Ex Machina: The First Hundred Days - Full Review

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Tony Harris
Inker: Tom Feister
Published By: Wildstorm/DC
Format: Graphic Novel

Quick Content Guide: Violence, language, adult situations, brief nudity.

This is not your typical superhero comic book. Sure, there is a superhero and this is a comic book, but what we have here is a story of a man trying to change the world. This hero just decides the best way is by running for mayor of New York City.

Mitchell Hundred is a man with the power to speak with and command mechanical devices. Radios, computers, and even simple machines like handcuffs have something to say to him and with one word; he can command them to do just about whatever he wishes. An innocent cell phone self destructs when he tells it to die and a gun jams at his command. He even receives strange dreams of technological devices and can build them at will.

Mitchell uses all of these abilities to become the Great Machine, and then, mayor of New York City. He must face all the pressures of office, especially during the worst blizzard in years and a homicidal maniac on the loose.

If you are looking for an action packed adventure story, than this comic is not for you. But if you are looking for a greatly weaved story, full of mystery, heroic flashbacks, and intriguing characters, then you might want to give this a try.

Brian K. Vaughan shows us why he is one of the top writers in the DC bullpen with a very strong story. The art is excellent as well. One of the things I really enjoyed about this was the use of color in showing a difference between the flashbacks and current continuity. It really gave a sense of being in the memory, living it firsthand.

The cost was great as well. If you had purchased the issues of Ex Machina by themselves, it would have set you back $15 bucks, but at only $10 for the graphic novel, it’s a steal. The extras that are also included at the end of the book were great to see as well. There is a great section on how the artists went from reference photos to the finished piece.

Mystery, value, great art, and fantastic storytelling make Ex Machina: The First Hundred Days a good buy. It’s also a great way to get into the storyline. Give it a shot.