Y: The Last Man #6

Y: The Last Man #6, published in 2002 by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint, marks the conclusion of the 'Unmanned' story arc. Written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Pia Guerra, the series explores a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious plague has eradicated every mammal with a Y chromosome, save for the protagonist, Yorick Brown, and his pet monkey. This issue serves as a pivotal character study, grounding the high-concept premise in the personal stakes of the lead characters as they navigate a drastically altered geopolitical landscape.

The visual identity of the series was defined by Pia Guerra’s clean, expressive linework and Goran Parlov’s contributions during this early stage, which helped establish a gritty yet humanistic tone for the sci-fi narrative. The design aesthetic focused on character-driven storytelling rather than traditional superhero spectacle, which garnered significant critical acclaim upon release. The series was widely praised for its sociological exploration of gender roles and societal collapse, ultimately becoming a hallmark of the Vertigo line's influence on contemporary graphic fiction.