Customer Reviews

Ex Machina, Vol. 6: Power Down

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This sixth trade paperback collects issues #26-29 of the acclaimed series. The August 2003 NYC blackouts are the backdrop for this segment. A mysterious visitor's appearance coincides with Mayor Hundred's loss of super-abilities. While enjoyable, this plot seemed slower than previous story arcs. Intermittent episodes reveal more of The Great Machine's actions on 9/11, including his diversion of the second plane.
The last 22 pages are 'Inside The Machine'. This collection of staged artwork and scripts expands on the material at the end of the first Ex Machina trade paperback. For the price, I would have rather seen DC include this material as a bonus instead of displacing the normal fifth issue.

Ex Machina is one of those titles that should never work in the comic book medium. Former and short-lived superhero abandons his super-persona to become mayor of New York. And that happens before the start of the series. Let's be honest, if anyone but writer Vaughan and Harris were involved, this series simply wouldn't have worked.

Ex Machina: Power Down is a return to greatness for the creative duo. The storyline deals with Mayor Hundred struggling against a city-wide power outage just as a mysterious visitor takes his mother hostage in order to deliver Hundred an important message. That message has fascinated me and worked expertly as a bit of foreshadowing. In addition, as always, we are given flashbacks to Hundred's involvement with 9/11 as well as some back-story during his training days.

The Ex Machina series started with a bang, utterly captivating me with every panel. However, the last storyline in particular focused a little too much on Hundred's mayoral duties and not quite enough on the more fantastic elements of the series. Power Down is back to what makes Ex Machina work best--an equal blend of the realistic world of politics and the surreal world of super heroics.

Furthermore, let's not forget about the art! Harris' artwork is extraordinary and this series simply wouldn't be as enjoyable as it is without him. He gets better with every issue he draws, and he was excellent to begin with! Moreover, Mettler, the often-ignored colorist, is truly responsible for giving this book in particular much of its flavor. The colors demand your attention in such an unassuming yet powerful manner; it's astounding.

Finally, Power Down also offers a "special features" section in the back of the book with some background information given by both Vaughan and Harris. Very fun stuff if you're into the production aspect of the book.

Ex Machina is a must-read series for all lovers of literature.

~Scott William Foley, author of Souls Triumphant

Brian K. Vaughan, Ex Machina: Power Down (Wildstorm, 2008)

Pretty much everyone who lives within three hundred miles of New York City is unlikely to forget the Great Blackout of 2003. Given that Sept. 11 is integral to everything that happens in Ex Machina, did you think the blackout was going to get away unscathed? Not a chance. Vaughan uses it to introduce a whole new storyline into Ex Machina, finally giving us the possibility of finally understanding what originally happened to Hundred. Or are they just the ravings of a lunatic? The arc is a short one, however, and Vaughan and co. flesh out the book with a behind-the-scenes look at how Ex Machina is created. Good stuff, this. *** ½

I love good art.
I love a good story.
this has neither.
it has GREAT ART and a GREAT STORY!!!!!
the characters are believable, flawed with good intentions.
the dynamics of the art and the story are just shy of utter perfection!
every issue was amazing and wish brian vaughn had more resources to continue making creations like this

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. Watchmen writer Alan Moore heavily influences Vaughn. 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 displays 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. The only criticism I have is the unrealistic dialogue- everyone, from Hundred's 60-year-old mother, to criminals all speak in the same edgy "voice." But that's a minor quibble.

Volume 6 has a flimsy plotline - the weakest I have seen yet from Brian Vaughn. What makes this book so fantastic is the last 20 pages demonstrating the creators' process. From text script, to pencil drawing, to ink, to full color proofs, they show it all. Kevin Harris writes a great piece on how he does his covers. This was my favorite part of the book!

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.

Ex Machina volume 6 bringgs back the high quality of the series that I thought volume 5 was lacking. The story is much more exciting, and gets you much more involved. However, it's frustrating thatit kind of hinted that all of the questions about Mitchell's past would be revealed, and it only raised more. Although, I guess that's what will keep readers coming back.