In this ninth volume, Mayor Hundred descends into the sewers of New York City to learn why he was given the strange powers that helped him become the heroic Great Machine. Also, a powerful new foe reveals a terrifying plan that's been in the works since the very first issue.

Garth Ennis, Jim Lee & Richard Friend contributed to issue #40. "Originally published in single magazine form as Ex Machina #40-44 and Ex Machina Special #4"--P. [3].