Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Pia Guerra
Publisher: Vertigo
WHAT IS IT?
The first of a 10-volume epic that follows the last living male after every other mammal on Earth with a Y chromosome dies.
It’s kind of like Children of Men meets The Leftovers or The Stand.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
(Minor Spoilers)
The book opens with the death of all the male mammals so, like the media mentioned above, the whole rest of the story explores the fallout that such an event might have on the survivors.
The narrative follows Yorick, the only male who survived, as he tries to cross the globe to find his girlfriend and propose to her. Other characters in this ensemble cast are motivated by different reasons, whether it’s protecting Yorick, finding a reason or cure for the plague, or just trying to survive and pick up the pieces of their past lives.
This first volume shows the beginning of Yorick’s long journey and sows the seeds of many large plot events in the future.
WHAT WORKS?
The story feels charged with potential energy, like the first season of a promising TV series
Speaking of TV series, FX announced recently that it’ll be releasing a pilot for a series based on this story
OK, sure, the whole thing is based on a well-off white male character, but the rest of the characters feel real and whole and nuanced, representing women who are straight, or in the LGBTQIA+ community, or from other countries, which is great
It’s fascinating watching how different people react to the plague
The art feels very realistic, almost like a comic book version of a TV show or movie
WHAT DOESN'T WORK?
I feel like the book affected me more (or maybe differently?) when I was a lonely, single yeti than when I read it years later as a married yeti with different priorities
Nudity, violence and adult language and themes means this book should be for more mature readers
WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?
Oh, man. It’s such a classic. Like, it’s so good, I actually saw it on a banned comics list at some point. Read the whole series. Then, read it again. It’s such an interesting, epic, post-apocalyptic, sociological character study.
WHAT DO I READ NEXT?
If you like the writing:
Runaways, Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, Adrian Alphona & Takeshi Miyazawa
Sweet Tooth, Vol. 1 by Jeff Lemire
Old Man Logan by Mark Millar & Steve McNiven
If you like the art:
Y: The Last Man, Vol. 2 by Brian K. Vaughan & Pia Guerra
Manifest Destiny, Vol. 1 by Chris Dingess & Matthew Roberts
Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Brian K. Vaughan – Writer
Name Recognition: One of the most talented and celebrated writers in the industry
Award Winner: Has won a truly incredible amount of awards for his other comics
Was a writer & producer on LOST and Under the Dome
Pia Guerra – Pencils
Originally wanted to go into Medicine
Has also worked on some Spider-Man and Doctor Who comics
Posts political cartoons on her Twitter
José Marzán, Jr. – Inks
Has worked in comics for decades
Inked comics for some of the biggest writers and pencillers in the industry
Pamela Rambo – Colors
Has worked on huge comics classic titles, like Star Wars and Preacher
Most of her work has been for DC and Dark Horse Comics
Clem Robins – Letters
Prolific: Has lettered hundreds of issues over his 40+ years in the industry
Multitalented: His drawings and paintings are shown in collections and museums all over the country
Has also done TV courtroom drawings for over 35 years
HOW DO I BUY IT?
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