Reviews

Ex Machina, Vol. 3: Fact v. Fiction by Tom Feister, J.D. Mettler, Tony Harris, Brian K. Vaughan

codyisreading's review against another edition

3.0

Vol. 3 took a step back. Someone from Hundred's past returns but is dispatched pretty quickly and the character never amounts to much.

Also, we're given some backstory on Mitch's dad but up to this point I'm not sure if they've earned the catharsis that comes with the revelation.

Not bad, just a lot of undercooked ideas in this volume. Hopefully #4 is better.

sparklethenpop's review against another edition

5.0

I know I say this every time I read something by him but I love Brian K. Vaughan.

paulh1's review against another edition

emotional informative lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

shane_tiernan's review against another edition

4.0

That dialogue! I swear Vaughan could write about everyday normal stuff and it would still be witty as hell and feel totally real. Let's just be happy that he doesn't write about everyday normal stuff so it's even better. Some of his other series seem to meander a bit (Saga, Y the Last Man) almost as if he's not sure how he wants to end them, but he definitely wants to keep on selling comics. That works up to a point and then it just gets kind of tiresome. So hoping that this one ends satisfactorily at some reasonable point. There was one big hint in this volume, I'm hoping it pans out and things start moving the overall arch forward.

jagussow's review against another edition

5.0

I love this series and in my re-read I'm remembering how dark the book could go. An edgier West Wing crossed with superheroics.

rmgebhardt's review against another edition

3.0

I'm starting to wonder why this series got such high marks from critics... Vaughan's writing style is definitely compelling, but the two plots in this volume were not all that interesting. The new superhero storyline was so transparent you knew where it was going as soon as the setup was introduced. Then the jury duty storyline... it got a bit too far-fetched for me (yes, I realize I am using "far-fetched" as a criticism of a story about an ex-superhero), especially when Vaughan is trying to keep this a grounded.

joshgauthier's review against another edition

3.0

This was probably the best volume so far in the series. I continue to have mixed feelings, but vol. 3 has convinced me to keep reading. While the mature language continues to feel as though its just there because it can be, my biggest issue is that the storyline in "Ex Machina" feels too disconnected. There is a political issue to be examined each time along with a superhero storyline that is often only vaguely related. The themes explored are interesting and the larger story threads that exist are engaging, as are the separate stories. Basically, what I found in this volume was pretty good, but I feel like it could possibly be much more. And maybe it will be as the series continues.

elsgrave's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.5

kristy_k's review against another edition

3.0

Not quite sure where this series is going, but for now I'll keep on reading.

rouver's review against another edition

3.0

As usual, a quick read. This one felt grittier. It wasn't my favorite in the series, but we do find out more about Mitchell Hundred's past & play 'where are they now?' with his family.

If you haven't read these, definitely pick up a copy.