Y: The Last Man Vol 09: Motherland

This is my favorite series. If you are going to spend the money on a series of graphic novels, this is the one. Especially first three volumes.

My boyfriend introduced me to this fine graphic novel series by loaning me books "The Last Man 1-3". I'm not really into comic books, so I didn't start reading it for a few months. But when I finally picked it up. I was hooked. So much so that I ordered "Last Man" volumnes 4-9. If you like apocalyptic fiction then you will love this series. Pia Guerra is a fabulous illustrator. I just can't wait till they publish "Last Man" #10. My only advice is to read them in order, otherwise you'll get lost.

I enjoyed Motherland tremendously - much more than the previous two collections. Finally, we are getting some real answers to the cause of the "gender-cide," and not just seemingly randome travels and flash backs, which I felt really bogged down the series. While it seems clear things are coming to a head, and I will regret the end of this well written series, I would rather that than have it drag on too long. Highly recommended for upper teen to mature readers.

This comic continues to advance the medium. The quality of writing comes through in the compelling characters and fascinating world of Y: The Last Man. This installment is no departure from form, but extends the back story by fleshing out the family of one of the principle protagonists.

Brian K. Vaughan's compulsively addictive series is wheeling to a close, and when reading Motherland, the ninth collected volume of the series, this becomes all the more apparent. Things come to a head as Yorick, his pet monkey Ampersand, Agent 355, Dr. Mann, and Rose search for Dr. Mann's kidnapped mother, and learn that Yorick indeed is not the last man on earth. More secrets of the plague that wiped out the men are revealed as everyone makes more shocking discoveries, and 355 and the ninja named Toyota face off in a fight that one of which won't walk away from. In the meantime, Yorick's girlfriend Beth awaits him in France, while his other Beth and sister Hero are on the run. There is also a one-shot devoted to the super-model turned garbage girl that Yorick had a run in with way back in the first volume, which is interesting as well. While it's clear that the series is headed towards a close, Vaughan doesn't rush through things and keeps the book well paced. Co-creator Pia Guerra offers the same brand of artwork that you'd come to expect by now, so take it or leave it. All in all though, Motherland is another excellent volume in the Y: The Last Man series, and here's hoping the end is as great as the whole.