Y: THE LAST MAN #24 REVIEW

[Scott Williams]

<a href=http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0704/YtheLastManCVR24.jpg target=new><img src=http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0704/YtheLastManCVR24t.jpg align=left></a>Reviewer: Scott Williams, yoda905@yahoo.com
Quick Rating: Great
Story Title: Tounges of Flame, Part One of Two

Yorick meets a dissilusioned former stewardess in an abandoned church, and, well... you know...

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

I've sometimes wondered, when writing reviews of this book, as to whether or not I had enough integrity to give it a downright negative review. I wondered that if DC-Vertigo ever put out a truly awful issue of Y: The Last Man, would I be able to recognize it? And even so, would I have the chutzpah to really call them on it? After entertaining such thoughts, I began to relish the day when I could say "Hey, this isn't the way an issue of Y: The Last Man should be written! It's garbage!" and essentially spit at the feet of my idol, the truly great Brian K. Vaughan. Yes, I am one sick puppy.

I don't know if I would. It's one of those questions, like "Could you kill somebody in self-defense?" where you probably don't know the answer, and you really hope you'll never have to find out. I don't know if I'll ever really get an answer, because I've never read a single panel of this book that displeased me in any way. Over two years, it has kept such a high level of quality, consistently, that it's astounding. This issue was no exception. I thought it was really great. In it, we meet a character, serendipitously named Beth, who has taken up residence in an abandoned church not far from San Fransisco. She has a huge, some would say disfiguring (although not Yorick,) scar across her face, the implicit story behind which is quite fascinating, providing more insight into exactly how #&@%ed up the world became the instant the plague hit. She has a pathos about her, mostly guilt about her past, that is really likable in her character. It's not forced, it's just more great characterization from Vaughan. Damn, he's too good. They have an amusing conversation about "Smokey Bear vs. Smokey THE Bear," which is funny, and proves that Brian K. Vaughan demands everyone know that he is the master of all trivial minutiae. I hereby crown him King Trivial. Long may he reign.

On the artistic side of things, good old Pia Guerra is back, and all the characters look like they should. Although she does a great job of picking fill-ins, I don't think you can beat the real thing. Her artwork, the stark, stationary "camerawork," use of wide, narrow panels gives the book its usual "film noirish" look. And Yorick looks more and more like my friend David Hopkins, and about two and a half million other Gen-Y pop culture junkies. Maybe it's always been like that, and I just noticed. I don't know for sure.

Quick sidenote: This review is a week late, because my comic store guy (Rich,) thought DC didn't ship this book, so he expected them the next week. I went back a week alter and discovered that, as it turned out, he had received his shipment, on time and in full, and that it was hiding under a stack of other comics. Just goes to show you how under-ordered this book is, I guess.

The end of this issue was quite a heavy-hitter, for many reasons, none of which I care to reveal, because that would be rude and cheating, even though you've all already read it, probably. I think a good cliffhanger ending is one where you can see how the next issue begins, but not ends. If that's the case, then this is one of the greats. BKV once again proves that along with great characterization and trivial minutiae, he's also "the man" when it comes to cliffhanger endings. See Runaways and Mystique #1-12 for further examples of this. Also, read this book, because in case my point wasn't clear; it's really, really, really good.

STORY:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/ynone.jpg

ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/ynone.jpg

OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/ynone.jpg

<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>

[Ryan Day]

I thought this was just too formulaic. Yorick meets new girl, new girl likes Yorick, complications ensue... The Yorick/Beth dynamic just seemed to move too quickly. I'm hoping it was just rushed in an attempt to pack the rest of the story into the next issue.

On the bright side, I'm happy Pia's back. Honestly, she's very quickly become one of my favourite artists in the business. I think she's absolutely as integral to Y's success as Vaughan.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

Originally posted by Ryan Day
I thought this was just too formulaic. Yorick meets new girl, new girl likes Yorick, complications ensue... The Yorick/Beth dynamic just seemed to move too quickly. I'm hoping it was just rushed in an attempt to pack the rest of the story into the next issue.


i don't know, it didn't bug me...Brian and Pia did a great job of giving these two fictional characters IMMEDIATE chemistry that read so easily across the page. From the second he took the mask off, they just seemed to "click." So nothing felt rushed to me and Beth's probably already my favorite character to be introduced in a long time. That, combined with the fact she and Yorick hit it off, pretty much has already sealed her doom...sigh...

great review, Scott. The first couple of paragraphs made me grin.

[Scott Williams]

Ryan, you have a point about it being formulaic. It's quite reminiscent of The "Cycles" story, but the details are different enough. What makes the issue, as Jordan basically said, was Beth. I think her whole backstory, plus the obvious chemistry, made the issue a lot more enjoyable than it could have been under a lesser writer (once again, damn you Vaughan, you win again!)

And Jordan, thanks for the compliment. I aim to please. I always try to offer comments that don't normally belong in a review. And it's a testament to the integrity of this site that they let me keep doing it ;)

[GilSpiderig]

This is easily, the best Non-Superhero book out there. I mean really, I have read every issue of this book and I haven't seen anything that could sway me from that opinion. Brian, YOU MUST NEVER LEAVE!

[Drax]

While Y has had its ups and down in my opinion, it never ceases to please. I look forward to it more than any other book every month. I wasnt readng comics when Preacher or Transmet first appeared, and I was 3 issues late on Fables. Y The Last Man is the first one of those kinds of series I got on board with from the beginning. I feel loyal to this book for some reason that Ill never know. I doubt I could say anything bad about it, even if it were justified. Here's to hoping it never is. A good bet from what the last 2 years have brought us.

On another note, I hope BKV throws a curve ball and doesnt kill off Beth. I like her.

[James Groves]

Good issue.

Y: The Last Man can do no wrong although th Yorick/Beth relationship did suprise me at how quickly it developed.

Not as good as prev issues, but good all the same!

[bufuthedragon]

I totally relate to what Scott said too. I sure hope BKV can keep these level throughout the rest of the series.
This is the first issue I read everytime i get my shipment, and its always the most fun.

[Gat0r-ManX]

I can't blame him for getting interested in a girl that has the same name wit his girl... i'd be horny too in his posiition.

good issue, i like that cliffhanger.

[GilSpiderig]

That was The Amazons at the end right? Wasn't entirely sure.

[dopplegager]

I really should check this book out. Need more money.

Float On

[Scott Williams]

Originally posted by GilSpiderig
That was The Amazons at the end right? Wasn't entirely sure.

Indeed it was.

[thepooka]

You know I really hope Beth doesn't die. If I have only one criticism its that most of the cool girls, like PJ or that prisoner girl Sonia have been bumped off. The series needs a new character that will stick around for a little bit