Brian K. Vaughan's books are year's 4th best
I remember how I felt when I read my first issue of Brian K. Vaughan's Ex-Machina. I had been hearing good things about this comic for years from sources such as Wizard, CBBG and others but didn't get a chance to jump on board early on. Luckily, the story was reprinted in TPB form by DC's Wildstorm line and I could not be any happier. The first edition "The First Hundred Days" blew me away. The writing was so well crafted and the artwork was crisp and the facial expressions so well done, while the character of Mayor Mitchell and the political world he inhabited was so engrossing, that I had to go out and snatch the next few volumes at Tower Record's going out of business sale. Soon, I was caught up and now I am hooked on this most excellent comic.
It probably isn't hyperbole to call Vaughan one of the best comic book writers of our generation and this remark is verified by Wizard recently naming him their writer of the year. He's one prolific force penning not only the aforementioned Ex-Machina but the equally excellent Y-The Last Man. I love the concept of this book. Who would have though that a book (as he puts it) about "a monkey and one-breasted women in motorcycles" could be so great. What makes it great is the writing in which Vaughan expertly unveils the tale of the last surviging male on the planet.
As if that wasn't enough, the writer also penned Marvel's highly successful Runaways series. Though he won't be writing the book for much longer, Vaughan has made it a critical success and a fan favorite. Personally, I have not read a single issue of this series, prefering to follow his more obscure offerings, but they are only obscure to the masses as comic book fans have long followed most of this guy's books with religious fervor. As well they should, they are great reads. I could not make up my mind so I am naming both Ex-Machina and Y-The Last Man as the 4th best comic of 2006. Vaughan is my pick of the best writer of the year as well.
