Ex Machina, #7: Ex Catedra (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
This graphic novel series focuses on Mitchell Hundred, ex-superhero with the ability to telekinetically control machines and current mayor of New York City. Most of the superhero sequences take place in the past, while the current day sequences focus on Hundred governing a major metropolitan city. Volume 7, Ex-Machina's take on "Manchurian Candidate", sends Mayor Hundred to Italy on summons from the Pope. Flashbacks explore Hundred's uneasy relationship with organized religion. The back-up story is essentially a short character sketch of secondary character Police Commissioner Amy Angotti.Ex Cathedra continues the series' thoughtful, character-derived, "West Wing" approach to the superhero graphic novel. The main story for Volume 7 is a bit disjointed and hard to follow at times, but a careful reader will be rewarded with an entertaining, suspenseful character driven plot that seems to be setting Mayor Hundred up for some major changes.Tony Harris's artwork for vol. 7 is, as always, gorgeous; a vibrant yet realistic, almost art deco, style that meshes perfectly with the New York City setting and Hundred's mechanistic origins. Graphic Novel. Hundred goes to visit the Pope. Sigh. You got me. I'm bored. The initial premise of this title had a lot of promise, but the stories Vaughan is giving me are weak and don't take advantage of the world he's built. He somehow manages to make Agnotti boring in her own origin story, and Agnotti is awesome.Two stars, but only because Hundred has such beautiful eyelashes. I'm glad it'll be a while before the next trade is out. I need some time to recover from the disappointment.
What do You think about Ex Machina, #7: Ex Catedra (2009)?
The thing with Brian K. Vaughan is you just never know for sure where he's going.
—moocowozzy
Better than Vaughan's better known later works (Y The Last Man and Saga.)
—yutonew
A little confused, but what a (predictable?) cliffhanger!
—lilia
Ha! I love that the bishop thinks he's the Antichrist.
—Meli
