Ex machina

Set somewhere between The West Wing and an alternative future, this tale asks the question: What if the mayor of New York was a superhero? Vaughan (Y: The Last Man) and Harris (Starman) answer with intelligence and dash. In classic superhero origin, Mitchell Hundred is just another civil engineer until an encounter with a glowing light under the Brooklyn Bridge gives him the power to talk to machines. Fast forward three years: after a famed stint as a superhero, Hundred has just been elected mayor of New York and must deal with not only the colorful cast of characters that make up his staff but also a host of crises: a PR disaster set off by an exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum; a crippling blizzard; and, most worryingly, a serial killer who's bumping off the city's snow plow drivers. Vaughan cleverly adapts real news stories-New York mayoral politics, the Sensations art scandal-and plausibly fits them into a world where superheroes exist, but are forbidden by the NSA to talk about their powers, while adding surprising twists and turns. Harris's gritty, charismatic characters give the story further appeal. This vastly entertaining first collection should have readers eager to read future volumes. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

This story of a costumed crimefighter who hung up his helmet to become mayor of New York has sharp dialog, first-rate artwork, drama, intrigue, humor, romance, super-science, a strong focus on social and political issues, a great supporting cast, and at its center a man who is, despite his protestations, a real hero. Stakes are raised in Vol. 2: Tag-while Mitchell Hundred decides to officiate at a gay marriage, the mystery of his power over machines deepens and becomes deadly. (LJ 7/05) (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.