Friday, January 22, 2010

What If All Males Died?



I have started reading a series of graphic novels from my library called Y, The Last Man by Brian Vaughan and Pia Guerra (DC Comics, 2003). The first two in the series are amazing for many reasons. Pia Guerra depicts the almost 100% female characters in ways that are not apparent in this male-dominated genre. Her expressive art shows distinct women.

This is a great story with amazing art done on proper paper (not glossy). So far, all male mammals on earth have died from a plague. 6 months later chaos is the order of the day. The story introduction says:
This "gendercide" instantaneously exterminated 48% of the global population, or approximately 2.9 billion men. 495 of the Fortune 500 are now dead, as are 99% of the world's landowners.

In the United States alone, more than 95% of all commercial pilots truck drivers and ship captains died...as did 92% of all violent felons. Internationally, 99%of all mechanics, electricians, and construction workers are now deceased... though 51% of the planet's agricultural labor force is still alive.
I wonder what the stats would be for a female gendercide? No mothers, no grandmothers or aunties. Few nurses, care givers, teachers, cooks and cleaners. Yikes.

In both cases it seems to be the end of the species. UNLESS, technology can save us.

There are 10 paperback volumes.

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