Comic book writer turned occasional “Lost” maestro Brian K. Vaughan apparently exists within the hit series’ universe now. The multi-talented comic book all-star behind the Vertigo series “Y: The Last Man” and “Ex Machina” has held such titles as producer, writer and executive story editor over the last few seasons, but this week, Hugo’s airport reading habits appear to have placed him firmly on the inside of the “Lost” universe.
On last night’s episode, titled “316,” Hugo was caught clearly reading a Spanish-language edition of “Y: The Last Man, Vol. 3: One Small Step” – or “Y, El Último Hombre” as it appeared on screen.
The comic book cameo was certainly a wink at Vaughan’s comic book fanbase, who cheered him on when he joined fellow comics scribe Jeph Loeb over at the “Lost” office for the show’s third season. But the plot of that particular volume of “Y” is worth keeping in mind, too.
The third volume of Vaughan’s hit series focused on several astronauts returning to an Earth that has changed in very drastic and mysterious ways since they left it, and various factions on the ground racing to receive the new arrivals. Could this have some very specific implications for both the episode and the current “Lost” story arc? Well, as any “Lost” fan knows, everything in the series seems to have been included for a very specific purpose.
For those who didn’t pick up the comics, “Y” is currently being developed into a feature film with “Eagle Eye” director D.J. Caruso attached and was known for its “Lost”-style cliffhangers and Easter eggs — just the kind of scripting that Vaughan was all to happy to bring aboard on “Lost.”
Vaughan is also known for throwing references to other books and scattered pop culture touchstones into his own work. Now, it looks like he’s getting a chance to get a little self-referential — even if it is in Spanish.
Did you catch the brief shot of Hugo reading “Y: The Last Man” last night on “Lost”? What did you think of Hugo’s choice of reading material? What does it mean for the series? Chime in with your reactions in the comment section below!