and is asking questions. 'What were you doing with the 'white-box' on the morning of November 6th, 2001?" So maybe we're finally going to find out just what the deal is with this and it's connection to the Mayor. The stories in this book usually move rather slow. But here . . that's ok. Brian weaves an intricate web with events and actions, both past and present, that are essential to the current state of events as explained through whatever the crisis du'jor is at the moment. The reason the slower pace works here is because it's through these moments that we learn more about our characters and their motivations and actions. There's been smaller story-lines and plot-threads throughout this title, but you can really look at these 43 plus issues as one big story-line. Just like a man's life . . Mitchell Hundred's, the Mayor, the Great Machine . . even though there's been different aspects to it, different stages, in the end it's all connected. Unfortunately . . there's only 7 issues left for Brian to pursue the course of events in this story. Yes . . it's been advertised that issue #50 will be the final one for this series. Which is sad because the marketplace will definitely be missing something when this title is gone. So . . enjoy it while you can . . or pick up the TPBs. You won't be sorry.

Ex Machina #42 - WildStorm

Brian K Vaughn and Tony Harris are brilliant. Here's this series about the Mayor of New York City . . we're 42 issues in to it, some 5 years later, and we're stilling learning new stuff about his honor every month. The book starts off in flashback mode. Mitchell is thinking about a man that he fought back in 2001. The reason this guy is so important is because he seems to have the same powers as the Mayor. The exception being that he talks to animals instead of machines. Anyways, long story short he takes him down and puts him away. This is all back when he was the Great Machine. So now we're some 3 to 4 years later and the Mayor is dealing with all the normal stuff . . graft and corruption from the Governor's office, trying to clean up the city for the upcoming New Year's Eve celebration, and now it appears that there's someone out there killing transients. Also we know that January is working behind the scenes to try to take him down because she blames him for her sister's death, and Kremlin is working with a reporter trying to give away all of the Mayor's secrets. Recently he's turned her on to something called the White Box. We don't really know yet what that is, but I think it has something to do with the Mayor's powers . . maybe how he got them? Anyways, she went to Bradbury to ask him about it and it spooked him so now he's brought the concern to his boss. The Mayor sends him out to destroy it right away, but that may have been a bad move because the reporter is hot on his tail. Meanwhile, we find out that there's someone in the sewers, I think that animal guy from 2001, that's sending all the rats in the tunnels up to kill the tourists that are gathering for the festivities. This guy just can't have a normal day, can he? I almost feel sorry for him. It's almost as if a target has been painted on him just because of his position. That never happens . . right? Anyways, this is a fantastic series. Brian and Tony have done a great job with it right from day 1. Anybody out there who's looking for something to read . . this would be a great book to pick up.

Ex Machina #41 - WildStorm

This comic shows you what can be done with not a single page of super-heroics. Well . . there is a scene set in the past where Mayor Hundred, then the Great Machine, is fighting his nemesis who controls animals the way he controls technology. They're having an argument over ideology and the Great Machine ends up taking him over the edge of the building into a pool below. However, the important part of this issue is that the Mayor announces that he won't be running for reelection because he doesn't want to waste his last year in office campaigning. He wants to spend his last year trying to fix the city. He wants to get the budget out of the black and he wants to finally make an impact in the New York City school system. When alls said and done, he's hoping that his Deputy Mayor Wylie will be able to pick up where he leaves off. We see a little bit about January and Kremlin. She's still trying to make him pay for Journal's death. Also, Suzanne Padilla, the journalist, ambushes Bradbury to try to get him to say something about the White Box. And, down on the streets, it appears that we have some kind of rat infestation getting ready to take over the city. The problem is, these rats are attacking. Obviously it has to do with the guy the Great Machine was fighting in the beginning of the story. I love this book. It's well scripted and thought out. Brian K Vaughan does a great job with his stories. Tony Harris has been on this book since issue #1, and he also does a great job. His art has given this book the feel that it has. Unfortunately, this book is underrated and doesn't get the attention that it deserves. It really is a fantastic piece of work. But we need people to spread the word. I'd really hate to see this book fall by the way-side just because of sales.

Ex Machina Special #4 - WildStorm

This book has always held a special spot for me. It's very cerebral. Brian K Vaughan has held his course throughout this entire series. He's never waivered from the vision he had of it in the beginning. This issue, in a round-about way, he sends out an eco-friendly message to, well . . . all of the people reading comics. Basically he tells us that comics need to use recycled paper also. Especially, comics . . since most of them end up bagged and boarded and will never be recycled themselves. So it seems kind of an extravagant waste to use virgin paper to print them. I know. You don't read comics for the political message, but . . he's got a point. Anyways, John Paul Leon steps in this issue for the art. It looks nice. His style fits in nicely with this series. Anyways it was another good book in this series. I've heard rumors out there that this book may be ending soon. I know Brian and Tony Harris have already moved on to creating other projects, but I was hoping that this one was just near and dear to them. I don't know. I don't have anything to substantiate the rumor. So I guess we'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, just enjoy the book and the message that it sends across. It really is a great piece of work.

Ex Machina #40 - WildStorm

This seemed kind of like a fill-in issue to me. Except . . . it was still done by Tony Harris and Brian K Vaughn. The gist of the story . . . that's them on the cover by the way . . is that this is their meeting with Mayor Hundred to pitch him their idea about the graphic novel for his life. To me the most moving part of the story is when Brian is talking to the Mayor. He's talking about how much he loves NYC. So much so that when his girlfriend moved to California after 9/11 . . he didn't. When the mayor asks him why, he responds that it was because of him and the events that happened on 9/11. So the Mayor asks him where he was. It was really moving, the way he explained it. I could put it in here for you but . . I think it would be better if you picked up the book and read it for yourself. It is, after-all, Brian's own words. I wonder if it hard to write yourself in the third person like that. Especially considering that he's writing a pitch for a story . . a meeting . . that never really happened. But I'm sure he had a lot of personal reference to draw from. Anyways, as they're sitting there waiting, Tony begins to sketch. He says he's drawing the 2 of them sitting in the waiting room. If they get the project, he wants to incorporate them into the first scene. Brian's reply? "I'm not big into the whole Grant Morrison 'meta' thing. Seeing creators in a book kinda takes me out of the story, you know. . . ? Don't draw my nose so big." I thought that was fantastic. Anyways, I really liked the book, and I thought it was an interesting diversion to the current story-lines running through it. At the end, we also get a little 2 page teaser by Garth Ennis and Jim Lee. Whodathunkit? Anyways, this book continues to be a masterpiece and I love the work these guys do on it. However, I have heard that they have a definite end-date in mind for this book. I don't know when it is. I hope it's not soon. But I just wanted to pass that along.

Ex-Machina #39 - WildStorm

I love this book. I absolutely love the look and the feel of it. Of course most of that is because of the creative anchors that have been with this book since it's inception . . . Brian K Vaughan and Tony Harris. They had a distinct vision in mind when they created this book 5 years ago, and have yet to sway an inch from the plan, and goal, that they created. It's really been a phenomenal journey. It's hard to describe, or do a play-by-play on this book because the nature of the story is to show how all the various times in Mayor Hundred's life, or career, are interconnected and responsible for future consequences. This girl that's been in the last couple of issues is a girl that he met in passing when he was helping out New York City during 9/11. At the time she was a tour guide, and now . . now she's a political activist. But it's through her actions, and the Mayor's when he was the Great Machine, that he is offered a political position when the GOP is in town for their 2004 convention. However, that future potential seems to be what Kremlin is afraid of most, so he's given a reporter, Suzanne Padilla, a classified file on the esteemed Mayor. I think all of this is connected to the Mayor's aide's death, January. That's how the story is written . . and goes. Everything . . past, present and future . . all seems to be intertwined and dependent upon each other. The biggest thing I get from this series is that you have to be cognizant of every choice or decision you make. And not just from your point of view but from the point of view of the people that decision affects. After reading this book, it really makes you do some soul searching of your own. I think it's been a fantastic series.

Ex-Machina #38 - WildStorm

This whole story-line seems to have to do with that guy that popped in and out of this book a couple of issues ago. You know the one in the make-shift space-suit. Personally I think it's either a future version of Kremlin . . or a future version of the Mayor himself. Anyways, something about the events that's going on right now is going to change him. I'm not sure what or how, but this cryptic fellow seems to be all about getting the Mayor back on track. We already know that this Trouble person . . the girl that keeps doing all the various publicity stunts . . is someone who became infatuated with him when he was the Great Machine. I also think she has something to do with the media. I'm not sure if she's a reporter, or what, but she's in there somehow. And, also somehow, she's connected with the time-travelling guy . . if that's what he really does. Also the whole treasonous activity of January and Kremlin seem to be coming to a head. That stuffs been going on in the background ever since her sister got killed. So I think she's gathered up quite a bit of information since then. I'm just not sure what Kremlin's plans are to do with it. And now the Mayor has it in his head that he might be able to affect more change if he were to become a Presidential candidate. I can't wait to see how that all works out. Wasn't it only a couple of issue ago that he was accused of being the anti-Christ? That's a big step since then. As always Brian K Vaughan and Tony Harris are doing an exemplary job with this book. To bad it doesn't get more critical acclaim because it really is that good.

Ex-Machina #37 - Wildstorm

I love this title, but . . I worry about it a bit. Brian K Vaughan and Tony Harris are going to be launching a new book, over at Marvel. I think that's great, for them . . I just worry about the quality of this book with the shared responsibilities. I know it's just me being paranoid, I guess. There's really no tangible evidence to support that scenario happening, but . . I like this book and I'd really hate to see it suffer. I've followed this book from the beginning and I have to say this is the ultimate character book. That's really all this book is about. Sure the main character, Mayor Hundred, used to be a type of super-hero wanna-be, the Great Machine, but that's not really what this story is all about. Those adventures are usually just told in flash-back form as a way of supporting whatever's going on in the main story. As an example, the Mayor's last intern, Journal, was killed while in duty to the Mayor. The next intern turned out to be January, her sister. But the real reason January took the job is because she blames the Mayor for her sister's death, and has been trying to dig up evidence against him ever since. She's been in place for close to 2 years now. That's the type of storylines that this book is all about. Now we have a vigilante / pop-artist who's trying to make a statement around town by belittling the GOP that's supposed to be showing up for a convention pretty soon. There's a theory in the Mayor's office that it's someone trying to replace the Great Machine, but really the Mayor would like to dismiss that one. However, we find out this issue that is actually the case. When the Great Machine first showed up, she was is awe of him because she was a NYC native who thought that he brought life back to the city. But she never actually met him. So the Mayor really has no idea of her existence. So I think that all of this is really just a way for her to get his attention. He just hasn't figured that out yet. This is a fantastic book, and I look forward to it every month. I think it's filled with brilliant stories and great art. All I'm asking is, please, just keep it up.

Ex-Machina #36 - WildStorm

This is a fantastic series. I think Brian K Vaughan and Tony Harris have consistently put out a gem of a book here. I like the way Brian plays with the time-line all the time. We start out this story back in 2001, when Mayor Hundred was the Great Machine. But then we go back to 2004 when he's the Mayor and dealing with all the problems of the world's greatest city. My only question is, how come none of the stories ever take place in the present. I don't think we've ever done a story past 2004. I'm not sure what the signifigance of that is. But Brian is very specific with his time-lines. A couple of things he's dealing with this issue. First, Kremlin is trying to bring down the Mayor from the inside. He's got January's sister working as the Mayor's aide, and is having her gather information on her boss. Secondly, the Mayor is trying to get people to trust the city where the attacks happened, by showing them that they can feel safe. To further that, he's gotten President Bush to hold the GOP convention there. He's worried about people thinking that he supports one candidate or another, but he knows how much faith such an event would bring back to the city. Especially if it goes off without a hitch. Just then, someone rides a bike up to the top of the south tower . . in this world, that one was left standing . . and base-jumps off the top. The act, in and of itself, isn't the problem. But on the top or her chute she's got painted . . "Bush Sucks Cock", and she's flying an American flag. This is one of those comics where the conversations between the characters is just as important as the actions that are taking place on the page. Sometimes more. This is a very cerebral comic, and I love the way it makes you think after you read it. If you don't pick this one up, you should. Or at least pick up a TPB, or 2, and check out some of the stories. You won't regret it.

Ex-Machina #35 - WildStorm

This story really isn't connected to anything. It gave us a bit of the past of Mayor Hundred's. Back when he was the Great Machine. And is also gave us a bit of the past of New York City. At the same time, it looks to the future, because Mayor Hundred has decided that should it come the time for him to step down, or resign his office, that he would like Wylie to run for the position. This would give him some relief knowing that the great city of New York would be in fair and just hands. I guess it's a little selfish on his part. But, really, he is looking out for the citizenry. The thought comes from a good place. Anyways, as he's talking to Wylie he sees the presence of an African-American ghost. They surmise that it has something to do with the slaves that they buried in a place of honor in New York, but they don't really understand the connection. All he knows is that the gentleman has a swirled tattoo on his chest. Wylie does some digging and finds that there was another gentleman that had that symbol on his casket. They didn't make the connection between him and the slaves, so he wasn't buried at the same sight. The Mayor and Wylie rectify that situation, and the sightings stop. With all that being said, what we really got her was a little insight in to the Mayor's character. When he first started he had good intentions, but his mind was still clouded with the misinterpretations and stereotypes of a man from a different culture. This story shows how he has grown and moved past those clouded thoughts. Now, later in his career, with his personal growth, he truly walks the talk. Brian K Vaughan is an incredible writer. He really gets you to think about things in a way that makes sense. Things that you may not want to think about. And I'm always amazed by Tony Harris' pencils. This has been an incredible book since it's inception, and it continues to set the high-water mark for others to reach.

Ex-Machina #34 - WildStorm

This is another book that is just solid and consistent. Brian K Vaughn and Tony Harris have been on this book since the beginning. And they've consistently put out a well thought out book every month. Or . . every 6 to 8 weeks, anyways. But it's always a book that makes you think. This issue we get a little more background on the mayor's Commissioner, and friend, Amy Angotti. She hasn't always been the Mayor's biggest supporter. In fact she was the one that led the charge to apprehend him when he was the Great Machine. But she's come to realize that he is a man of his word. And a solid friend. Which isn't what she got with her husband Jason. Not to make excuses for him, but, as Commissioner, and a woman trying to prove herself to a predominantly male job-core, she was kind of married to her job. So I'm sure he had a lot of alone time, and broken plans and promises. But that doesn't excuse his behavior. Anyways, now they're getting a separation and to show the Mayor how much she appreciates his character and friendship, she's done something to make a gesture of good-will towards him. But it's a cloudy night, so as he flies over One-Police-Plaza, her effort is lost in the clouds. Basically, she's put together a type of bat-signal for him. She wants to show him that she's going to make an effort to work better together with him. When you first see her up on the roof talking to him on the cell-phone, you kind of think maybe she's thinking about jumping. But I'm glad that wasn't the case. It was a fill-in issue, obviously, but it did tell us a little more about one of his supporting characters. Like I said, this book is consistent, month in and month out. Thanks for the hard work, guys.

Ex-Machina #33 - WildStorm

Ok! The plan was . . . from the Kremlin, I guess . . . to send Mayor Hundred in to the Vatican and have him kill the Pope. They thought they'd get rid of 2 enemies at the same time. They were trying to do this through this device that these 2 college kids came up with. It was a remote control of sorts. But, if there was an electronic device implanted in a brain . . they tested on mice . . . they could use that device to override the basic motor skills of the subject. They surmised that the alien device in the Mayor's head would accomplish the same task. And to a point, they were right. But when you're dealing with an individual . . the Pope . . . who essentially sits at the side of the Lord himself . . . things are probably never going to go as planned. When he first got to Vatican City, one of the priests that met him, accused him of being the Anti-Christ. It was a bit harsh. But, he could back up his hypothesis with scripture. Then, for some reason, he let him visit the Pope anyways. Or I guess I should say, the Pope requested the visit, despite the obvious objections of his council. Apparently the Pope had a plan in motion also. He also didn't trust the alien device in the Mayor's head, but, he does believe in the good nature of man. So he performed an exorcism. Of sorts. Between the outside influence of the guy with the remote, and the obvious influence of the Pope, the Mayor was about to rip off the side of his face. "Enough! You are not a damned machine! The Lord lives in you, and he has blessed you with the gift of free will! Stop talking . . . and listen." And, when he did, the Mayor had a vision. When all is said and done, and the Mayor and Bradbury are getting ready to head back to New York City, the Pope asks him, "When you saw God this morning . . . what did he tell you?" Reluctantly he responds, "That I'm going to be the President of the United States." What a fantastic series. I can't believe we're only on issue #33. Brian K Vaughan packs his stories with so much information, and character development, that I feel like we've known these characters for years. And Tony Harris, with his pencils, just sets the perfect mood for each and every one of these issues. I actually picked this series up as a fluke. I was expecting something different. I think I wanted something different. But I never expected this. And I've never regretted that I took the chance. This is a brilliant series.

Ex-Machina #32 - WildStorm

This continues to be one of the smartest books out there. Month after month, Brian K Vaughan and Tony Harris give us intelligent, well thought out story-lines, that make us think. The last couple of issues have been leading up to this one. And now Mayor Hundred has made it to Vatican City. And who's the first person he talks to? A priest, who is also an astrologist, who believes that Mayor Hundred is the antichrist. What a way to make an entrance. But he's still going to get his audience with the Pope. "The Pope once went to prison to meet in private with a man who tried to kill him. Let's just say he likes to keep his friends close . . . ." But, even being half a world away, the Mayor still worries about his home town. Luckily he has a more that capable deputy with Wylie. We also learn that this assassination attempt appears to be engineered by the Russians. The Pope isn't their true target. Just a means to an end. I don't think Mayor Hundred is their target either. For some reason they see him as their true enemy. So the assassination attempt is really just a way to make him powerless. " . . if we could make our real enemy become an assassin, he would instantly be rendered powerless, whether or not he succeeded." And I think the good Mayor, subconsciously, suspects that something is amiss. He's having daydreams of his past indiscretions coming back to haunt him. It's not enough to dissuade his course, but I do think it's enough to make him be a little more cautious. He does make it to the Pontiff's chambers, and the Russians are watching and attempting to control him. On the final page it looks as if they may succeed. But, since the story doesn't end here . . . anything can happen next month. Like I said, a very smart series, with a great cast of characters. I actually starting reading this one on a whim. And I've never regretted my decision to stick with it.

Ex-Machina #31 - WildStorm

Boy, Mayor Hundred really stepped in the poop this time. He's been racking his brains, ever since he got invited to the Vatican, to try to figure out what it is that they would be interested in. I'm sure all kinds of things were popping in to his head. But before I tell you what the reason is, let me tell you about what else is going on. Remember when the mob guys whacked those 2 college kids over their experiment with the rat? Well, shortly after that they were talking about how they were going to use the Mayor's trip as a chance to assassinate the Pope. I assumed they were going to use some type of animal to do the job. But what they're really after is the technology that allows cripples to operate devices such as computers. Chips implanted in them that allow them to interface with devices. Well they want to use it in reverse, thinking that they can make the chips control the person rather than vice versa. To that end, they think that they can tap in to the technology in the Mayor's head, and make him do whatever they say. Ok, now to add to that mess, the Vatican's Astronomer is the one who convinced the Pope to invite him. "You were given a deadly wound that was healed, a mouth speaking great things, power over all kindreds and tongues . . . just as the bible foretold." "Father", replies the Mayor, ". . if you're looking for someone to canonize, I'm afraid you came to the wrong man." To which the Father replies, "You misunderstand. I don't think you're a saint. I fear you're the antichrist." Wow! Talk about a blow to your ego. I'm sure of all the reasons that he theorized for his invitation, that wasn't one of them. As always, this continues to be a very compelling and socially conscious book. Brian K Vaughan and Tony Harris continue to outdo themselves with every issue. Brilliant!

Ex-Machina #30 - WildStorm

I love this book. It's written brilliantly. And I really like the artwork. It's not overly flashy. But, it's perfect for this story. It would be hard for me to imagine anyone else drawing this book. And since it's inception, it's been created by Brian K Vaughan and Tony Harris. They seem to work very well together. Anyways, I like the way the story bounces around, as far as past and present. The only question I have is that the present time, as far as the book is concerned, is always around 2003. I assume that it's because that's when he was the mayor, but I could be wrong. If this is somebody looking back, as far as reflecting on the story, that's fine, but I don't think we've ever seen who it is, or seen them in the current time. It could be the Mayor, or Bradbury or even Kremlin. But we don't really know. It doesn't take away from the story, but sometimes I go back and look at the dates and wonder. Brian probably has this huge timeline spread across his office wall, with strings or lines for each character, going horizontally, and dates lined up vertically. I don't know any other way he could keep this all straight. Anyways in the current story, the Mayor, inadvertently is going to be involved in a plot to assassinate the pope. Somebody has gone to an awful lot of trouble to set up a meeting between them. And has also, I assume, hired these 2 geeks who configure a rodent to be a bomb. Or maybe he's just the delivery method. Whichever, the trip which the Mayor is about to take, with Bradbury, is about to be the precipice for the attack. I don't think the mayor's going to feel to good about this one. Anyways, brilliant book. I can't get enough of it.