Ex Machina #2

Ex Machina #2 was published in 2004 as part of a creator-owned series by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Tony Harris, released under DC Comics' WildStorm imprint. The series emerged during a period of experimentation for the publisher, blending the gritty reality of post-9/11 New York City with traditional superhero tropes. The story follows Mitchell Hundred, a former costumed vigilante turned mayor, and this early issue serves to deepen the narrative tension between his political ambitions and his past life as the Great Machine.

The aesthetic of the series is defined by Tony Harris's distinct use of photo-reference, which provides the book with a cinematic, grounded realism that stands in contrast to the typical house style of superhero comics at the time. This design choice was intended to reflect the grounded, urban setting of the story. Upon its release, the series was received with considerable acclaim for its nuanced look at governance and morality, helping to establish Vaughan's reputation for complex character-driven storytelling.