Y: The Last Man #22

Y: The Last Man #22, released in 2005, serves as the second installment of the 'Safeword' story arc within the acclaimed Vertigo series created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Pia Guerra. The series explores a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious plague has decimated every male mammal on Earth, with the notable exceptions of Yorick Brown and his capuchin monkey, Ampersand. This specific issue continues the narrative thread of Yorick's journey across a transformed United States, focusing on the character's vulnerabilities and the complex sociopolitical dynamics of a world suddenly devoid of men.

The visual identity of the series was defined by Pia Guerra's grounded, realistic pencils, which provided a necessary anchor for the high-concept science fiction premise. By focusing on character expression and the grit of a collapsing society, the artistic team succeeded in moving the comic beyond the conventions of standard superhero tropes. Upon release, the series was widely lauded by critics for its consistent character development and intricate plotting, eventually becoming a cornerstone of 2000s-era Vertigo comics and garnering multiple Eisner Awards for the creative team.