Comic Title: Animal Man #26
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Imprint: Vertigo
Cover Date: August 1990
On Sale Date: June 26, 1990 Shipping Date June 26, 1990
Source: Previews, #16

Shipping Date June 26, 1990
Source: Amazing Heroes, #180
Misnumbered #25

Shipping Date June 28, 1990
Source: Advance Comics, #18

Direct Market Date June 28, 1990
Source: Comic Shop News, #153, #155

Copyright Date June 26, 1990
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1990

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $1.50
Page Count: 32
Editor: Karen Berger

Title: "Deus Ex Machina"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Animal Man (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Grant Morrison
Penciller: Chas Truog
Inker: Mark Farmer
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tatjana Wood

Reprinted In:
Animal Man:Deus Ex Machina TPB (2003)
Animal Man Omnibus HC (2013)
Animal Man by Grant Morrison 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 HC (2020)

Feature Character(s)

• Animal Man (last appearance in Animal Man #25; next appearance in Animal Man #27)

Guest Star(s)

• Grant Morrison (last appearance in Animal Man #25; no further appearances)

Supporting Character(s)

• Ellen Baker (last appearance in Animal Man #19; next appearance in Animal Man #27)
• Cliff Baker (last appearance in Animal Man #19; next appearance in Animal Man #27)
• Maxine Baker (last appearance in Animal Man #19; next appearance in Animal Man #27)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Shark (as an opponent for Animal Man)
• Slaughterhouse (as an opponent for Animal Man)

Comments:
This story is continued from Animal Man #25.

Synopsis:
Buddy comes face-to-face with his maker, Grant Morrison. Grant explains that he is a writer who writes Animal Man. He demonstrates his ability to control Buddy's reality and even Buddy himself. All Buddy wants is an explanation for the death of his family or to get them back. Grant explains that they were killed for dramatic purposes in the story.

As the conversation continues, Grant reveals that he will no longer be writing Buddy's adventures. He also explains that many of the topics explored in previous issues related to his own interests and beliefs. After Grant is done with what he has to say he sends Buddy home.

Buddy materializes on his couch, lost in thought about what he has just learned about his own life and reality. The door bell rings. He opens the door and his family is waiting for him, alive again.

Grant then reminisces about an imaginary friend that he had as a child. He seems to question the nature of his own reality.