Y: The Last Man #21

Y: The Last Man #21, published in 2005 as part of the 'Safeword' story arc, arrived during the height of the Vertigo imprint's influence on mature-audience comics. Written by Brian K. Vaughan with pencils by Pia Guerra, the series explores a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious plague has eradicated every mammal with a Y chromosome, save for Yorick Brown and his pet capuchin, Ampersand. This specific issue follows the narrative progression of the group's journey through a society fundamentally reshaped by the sudden absence of men.

The visual identity of the series, defined by Pia Guerra's grounded, character-focused realism, was essential in grounding the high-concept premise in a relatable human drama. The series was widely praised by critics for its balance of social commentary, survivalist tension, and dark humor, eventually becoming a staple of 2000s graphic storytelling. Issue #21 specifically serves as a pivotal bridge in the ongoing quest, maintaining the series' reputation for subverting typical action-adventure tropes in favor of character development.