Y: The Last Man

[Ripper]

I cant believe up until two weeks ago, I had never read this comic. My comic book guy recommended it to me and i got Volume 1: Unmanned. I rushed back the very next day and bought Volume 2: Cycles. What a great, funny, exciting and original book, I cant wait to pick up the rest of the trades. Anyone else like this comic?

[ocelotrevs]

Yeah, it's pretty good. But I found that it wasn't something that's overly re-readable.
And it's pretty long as well, I couldn't do singles with it.

[Hi-Fi]

Best series ever. Vaughan is the man!

[hshaukat]

I dig this series. Vaughan is one of my favorite writers. I don't buy the singles only because I didn't get into the series until right before vol 5 TPB came out. So now I just stick with the TPBs. Already pre-ordered vol. 7. If you like Y, you should also check out Runaways and Ex Machina. Awesome stuff.

So far, the Safeword story arc in Y:TLM is my favorite.

[stealthwise]

Excellent series, that reads much better in trade. However, the cliffhangers sucked me in, so I started buying single issues after the magnificent "Safeword" arc. The series is slated to end at issue 60, but there's still plenty more greatness to go.

[Violently Apathetic]

I'm reading it in trade and was seriously turned off by 'Safeword' as my suspension of belief can only go so far and in reality that entire scene was just so...eh. Dumbest way to treat a suicidal person EVER. It could have been handled in a less sophomoric way, IMHO. HOWEVER, I got over my distaste and was pulled back in by the next arc, in fact I'm picking up the sixth trade tomorrow, yay.

[Indefatigable]

Y is awesome.

[Nick Kal]

I had the same experience. After I read the first volume I grabbed the rest like every other day. Awesome series!

[stealthwise]

I'm reading it in trade and was seriously turned off by 'Safeword' as my suspension of belief can only go so far and in reality that entire scene was just so...eh. Dumbest way to treat a suicidal person EVER. It could have been handled in a less sophomoric way, IMHO. HOWEVER, I got over my distaste and was pulled back in by the next arc, in fact I'm picking up the sixth trade tomorrow, yay.

Sophomoric eh? I like that buzzword, it's become my favourite adjective used when people can't think of one more fitting. :)

Anyways, I don't think that the situation was that out of character, given who was trying to help Yorick.

[Violently Apathetic]

Sophomoric eh? I like that buzzword, it's become my favourite adjective used when people can't think of one more fitting. :)


Hey, I helped to pioneer 'sophomoric' as a buzzword. I deserve kudos and praise. But okay then, I'll bite, better words to describe all the different ways I viewed the sequence;

Asinine, gratuitous, inane, puerile, juvenile and just plain o' retarded! You keep this up I'm going to break the spine on my thesaurus.

Seriously though, it was an unnecessary bit of titillation that marred what had been up until that point a mature and well handled series. 'Hm, I know, I’ll throw in an S&M sequence and justify it as therapy!' I mean, yes, it recovered from what I considered to be a misstep, but I still think as a scene it was somewhat detrimental to what I believed to otherwise be a well crafted story.

[stealthwise]

Ah, the S&M. I thought for a moment you were talking about the violence involved in the situation.

The S&M works though, because it's a move completely off the track for Yorick and the reader. It jars, and it hurts you to read it as much as you imagine that it's hurting Yorick, who has been rejecting his own sexuality and denying himself primal urges and freedom that are necessary to his own physical and mental health. S&M is arguably about submission and domination, and Yorick being dominated allowed him the freedom to address those issues without having to actively engage with his own repressed thoughts and feelings.

Or I'm just full of shit. Either way, I found it to be a stark and compelling arc that redefined the character and the direction of the title.

[Violently Apathetic]

Well, I agree, I did enjoy the look inside of Yorick's mind and psyche, it was compelling and I'm glad that the author allowed us that insight in to what makes Yorick...well, Yorick. That scene where he was considering giving up and dying until he’s surrounded by that golden light and recognition crosses his face was just great. My main issue was with how we got there. I admit, I don't know much about psychotherapy, but I'm pretty sure that the way to help a suicidal person suffering from post traumatic stress disorder is not to drug them with hallucinogens, tie them up, call them a faggot and threaten to rape them. I just thought that it was such an unbelievable situation and the writer, given his talent, could have thought of something a tad more reasonable. I can see the argument that the S&M element is being used intentionally to underline Yorick’s problems with his own sexuality, and your argument that this was the only type of situation that would allow him to speak freely about what he’s repressed for so long, but I just thought the explanation given wasn’t strong enough to justify the scene and it almost seemed like an afterthought to me. Basically it seemed an unrealistic approach to solving Yorick’s problem that has little basis in real psychotherapy.

......And then I realize I’m accusing a book where the key to salvation is monkey poop of being unrealistic and realize who is really being sophomoric. *facepalm*

Anyway, I love the series, and I’m going to force my sister to read it, despite the fact she keeps saying what a retarded premise it is.

[RickThunderclees]

Y is terrific. I got talked into buying the first couple trades when they first came out by our local comic book shop guy. I haven't bought any as of late, but the story is sooooo entertaining.

Enjoy,

-Bar

[ultramandingo]

monkeys ninjas amazons guns pirates boobs spacemen and no spandex , whats not to like? now read ex-machina you dumb-koffs!

[garin]

The latest issue was great.

"Tokyo is like the fever dream of a gay Kryptonian."

[Apathy Boy]

I'm reading it in trade and was seriously turned off by 'Safeword' as my suspension of belief can only go so far and in reality that entire scene was just so...eh. Dumbest way to treat a suicidal person EVER. It could have been handled in a less sophomoric way, IMHO. HOWEVER, I got over my distaste and was pulled back in by the next arc, in fact I'm picking up the sixth trade tomorrow, yay.I had pretty much the opposite reaction. I was getting bored of Y until "Safeword" came along and completely knocked me off my feet. Based on what had come before, I was not expecting a weird-assed story like that from this series. And I thought the character revelations at the end were great.

Then after that, the series went back into its formula stories that don't go anywhere other an anti-climactic resolution. The series starts off with Yorick whining about finding Beth, recklessly endangering his life, ignoring his sexual tension with 355 and being pursued by the militant Israeli woman. What's happening three years later? Yorick's whining about finding Beth, recklessly endangering his life, ignoring his sexual tension with 355 and being pursued by the militant Israeli woman. Ugh.

[Violently Apathetic]

Hm, I can understand that. I remember reading an article which stated that 'Y: The Last Man' was the 'stupidest smart book' out there right now and its formulaic nature is a big part of that. I did like the trippy elements of 'Safeword' a lot, my only problem, again, is with how they got there, it struck me as...well, it's hard to describe. I started picking up the book with some misgivings because the premise seemed to me like another escape fantasy to appeal to male readers and I was pleasantly surprised to see that while yes, the sexual element is there (as it logically should be) it's not about a bunch of horny desperate women trying to jump Yorick's bones. So I was a little wary of 'Safeword' when because I felt is was tiptoeing back to that element I was so concerned with when I started the series.

Incidentally I made the mistake of showing my sister scans from 'Safeword' and now I can not get her to read the series. I brought the first trade home from school and put it in with the other trades I wanted her to read and she picked it out of the pile immediately and handed it back to me saying quite bluntly 'I don't want to read this.' I found it a little startling, she's usually at least willing to humour me. As much as I try to argue and rationalize the concept to her she simply can’t get over the premise. Ah well, I'll keep pressing it until she either reads it or beats me to death with it.

[stealthwise]

The latest issue was great.

"Tokyo is like the fever dream of a gay Kryptonian."

Haha, yeah that was definitely my favourite line from that issue.

I really love where the book seems to be going now, because the "Girl on Girl" arc did next to nothing for me. "Paper Dolls" was quite good though and gave me hope that this arc would be strong. So far it's done well.

Btw, anyone else notice Yorick's "screwup" when he said "More Blade Runner than Westworld"? I would think that the automaton was the other way around, as it didn't seem to have any will of its own (though I suppose we'll see).

[Weapon Ick]

Yorick's Japan costume is his best disguise ever.

[Shellhead]

Yorick's Japan costume is his best disguise ever.

I agree. And I really need track down issue #43, to see how he came up with it. For some odd reason, that issue sold out really fast at the local comic book stores.

[Majinlex]

i love Y, it's the only book at the moment that i would happily shell out fork loads of money for but i don't need to cos it's cheaper than most other trades.

my favourite line from #44 was when he found out You's name.
"Well, that's some Who's-on-first shit right there"

and while we're talking about Safeword, my favourite scene in the book to date is the flashback when he was in his apartment and instead of dialogue boxes he was speaking the narration. I don't want this taken the wrong way but the book felt so real at that point I could swear I was watching a film. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, it was kinda like in Sin City (movie) when Dwight is speaking his dialogue in the car, but WAY better.

can't wait for the 7th trade.

[Hi-Fi]

Loved last issue.

Yorick and 355 will totally make out in that room!

[Weapon Ick]

Loved last issue.

Yorick and 355 will totally make out in that room!

aahhh!! I haven't read it yet! Spoiled!
eh, it was bound to happen. Those two have already done everyone else. It's about time they finally get it on with eachother. Beth is totally gonna destroy him when they meet and she finds out.

I think it's lame that Beth somehow magically knows that Yorick is alive. It's been such a long series and it's managed to cleverly avoid any supernatural elements. I just hate to see it tarnished by a character having a psychic vision.

[Hi-Fi]

aahhh!! I haven't read it yet! Spoiled!
eh, it was bound to happen. Those two have already done everyone else. It's about time they finally get it on with eachother. Beth is totally gonna destroy him when they meet and she finds out.

I think it's lame that Beth somehow magically knows that Yorick is alive. It's been such a long series and it's managed to cleverly avoid any supernatural elements. I just hate to see it tarnished by a character having a psychic vision.

Don't worry, You were not spoiled. It's pure speculation from my part.;)

[Reggie Swats]

Or I'm just full of shit. Either way, I found it to be a stark and compelling arc that redefined the character and the direction of the title.

I agree with stealthwise.

[SicHed]

i just read books one two and three, for free, i got em at the libraree!

[Nick Kal]

Just read Paper Dolls/ Vol. 7! I love this title more than a lot of things... like cheesecake, Gargoyles the Animated Series & glitter. So that's saying a lot!

Yorick naked caught me off guard... this is exactly what I expect from this book, along with laughing every minute or so.

[hootie mcboob]

I thought Preacher was the best comic book ever til Y: Last Man. I borrowed the first 7 books from a mate and found myself all caught up with the issues. When I read Preacher I had the whole set. I have now opened an account to get Y every month. I'm waiting on #46 and i can't stand it.

One question: Why'd Amp have the dream? I mean, why show it. Did I miss something deep and meaningful??

I'm totally addicted to this ... an' it's sexy as f*ck. Nuff said.

[hootie mcboob]

I agree. And I really need track down issue #43, to see how he came up with it. For some odd reason, that issue sold out really fast at the local comic book stores.
Try ebay. I got 43 and 44 on there to catch up. Came the next day!

[Solario]

I get what Violently Apathetic is saying, but I seem to recall Vaughan mentioning something on his forum a while back that it was based on an actual method.

And I love Y: The Last Man.

[ultramandingo]

allright who else teared up when ampersand was hanging of the door knob.? ...... just me. how about him biting yorick! bwah ...that littel f-er!

[hootie mcboob]

allright who else teared up when ampersand was hanging of the door knob.? ...... just me. how about him biting yorick! bwah ...that littel f-er!
Wait a cotton pickin minute....doorknob...amp...hanging. NO DON'T TELL ME, I'm getting #46 tomorrow. Patience Danialsan.......

Comic book get I.....hmmmm

OH, AND CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW I GET TO PUT WORDS UNDER MY USERNAME WHERE IT SAYS NEW MEMBER AT THE MOMENT? Or is that a right that needs to be earned?

[sgt pepper]

triple post

[sgt pepper]

quadruple post

[sgt pepper]

double post

[sgt pepper]

ish 46 spoilers (sort of)

Everybody's got Something to Hide Except For Me and my Monkey" isn't even close to the Beatle's worst song. Obviously appropriate for the scene, though. Didn't one of Vaughn's characters from Runaways claim a different tune as the Beatle's worst song? So which is it, Mr. Vaughn?

I must have missed something. Who brought the antiviral to the infant space love babies? What issue was it in?

[Indefatigable]

ish 46 spoilers (sort of)

Everybody's got Something to Hide Except For Me and my Monkey" isn't even close to the Beatle's worst song. Obviously appropriate for the scene, though. Didn't one of Vaughn's characters from Runaways claim a different tune as the Beatle's worst song? So which is it, Mr. Vaughn?

I must have missed something. Who brought the antiviral to the infant space love babies? What issue was it in?Uh, I think it was Hero and Beth II that brought some of Amper's feces to the group in the bunker so they could make a vaccine. Not sure what issue.

[stealthwise]

ish 46 spoilers (sort of)

Everybody's got Something to Hide Except For Me and my Monkey" isn't even close to the Beatle's worst song. Obviously appropriate for the scene, though. Didn't one of Vaughn's characters from Runaways claim a different tune as the Beatle's worst song? So which is it, Mr. Vaughn?


It's probably Yorick's opinion more than BKV's.

[Shadow ES]

I picked up the first trade 2 weeks ago, and I'm loving this book. I think it's one of the better series I've read recently. Vauhn is quickly becoming my favorite writer, and I'm gonna look into his other stuff as soon as I'm caught up with Y.

[Captain Morgan]

I just read the first trade, and thought it was great. But anyone else think that a group like the Amazons is kind of a dumb concept? Considering that they are basically dooming all life on earth with out males.

[Afrika]

I thought it was a great concept. There have always been people that have lead people to believe all sorts of things even if it was to their own deaths. If I am correct there are many records of leaders having their people commit suicide and I see that as no different.

[Sean Walsh]

For some odd reason, that issue sold out really fast at the local comic book stores.

That's why it needs to be on your pull list so that your LCS gives you a guaranteed copy before they run out of copies for the shelves!!

[big_dippin]

I just picked up the first trade yesterday. I read it today and am amazed. I'm going back tomorrow to get #2 and #3. Wow, the first TPB just drew me in. I'm hooked. Can't wait to read some more tomorrow.

[Hi-Fi]

I just picked up the first trade yesterday. I read it today and am amazed. I'm going back tomorrow to get #2 and #3. Wow, the first TPB just drew me in. I'm hooked. Can't wait to read some more tomorrow.

Yeah, it does that. :D

I love suggesting Y for other people, they always thank me later! Y is may favorite comic book ever, probably.

[Uatu]

I just picked up the first trade yesterday. I read it today and am amazed. I'm going back tomorrow to get #2 and #3. Wow, the first TPB just drew me in. I'm hooked. Can't wait to read some more tomorrow.

I just finished the first trade today and am ready to start the second, I also have volumes 3 thru 7 on loan from my friend Dan (Vegetarian Goat).

Man this is a great comic, few other titles have pulled me in from the very beginning like this one has.

[Hi-Fi]

I just finished the first trade today and am ready to start the second, I also have volumes 3 thru 7 on loan from my friend Dan (Vegetarian Goat).

Man this is a great comic, few other titles have pulled me in from the very beginning like this one has.

Yes! Dan is doing his home work! He said to me he loved the first trade. I didn't know he'd get the rest so quickly, though.:D

[stealthwise]

Damn, the new issue highlighting Allison is dynamite stuff.

[WhiteRose]

Damn, the new issue highlighting Allison is dynamite stuff.

Tell me about it, eh. I'm rather intrigued to find out what these 'long term complications' from her pregnancy are all about.

Curse the fact it only runs till #60.

[Hi-Fi]

Brilliant issue. My favorite Origin issue right up there with Beth's.

[Jack]

Brilliant issue. My favorite Origin issue right up there with Beth's.
My face hasn't moved since I read the end of #47.

[ultramandingo]

wish there was more lesbian fencing.....and monkeys

[SMKSPY]

BKV better get a move on if he plans to end the series by issue 60...still so many unanswered questions.

[Weapon Ick]

Y is going to end by issue 60? I did not know that. Well that's not too unreasonable. I mean a lot of threads are starting to get tied up now. The last issue was nice and it looks like this might be the end of Dr. Mann. It makes sense because I don't see how she's useful anymore.

[mgevol]

of course she's useful. she exists to teach young ladies the benefits of tampons!

[Lord Paradise]

I just read the first volume, really enjoyed it. Well-written, great characters, great subplots. And from what I've heard, it doesn't slow down as it goes on.

[Ronnigon]

Y: The Last Man has been optioned for a film version, by New Line Cinemas:

http://www.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Movies&action=page&type_id=&cat_id=270338&obj_id=38652

[Shellhead]

The timing of this latest issue was amazing, knowing that they must have been working on it for months before the recent outbreak of war in Lebanon. I still don't like Alter, but I do finally understand her.

[sgt pepper]

So it looks like humanity will be saved (as well as one species of monkeys). Things are looking up for the human race (though I'm sure BKV will turn that on its head soon).

However, what are humans going to do now? Very soon, they will be the only animals left alive on the planet (except for maybe one species of monkey). Fine, they can go vegetarian. But plants rely on animals for many things--seed dispersal, grazing to wipe out competitors, etc.--so many plants will similarly be wiped out. And entire ecosystems will be changed radically without the presence of the animals that had been residents. Without the other animals present that were necessary for the earth to evolve into a suitable habitat for humans, the place could soon become uninhabitable.

So are the humans working on saving other animals, too? Obviously, getting human men back is their first priority, but I don't remember this issue having been covered in the book.

[Jack]

It's only mammals who were affected by the plague.

And the death of the animals has been brought up by Alison when she was complaining about 355 and Yorick wasting time.

[sgt pepper]

Only mammals? I missed that. I could have sworn that insects were mentioned somewhere in the series--maybe I just dreamed it--I'll have to go back and check.

[Bazooka Tooth]

So many things to read with so little cash in hand.

pfffft.

[swinebread]

All I got to say, I could never get my sister to read a comic book. No matter what I put in front of her, she would turn up her nose. She never said why but I assumed that she thougt they where kiddy stuff only. She even turned down Watchmen. After almost 20 years I finally got her to read a 'comic' and it was Y: the last man. How about that. :)

[ultramandingo]

you know where this is going...... a world with nothing but the decendents of monkeys and yoricks . till chuck heston shows up and starts overacting all over the place

[stealthwise]

All right. The plot finally starts to pick up after "Girl on Girl" and "Paper Dolls," both of which were arcs that I felt were kind of filler that set the stage for the last year of Y.

And we're at issue 49... only 11 to go.

[Hi-Fi]

#49 was great, as expected. I can already feel the end aproaching.

[Jack Destruct]

All right. The plot finally starts to pick up after "Girl on Girl" and "Paper Dolls," both of which were arcs that I felt were kind of filler that set the stage for the last year of Y.

Thank christ...

I've really been unimpressed with Y for a while now (I'm collecting trades, not singles...), so if it is picking up I'll be happy to follow it to the end.

[stealthwise]

Thank christ...

I've really been unimpressed with Y for a while now (I'm collecting trades, not singles...), so if it is picking up I'll be happy to follow it to the end.

I've noticed a trend like that so far in much of Vaughan's work. Well, only Y and Runaways actually, as I'm getting Ex Machina in trades and it's excellent so far. I wonder if he's starting to burn out on some of his characters though?

[Saturn Girl]

I had never even heard of Y when I thumbed thru the trades at my LCS. They only had the first three volumes in stock and I had to snag them. What a terrific story! I love all the characters, especially Yorick who can make me laugh and break my heart all in the same issue. Pia Guerra's pencils are amazing, so clean and yet so expressive.

I don't have "Safeword" volume yet but I was blown away by scans of her Poloroid layouts for the Yorick and Beth love scene. Lovely detail for the mood of the scene, and the most creative "montage" layout I've probably ever seen. That whole sequence was such a mind trip, I can't wait to read the whole trade.

Now that I know what the heck Y is, I've seen whispers at various sites that BKV has been working on a screenplay. Has it been optioned, or is he planning to shop it around?

[stealthwise]

Now that I know what the heck Y is, I've seen whispers at various sites that BKV has been working on a screenplay. Has it been optioned, or is he planning to shop it around?

He's already had it optioned by... I think New Line Cinema? Not entirely sure on that one, but from the sounds of it, they've given him first crack at writing the screenplay.

Better details are usually available at www.bkv.tv Vaughan himself usually will answer any questions personally on his message board.

[Sane Man]

I don't have "Safeword" volume yet but I was blown away by scans of her Poloroid layouts for the Yorick and Beth love scene. Lovely detail for the mood of the scene, and the most creative "montage" layout I've probably ever seen. That whole sequence was such a mind trip, I can't wait to read the whole trade.

Safeword is the best arc.

[Ripper]

Safeword is the best arc.
I got Safeword on Friday and out of all the arcs ive read so far (first 4 trades) it certainly was the best one.

[Saturn Girl]

I finally got "Safeword" and it was so fabulous! Probably the best graphic novel I've ever read. The whole sequence in the cabin really put me through an emotional gauntlet, at turns erotic, terrifying, disturbing and saddening. I always wondered why we never got to see Yorick's first exposure to the plague victims, now I realize BKV was saving that for a really big moment. WOW. Guerra's pencils in the hallway scene were shockingly good.

I loved the irony that the agent helped Yorick kick his death wish yet had her own all along. This story makes me dig Yorick even more, after seeing so many secrets lurking behind his slackery facade.

[Philos]

In "Kimono Dragons" it is said, Yorick only slept with 3 other women in the last four year. I know about Beth II and Kilina, captain of "The Whale". Who is the third woman?

Edit: The other girl was the one from the prison in Marrisville. Her name was Sonia.

[geordiesteve]

All I got to say, I could never get my sister to read a comic book. No matter what I put in front of her, she would turn up her nose. She never said why but I assumed that she thougt they where kiddy stuff only. She even turned down Watchmen. After almost 20 years I finally got her to read a 'comic' and it was Y: the last man. How about that. :)

This links to something I was gonna ask, and posed somewhere else on the board.

Does anyone know, or have an idea, as to the mal to female ratio readers of Y: The Last Man? Do many women read it? More than say, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, and other 'mainstream' superhero comics.

[-Sven-]

Anyone know if there are plans to issue Y in a series of bigger collections, like 2 or 3 TPBs in one book?

[Alex L]

Anyone know if there are plans to issue Y in a series of bigger collections, like 2 or 3 TPBs in one book?

I must say I'm not quite sure why they would do that.

[Brock]

I just noticed in the DC/Vertigo May solicitations that YTLM will be going to a bi-monthly schedule as of #56.

This makes sense if they want to give Pia Guerra & co more time to do their best work for the final issues. If I remember rightly the shipping on Preacher slowed down a bit towards the end of the run for the same reason.

[ACertainMrDoe]

Yeah, I confess: I read "Unmanned" yesterday evening, and must confess, that I found it dull. The protagonists are unbelievably uncredible if you ask me (almost on every page someone did or said something where I thought "what the heck..."). I find Yorrick a nuisance, I cannot at all identify with him. His mother is a bitch, sorry to say, as are practically all female (i.e. all) characters - if they are not poor helpless victims, no in between. The statement that this comic is "The best series ever" makes me cringe. And it is not only the characters, but the story as well. The premise - ok, I could live with it, I did in "Walking Dead" as well, where no real explanation is offered for the catastrophe. But the execution is so different. It conveys a certain credibility, Y simply doesn't.
I'm going to give the series a second try with the second TPB, but only because all of you are so extremely excited about it. Otherwise I would have dumped it as another instance of "hypes to be ignored".
Now it's your turn to show me the error of my ways... ;)

[stealthwise]

Yeah, I confess: I read "Unmanned" yesterday evening, and must confess, that I found it dull. The protagonists are unbelievably uncredible if you ask me (almost on every page someone did or said something where I thought "what the heck..."). I find Yorrick a nuisance, I cannot at all identify with him. His mother is a bitch, sorry to say, as are practically all female (i.e. all) characters - if they are not poor helpless victims, no in between. The statement that this comic is "The best series ever" makes me cringe. And it is not only the characters, but the story as well. The premise - ok, I could live with it, I did in "Walking Dead" as well, where no real explanation is offered for the catastrophe. But the execution is so different. It conveys a certain credibility, Y simply doesn't.
I'm going to give the series a second try with the second TPB, but only because all of you are so extremely excited about it. Otherwise I would have dumped it as another instance of "hypes to be ignored".
Now it's your turn to show me the error of my ways... ;)

It's simple, either you like it or you don't really like it. I don't think anyone here is going to try and convince you otherwise, but it is a good series, and really hits its stride around book four: Safeword, although I liked all of the first four tpbs.

[ultramandingo]

......and all you trade readers will have to wait for the last woman on earth....... and her horse ! oops , spoliers