Y: THE LAST MAN #23 REVIEW

[Scott Williams]

<a href=http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0604/YtheLastManCVR23t.jpg target=new><img src=http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0604/YtheLastManCVR23t.jpg align=left></a>Reviewer: Scott Williams, yoda905@yahoo.com
Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: Widow’s Pass, part 3 of 3

355, Dr. Mann, and Yorick (& Ampersand,) attempt to escape the "Sons of Arizona."

Written by: Brian K. Vaughan
Pencils: Goran Parlov
Inks: Jose Marzan, Jr.
Letters: Clem Robins
Colors & Separation: Zylonol
Cover Artist: Massimo Carnevale
Assistant Editor: Casey Seijas
Editor: Will Dennis

This issue is the end of the 3-part "Widow's Pass" storyline, and boy does it end that storyline. I'll confess that not everyone makes it out alive, but I'd be a fool to tell you who, or in what context. Meanwhile, Yorick seems to take a darker turn, presumably following the "Safeword" arc, which is an interesting move, to say the least. Strangely, there's not much to this issue other than it ends this storyline, and brings our heroes a little closer to their destination on the west coast.

Wait - I think I said that too soon. There's more to it than that, but I'll get to that later.

This story was basically just a very good Brian K. Vaughan comic book, the kind of which I've gladly read dozens, with great dialogue, character moments, and great conflict. Vaughan (or BKV as he is sometimes called,) has a seemingly natural talent for his craft, and probably has a ball writing his characters. He gets maximum usage out of his setups and characters, and doesn't just discard them, but finds exciting uses for them within the context of the stories. Great work.

But the really remarkable thing about this issue is the end, which is a thrilling kickoff to the next couple of stories, which I understand includes a Hero standalone, where we find out where she got such a sporty neckerchief. Then, I am told that we finally learn exactly why Yorick survived the plague, which I'm dying to read because, like you I'm sure, I've done a lot of speculating, but who can say?

Goran Parlov provides more-than-adequate pencilling. It's got the style of Pia Guerra, but isn't quite. It's Guerra-lite, which is nice, especially, as I've noted, in keeping the consistency between issues. This book, like most Vertigo books, requires a certain feel. There is, after all, a certain Vertigo style that I've noticed in the Vertigo books I read, and it's very much the sort of art required to attain the right feeling of real and unreal that Vertigo seems to love presenting. It's here in Parlov's artwork for sure.

So, this was a good issue. I didn't think it was especially great, even for the fact that this is a naturally great series. It was just a good issue which told its story well and moved on. Well done, pat on the back, now what's next?

STORY:
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ART:
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OVERALL:
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<a href=http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=158&cat=Y+%2D+THE+LAST+MAN+>Buy this Issue Online from X-World and Save!</a>

[James Groves]

A very good issue indeed.

Vaughan continues to suprise with how he treats these characters. The way Yorick has changed is intriguing. I'm not quite sure whats going to happen next regarding him. Hes ever evolving.

It's a pleasure to read a comic by a writer who can write some excellent character moments and action scenes that actually benefit the overall story and create an aftermath for continuing issues.

The artworks in that "vertigo style" and although i'm not a great fan of it, it suits the tone of the title. Certain subtle mannerisms are done very well by Parlov and theres a great deal that seems to go on without ever being explained.

Its a great series and this is a very good issue.

I'd give it 7 out of 10 Writing 4 Art 3 - so i agree with the reviewer for once about the mark!!;)

[Kevin Sutton]

That was definately the best book to come out that week. So many twists and surprises I couldn't keep track of all of the new devlopements.

[Vector]

It was more than good. ;)

[Wheeze]

Great book, always the best on the shelf. Must read.

[ursabearX]

This issue was great , BKV has a way of making you care about characters that only appear in one arc that is rare in a writer, this title is one of the few that actually makes me laugh out load and continues to keep me on the edge with whats next. cant wait to see more Hero and find out why Yorik survived

[dopplegager]

I have been wanting to pick this title up but my wallet isn't big enought right now.

[Scott Williams]

I think you should consider dropping something. I think you'll be glad you did.

[Hookworm]

I was thinking of picking up this comic because it always seems to get such good reviews on numerous different sites and I'm a big Vaughan fan, but I didn't pick it up because I don't really understand what it's supposed to be about. Could someone please give me a brief explanation of the point of the story?

[Kevin Sutton]

Originally posted by Hookworm
I was thinking of picking up this comic because it always seems to get such good reviews on numerous different sites and I'm a big Vaughan fan, but I didn't pick it up because I don't really understand what it's supposed to be about. Could someone please give me a brief explanation of the point of the story?

Yorick is the last man left on the earth after every other man mysteriously and suddenly died a few months back.

He's travelling across country with a doctor who specializes in cloning and a secret agent to get to the doctor's lab.

[Rictor]

OOOH! that sounds good. sounds a bit like The Omega Man or Stephen Kings "The Stand". Runaways and X-Statix are ending soon, so i may very well pick this up. Are the previous issues all collected in TPB format?

[Scott Williams]

Yes, the third TPB just came out last month I believe.

[Blake]

This was my first arc of Y, and it was good but not BKV good, but still good.

I have a question, why the hell does he hang with a secret agent and a scientist, how'd he run into those two.

And how'd he find the monkey?

[Kevin Sutton]

Originally posted by Blake
I have a question, why the hell does he hang with a secret agent and a scientist, how'd he run into those two.

And how'd he find the monkey?

The monkey is his pet.

Spoilers for Volume 1.

Yorick's mother was a congresswoman so after the event he made his way to the capital to meet up with her. Once there, the secret agent was assigned to him by the new president of the United States. Agent 355 was ordered to take Yorick to meet a doctor who specialized in cloning. This was Dr. Mann. (Vol. I:Unmanned)

[Vector]

Originally posted by Blake
This was my first arc of Y, and it was good but not BKV good, but still good.


You'd probably like it better if you knew the whole story so far. ;)

[The Stuck]

Holy ....

I think that THIS ISSUE may be the single greatest issue of any comic I've EVER read.

The consequences of Yorick's action and the HUGE amount that it reveals about him just redefined his character <i>completely.</i>

[gambitX]

I can't believe how much I like a "comic" book that has nothing mutant nor super about it.
Pure Gold.
This book says MOVIE to me.