Y: The Last Man: Book Four

I bought the first paperback volume of this series with fairly low expectations and largely because I found it cheap. I was pleasantly surprised to find engaging characters, an intriguing plot treated in some unexpected ways, and good artwork. So I invested in another couple of volumes. Had I known how well the series was going to develop, I would have bought it all in these deluxe hardback editions.As the series progresses, it gets better and better. It's a simple basic premise, the death of all male creatures bar two, a young man and his pet monkey, that could have been handled in some very obvious, and very crass, ways. To the creators' credit, it never is. It's handled with tact, wit, intelligence, and an admirable lack of the usual comic-book sexism. The twists and turns of the plot are full of genuine surprises, usually character-driven. The little group that accumulates around the last man all have fascinating back-stories that are explored with dexterity and woven into the central narrative. The result is that it's not just the underlying mystery as to who or what caused the death of all the other males that keeps the reader coming back for more, it's genuine engagement with these people and all their human foibles, frailties, humour, hopes, fears, foolishness, regrets, courage, pain, love, and dreams.The artwork also grows on the reader as the series progresses. To begin with, it seems perfectly adequate, though perhaps not particularly outstanding. The more you read, however, the more you realise just what a vital part the deceptively simple, clean, clear style plays in carrying the story along.Like all good comic books, it's the combination of writing and graphics that makes the whole work so well. And work it does. For me, this series joins such keynote works as  Watchmen  and  Sandman  as one of the few genuinely outstanding 'proper' novels in the medium, demonstrating what a great medium for storytelling the graphic medium can be in the right hands. Wonderful stuff!

I won't go in to much detail but this comic series is great. Books 1-3 are amazing. Book 4 is good but sadly 5 lets it down a little. Get them all as they still please!

The fourth book in series is exactly what you would expect. If you didn't like the others, then why are you here? You need to have read all the other books in order.The plots are broadened and glimpses of how everything started/will end is slowly released.The series i believe ends with the next book.

Awesome series, couldn't wait to get the new paperback and continue with the story. I knew the hardbacks were already out, but since I have the whole series in paperback it was well worth the wait.

Good quality, good service

Best graphic novel (s) of all time... I love a nice hardback book too so this was great!

One of the best graphic novel series around!

Completed the set