Comic Book Review

Y: The Last Man vol. 8: Kimino Dragons TPB
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artists: Pia Guerra, Goran Sudzuka, Jose Marzan Jr.

This is still one of the best comic series being published today. Kimono Dragons collects issues 43-48 of the series that explores a world in which all the males have mysteriously died. All except amatuer escape artist Yorick Brown and his pet monkey, Ampersand. Working with secret agent 355 and scientist Dr. Allison Mann, the last two males alive are on a dangerous and eye-opening quest through a fragmented world of women in search of a cure and Yorick's missing love, Beth.

This latest volume finds our heroes in Japan in search of Ampersand, stolen by a mysterious, samurai sword-packing woman. Meanwhile, back in Kansas, Beth and Yorick's sister, Hero, continue their search for Yorick and arrive at the bunker with a special surprise for its occupants. Little do they know, Alter and her Israeli army are closing in as well.

I don't want to spoil the series by revealing too much of the plot. The real strengths of this series are the surprises and twists the story takes as it barrels along toward its conclusion this year. The premise of a world populated only by women could easily fall into cliched or weak-minded male fantasies, but here is where Y shines. The women left are intelligent and opportunistic and kind and vicious...they're real. This story - this volume - is not just some throwaway experience. You think, you feel, you care about these characters and their journey. As things wind down we'll start to get the answers we've been waiting years for.