On the first Monday of every month we meet up on Twitter for the #WWACComicClub. Last week we discussed Y The Last Man Volume 1: Unmanned by Brian K Vaughan and Pia Guerra .
This comic starts off with a bang! It’s starts with a “gendercide.” All of the men on earth die at exactly the same time, except for one former English major (Yorick) and his monkey (Ampersand). To put that in perspective that’s 29 billion people or 48% of the global population. This includes 95% of all commercial pilots, truck drivers and ship captains. 99% of all mechanics, electricians and construction workers.
Some other interesting facts included at the end of the first issue are that fourteen nations, including Spain and Germany, have women soldiers who have served in ground combat units. None of the USA’s 200,000 female troops have participated in ground combat. Australia, Norway and Sweden are the only countries that have women serving on board submarines. Worldwide 85% of government representatives are male. As well as 100% of Catholic priests, Muslim Imams and Orthodox Jewish rabbis.
It’s an incredibly interesting and thought provoking comic. But it’s now over 10 years old. Some things are different now, other things haven’t changed at all. So we started the discussion by exploring whether or not it still feels relevant and timely. We had readers who’d read the whole series years ago and readers who were experiencing it for the first time but many agreed certain elements did feel a bit dated.
@womenoncomics Interactions between Yorick and Agent 355 can come off as a bit awkward, the Amazons don’t seem plausible, #WWAComicClub
— Rachel Antimatter (@PositronicWoman) September 3, 2014
@womenoncomics and the way it portrays transmen (using terminology like “trannies”, ugh) and lesbians isn’t fun #WWACComicClub
— Rachel Antimatter (@PositronicWoman) September 3, 2014
One of the biggest sticking points for people was the Amazons – a “feminist” cult who think Mother Earth killed all the men because they were a mistake. They burn down sperm banks and attack women who don’t agree with them.
@womenoncomics I think BKV was trying to satirize the straight male idea of feminists but it’s very clunky & uncomfortable. never liked it.
— Hatoful Hollow (@ronchronchronch) September 3, 2014
The wives of the Republicans also seemed excessive and over the top.
@womenoncomics “Republicans love guns” joke that doesn’t go anywhere.
— A M B (@Lostinfandom) September 3, 2014
But on the plus side, the Republican wives did lead to another interesting discussion point – politics. In the unlikely event that we do lose all the men should we maintain the same system of government? Or would a new system be in order?
@womenoncomics we need to rebuild. too many people are hurting for the profit of the few. #WWACComicClub — Rachel Antimatter (@PositronicWoman) September 3, 2014
I really enjoyed when we got into specific discussions about characters. It seems everyone has a different favourite character, which suggests strong writing (or at the very least strong characterization). And even though there were a lot of different opinions circulating there was one thing we all agreed on – what if the reverse occurred and all the women died except one?
oof I think it would be a damn horror show by comparison — Sean Poppe (@seanrunamok) September 3, 2014
@womenoncomics I really don’t want to imagine. — Greg Thelen (@gregthelen) September 3, 2014
@womenoncomics the power wouldn’t have shut off nor would have so many planes/buses/trains crashed. That said, there would be all out war. — Mario Candelaria (@TheOtherMarioC) September 3, 2014
@womenoncomics I can’t imagine the horrors in that comic. — Germán (@GerJP) September 3, 2014
@womenoncomics well it’d be X the Last Woman… and it’d be terrifying for that woman. Just terrifying. — Jesse Snavlin (@saltwatertype) September 3, 2014
Tweet of the night
@womenoncomics Meanwhile, in Costa Rica http://t.co/ddgWtEr03m
— Germán (@GerJP) September 3, 2014
But what do you think? Have you read Y the Last Man Volume 1? Do you think it stands the test of time? And if this was your first dive into the series do you plan on continuing?
Next month’s Selection
Revival Volume 1: You’re Among Friends
Written by Tim Seeley. Art by Mike Norton
Image Comics
For one day in rural central Wisconsin, the dead came back to life. Now it’s up to Officer Dana Cypress to deal with the media scrutiny, religious zealots, and government quarantine that has come with them. In a town where the living have to learn to deal with those who are supposed to be dead, Officer Cypress must solve a brutal murder, and everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect. The sell-out hit series created by NYT Bestselling author Tim Seeley and Eisner winning artist Mike Norton is collected with bonus material! Collects Revival #1-5.
Revival is available in print from your local comic shop or digitally through Comixology.
