The series details the life of Mitchell Hundred (also known as the Great Machine), the world's first and only superhero, who, in the wake of his actions on 9/11, is elected mayor of New York City.

[10] That same time, the Great Machine meets a man named Jack Pherson, who has the ability to control and communicate with animals.

That summer, Hundred decides to run for mayor after talking to David Wylie, and announces his candidacy on July 4 by unmasking and effectively retiring as The Great Machine.

[13] On September 11, 2001, the Great Machine stops United Flight 175 before it crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center.

[14] Mitchell Hundred is inaugurated as Mayor of New York City on January 9, 2002, and the comic book series begins with his first days in office.

This parallels the rise of Connie Georges, who develops psychosis due to exposure to the fragment of circuit board that gave Mitchell Hundred his powers.

Connie stabs herself with the fragment and cuts her left arm off, then murders and mutilates her husband, daughter, and family dog.

She gains Hundred-esque powers and moves to the Manhattan sewers, wearing a hazard protection suit and spray-painting glyphs that resemble the one found on the fragment.

[13] Later that year, a comic book store owner named Leto is inspired to become a super hero, called "Automaton".

[6] The second year of his administration begins with a terrorist gas attack during an anti-war demonstration, leaving one of the Mayor's aides in a coma.

Police Commissioner Angotti works with Hundred (in disguise) to apprehend the man responsible for the attacks, while his aide Journal Moore finally succumbs to the ricin gas and dies.

[17] The year ends with Mitchell Hundred and his best friend Rick Bradbury travelling to Vatican City at the invitation of Pope John Paul II.

She disrupts the multi-day convention by BASE jumping from the remaining World Trade Center tower, and writing graffiti on the Empire State Building.

Suzanne activates the portal-opening device where a hell-like dimension is seen & attempts to throw January into the portal to make sure the forces of hell can come safely.

Hundred dons the Great Machine costume for the last time to battle Suzanne, revealing that the supposed "jammer" for his powers never really worked.

Hundred reveals his final act as Mayor on September 1, 2006, with the rebuilding of the Twin Towers to inspire New York and the world.

A year later, Mitchell has a horrifying vision revealing that there are multiple versions of him having conquered several realities & and will never stop trying ways to invade his, as they are all "together".

Upon the release of the first series, IGN gave the series positive reviews: "Brian Vaughan uses Ex Machina to examine the water cooler topics of the moment, such as gay marriage, but also attempts to understand heroism in America's new era...What's most impressive about Vaughan's work is that his four monthly books are very different, not only thematically, but with cadence, pacing and dialogue".