Ex Machina, Vol. 8: Dirty Tricks
As superhero-turned-New-York-City-mayor Mitchell Hundred prepares to host the 2004 Republican National Convention in the latest collection of the popular Ex Machina, a new costumed adventurer threatens to derail the proceedings. Meanwhile, one of Hundred’s closest advisors covertly works to undermine his political career in hopes of getting him to once again use his powers to fight crime. Writer Vaughan (Y: The Last Man), who also has a successful TV career (e.g., Lost), is winding Ex Machina down, but his flair for combining lively characterization and political intrigue remains undiminished. Harris’ realistic yet vivid art maintains its excellence, too. --Gordon Flagg