Y: The Last Man, Vol. 10: Whys and Wherefores (Y: The Last Man, #10) Summary & Key Insights

Brian K. Vaughan's Y: The Last Man, Vol. 10: Whys and Wherefores serves as a penultimate chapter, focusing intensely on unraveling the mystery surrounding the plague that wiped out all but one male mammal on Earth and Yorick Brown's desperate search for answers. The volume is less about action and more about revelation and character introspection, building toward the series' ultimate conclusion.

The central plot revolves around Yorick and his team finally reaching the clandestine organization, the Daughters of the Amazon, who are suspected of being connected to the plague's origin. We learn that the organization, led by the enigmatic Ampersand, holds a deep understanding of the event, hinting at a possible artificial cause. The Daughters possess advanced scientific knowledge and a controlled, isolated society, seemingly untouched by the societal collapse outside their walls. However, their secrets are tightly guarded, creating tension and suspicion.

Yorick, having spent the series relying on others, begins to independently investigate the Amazon's hidden labs. His search leads him to discover fragments of truth, including disturbing evidence of experimentation – a revelation that dramatically shifts the narrative's perspective. Ampersand herself remains a complex and ambiguous figure, her motivations unclear despite her apparent power and knowledge. Is she a savior, a villain, or something in between? The volume avoids simple answers, preferring to present her as a product of extraordinary circumstances and hidden agendas.

Agent 355, Yorick's fiercely loyal and competent protector, faces internal struggles. Her dedication is tested as she grapples with the ethical implications of the organization's actions and the true nature of her mission. Her unwavering loyalty to Yorick is challenged by the growing understanding of the Daughters' involvement in the catastrophe. The volume also delves into the relationship between Yorick and his girlfriend, Beth, further complicated by distance and the extraordinary circumstances.

Overarching themes of survival, gender dynamics, and the nature of power are central to this volume. The investigation into the plague's origin forces a confrontation with the societal upheaval triggered by the event, exposing the fragility of civilization and the diverse responses to calamity. The Daughters' existence exposes the potential for both benevolent and malevolent uses of advanced scientific knowledge, challenging the simplistic good versus evil dichotomy. The volume ultimately leaves the reader grappling with a disturbing truth: the answers to the plague's origins might be far more complex and morally ambiguous than initially anticipated, setting the stage for the series' emotionally charged conclusion.