Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collections
Publication
Vertigo (2008), Paperback, 168 pages
Description
Y: The Last Man is the gripping saga of Yorick Brown, an unemployed and unmotivated slacker who discovers he is the only male left in the world after a plague of unknown origin instantly kills every mammal with a Y chromosome. Accompanied by his mischievous monkey, Ampersand, and the mysterious Agent 355, Yorick embarks on a transcontinental journey to find his long-lost girlfriend and discover why he is the last man on Earth. Yorick Brown's long journey through an Earth populated only by women comes to a dramatic, unexpected conclusion in this final volume.
Media reviews
Like the best sci-fi writers, Guerra and Vaughan weave their story out of canny and provocative speculation over what an ''unmanned'' planet would mean. Yorick and 355's odyssey reveals a world in which the police and fire departments are annihilated, and supermodels take jobs as garbage collectors
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cleaning up the dead. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member branadain
This phenomenal series concludes without slowing down. The events and revelations contained herein continue to be surprising--even shocking--yet seem appropriate and fitting, even in the many tragic moments. (If you finish with completely dry eyes, you may want to get your DNA sequenced, as you
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might not be human.) There are no perfect happy endings here, but life goes on, which in this epic tale was never a surety. Show Less
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: All of our main players converge on Paris, where Yorrick is at long last reunited with his girlfriend Beth, and after four long years, finally sees the woman he loves. But whether or not he'll get to live happily ever after is still an open question, as is whether or not the human race
Review: As a whole, this series does a really excellent job of looking at gender issues from a fair and balanced position, and without any overt sexism. Still, every now and again, there's a moment where something one of the characters does or says makes you sit back and go "Wow, this was obviously written by a guy." This last volume in the series doesn't contain any more of these moments than previous volumes, necessarily, but the ones it does contain were jarring enough to really set me aback, and make me wonder if they were really necessary plot-wise.
While the plot of this volume is mostly wrapping up loose ends, there are some really excellent character moments. I've really enjoyed the series, but I didn't think it was something in which I was particularly emotionally involved, but this installment proved me wrong. The glimpse of the future we get at the end of the story was also totally fascinating, and well in keeping with the tone set by the rest of the series, although I will say that for someone as smart as she is, Dr. Mann is remarkably ill-informed about population genetics. Overall, very enjoyable, and a fitting if not 100% satisfactory end to a very interesting series. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: I initially thought it was weird to solve all of your plot's mysteries in the penultimate volume, but there's enough story left over to make this volume feel complete, and a good end to a great series.
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will find a way to survive past the current generation.Review: As a whole, this series does a really excellent job of looking at gender issues from a fair and balanced position, and without any overt sexism. Still, every now and again, there's a moment where something one of the characters does or says makes you sit back and go "Wow, this was obviously written by a guy." This last volume in the series doesn't contain any more of these moments than previous volumes, necessarily, but the ones it does contain were jarring enough to really set me aback, and make me wonder if they were really necessary plot-wise.
While the plot of this volume is mostly wrapping up loose ends, there are some really excellent character moments. I've really enjoyed the series, but I didn't think it was something in which I was particularly emotionally involved, but this installment proved me wrong. The glimpse of the future we get at the end of the story was also totally fascinating, and well in keeping with the tone set by the rest of the series, although I will say that for someone as smart as she is, Dr. Mann is remarkably ill-informed about population genetics. Overall, very enjoyable, and a fitting if not 100% satisfactory end to a very interesting series. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: I initially thought it was weird to solve all of your plot's mysteries in the penultimate volume, but there's enough story left over to make this volume feel complete, and a good end to a great series.
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LibraryThing member timtom
This volume marks the end of the "Last Man" series. All in all, I enjoyed reading it but I never quite got into the story. I think the idea itself is brilliant, and the first episodes really did it justice, but then since volume 2, the story quickly lost its pace and became too convoluted. I also
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became quickly annoyed by the constant adolescent and phallocratic gallows humor. The future envisioned by Vaughan and Guerra might be what would become of our world if all the men would die, but only if all women were indeed as fantasized by pubescent boys. Fortunately, they aren't. Show Less
LibraryThing member dr_zirk
The final volume of Brian Vaughan's Y: The Last Man brings the series to a worthy end, as the author tosses many of the core foundations of his characters and his scenario into the air, and seemingly allows the pieces to fall where they may. I definitely appreciate the final chapter ("Epilogue"),
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which throws the narrative forward sixty years in order to show how questions raised throughout the series work themselves out. While not all of the individual pieces of the end of the story are entirely satisfying, Vaughan deserves credit for taking considerable risks in drastically mixing up the core elements of his story - a safer conclusion was certainly within reach, and the fact that the author doesn't deliver the obvious makes this final volume worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member raschneid
An okay ending to an increasingly cheesy, lackluster series. However, this book's intensity and sense of tragedy didn't work for me because the characters hadn't had enough depth until now to really merit all this storm and fury. And once more, the writer's solution for how to conclude an emotional
So, there was some beautiful art and writing in this volume, but all in all I wasn't impressed with this series.
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arc for Yorick is the random, pointless death of a woman.So, there was some beautiful art and writing in this volume, but all in all I wasn't impressed with this series.
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LibraryThing member elmyra
Still digesting this one. It didn't exactly make a cheerful read. May have to re-read the entire series before I really make up my mind as it did suffer somewhat from publishing delays and me losing some of the plot.
LibraryThing member Arctic-Stranger
This is the last of the series and it is hard for me to tell whether my disappointment was from how the story eventually ends, or the fact that it ended. I loved this series, even though it did meander at times.
Yorick finds Beth, but of course there are glitches in everything. It left me wanting
Yorick finds Beth, but of course there are glitches in everything. It left me wanting
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another volume. If you have read this far, you HAVE to see how it ends, but like it said, it left me wanting more. Show Less
LibraryThing member ironicqueery
Everything is wrapped up in this final volume of Y: the Last Man. Well, almost everything. This is a solid ending to a series I hate to see end. I think the plot and idea was rich enough to easily last 10 more volumes. Great series and great last volume.
LibraryThing member N8Meats
I bought a few single issues and read the first 9 volumes from the library. When I found out they had wrapped up the series and that the library was going to take its sweet time getting the final volume I just had to buy it. Now I want to reread the whole thing from the beginning. This is one of
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the best original comic ideas I have ever ready. Show Less
LibraryThing member Aerrin99
Although I spent the middle of this series kind of annoyed (how many /more/ ways can we develop for women to be crazy, violent, and selfish?), it redeemed itself in the last few volumes, and especially in this last one.
I was not as attached to the characters as some (perhaps because I read the
I'm not often one for epilogue-type wind-downs, but I thought this was done nicely, and I really liked that the book pushed things to uncomfortable places that resulted from following the same train of thought and worldview it's set up in the previous nine volumes.
And I really liked the end.
I was not as attached to the characters as some (perhaps because I read the
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whole thing in two days), but I still found bits of this volume shocking and surprising - the sort of events that make you gasp, and then make you acknowledge that they just /fit/. I'm not often one for epilogue-type wind-downs, but I thought this was done nicely, and I really liked that the book pushed things to uncomfortable places that resulted from following the same train of thought and worldview it's set up in the previous nine volumes.
And I really liked the end.
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LibraryThing member theboylatham
The story is finished and a look into the future.
LibraryThing member LitReact
(NB: This review refers to the entire series.)
This is a fun and engrossing series with a lot of heart. Ironically, while Yorick is named after a jester, in Y: The Last Man he is the quintessential straight man. He may have guns routinely blaring in his direction and desperate women throwing
Alongside the adventure are numerous puns, wry asides, foreshadowings and story nods to the earlier chapters in the series. For instance, in the early parts of the series, Yorick wears a gas mask which is useless anyway as it will not protect him from the plague. However, at Alter's final assault, the gas mask proves its utility after all.
While the trajectory of Yorick's maturity is predictable, the final product at the end of the series is still entertaining to follow. The maturity of the characters at the end allows for genuinely affecting emotional depth. Particularly good are the eventual fates of Yorick, Agent 355 and Ampersand (really the core of Yorick's troupe) and how Amp helps Yorick escape one last time.
This is a fun and engrossing series with a lot of heart. Ironically, while Yorick is named after a jester, in Y: The Last Man he is the quintessential straight man. He may have guns routinely blaring in his direction and desperate women throwing
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themselves at him; but he handles the situation if not with good natured aplomb then at least with the frenetic, bumbling stumble of a boy abruptly promoted to manhood.Alongside the adventure are numerous puns, wry asides, foreshadowings and story nods to the earlier chapters in the series. For instance, in the early parts of the series, Yorick wears a gas mask which is useless anyway as it will not protect him from the plague. However, at Alter's final assault, the gas mask proves its utility after all.
While the trajectory of Yorick's maturity is predictable, the final product at the end of the series is still entertaining to follow. The maturity of the characters at the end allows for genuinely affecting emotional depth. Particularly good are the eventual fates of Yorick, Agent 355 and Ampersand (really the core of Yorick's troupe) and how Amp helps Yorick escape one last time.
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LibraryThing member amobogio
Brilliant conclusion to a superb series. Tough, heartbreaking but satisfying end to Yorick's journey - writer Brian Vaughn doesn't take the easy way out with tying off any of the threads of the story. This is a keeper - all 10 volumes.
LibraryThing member Alfonso809
A few days ago I asked Mr. Greg to pick a book for me… he asked me what kind of book you want? And I said something funny… and he did his “I’m not sure I understand humans emotions anymore” look and asked me what is funny? That activated my “you think you crazier than me?” mode… and
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I’m like: dead people are funny! What you have on the genocide department? He gave me this one and told me it was supposed to be funny in a world were every single man but one is dead! I’m like that’s what’s sup! So I go to my mighty corner and start reading it… when some dude (I don’t know how he looked like I was reading my crappy comic) comes and places a big black bag right in front of me and leaves… I’m like WTF!? I look at the big black bag, (remember my mighty corner is located right in front of the emergency exit) I get all paranoid and shit and leave… but my curiosity kept me in the store (to see if I’ll blow up) it didn’t’ so I went to check… the mo fo trick into leaving MY corner!!! That cunning bastard! Anyway back to the review! This book sucks! All those women!!! And there is no hot hot lesbian action to be found anywhere! Not even in Vol, 6 which is call “girl on girl” when I grabbed that one I was like “oh yeah, finally” doing my pervert smile and all of that!! And when the moment comes for some sweet Asian chick on Black chick loving… and then BANG! Half a page! Half a mother fucking page!!! WTF!!!! I FELT CHEATED!!! I wanted my money back! Then I realized that I was free loading on B&N and manage to calm down… still I will never forget the creators of this one for that… NEVER! By the time I was done reading the whole series was so disappointed no chick on chick action, no dude on a bunch of chicks action, mad homo erotic crap! And more… I know what you asking yourself right now (if you Seth) but alfonso why the 3 stars then?? Why? Dude, is simple! The book is what I was looking for it did made me laugh and I was interesting in a crappy way for me to read the whole thing (all but #5)… so a 3 out of 5!!! Show Less
LibraryThing member jgv6442
I discovered Y the Last Man in trades, so when the series ended a few months ago I knew I'd have a bit of a wait before I could read the grand finale. The wait was excruciating. At last, the final trade was released, was it worth the wait? I'd say yes and no (way to be ambiguous, eh?)
For the
Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra (along with the rest of the creative team) have done really good work producing 60 solid issues of comic goodness. I'm sad that it's over; I got to really love Yorick, 355, Dr. Mann and the rest and I'm going to miss them now that their story is done.
For the
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uninitiated, Y tells the story of what happens when a plague kills every mammal with a Y chromosome except for Yorick Brown and his monkey, Ampersand. The series followed Yorick's adventures as he and his companions searched for answers about the plague and attempted to reunite him with his girlfriend who was on the other side of the globe when the plague struck. The tenth trade collects the final six issues of the series and does a pretty good job of wrapping up all of the loose plot threads. Beth, the girlfriend, and Yorick are reunited and we get to check in with all the important characters that have come and gone throughout the course of the series. We even get to jump ahead and time 60 years to see what becomes of the world. All the bases are covered, and overall it's an enjoyable read, but I was left feeling a tiny bit unsatisfied. Something's missing and I'm not sure what. I think part of it might be that there wasn't enough of a wind down to the story, I could have used an issue to decompress between the end of the main story and the epilogue. Part of it also has to do with the fact that it would be hard for any ending to live up to the build up we've had over the past nine trades (or 54 issues).Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra (along with the rest of the creative team) have done really good work producing 60 solid issues of comic goodness. I'm sad that it's over; I got to really love Yorick, 355, Dr. Mann and the rest and I'm going to miss them now that their story is done.
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LibraryThing member MerryMeerkat
Wow is this a great graphic novel. So glad I've returned to reading them (now that I have a Kindle Fire). Story 1 is really really strong, the art is fantastic and remains that way throughout the book. Love the pet monkey. The last man is a great premise.
In Story 2, I love how Yorrick gets gropped,
In story 4, there are some really great lines (speach, not art). I love seeing D.C. portrayed in comics and books. I am put off by the Amazon women, who are man haters. And its interesting that Yorick's sister is an Amazon.
The final story in this volume was shorter than the rest and ended on a cliff hanger. I was stunned that Hero (Yorrick's sister) shot the woman. I can't wait to read the next volume in the series!!
In Story 2, I love how Yorrick gets gropped,
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hysterical. I'm loving the story line but it is a bit scary if you have a 3 year old son. In story 3, the Republican slam made me laugh. The shootout is a fun scene and I'm continuing to love this.In story 4, there are some really great lines (speach, not art). I love seeing D.C. portrayed in comics and books. I am put off by the Amazon women, who are man haters. And its interesting that Yorick's sister is an Amazon.
The final story in this volume was shorter than the rest and ended on a cliff hanger. I was stunned that Hero (Yorrick's sister) shot the woman. I can't wait to read the next volume in the series!!
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LibraryThing member stacey2112
3.5. I'd give the series overall 3.5. Wow. and ouch.
LibraryThing member Krumbs
I was disappointed in the conclusion. I got the impression that it was supposed to either go further (another volume) or end earlier. Just kind of petered out.
LibraryThing member .Monkey.
I thought the ending was a let-down. There was a lot of great stuff in this series, but this last volume was not made of it. Oh well.
LibraryThing member LaneLiterati
At the end of this series, I reflect back and find that to read a complete run of a comic gives you the opportunity to judge it not as 60 issues or 10 volumes, but as ONE STORY.
Vaughan shows amazing talent for story and the art was consistantly good throughout. The story took me on an outstanding
I will recommend this run OFTEN.
Vaughan shows amazing talent for story and the art was consistantly good throughout. The story took me on an outstanding
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journey and I am a more complete person for having read this. Bravo "Y: The Last Man", for being an epic that presented its point and issues well, while not being overly chaotic or preachy.I will recommend this run OFTEN.
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LibraryThing member branimal
I don't even know where to start. I'd love to just throw, no shovel, all kinds of praise on this! You know, like when The Academy gave Peter Jackson all those awards for The Return of the King, mostly neglecting the first two (sidebar: I hate those damn Hobbit movies).
Vaughan did everything right,
You know what, I'm not ashamed to admit it. It did get a little dusty in the room while reading this final volume. I did seeYorick and 355 eventually coming to terms with their feelings coming but was totally caught off guard with 355's death . I almost couldn't even take it! I love that Vaughan threw away the conventional ending and gave us something to think about.
The other thing I love is that despite what I had said in my book #9 review, we're still not totally clear on what caused the plague. This, I'm 110% okay with. I see no real reason to give us a definitive answer as I had noted before, it's pretty much irrelevant.
More people need to read this. Graphic novels and comics are a perfect medium for story telling and people who snub their noses at the format really need to look no further than this series. Granted, the series did lag a little in the middle volumes, it both started and finished strong.
While I'd love for this to become a TV series (there's no way you can fit this into a movie, or a trilogy no less), the graphic novels are perfect just the way they are and it's often pretty difficult to improve upon perfection.
Vaughan did everything right,
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I wouldn't change a damn thing. Part of me wants to do a whole spoiler-ific review but I refuse to neglect peeps who haven't read this, so I'll try and tag appropriately.You know what, I'm not ashamed to admit it. It did get a little dusty in the room while reading this final volume. I did see
The other thing I love is that despite what I had said in my book #9 review, we're still not totally clear on what caused the plague. This, I'm 110% okay with. I see no real reason to give us a definitive answer as I had noted before, it's pretty much irrelevant.
More people need to read this. Graphic novels and comics are a perfect medium for story telling and people who snub their noses at the format really need to look no further than this series. Granted, the series did lag a little in the middle volumes, it both started and finished strong.
While I'd love for this to become a TV series (there's no way you can fit this into a movie, or a trilogy no less), the graphic novels are perfect just the way they are and it's often pretty difficult to improve upon perfection.
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LibraryThing member questbird
A melancholy but fitting end to the Last Man series, where all the threads are resolved, and not to everyones' liking. I was much more satisfied with this volume that the last. The deaths of 355 and especially Ampersand were very moving (I teared up a little for Amp) :-( .
LibraryThing member LibraryCin
This is the final volume in the series, where after a plague, Yorick and his monkey Ampersand were the last two males on the planet. Yorick has been searching for his girlfriend for 5 years now, and at the same time he has had to hide from those who are trying to find him to figure out why he
I really liked this one. I thought it did a really good job of wrapping up the series. This, in my opinion, was one of the better books in the series.
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survived. I really liked this one. I thought it did a really good job of wrapping up the series. This, in my opinion, was one of the better books in the series.
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LibraryThing member ragwaine
It took me around 3 years to finish this series, but I felt like this was a very satisfying ending. I don't think the whole series was great, I got kinda bored a couple graphic novels in and took a long break. I think that it would probably been better if it was shorter, but I don't regret reading
Thanks Mr. Vaughan, it was a fun ride.
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it. Really what makes it is the witty dialogue and some of the "what if" interpolation of behaviors in a world with only women.Thanks Mr. Vaughan, it was a fun ride.
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LibraryThing member beabatllori
Well, that was sad.
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Graphic Story — 2009)
Otherwise Award (Honor List — 2007)
Language
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
168 p.; 10.35 inches
ISBN
140121813X / 9781401218133
Local notes
Collects issues 6-10.
Signed by Pia Guerra.
Signed by Pia Guerra.