Y: The Last Man #24

Y: The Last Man #24, published in 2005 by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint, marks the conclusion of the 'Safeword' story arc. Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Pia Guerra, the series explores a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious plague has simultaneously killed every mammal with a Y chromosome, with the exception of Yorick Brown and his pet capuchin monkey. The narrative was designed to blend political satire, cultural commentary, and survivalist tropes, aiming to investigate how gender dynamics would shift in a world suddenly devoid of men.

Pia Guerra’s visual style for the series is noted for its clean, grounded realism, which served to anchor the surreal premise in a relatable aesthetic. Issue #24 is significant within the series' run as it continues to develop the complex relationship between Yorick and his bodyguard, Agent 355. Upon its release, the series was widely praised by critics for its pacing and character development, eventually becoming a staple of 2000s independent-leaning comics and earning several Eisner Awards for the creative team.