Chris K. :: EX MACHINA

Harris, Tony - Ex Machina, issue 39, cover (Nov 2008)

Artist: Tony Harris (Penciller)

5 Comments - 1,465 Views - 3 Likes

Harris, Tony - Ex Machina, issue 39, cover (Nov 2008) Comic Art

Click Image to View Full Size

Artwork Details

Title:	Harris, Tony - Ex Machina, issue 39, cover (Nov 2008)
Artist:	Tony Harris (Penciller)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,465
Likes on CAF:	3 4
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	5
Added to Site:	11/20/2008
Comic Art Archive:	Ex Machina Issue: 39 Page: cover View

Description

Ex Machina, created by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris, was published by DC Comics under their Wildstorm imprint. The series launched in August 2004 and ended in August 2010 with issue fifty.

The series details the life of Mitchell Hundred (also known as The Great Machine), the world's first and only super-hero, who, in the wake of his actions on 9/11 (as The Great Machine, he stops United Flight 175 before it crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center), is elected Mayor of New York City (he spends the day in a sensory deprivation tank overseen by government officials to ensure he does not use his powers to fix the election.). Before becoming a superhero and mayor, Hundred was a civil engineer. As the result of an explosion from an extra-dimensional device at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, Hundred is permanently scarred (he has markings on the left side of his face and body reminiscent of a circuit board) and develops the ability to communicate with and command mechanical devices. The story is set during Hundred's term in office, and interwoven with flashbacks to his super-hero past. The series explores both the political situations Hundred finds himself in and the mysteries surrounding the acquisition and origins of his superpowers.

The title of the comic comes from the Latin phrase 'deus ex machina', and is also a reference to Hundred's superhero persona, the Great Machine. In the first issue, Mitchell explains that he chose the name "Great Machine" based on a quote about society by Thomas Jefferson - “He is no more than the chief officer of the people, appointed by the laws, and circumscribed with definite powers, to assist in working the great machine of government erected for their use, and consequently subject to their superintendence.”

Vaughan claims that the series was “born out of anger with what passes for our current political leadership (on both sides of the aisle)” and attempts to explore both sides of issues in a fair and balanced light. As Mayor Hundred himself explains, “I’m not a liberal or a conservative. I’m a realist.” Though he ran as an Independent, he recruits a young black Democrat named Dave Wylie as his Deputy Mayor, a devout Catholic and former nurse named Candy Watts as his Chief of Staff, and a Republican Police Commissioner with a vendetta against vigilantism named Rick Bradbury. He makes it clear that he wants this team of opposites to challenge him, as well as each other, so that together they can make the best decisions for the entire city of New York, rather than a select demographic or targeted voter base. While Vaughan acknowledges the ups and downs of both the left and the right, he also realistically portrays the difficulties of a nonpartisan, centrist view - and demonstrates why that idealized middle ground might not work so well after all. At the end of the series, Hundred is the Vice President of the United States under President John McCain. Hundred is visually based on a real-life friend of Tony Harris.

Finally, in one of the most amusing comic stories I have ever read, Mitchell Hundred interviews Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris about writing and drawing his biography. He decides on Garth Ennis and Jim Lee instead.

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	Chris K. Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	August 2008
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Chris's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

Contact the Owner

Use can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
but, you must be logged in to use this feature.

Comments on this Artwork

You must be logged in to make comments.

Jonathan H
Member Since 2005

Posted on 11/20/2008

Nice one! Congrats!!

Emanuele Peveri
Member Since 2011

Posted on 5/6/2012

Vaughn and Harris made this series a must have! And every cover shines! This one is really beautiful if you ever get bored of it, contact me! Congrats!

Felix Lu
Member Since 2005

Posted on 12/4/2014

How did I miss this one before? Like Chelsea Peretti, one of the greats!

Jason Harris
Member Since 2005

Posted on 12/20/2017

Really nice piece, and as an odd coincidence, the FX company I work for won an Oscar for the work we did on the movie Ex Machina

Matt Todd
Member Since 2014

1 - Posted on 4/9/2022

Incredible piece from one of the greatest comics ever. Congrats on such a magnificent example!!!

All
	Aznfunk Comics 9/8/2025 6:58:00 PM
	Richard Friend 9/8/2025 6:56:00 PM
	Michael Molinario 9/8/2025 6:52:00 PM
	James Posey 9/8/2025 6:52:00 PM
	Kit Walker 9/8/2025 6:40:00 PM
View All


	Greedy Collector 9/8/2025 6:13:00 PM
	Eric Ninaltowski 9/8/2025 6:09:00 PM
	Dan Moler 9/8/2025 6:04:00 PM
	Live Laugh Legion 9/8/2025 6:01:00 PM
	Nathan Hartz 9/8/2025 6:00:00 PM