Ex+Machina+1

The link below is a blog about an interview between one of the creators of //Ex Machina Vol.// 1 Brian K Vaughan and the interviewer filmmaker and writer Bryan Young. Within the blog reading you realize some of the questions ask; Vaughan tends to hold back on his views on certain responses because he wants his book to speak for itself. They begin to discuss the possibilities of a film or television series of his creation saying " I'm totally open to it being a movie or a television series..., but truthfully if no one wants to do it right, I'm also happy for //Ex Machina// to only exist as a comic book." Brian K Vaughan also tells interviewer Bryan Young that his comic creations was inspired and identified with the politician roles and how power played a role in it. What I found interesting that I thought you would find interesting as well was when interviewer Bryan Young ask Brian K Vaughan "what politicians could learn from the character Mitchel Hundreds style in running the government,"Vaughan respond "... I hope politicians would go into //Ex Machina// reading it more as a cautionary tale than a manual for success. His response alone gave you insight on his feelings towards politicians and they decision making. Brian K Vaughan wanted his story to connect with his audiences all over the globe and describes his comic as " a gateway drug to the ever-expanding world of graphic novels aimed at adult." City Hall was one of the locations He and Tony Harris Feister attended often for research on the creation of the comic book, however he states that majority of the art was based on made of stuff.

// http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-young/ex-machina-an-interview-w_b_789509.html //

// -Jasmine Sanchez //

=RESEARCH ON "EX MACHINA"=

After reading Ex Machina I realize that the comic is more realistic than being a fairytale, besides the power mayor Mitchell Hundred has, it all seems like a realistic story. The comic goes back and forth in time from when Mitchell was a child to being the mayor of N.Y.C. The main character Mitchell hundred has the ability to speak with objects after being electrocuted by a device that was under the Brooklyn bridge. Mitchell is then convinced by Kremlin, an old friend to be 'Ex Machina' and help others in need. I also realized that Kremlin is the mastermind behind everything, Without Kremlin, 'Ex Machina' would not exist, which means both of the twin towers would have been destroyed, since it was 'Ex Machina' who saved one. Mitchell later becomes mayor leaving Ex Machina behind, he believes he was a failure as Ex Machina and hopes to help others as mayor, which I think is not a good idea because he doesn't help as much as he thought. As I mentioned, I believe Ex Machina is more realistic than a comic because Brian k Vaughan puts so much realistic events and sayings in the comic, for example a conversation Kremlin and young Mitchell had at the beginning of the comic. Mitchell tells Kremlin he wants to work for DC comics when he grows up, Kremlin responds with "..we do not always get to be what we want to be in life.. not even in america". This quote has a great meaning and its true. Anyone can probably relate to that quote. While reading the comic I realized BKV has a good idea about what goes on in the mayors position and how politics function. he uses that knowledge and puts it in the comic. The scenario BKV uses for Mitchell as mayor look so realistic. Below is a link of an interview with Brian K. Vaughan, where he mentions spending time at city hall. He also Mentions what he hoped for "Ex Machina".

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-young/ex-machina-an-interview-w_b_789509.html

Karina Rosales

**'Ex Machina' Mayor or Machine?**
'Ex Machina' is a really interesting fiction comic about an civil engineer (Mitchell Hundred) who stumbles a pond a green glowing contraption under the Brooklyn bridge. Not Knowing what about to happen to him, changes his life and see that he has been given ability to communicate with compound and complex machine. Not a clue of why he was given this but been hearing phone, computer, radios, and etc.,talking to him. He soon realize he can use this gift(power) to change his life and to try to control it to be a superhero. But after years past and he sees that his power has given him a set back on the lives that lost on one of the world trade center. After the accident that still burns in his mind forever, Mitchell decides to retire an wants to help everyone of New York in a different way by running for mayor. He sees that his power can't save many people but he can use his power to control the city. He believe that the people need a hero but he also knows that when trouble calls his only choose is to watch and let the people of New York handle their own crisis. I know that this could be hard on him but a power that can control the city machinery and that can hear anything thru any electronic seems like he can be a threat or would be questioned by the government. Some would take aside with Mitchell the mayor of New York but other would thing he just an alien who's a machine that can talk to anything that his mind can tap into and use it against anyone who a poses him.

-Gustavo Vasquez

**"With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility"**
After receiving the graphic novel “Ex Machina, Vol.1” in the mail, my first impressions based on the cover was that it’s a typical superhero comic book about a the stereotypical undercover business man at day and a superhero at night. But after reading the first few chapters I was hooked, before I knew I finished reading the book in a matter of hours without putting it down. This novel was well written and illustrated. Early in the book we read about the mystery “glowing object” under the Brooklyn bridge, after trying the grab it Mitchell Hundred  has the ability to communicate with metal and electrical object. After reading the book we find out Mitchell gave up the dangerous and trill lifestyle of a superhero for a suit and tie mayor position, later finding out he’s done more good in a matter of hours in the office than being a destructive superhero. Rather than fighting villains “The Great Machine” has to deal with real life issues such as immature teens trying the ride the train. And in office taking on the usual issues a mayor would have. The main reason I adore this novel is that it’s base on true event in New York and would recommend it to New Yorkers especially. In an interview (link stated below) Brain K. Vaughan mentioned how he relates real life aspects into his novels, such as the New York City Blackout in 2003. And would somehow relate this event in the novel by The Great Machine losing his powers.

[]

-Satish Singh


 * Research on “Ex Machina” **

As soon as I finish reading “//Ex Machina//” a fictional comic, I actually notice how it portrays on what happening in today society. The details the author Brian K. Vaughan provided in the comic make the comic more realistic. As I research more on Brian K. Vaughan, I came upon a website blog that show a writer who had an interview with the author ,which if anyone want to take look at it the link is posted in the bottom. The author talks about how he once worked in politician, which is why the comic “//Ex Machina//” has so many politician details in it. Vaughan also talk about how anyone who goes to politician should really read this comic first because it show warning sign for upcoming tragedy, which is ironic because his warning sign he involved in the comic are tragedy that happen a lot in our society. The comic talk about a mayor name Mitchell who receive these amazing power to talk to machine from a glowing green devise 2 years before running for mayor. At first he decided to become a crime fighter, but lately he been having flash back about his mother who was rape and murder and out of anger he took his anger out on beating up a black man. Then he decided to run for mayor knowing his power will become useful on helping the city improve from there increasing crime rate, but during his first speech to the public he almost wind up getting shot. Soon after a museum display a painting showing Abraham Lincoln with the word N* across his chest, which cause the media attention and causes protest. While trying to solve a solution for this problem the mayor receive another call on a killer going on rampage killing snowplow drive, which causes the mayor to ignore the painting problem and focus on this new problem. At the end they eventually found out it was some college student who been committing these murders, because he was being bully at his school which he take his own life. The author really shows how this comic fiction relates to our world. []
 * Juan Zhanay**

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_Machina_(comics)#cite_note-2 -Dinglong.zhao
 * Study of "EX MACHINA" **
 * "EX MACHINA" is a greatly weaved story. After reading this comic, I realize that there was full of mystery, super heroic flashbacks, and with interesting characters. Such as Mitchell Hundred, Rick Bradbury, and Ivan "Kremlin" Tereshkov etc... **** "EX MACHINA" it setting in our modern-day world, its telling people that the story of civil engineer Mitchell Hundred, who is from an Amercia's first living and breathing superhero after a strong accident then gives him amazing power. In the first hundred days Mitchell Hundred uses all of his abilities to become the great Machine, but he slowly found that the greater abilities come with more responsibilities. Thus, mayor Hundred has to worry about than just budget problems and an antagonistic governor, especially when a mysterious hooded figure begins assassinating plow drivers during the strong snowstorm in the city's histroy... To sum up, I given my personal opinion is that no matter what kind of hero it has the story behind them and no one could be a perfect hero. In conclusion, I really like to see that there has a really super hero to save the world. Haha.... **

Heads up. The article I'm posting about Ex Machina does have a few spoilers (future story arches and scenarios) but, I will not go into detail about them in this summary. This article starts out with Thom Dunn, the blogger, writing about how the Brian K. Vaughan, the author of Ex Machina, found inspiration for his novel. He states that Brian was fed up with the current flow of politics. Brian was looking to create a politician who was a "realist" and not a democrat, republican, or any of our current political parties. The article goes deep into how the subsequent volumes of Ex Machina explore social and political issues such as education, gay rights, defense / security, health care, drugs, bipartisanship, freedom of speech, the environment, reproductive rights, and taxes. In class we touched on how freedom of speech was portrayed in the comic with the Abe Lincoln portrait. According to Thom, in later volumes, Mayor Mitchell Hundred seems to be a firm believer in this form do freedom. Thom goes on to write about times where Hundred allows anti-war marches and hate rallies to take place throughout the city. @http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/11/qex-machinaq-and-the-great-political-machine-of-brian-k-vaughan - Adrian

==== Depending on who you are, this might be a spoiler. A Mr. Peter Suderman praises the work __Ex: Machina__ for some paragraphs by analyzing the parts he feels make the comic worthwhile. Some of it is plot summary, but he explains well enough so that for those who found the flashbacks confusing can understand better. The text never calls __Ex Machina__ a satire, but it makes it seem like one throughout. There is also a lot of evidence presented to prove how realistic this comic is. The author also goes on to explain the themes or lessons or ideas he believes the comic sets out to prove. Suderman references how the comic presents todays issues throughout the series. The author tells of what the political agenda is for Mitch and asks if it reflects Birans politics( no it doesn't, Brian says he is mostly different from //Ex Machinas'// protagists political beliefs. Since Brian pokes holes in the idea of leaders, it would be easier to poe holes in something you oppose). Read it if you feel like you are not sure of your understanding of the book in any level. ====

http://reason.com/archives/2010/08/25/a-superhero-for-mayor - Alexander Romero

Throughout this comic book, it shows many amazing illustration. Some of these picture are drew by Tom Feister. Tom feister illustrated some of the pictures in Ex Machina. The pictures in this comic are very detail. However, on this site, tom shows many of his work on different comic books. Tom also illustrated many other common comic book, such as I//ron Man// and T//he Avengers//. Tom had his career off of drawing comic books. Many of these comic book had very good drawing and the picture are very detail as well. Tom was also interview about his works. Tom also mention that he become interested in drawing comic books by playing with action figure as a little boy. I find it amazing how he want to draw superheros and he also became a superhero as he drew them in many of those comic books. Many people look at his drawing in many of these comic books and make other drawer want to become like him. I have many friends that like to draw and wish to become a great artist someday. But, after reading what Tom Feister when through to get what he want, any other artist could do the some.
 * Research on Ex Machina**

http://www.comicvine.com/tom-feister/4040-6964/ http://www.newsarama.com/5933-artist-s-alley-3-tom-feister-from-politics-to-heroes.html

-Marilyn Reyes

Research on Ex Machina
====To begin, I think that Ex Machina was a great story. Mr. Mitchell, the main character was electrocuted, and ever since he had super power, such as the ability to speak with objects. By watching Mr. Mitchell closely as I was reading, I could see how devoted he is to help others, which makes him a hero. At any time, any emergency, he is there to help. As Brian K Vaughan, the author says: sometimes Mitchell speaks with his radio and ask it to scan for some keywords such as emergency, alert, and danger. Mr. Mitchell realizes the best way to help his city was to get involved into politics. therefore he decides to run for office for Mayor of New York City which I think was a bad idea. After Mayor Mitchell is elected, he is unable to use his super power and can’t directly help, and protect people in New York. He even suspected his friend Kremlin to be the killer of the sanitation workers. Another point I find interesting is: even though Mitchell was known as a hero, he was doing positive things for his city, he still had people who were against him for instance Mr. Trip. It is interesting because in real life we will always have people who will try to bring us down, but we should keep our head up and not letting people tear us down just like Mayor Mitchell did when Mr. trip tried to stop him. Here’s a link that provides good information about the story, []. It basically tell us about Mitchell, why he ran for office, and what happen afterward. ====