Author: Brian K Vaughan
Illustrators: Pia Guerra, Goran Sudzuka, Jose Marzan
Genre: Graphic Novel
As a child, I can remember receiving sets of paper dolls. They'd vary in design and character, but always the same format -- a figure, perforated into hardened cardboard, with a foldable stand that fit into two notches at the bottom of the doll's image. Outfits for various features of the doll's life would be included, with little tabs to fold around the doll. But at the bottom of it all, the figure would be wearing the sparsest of underthings that would coincidentally be conveniently hidden no matter what various outfits it wore. From astronaut gear to bikini-wearing beach babe. Inevitably -- sometimes almost instantaneously -- the tabs for the clothes would break off, and another outfit would be discarded. Eventually, so would the doll, its cardboard base worn to a nubbin, having suffered one too many bends at the waist and legs.
The seventh collection of "Y: The Last Man: Paper Dolls" can be seen as an extension of that paper doll metaphor. If this volume of the work has a theme, I'd say it's continual push/pull of secrets and the desire for their divulgence by various authorities -- whether that is the church, the media, the government or the scientific community. We get that interplay with all the members of the Y crew-- even Ampersand to a certain extent. Just like a child seeing a set of paper dolls that have been done up, societal authorities are eager to strip the main characters (and some of the satellite characters) to see the inner workings. And just like that omnipotent seven year-old, little care is taken towards how that impacts them.
At the same time the graphic novel is working in how personal rights are being casually violated, the author is also entwining the broad mesh of characters together. Rose and Dr.Alison, Ampersand and Yorick and Beth, Other Beth and Hero. Even Yorick's mother, Congresswoman Brown, has her past tied in with that of an antagonist from the story. I liked how the details of how Ampersand came to be with Yorick interweaves personal connections for the reader between two of the members of the Y crew. Equally interesting here is 335's backstory and how she became a member of the Culper Ring. It's stated in the story that she was nearly too old for their notice -- and we ain't talking because she was collecting OAP. Which further highlights the cultish nature of Culper Ring -- loss of personal identity, induction occuring before the age of informed legal consent --how is it any different than the Sisters of the Amazon and other cult groups that spring up in the 3.5 years after "the Great Unmanning"? As these are the supposed "good guys" of the government, this tarnishes the group in the reader's eyes. I wouldn't be surprised if this builds to 355 having a crisis of conscience of some sort in later episodes.
All in all, this is a great addition to this series.I would definitely recommend it.
ISBN: 9781845762414
Publication date/Publisher: May 1, 2006 by Vertigo
Link: http://www.dccomics.com/vertigo/graphic_novels/?gn=5163
