“One Small Step: Conclusion”
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artists: Pia Guerra (p), Jose Marzan, Jr. (i)
Publisher: DC/Vertigo
I said in my review of the last issue of Y that I believed it was the perfect book for people who say they don’t like comic books. Whaddaya know; it turns out I was right. I gave the first TPB of the series to my parents (both born when Harry Truman was in the White House) and, without prompting, they told me they really enjoyed it. My mother went so far as to say that she’d spend her own money on the book, so I’m glad to be able to say that if she went into a comic store tomorrow she’d find the current issues of Y as good as that first story arc.
While superstar writers like Brian Michael Bendis have been criticized (and rightly so) for weak endings to their arcs, Vaughan has yet to disappoint me when it comes to his conclusions. Each arc has been wrapped up nicely while setting up the story to come, and “One Small Step” is no exception. The astronauts make it to Earth (no surprise), but a quick glance at the cover lets readers know things do not go as smoothly as possible and that’s part of the reason this issue only gets four bullets. The covers to Y have started to give too much away, and that pretty much defeats the purpose of what is supposed to be a teaser.
You don’t have to be a genius to figure out that the male astronauts don’t make it out of their descent alive; after all, this book isn’t called Y: One of the Last Three Men. What isn’t obvious is what the remaining astronaut reveals and it’s there that the readers are thrown for the characteristic Vaughan loop. I can’t wait to see the ramifications of her surprise, and I would buy this comic for that angle even if the next two stories weren’t all that interesting. Luckily, I’m sure that won’t be the case because of all the other irons Vaughan has in the fire. Yorick and 355 (seriously, when is this poor lady going to get a name?) are developing quite a nice relationship, one that means more that either will admit. The Israelis and Amazons are still out there, they both know about Yorick, and both have different agendas regarding his existence. I can’t wait for the return of Hero and her sisters, and it’s looking like I won’t have to for much longer.
Pia Guerra’s art is as strong as ever, but I feel that the artist showed us something different in this issue. Sure, she’s had to draw a wide range of emotions as well as convey clear, precise action, but in this installment I was very impressed with the former. The range of emotion on her characters faces is so wide that I’ve rarely seen anyone do it as well as Guerra. She’s called on to show hope, happiness, awkward silences full of hidden passion, despair, regret, determination, and anger and pulls it all off well. I’m sure we’ve seen her do all this before, but for some reason that aspect of the art resonated with me this time out. There were one or two instances where I was very aware that I was looking at a drawing, but other than that the art is pretty close to flawless.
As you can tell by the way I didn’t discuss much of the issue’s goings on that there’s not a lot of action after the astronauts touched down. Some would say that this fact points to “padded” comic book writing, but I would argue against that sentiment. Vaughan is telling his story at a somewhat deliberate pace, but each page in this issue has meaning and adds a good deal to the ongoing narrative. Vaughan is doing more than just wrapping up an arc here; he’s expertly setting up the next two arcs and it’s a treat to be able to see such forward thinking. I’ve said it once and I’ll keep saying it until someone listens, if you’re one of those people interested in spreading your love of comics on to others, Y is the perfect book to use.
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