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Y: The Last Man, Vol. 4: Safeword (Y: The Last Man #4)
Now more than halfway across the country, Earth's sole surviving human male, Yorick Brown, and his companions, cloning specialist Dr. Allison Mann and government agent 355, are preparing for the final leg of their journey to San Francisco, where Dr. Mann's most important experiment awaits. But before they can leave, they need to get antibiotics for the planet's onl other l...more
Published
(first published March 2004)
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As Yorick, 355 and Dr. Mann continue on their trip to California, Vol. 4 has the most character development and immediate danger yet! Vaughn totally takes it in a completely chaotic direction; to quote one of my favorite hockey play-by-play men, Bob Cole, "Everything is happening!"
Yorick really steps it up in this collection and begins to realize that he's destined for much greater than he can grasp. I mean, it takes an awful lot for him to come to that conclusion (and it's in the craziest way p...more
Yorick really steps it up in this collection and begins to realize that he's destined for much greater than he can grasp. I mean, it takes an awful lot for him to come to that conclusion (and it's in the craziest way p...more
Oct 12, 2012
Jenn(ifer)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-novel-memoir,
read-in-2012
Y: The Last Man, Volume 4 SAFEWORD
Safeword? You had me at hello! Oh, not that kind of safeword? Okay. I'll shut up now before I incriminate myself...
Anyway, please forgive me for floating my reviews of the first three volumes of this series, but (1) I needed to refresh my memory after a 6 month Y The Last Man hiatus, and (2) I thought maybe one or two of you might have some remote interest in reading the background of the series to date (cos I'm not going to reiterate it here).
Look, props defin...more
Safeword? You had me at hello! Oh, not that kind of safeword? Okay. I'll shut up now before I incriminate myself...
Anyway, please forgive me for floating my reviews of the first three volumes of this series, but (1) I needed to refresh my memory after a 6 month Y The Last Man hiatus, and (2) I thought maybe one or two of you might have some remote interest in reading the background of the series to date (cos I'm not going to reiterate it here).
Look, props defin...more
12 likes · like · see review
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Feb 23, 2008
John Wiswell
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Comics readers, post-apocalyptic readers
This volume has two major stories, and they're very different.
The first explores Yorick's mind through some highly dubious and expedited psychoanalysis and chemical means. There are some offensive assertions here (like that a guy who isn't horny must be repressing something; that comedy is always a defense mechanism, inferior to seriousness), some really redundant points (for the eightieth time the pseudo-feministic narrative reminds Yorick that he isn't always in control), and both the art and...more
The first explores Yorick's mind through some highly dubious and expedited psychoanalysis and chemical means. There are some offensive assertions here (like that a guy who isn't horny must be repressing something; that comedy is always a defense mechanism, inferior to seriousness), some really redundant points (for the eightieth time the pseudo-feministic narrative reminds Yorick that he isn't always in control), and both the art and...more
3 likes · like · see review
Another quick -yet compelling- read by Brian K. Vaughan. Probably my biggest complaint about Vaughan's writing is that I can usually sit down a read a trade collection of his work in one sitting. That I want to is to his credit. That I can, is not.
That said, this was pretty universally interesting. The first half of this volume is the "Safeword" storyline, that I know got a lot of attention when it came out, and rightly so. After several volumes of sidestepping the whole "why isn't the last man...more
That said, this was pretty universally interesting. The first half of this volume is the "Safeword" storyline, that I know got a lot of attention when it came out, and rightly so. After several volumes of sidestepping the whole "why isn't the last man...more
Yeah. This one goes off the rails. In an awesome way! No Russian space stations. Plus the Sons of Arizona storyline is horrifying and thought provoking.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This volume moved even quicker than the last. I was just going to read a few pages, and suddenly I found myself almost finished.
I have to admit, Yorick's allegiance to Beth seems a bit bafflingly when you consider how long he's been on the road and how many times he's been tempted. It's interesting to note that in the end, it almost seems like Yorick doesn't want to sleep with random women because he knows they don't really want *him*, they just want *any* man. Of course, the number of women the...more
I have to admit, Yorick's allegiance to Beth seems a bit bafflingly when you consider how long he's been on the road and how many times he's been tempted. It's interesting to note that in the end, it almost seems like Yorick doesn't want to sleep with random women because he knows they don't really want *him*, they just want *any* man. Of course, the number of women the...more
FINALLY!
Safeword & Widow's Pass.
That makes 3 perfect little Y: The Last Man stories in a row.
When I started reading this again, all I could think of was that they plan on making a show out of it, so that's almost the frame of mind I'm looking at these stories in. And that comes back is that Yorick is pretty annoying protagonist. He'll have a few references once in a while that I love, but just walks into every trap and makes every situation worse...until they finally explain why.
Safeword was...more
Safeword & Widow's Pass.
That makes 3 perfect little Y: The Last Man stories in a row.
When I started reading this again, all I could think of was that they plan on making a show out of it, so that's almost the frame of mind I'm looking at these stories in. And that comes back is that Yorick is pretty annoying protagonist. He'll have a few references once in a while that I love, but just walks into every trap and makes every situation worse...until they finally explain why.
Safeword was...more
This entry in the ongoing series focuses first on a character development arc for Yorick, trying to explain some behaviors on his part using some basic psychoanalyis and extreme intervention techniques, amd then switches the scene to Arizona to take on the classic western American militia type.
The first story is facile and it seems an attempt to break down the virile-yet-chaste archetype that I didn't really see Yorick falling into While it provides some limited backstory for Yorick, I don't fe...more
The first story is facile and it seems an attempt to break down the virile-yet-chaste archetype that I didn't really see Yorick falling into While it provides some limited backstory for Yorick, I don't fe...more
Yet another volume in this series that's good but not great. I keep hoping Y: The Last Man will turn into the the amazing series that I think it has the potential to be (and that many people claim that it is) but so far, while definitely worth reading, it's just ok.
The six issues in this volume make up two separate three issue stories. The second of these is pretty good and gives me hope for volume 5. The first story, however, is much more problematic. It's goal is to deal with Yorick's psychol...more
The six issues in this volume make up two separate three issue stories. The second of these is pretty good and gives me hope for volume 5. The first story, however, is much more problematic. It's goal is to deal with Yorick's psychol...more
This comprises issues 18-23 of Y the last man. The first three stories, under the title of 'safeword', are dark and psychological. Yurick goes through another key stage of self realization and a few other plot elements like the mysterious amulet and three hooded strangers chasing after it are alluded to. The next two stories are about a militant group of women under the ironic name of the Something Brotherhood who have pledged allegiance to the state of Arizona and consequently blocked 90% of th...more
Of the volumes I've read so far, this one was probably my least favorite. It was just weird in parts. 355 and Dr. Mann leave Yorick with some friend of 355's who was in the Culper Ring while they go do something else (I forget what they left to do). While Yorick is with this woman, she does all sorts of weird stuff to him because she's trying to make him confront his inner demons associated with being the last living human male. I kind of skimmed over it because it was weird and sort of pornogra...more
Alright! Another four stars for The Last Man! :)
I still claim that the story is really interesting, fast-paced, the art is still brilliant (this time no examples, though). We also see some character development of Dr. Mann (she's gay and she cloned herself), 355 (aaand she keeps a diary) and Yorick (the development process into an idiot is complete for him now, alright).
However, if you thought this review will lack bitching, unlike the first three, you're very, very wrong. WROOOONG.
At the very b...more
I still claim that the story is really interesting, fast-paced, the art is still brilliant (this time no examples, though). We also see some character development of Dr. Mann (she's gay and she cloned herself), 355 (aaand she keeps a diary) and Yorick (the development process into an idiot is complete for him now, alright).
However, if you thought this review will lack bitching, unlike the first three, you're very, very wrong. WROOOONG.
At the very b...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
There are two principle story arcs in this volume. The first, Safeword, deals with the issue of Yorick's survivor's guilt over being the only survivor of the plague. He does this only after Agent 355 drops him off with another Culper Ring agent, who breaks him down psychologically in order to have him face his issues. It's not the type of psychology that would work in the real world, but desperate times and all that.
The second story deals with an encounter with a militia group, and really highli...more
The second story deals with an encounter with a militia group, and really highli...more
This volume walks a fine line between exploitation and character development. Luckily, it errs on the side of the latter, delivering a story as shocking as the original run of issues while engrossing the reader in new character revelations and growth.
Vaughan seems to erase the aforementioned line on a fairly regular basis in this series, but Safeword is the first collection of issues since the story's genesis to have fully fleshed and flipped gender roles (and in that statement, I do not refer t...more
Vaughan seems to erase the aforementioned line on a fairly regular basis in this series, but Safeword is the first collection of issues since the story's genesis to have fully fleshed and flipped gender roles (and in that statement, I do not refer t...more
"Safeword" introduces a new character: Agent 711, a retired Culper Ring agent who's also a friend of 355's. She helps Yorick to take a deeper look at the reasons behind his compulsive recklessness, and it's not pretty.
This part of the series was a little... iffy for me, for a variety of reasons. While the conclusion sets up some important events later in the series, the means by which its done is unnecessarily extreme, in my opinion. But I guess it's more entertaining to most people than a simp...more
This part of the series was a little... iffy for me, for a variety of reasons. While the conclusion sets up some important events later in the series, the means by which its done is unnecessarily extreme, in my opinion. But I guess it's more entertaining to most people than a simp...more
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This book was such a disappointment. While the first part, with the whole psychosexual-suicide ridiculousness, did have a number of issues, it was sort of the same Y: The Last Man I had been enjoying up until this point. I couldn't help thinking, when I saw Yorick bound up in an S&M dungeon, that The Last Man had jumped the shark.
Cue the second half of this volume: the art went from realistic and beautiful to absolute shit. It was melodramatic and unbelievable. The dialogue suffered and the...more
Cue the second half of this volume: the art went from realistic and beautiful to absolute shit. It was melodramatic and unbelievable. The dialogue suffered and the...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
In this volume, we see Yorick left with a friend and colleague of 355, to be kept safe, whilst 355 and Dr Mann go off to try and find a way round a blockade cutting off Eastern USA to Western USA.
There is a strong sexual theme here, as we explore Yorick's sexual past, his feelings towards sex and why he hasn't slept with a single woman since the plague hit. There's also the usual government conspiracy storyline (I love this sort of thing) and we find out a little more about Dr Mann and what she...more
There is a strong sexual theme here, as we explore Yorick's sexual past, his feelings towards sex and why he hasn't slept with a single woman since the plague hit. There's also the usual government conspiracy storyline (I love this sort of thing) and we find out a little more about Dr Mann and what she...more
Agent 355 and Dr. Mann drop Yorick off at another agent's house while they bring the monkey, Ampersand, to an animal hospital to see after his cut. The agent forces Yorick to confront his own inner demons. Then the band continues on toward California, having to take a side-trip through Arizona where they run into a band of militant, anti-federal women.
Although the two individual storylines were good, the plot just didn't flow as smoothly this time around. It feels like that classic in-between bo...more
Although the two individual storylines were good, the plot just didn't flow as smoothly this time around. It feels like that classic in-between bo...more
Mixed feelings about this one. There are two stories Safeword and Widow's Pass. I absolutely hated Safeword. It was over the top ridiculous and quite frankly a waste of time. Sex and violence are sometimes needed to aid the telling of a story but in this case they served no fuction. The nudity and sexuality was gratuitous and the ephinany that followed was redundant and poorly crafted.
However, I did enjoy Widow's Pass although it was nothing extraordinary. Yorick is a really great character, de...more
However, I did enjoy Widow's Pass although it was nothing extraordinary. Yorick is a really great character, de...more
This series is compulsively readable, and I'm still loving the witty remarks and dark humor so I'm rating it high for that. On the other hand, the whole psychoanalysis/torture thing in the first half of this one didn't work for me. Would have been more interesting to learn some of things about Yorick in a different way perhaps? Also - it seems like it is time for them to encounter a few more places where people are struggling with some part of the dysfunction of the new world in other ways than...more
3.75 stars
Yorick, his monkey Ampersand, Agent 55 and Dr. Mann are part-way across the country as they try to get to California to Dr. Mann's lab. Ampersand is sick, so they need to find some medicine for him on the way, but run into a few roadblocks, literally.
It's been over a year since I read the last volume of this series, so it's hard for me to compare how this rates with the other volumes. As I was reading it, I quite enjoyed this one, but thinking back, it feels like not much really happe...more
Yorick, his monkey Ampersand, Agent 55 and Dr. Mann are part-way across the country as they try to get to California to Dr. Mann's lab. Ampersand is sick, so they need to find some medicine for him on the way, but run into a few roadblocks, literally.
It's been over a year since I read the last volume of this series, so it's hard for me to compare how this rates with the other volumes. As I was reading it, I quite enjoyed this one, but thinking back, it feels like not much really happe...more
As I've continued this series, I've realized that every arc is the same. Yorik get himself into some sort of trouble and reveals himself as the last man alive to some random woman they've met along the way. Yorik and this random woman DO NOT have sex. Amazons or other likewise scary women go after them and are eventually defeated (if only temporarily). Woman that Yorik does not have sex with ends up dying. The only interesting, different thing about this book was that it overtly questioned Yorik...more
This series just keeps getting better. We finally learn why Yorick is the way he is - at least a bit why. The characters are really coming into their own. I'm still trying to pace myself reading these, because I'll be sad when I'm done!
Just a note - one of the local libraries had these shelved in the Young Adult graphic novels section. They stopped getting the series after volume 4 or 5. Duh. These are not intended for young adults! They may be of interest to young adults, and young adults coul...more
Just a note - one of the local libraries had these shelved in the Young Adult graphic novels section. They stopped getting the series after volume 4 or 5. Duh. These are not intended for young adults! They may be of interest to young adults, and young adults coul...more
Jul 08, 2009
Dave Maddock
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-novels,
post-apocalypse
This series walks a fine line between fun guilty pleasure and over-indulgence. The first half of this volume is a perfect example. On the one hand, I like that Vaughan addresses Yorick's recklessness which always struck me as a little too convenient story-wise--making those actions more believable in context. However, he does so in a gratuitous fashion with the whole dominatrix theme, which I found a little too convenient story-wise also. On the plus side, nudity is always fun. So far, Vaughan h...more
For some reason, I think this one added a dimension of terror that just wasn't there before. There's one incredibly striking image here that turns the formerly light and fanciful story of the last man on Earth to an incredibly dark recognition of what it truly would be like to live in this landscape. Yet amazingly, Vaughan doesn't alienate his reader by doing this...he just adds some gravitas and actual danger to a situation that previous had none. If not my favorite of the series (the first one...more
After our brief comedic interlude in the end of the last volume, our hero Yorick, secret agent 355 and Dr. Mann continue their quest across the apocalyptic countryside towards California. In Vol. 4, Yorick has an interesting experience with a dominatrix and the company has to deal with a bunch of militia widows in the Arizona desert.
Vaughan's story continues at a good pace but he loses the thread in some places. 355 is fast becoming unbelievable and is almost always the Deus ex Machina at the en...more
Vaughan's story continues at a good pace but he loses the thread in some places. 355 is fast becoming unbelievable and is almost always the Deus ex Machina at the en...more
I'm still on the fence with this series. The first half of this volume I thought was absolutely terrible, but the second half was better - enough that I didn't give it just one star. I guess I'll go ahead and try to finish the series just for the sake of completion. So why did I hate the first half so much? Because it was a bullshit psycho-sexual excuse for a fantasy justified as a way to get the main character to confront some past trauma, presented as if it could really work that way. a bunch...more
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Born in Cleveland in 1976, Brian K. Vaughan is the Eisner, Harvey, and Shuster Award-winning writer and co-creator of the critically acclaimed comics series Y: The Last Man, Runaways, and Ex Machina (picked as one of the ten best works of fiction of 2005 by Entertainment Weekly).
Recently named "Writer of the Year" by Wizard Magazine, and one of the “top ten comic writers of all time” by Comic Boo...more
More about Brian K. Vaughan...
Recently named "Writer of the Year" by Wizard Magazine, and one of the “top ten comic writers of all time” by Comic Boo...more
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“Come back with a healthy monkey, or don't come back at all.”
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