Ex Machina Vol. 7: Ex Cathedra

The Ex Machina series is Brian Vaughn's well-written story of Mitchell Hundred, former superhero and now New York City Mayor. The award-winning writer has followed up his "Y-The Last Man" with this fast-paced series of stories. Fans will notice the same sharp, edgy dialogue, literary allusions, and jumpy use of time. The series is one of the finest in the "superhero" genre today. Vaughn is heavily influenced by Watchmen writer Alan Moore. Like most good Sci-Fi, he approaches real issues - would a superhero make a good mayor? How would a superhero mayor deal with everyday issues like getting the garbage picked up? How would he handle his personal demons and his uncertain past? The drawing and inking are unparalleled in this series. The use of color is fantastic and the book is printed on good quality paper that showcases it well. The artists achieve the level of painstaking detail they create through enacting certain scenes out physically before drawing. The book is hyper realistic, and thought provoking. Volume 7 has one larger story arc and one small one. In the main story, he visits the Pope at the Vatican. In the smaller one, we learn the back-story of his commissioner. If you have not picked up a comic book for a few years since you were a kid, start here. Brian Vaughn is one of the medium's great talents and this series displays them all.

Brian K. Vaughan, Ex Machina: Ex Cathedra (Wildstorm, 2008) Hundred is invited to Rome for an audience with Pope John Paul II, who senses he's about to die. Before that happens, he wants to take the measure of Hundred. Maybe a little spiritual diagnostics will figure out what the deal is with Hundred's powers where all else has so far failed? There are others in the Vatican, however, who believe Hundred to be something far darker than a miracle of technology... some interesting ideas here, and Vaughan ropes global politics into this book as seemingly effortlessly as he roped New York politics into the original books. Ex Machina is getting better all the time. ****

Ever since getting on board with Ex Machina after its first volume, I literally cannot wait for each new volume to be released. That's why, after months of looking forward to Ex Cathedra, I couldn't help but initially feel a little disappointment. However, after a second reading, my opinion changed drastically. More on that in a moment. Like I said, because I count down the days until certain books come out, I tend to pick them up as soon as possible and tear right through them. I did that with Ex Cathedra, neglecting to let it sit on my tongue and savor it. I forgot what originally drew me to Ex Machina was the fact that it was really unlike anything else, and so when I first read Ex Cathedra and didn't get it, I thought, "What is this? I waited for this?" It seemed directionless, pointless, and haphazard to me. But then I decided I read it too fast, and (as much to get my money's worth as anything), I determined I should give it another go. On the second read, I picked up on a lot of parallels that I missed the first time around. In Ex Cathedra, Mayor Hundred (a former super hero who stopped the destruction of one of the Twin Towers) is invited to the Vatican to visit the Pope before his death. When Hundred arrives, a Father reveals he arranged for Hundred's visit to investigate the origins of Hundred's abilities, even claiming the mayor may be the antichrist. However, the Pope still wants an audience with Hundred, which prompts a Russian conspirator to use Hundred as an assassin by tapping into Hundred's machine-friendly mind. I won't spoil the ending, but let's say that Hundred has some incredible revelations as he tries to resist killing the Pope. Brian K. Vaughan offers a very brief story (four issues) full of nuance and punch--if read carefully. As usual, Vaughan interrupts the present-day unveiling of the tale with flashbacks to Hundred's The Great Machine days (his super hero identity). In this volume, those flashbacks each deal with a different perspective on religion, which amplifies the main story, the one unfolding in Hundred's here-and-now. This author technique is effective because it continues to give us insight into Mayor Hundred's character, his days as a super hero, and his various reactions to different situations involving religions. This, of course, helps us understand his motives and reactions when meeting the Pope. Artist Tony Harris continues to rock on Ex Machina. His figures, clothing, architecture, and layouts are charismatic without being distracting. His art works to supplement and progress the story, which is the idea in such a visual medium. Harris, in my opinion, is one of the best in the business and deserves more recognition. Finally, Vaughan takes the time to help us get to know Commissioner Angotti a little better by giving us some background on her all-the-while moving she and Hundred's professional relationship forward and in a new, less combative direction. While this stand-alone

Vaughn and Harris return with a seventh collection of this fine series. Issues #30-33 comprise a four-part story arc centered on Mayor Hundred's visit to the Vatican to meet Pope John Paul II, and the shadowy, ruthless individuals that pursue him. As the title implies, religion is a key theme of this plotline. Issue #34 focuses on Police Commissioner Angiotti and her relationship with Hundred. As in previous volumes, brief intermittent segments reveal more of The Great Machine's superhero career. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this latest installment.