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By Brian K. Vaughn, Tony Harris, Tom Feister & JD Mettler (WildStorm)
ISBN 1-84576-518-4
The real world is such a big part of his political fantasy series. This volume collects issues #21-25 of the award-wining comic series starring a retired super-hero who became the Mayor of New York City, and unravels a little more of the mystery of Mitchell Hundred’s powers, whilst apparently concentrating on the insoluble problem of drug use.
A liberal independent, Hundred has a bull-by-the-horns, head-on approach and his admission to smoking Marijuana has astounding repercussions. The smooth running of New York is further complicated by a murderous burglar masquerading as a fireman and a hideous self-immolation on the very steps of City Hall. Add the ever-present danger of barely suppressed racial tension and the mix is explosive and enthralling.
This is a gem of a series and has never been anything below superb. How then can I describe the last story in this volume? ‘Standalone’ features a glimpse into the mind and history of the Mayor’s advisor and bodyguard Rick Bradbury, and is without doubt the best thing yet in this amazing saga. Funny, sad, deliciously gratifying, it shows how much this is an ensemble series.
Ex Machina is now one of the best pieces of modern fiction being produced in English today, in any medium.
© & ™ 2007 Brian K. Vaughn & Tony Harris. All Rights Reserved.