Kimono Dragons brings the hunt for Ampersand--the monkey who could unlock the mystery of the male-killing plague-- to its explosive climax, as the last man on Earth and his companions finally reach Japan and discover the truth behind Ampersand's abduction.
Brian K. Vaughan is the writer and co-creator of comic-book series including SAGA, PAPER GIRLS, Y THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, and most recently, BARRIER, a digital comic with artist Marcos Martin about immigration, available from their pay-what-you-want site www.PanelSyndicate.com
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
Y and co. finally reach Japan, on the abducted Ampersand trail, and find out the truth about Ampersand's abduction. Now in the East, in Asia, Vaughan continues relentlessly in showing how a world without men works, and how differently it works in the East. I love how he really thinks things through. 8.5 out of 12 2017 read
Tokyo! Where they meet a Canadian pop star turned mob boss and battle her with the help of an android pimp.
One of the more interesting volumes as you get Alter's backstory AND Dr. Mann's. Guess which one is more sympathetic? Not Alter, that's for damn sure.
We run into Dr. Mann's mother and find out so big clues that might lead to...whatever is happening next. Also, the cat is out of the bag about Rose! dun, dun, dun! And due to those damn Israelis (thank a lot, Alter!), the astronaut's son and Yorick's daughter are on the run for their lives.
Y the Last Man continues to entertain with volume 8. I am always glad when a series can hold my interest for this long.
This volume struck me as more of a transitional volume - lots of new information, clarification of some earlier plot questions etc. But, not really any standalone storylines that climax with the end of the volume. This was good because new info is always appreciated!
I am still loving the artwork in this one. Simple, but effective - reminiscent of earlier comic book art. Also, and I have mentioned this previously with other series, it is nice when the artist stays the same throughout the series. For me, that solid relationship between author and illustrator makes for a better book.
Side note: while I was reading this I found out that there is a TV series of this coming out. Sign me up!
Fun discovery volume showing us China and Japan in this little hard-hitting dystopia of women, adding a very appropriate male android analog for all those sexed up women, Canadian pop-star Yakuzas, katana fights, and loving reunions.
No, Yurick hasn't found Beth, but Everyone's got something to hide, especially him and his monkey. :)
Still solid. Fascinating. I'm very glad to be reading this. Worth it on many levels. :)
I was beginning to worry after finishing the last book that the story was starting to decline. Believe me, I was very nervous!
Vaughan appears to indicate that some time has passed since the last collection. It's easy to tell in the fact that at the very least, everyone has slightly longer hair. Yep, Yorick is rocking some lengthy locks.
It's worth noting that some serious stuff goes down in this issue. Which is a breath of fresh air considering the non-events in book 7. We also see the return of Alter as we're treated to her unfortunate back story. Did someone say back story? Well, we also get a very intriguing one involving Dr. Mann.
The series seems to have righted itself for the time being. I'm dying to finish this up. I hope the conclusion has been worth the journey at this point.
In this chronicle of the last man on earth, or is he?, Yorick and the gang go to Japan to find Ampersand. Lots of people die, more of Dr. Mann's origin is revealed, and more of the final pieces are put on the board.
Kimono Dragons moved things forward more than the last volume but I still feel like BKV is pumping the brakes a bit. With only two volumes left, I expect the shit to start hitting the fan at a rapid pace.
The last time I read these trades, I was reading them as they were released. Now that I'm wolfing them down like a surprisingly thin guy at an eating contest, it's easier to see all the groundwork laid early on and the character development every issue along the way to the end. This really is a great series.
Romanian review: Sfârșitul este din ce în ce mai aproape și, chiar dacă atunci când am auzit prima dată de serie, mă așteptam la ceva destul de diferit (pot spune că sunt puțin dezamăgit), ce am primit este destul de ok, mai ales ultimele câteva volume pe care le-am citit, care mi s-au părut mai bune decât primele- inclusiv acesta. În acest volum, aflăm că boala care a ucis aproape toți bărbații de pe planetă este . Tot în acest volum . Ca să intru în spiritul glumelor lui Yorick, se pare că israeliencele sunt ca Schwarzenegger și se întorc întotdeauna (are mult mai mult haz în engleză). Sunt curios cum se va încheia seria și, în ciuda faptului că mă așteptam la mai multe de la ea, probabil că îmi va fi dor de personaje.
English review: The end is drawing nearer, and although when I first heard about this series, I expected something quite different (I can say I’m a bit disappointed), what I got is fairly decent, especially the last few volumes I’ve read, which I found better than the earlier ones—including this one. In this volume, we learn that the plague that killed almost all the men on the planet was . Also, in this volume, . To channel Yorick’s humor, it seems Israeli soldiers are like Schwarzenegger—they always come back. I’m curious to see how the series will conclude, and despite expecting more from it, I’ll probably miss the characters.
NOOooo I am almost done with this series. I don't want it to be over but at the same time I WANT TO KNOW!!! So good. I am taking my time with this series. Cherishing it as much as I can.
And so begins the slow decent into idiocy, ignorance, cliched writing, and really atrociously racist artwork.
So, a white lady is in charge of the Yakuza y'all. Because poor backwards Japanese people!
I saw this won three Eisner awards and I mean, like, thanks comics industry. Thanks for continuously awarding anything that at all upholds the stereotypes of patriarchy. (BTW I actually looked up Eisner award winners (for writing) and counted NO FUCKING FEMALE WRITERS (then again that makes sense because most men would *never* read a comic written by a female)).
I mean consider this: this is a story about a "gendercide". All men, poof, dead. This is a world FULL of women. Full of them. And yet, they can't fly the planes, or keep the power grids running, or do, you know, any of that manly man stuff. This is a world where feminist means a crazy (literally crazy) woman who cuts off her left breast and goes around destroying sperm banks and any trace of men. This is a world where the single most important, main goddamn character, is a twenty something year old white male. And the other most important character, is a skeevy fifty something year old Japanese male. Oh wait, I forgot the third most important character, the monkey who--you guessed it--is a dude as well.
This isn't a story about equality of sexes. This is a story trying to prove women *need* men and men make the world go round.
Slightly better than the weak vol. 7, but the comic really needs to kick into gear to have a great finale.
Kimono Dragons (#43-46). In Japan we get action, adventure, and tension, characters with their lives in danger, some hints about what caused the plague, and interesting dynamics between Yorick and 355. It's all around a good story that moves along nicely [7/10].
The Tin Man (#47). Dr. Mann's backstory is more interesting than most because because it's got emotional resonance. There's also more hints at the story of the plague and a pretty horrid modern situation [7/10].
Gehenna (#48). Alter claims she's not a monster, but she is. I don't really care about the sob story that made her that way [4/10].
Quem leu as minhas opiniões anteriores a esta série gráfica sabe que, apesar de ser fã confesso do trabalho de Brian K. Vaughan, Y: O Último Homem não correspondeu às minhas expectativas. Ainda assim, o desenvolvimento das personagens e várias reviravoltas na trama, mas sobretudo a melhoria da arte e um maior foco na sexualidade das personagens tem ganhado algum do meu apreço. Daí que tenha pontuado melhor as últimas publicações que as iniciais.
O sétimo volume, Bonecas de Papel, vem na mesma toada. Apesar de ser mais lento, focando-se nas relações entre as personagens e no desenvolvimento de Rose e da sua relação com a Dr.ª Mann, mostra algum amadurecimento e traz alguma reflexão e consistência à trama. E o oitavo volume faz aquilo que se pede quando as águas se acalmam. Dragões de Kimono oferece muito ritmo e agitação, pecando pelo excesso de flashbacks que me deixaram com uma sensação Lost. Quem conhece o autor sabe do que estou a falar.
O último homem no planeta, Yorick Brown, alcança finalmente a Austrália, onde procura pela noiva Beth, com quem perdera contacto. Mas para além de não a encontrar, nem nas ruínas de Sidney, cai nas mãos de uma jornalista com más intenções e descobre outras pistas que o conduzem na peugada de Ampersang, o seu macaco de estimação que fora raptado. Da Austrália viaja para o Japão, levando consigo as suas amigas, agente 355 e a cientista Allison Mann.
Ampersand foi raptado por uma mercenária japonesa e Yorick encontra-lhes o rasto. Em Tóquio, o último homem na Terra e as suas companheiras enfrentam gangsters da Yakuza, que pretendem lucrar com uma suposta resposta para o generocídio que aniquilou a esmagadora maioria da população masculina mundial. Entre adolescentes mal resolvidos, um homem robótico, estrelas Pop e um reencontro familiar pouco feliz para a Dr.ª Mann, o reencontro com Ampersand pode estar próximo.
Gostei bastante da diferença de ritmo entre um volume e o outro. O que Bonecas de Papel ofereceu em consistência e numa crítica consciente aos mass media, Dragões de Kimono trabalhou acontecimentos e volte-faces muito bons. Ainda assim, Y: O Último Homem continua sem me fascinar. As guinadas narrativas podem até parecer imprevisíveis e cheias de ritmo, mas tenho sempre a sensação de deja vu. Onde é que eu já vi isto? Há aqui um défice de originalidade, mas sobretudo a sensação que as personagens andam em círculos e não chegam a lugar algum.
E depois há Yorick. Sempre armado de piadas e referências musicais e cinematográficas, o protagonista está longe de me agradar. Na verdade, é a pior personagem da série, muito abaixo de personagens riquíssimas em conteúdo como Alisson Mann ou 355, como exemplo. Porém, apesar de não gostar muito, gosto, e parece-me evidente que a série tem melhorado a pouco e pouco. Y: O Último Homem não acrescenta nada, mas não posso dizer que não tem qualidade.
This is my second re-read and third time reading this series. I still love it and enjoy every moment of this journey. The team finally reaches Japan and continues their search and journey. I love this series and am going to Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I have I can. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and hope always to love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I just want to Keep on Reading.
Ayzner mükafatına layiq görülüb-filan. Sadəcə marketinq deyimi kimi gəldi mənə. Reytinqlər də onu deyir elə. Ümid eləyirəm ki, son 2 kitab qat-qat daha yaxşı olacaq. Çünki ideyası yaxşı olan, qəşəng başlayan bu qrafik silsilə qəşəng epiloqa doğrudan da layiqdir. <3
Maybe it's because I just finished some amazing epic fantasy (A Dance With Dragons), or maybe I'm just not in the mood, but this volume just felt silly to me. Like I couldn't figure out why I'm still reading this series, even though I've enjoyed it for the most part.
It has gotten a bit stale, but there was some interesting backstory from a couple different characters here. The thing is, I've realized that I don't really care about any of the characters. Yorick could die, and I'd probably be surprised since he's the last man and all, but I wouldn't be sad.
I'm going to continue on with the series, but maybe it's best in the future if I don't read any graphic novels after finishing awesome doorstopper fantasies. The transition isn't good.
I keep hanging on at this point because I just hate leaving a series unfinished. This volume contains a bunch of backstory that seemed almost desperate, like the author was trying to prove that the stupid shit characters did earlier in the series, made sense in the light of these new revelations. But it came off to me as just empty. The Epiphany character was obnoxious to the point of being a caricature. The worst moment though, was when whatshername's mother (I can't even remember character names, that's how little I have invested in this series) says "I'm a homeopathic surgeon" - so what does she do, pretend to touch a scalpel and call it done? Fucking stupid.
The story is gearing up towards what might just be a very explosive ending. Ampersand is finally found, the truth about Yorick is out, Dr. Mann’s back-story is explored, and if that weren’t enough, we also get a look at what makes Alter tick. Vaughan’s writing has gone back to the organized chaos that I liked so much in the first volumes. Events happen pell-mell, one after another, but they feel like part of a whole instead of glimpses of it. Let’s hope it’s a sign that things will continue to improve.
3.5 stars. It's somewhat difficult to rate sections of one whole story. Sometimes it's really good, at times I've become annoyed with the story or characters, but my interest in the outcome of the group and their story has not wavered for me. Yorick seems to get a bad rap from several readers but I actually like him. I like that he is not a superbreed of a man but a man who's somewhat clueless and has evolved in maturity as the story progresses, someone who did not ask to be the last man on Earth. He's like a deer in headlights most of the time but that's as it should be. How would we feel if we were the last of our kind on earth? I'd imagine I'd feel just like Yorick. I love 355's loyalty to the group and I love Dr. Mann. Ampersand rounds off the group and is just as much a part of this little family that's been thrown together for better or worse.
More than do the emotional review per volume I've decided to evaluate each one individually for how it's made me feel at the moment. Answers may be provided down the line that may make me view story arcs differently. For now, I've decided to just briefly summarize important story arcs so I can remember what each volume was about. I've tried not to add any spoilers but for someone currently reading I would suggest not reading this review further in case plot elements are given away.
There's a lot going on in this volume. It starts off with the group newly arrived in Japan. There is a new addition to the group, Rose, who is the love interest of Dr. Mann.
--Ampersand ends up in a brothel where a male android is all the rage amongst the Japanese women. The owner of the brothel has sold off Ampersand to a Canadian pop Singer, who's become the new mafia boss in the city.
--Hero, Beth#2, and Beth#3 arrive in Kansas.
--Dr. Mann and Rose find Dr. Mann's mom's lab where they startle her and mom ends up stabbing Rose in fright. Mom operates on Rose and saves her but during Rose's delirious stage she reveals that she's been spying on the group.
--Toyota reappears and kidnaps Dr. Mann's mom.
--Ampersand and Yorick reunite.
--We see a glimpse of Dr. Mann's childhood and young adulthood and her tumultuous relationship with her father. Their competitiveness puts them in a race to be the first to clone a human being, which will bring consequences as a result of their pride to be the first to do so.
--A glimpse into Alter Tse'Elon's childhood and young adulthood shows how she ended up being a fighter in the Israeli army. We also see how she ended up being connected to Yorick's mother.
What a slog. Begrudgingly reading as I can't drop it at this point but really nothing interesting going on here. The hunt for Ampersand was pretty uninteresting and led to some really problematic stuff with the Yakuza now being led by a Canadian pop star (why????). The only decent thread was the Dr. Mann backstory but even that got into some weird Chinese/Japanese secret family levels that seemed totally unnecessary. Looking forward to finishing but my expectations are really low right now.
It was just boring, but the fact that the Yakuza was led by an annoying Canadian popstar diva was idiotic. The homeopathic surgeon was also idiotic. They brought up the dominatrix therapy. I can’t think of a worse thing to do a callback to. That was one of the worst things I’ve ever read in the medium.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In Japan, revelations await for all out main characters - but especially Dr. Mann. I like how the two female leads in the series are more than just accessories to Yorick. They are huge parts of the story with their own character arcs and pasts.
peace is more than just impossible, its unnatural. i have never read truer words about peace and war than these two more to go and i will begin my journey through fables
Things starting to come together with more updates on key characters, some brilliant origin stories, a new setting, the same dumb, insufferable asshole.......
I can’t believe how close we’re getting to the end of Y: The Last Man. I’ve just completed the eighth volume (I know, I’m insanely behind), and I’m still not sure how they’re going to end this series. I’m a bit worried it’ll be a ‘rocks fall and everyone dies’ sort of ending, but I have hope that it won’t end like that. I’ll confess after reading the last volume (which was mostly full of short stories and not all that impressive, all things considered), but it seems like my fears have been for naught (thank goodness!). While we’re looking at the bright side of things, I’d like to point out that the writers and artists have stayed the same, which is a huge relief for me (I always worry about style changes halfway through a long-ish series).
Son üç kitaba girerken henüz bir yere varamama ile hızlıca toparlama arasında bocalıyor. Biraz daha derli toplu olmasını tercih ederdim.
Bu kitabın çevirisine bayıldım mı nefret mi ettim benzer şekilde çözemiyorum. Bir bakıyorsunuz Yorick "Ananı avradını!" diyor ki her ne kadar hiç hoşlanmadığım bir söz olsa da Yorick'in ağzında absürt derecede gülünç, bir bakıyorsunuz her iki kelimeden biri "*mına koyayım" oluyor. Şu ikinci sözün gerçekten İngilizcesini merak ediyorum. Daha ergen ağzına pelesenk olmamış bir sözcük öbeği bulunamaz mıydı acaba?
Şu çizgiromanları da çok seviyorum ama; 1. Bu kadar kısa bir çizgiroman için 25 TL halen bana çok büyük bir rakam gibi geliyor. 2. Neden bilmiyorum aynı Kimono Ejderhaları'nda olduğu gibi ciltler o kadar dandik ki kitabı azıcık fazla açsanız (aslında tam açsanız) bütün cilt elinizde kalıyor.
Artık çok ilginç birşey katmadığı için biran evvel bitsin istiyorum ki Lone Wolf and Cub serisine başlayayım.