Vision (Marvel Comics)
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| Vision | |
 The Vision. Art by Brian Haberlin. |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Avengers #57 (vol. 1, Oct. 1968) |
| Created by | Roy Thomas John Buscema |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Inapplicable, brain patterns based on Wonder Man and Alex Lipton |
| Team affiliations | Avengers West Coast Avengers |
| Notable aliases | Victor Shade |
| Abilities |
|
The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that appear in the Marvel Universe.
The first was created by the writer-artist team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in Marvel Mystery Comics #13 (Nov. 1940), published by Marvel predecessor Timely Comics during the 1930s-1940s period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books.
The second and most longstanding is an android (also referred to as a "synthezoid" in the comics) who was a member of the superhero team the Avengers. The character was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema in The Avengers #57 (vol. 1, Oct. 1968). This version was apparently destroyed in Avengers #500 (vol. 3, Sept. 2004).
A new Vision, adapted from the original by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung, was introduced in the series Young Avengers.
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[edit] Golden Age
During the 1940s, Marvel predecessor Timely Comics published an unrelated superhero called the Vision, who was an alien from an alternate dimension.
[edit] Silver Age
[edit] Publication history
The Vision was created by writer Roy Thomas and penciller John Buscema, and first appeared in the superhero-team series The Avengers #57 (Oct. 1968). He became a member of the team and appeared on a semi-regular basis until #500 (Sept. 2004), when the character was presumably destroyed.
The Vision starred with fellow Avenger and wife the Scarlet Witch in the limited series Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1-4 (Nov. 1982 - Feb. 1983), by writer Bill Mantlo and penciller Rick Leonardi. This was followed by vol. 2, #1-12 (Oct. 1985 - Sept. 1986), written by Steve Englehart and penciled by Richard Howell. A decade later, the Vision appeared in a solo limited series, Vision, #1-4 (Nov. 1994 - Feb. 1995), by writer Bob Harras and penciller Manny Clark. Nearly a decade after that came a four-issue second volume (Oct. 2002 - Jan. 2003), written by Geoff Johns and penciled by Ivan Reis.
[edit] Fictional character biography
The robot Ultron is the creator of the Vision, a type of android he calls a "synthezoid", for use against Ultron's own creator, Dr. Henry Pym (Ant-Man/Giant Man/Goliath/Yellowjacket) and Pym's wife, Janet van Dyne (the Wasp) of the superhero team The Avengers. [1] The team believes the Vision's body was created from that of the android original Human Torch, while the patterns of his synthetic brain were based on those of the then-deceased Simon Williams (Wonder Man). The Avengers later learn that the time lord Immortus used the power of the Forever Crystal to split the original Human Torch into two entities: one body remained the original Torch while Ultron rebuilt the other as the Vision.[2]
The Vision almost immediately rebels against his creator and joins the Avengers.[3] He later became romantically involved with Wanda Maximoff, the mutant Scarlet Witch. The two eventually marry, and later appear to procreate twin boys named Thomas and William via the Scarlet Witch's mutant hex powers.[4]
Rogue agents of the United States government, manipulated by the time traveler Immortus, abduct the Vision and dismantle him. The Avengers recover the parts, and Dr. Pym rebuilds him as best he can. However, the now-revived Simon Williams does not allow his brain patterns to be used again to provide a matrix for Vision's emotions, explaining that the original process, done without his consent, had "ripped out his soul". Although Williams' own love for Wanda leads him to feel guilt, he justifies his actions by claiming the Vision was never anything but a copy of him, a claim that a number of other Avengers, including the Wasp, accept. This, along with damage to the Vision's synthetic skin when he was dismantled, results in the synthezoid's resurrection as a colorless and emotionless artificial human.[6]
Meanwhile, the original Human Torch returns from his own apparent demise, casting doubt on the Vision's identity. The Vision and the Scarlet Witch's children were then apparently revealed not to be children at all, but rather fragments of the soul of the demon Mephisto, who had been broken apart by Franklin Richards shortly before the birth of the twins. The twins were absorbed back into Mephisto, which temporarily drove the Witch insane. Although she recovered, she and the Vision separated, each operating on a different Avengers team. [7]
The Vision gradually regains his emotions by adopting new brain patterns from deceased scientist Alex Lipton, and gains a new body that resembles his original. In addition, Simon Williams' brain patterns gradually reemerge and meld with Lipton's patterns, restoring the Vision's full capacity for emotion.[8]
While recovering from a crippling injury, the Vision gives up his attempt to reconcile with his wife. Remaining a member of the Avengers, he briefly becomes romantically involved with teammates Carol Danvers (Warbird) and Mantis before attempting again to reconcile with the Scarlet Witch. Grief over the loss of the twins, however, again drives her insane. She tried to rewrite reality to recreate them, causing a series of catastrophic events that includes the Vision crashing an Avengers Quinjet into Avengers Mansion. Walking out of the rubble, the Vision apologizes to his stunned teammates, telling them he is no longer in control of his body; he then melts and expels several spheres that grow into five Ultrons. The Avengers destroy them, and an enraged She-Hulk tears apart the remains of the Vision. The Avengers later believed that Ultron may have put a command in the Vision that would have been activated by the Avengers' Code White alert. It is unknown whether Wanda's magic or Ultron's command was responsible.[9]
In the Secret Invasion series, Vision is one of the heroes who emerge from the Skrull ship which crash landed on Earth. He defeats the Sentry, by shapeshifting into the Void and scaring him off. [10] In Mighty Avengers #14 it is proven that this Vision is a skrull as it shows a group of known skrulls discuss this plan to defeat The Sentry.
[edit] Powers and abilities
The Vision is described as being "...every inch a human being - except that all his body organs are constructed of synthetic materials". [11] Powered by solar energy absorbed via a gem on his forehead, the Vision is capable of discharging this energy via high-intensity optic heat beams. The Vision also possesses the ability to manipulate his density, which at its lowest allows flight and intangibility and at its heaviest provides superhuman strength and diamond-hard durability. On one occasion, the Vision uses this extreme durability to render unconscious the villain Count Nefaria. [12] The Vision often uses his ability to alter his density against foes, by phasing an intangible hand through them and then partially rematerializing it - a process he describes as "physical disruption." This effect typically causes great pain and results in incapacitation, as is the case when used against the Earth-712 version of the hero Hyperion. [13] The Vision is also capable of self-repair and of interfacing with other technology.
[edit] Modern Age
| Vision | |
 The Vision of the Young Avengers. Art by Jim Cheung. |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Young Avengers #6 |
| Created by | Allan Heinberg Jim Cheung |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Inapplicable, brain patterns based on Iron Lad |
| Species | Sentient synthetic humanoid |
| Team affiliations | Young Avengers |
| Notable aliases | Jonas |
| Abilities |
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[edit] Publication history
The series Young Avengers, which ran 12 issues cover-dated April 2005 to August 2006, introduced a new Vision, who is a combination of the synthezoid Vision and the armor of the hero Iron Lad.
[edit] Fictional character biography
Iron Lad, a teenage version of Kang the Conqueror, lands in the "present" several months following the Vision's destruction. After being ignored by Captain America and Iron Man, he finds the Vision's mangled remains and downloads the operating system into his armor. Through this merger, Iron Lad is able to access plans the Vision had created in case the Avengers fell. He uses these plans to assemble a new team of "Young Avengers." When Iron Lad is forced to remove his armor to stop Kang the Conqueror from tracking him, the Vision's operating system causes the armor to become a sentient being.
When Iron Lad leaves the time period, he leaves the armor behind with the Vision's operating system activated. Upon Iron Man's examination, it is determined that although the Vision has all of the physical and emotional potential of the original, he lacks the first Vision's vast experience. Moreover, whereas the first Vision's brain patterns were based on Wonder Man, the new Vision's brain patterns are based on those of Iron Lad. [14]
While more advanced than the original, the Vision is unable to join the reformed Avengers due to their concern that he is still being controlled by Kang. The Vision then acts as a mentor to the Young Avengers, and also changes his appearance from his Iron Lad-like appearance to that of the original Vision to comfort Iron Lad's former crush, Cassie Lang, the Young Avenger known as "Stature" and daughter of Scott Lang [15] During the events of Civil War, the Vision opposes the new Superhuman Registration Act and sides with Captain America by joining the Secret Avengers.[16] Vision plays a major role in the final battle, disabling Iron Man's armor.[17]
In Young Avengers Presents #4, Vision tracks down Stature to Camp Hammond where she is training to be an Initiative hero. After confronting her, the two talk about their relationship and who the Vision is. The Vision reveals that after Civil War, he traveled around the world posing as different people, living many different lives, ultimately culminating in a better understanding of who "he" is. He asserts that he is his own person, not the memories of Iron Lad, confessing his love to Cassie, and states that he wishes to now be called Jonas. Cassie demonstrates that she is unsure but is willing to reciprocate his feelings.[18]
[edit] Death
During Secret Invasion, the Young Avengers intercept an invading Skrull team and defend New York until the Initiative recruits join the fray. They are quickly overwhelmed and Vision is slain.[19]
[edit] Powers and abilities
The Vision of the Young Avengers is able to use Iron Lad's neuro-kinetic armor to recreate the former Vision's abilities density manipulation from diamond hard tangible to as thin as air as well as his superhuman strength and flight. The solar cell on his forehead can also emit a beam of infrared and microwave radiation to attack his opponents. The temperature of his attack beams can range from 500 to 30,000 degrees Fahrenheit. He is also capable of energy and holographic manipulation, shapeshifting, and time travel.
[edit] Other versions
[edit] Mainframe
Mainframe is an alternate universe version of Vision from the 31st century who acts alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy. In this future, Mainframe is the chief operating system of an entire planet and controls everything from climate to planetary stability, and when first encountered, the guardian of the shield of Captain America.[20]
[edit] MC2
An older version of the modern Vision appears in the MC2 universe. This version of the Vision works for the President of the United States. Stepping out of earlier retirement, Vision chose to rejoin the young heroes in A-Next.[21]
[edit] Ultimate Vision
In the Ultimate Universe, members of the Ultimates and the Ultimate X-Men discover a damaged, sentient robot, who states that the closest English translation to its name is "Vision". The robot warns of the coming of an invader from space - Gah Lak Tus, Eater of Worlds. After being repaired, the apparently feminine Vision assists the heroes by presenting a plan to repel Gah Lak Tus. After successfully repelling the invader, the Vision leaves Earth but en route is tricked and disabled by A.I.M. The Vision later escapes and manages to stop a Gah Lak Tus module that A.I.M intended to use for their own purposes. Later, Ant Man made a robot based on Vision called Vision 2. [22]
[edit] The Last Avengers Story
In a one-shot story about the final Avengers story, the Vision and the Scarlet Witch had two sons Billy and Tommy. During the wedding of The Wasp and Hank Pym, growing tension between Quicksilver and the Vision erupted resulting in a confrontation between the two. Wanda attempted to stop the fight by hexing Quicksilver as he sped toward the Vision. Her hex caused Quicksilver to lose control of his powers and he collided with her, crushing her against the Vision's diamond hard body. Wanda's death caused the Vision to give up on humanity and withdraw from his surroundings and diffuse his body's molecules, growing enormous and near catatonic. Their mother's death also caused Billy to become the villain known as "the Grim Reaper" and Tommy to become a student under Doctor Strange. His son Tommy eventually attempted to appeal to him for assistance during Kang and Ultron-54's "final battle" against the Avengers, but to no avail. Eventually, the memory of Wanda's death and the sight of his two sons fighting one another in battle caused him to reawaken and fly to the conflict. The Vision merged with Ultron-54 destroying them both and ending the fight. Dying, the Vision implored his wayward son Billy not to give up on humanity the way he had when the Scarlet Witch was killed.[23]
[edit] In other media
[edit] Television
- The first android Vision is one of several Avengers to make cameo appearances in the mid-90s Fantastic Four syndicated animated series.
- The first android Vision appears in Fox Kids' short-lived The Avengers: United They Stand animated series (thirteen episodes in 1999 - 2000). The Vision was voiced by Ron Rubin.
[edit] Video games
- The first android Vision appears as a playable character in the 1991 arcade game, Captain America and the Avengers, developed by Data East.
- The first android Vision is a NPC (playable in the Game Boy Advanced version) in the videogame Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Roger Rose.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ The Avengers #57 (Oct. 1968)
- ^ Avengers Forever #8 (July 1999)
- ^ Avengers # 58, 1968, Marvel Comics, writer Roy Thomas
- ^ Vision and the Scarlet Witch vol. 2, #3 & 12 (Dec. 1985 & Sept. 1986)
- ^ Cover inker Buscema per Grand Comics Database: The Avengers #57, or George Klein per The Official Marvel Index to The Avengers #3 (Oct. 1987)
- ^ West Coast Avengers #42-44 (March-May 1989)
- ^ Avengers West Coast #51-52 (Nov.-Dec. 1989)
- ^ Vision, #1-4 (Nov. 1994 - Feb. 1995)
- ^ The Avengers #500 (Sept. 2004)
- ^ Secret Invasion #1-2
- ^ The Avengers #57 (vol. 1, Oct. 1968)
- ^ The Avengers #166 (vol. 1, Dec. 1977)
- ^ The Avengers #141 (vol. 1, Nov. 1975)
- ^ Young Avengers #1-7 (April-Oct. 2005)
- ^ Young Avengers #11 (May 2006)
- ^ Civil War #2-3 (Aug.-Sept. 2006)
- ^ Civil War #7 (Jan. 2007)
- ^ VISION QUEST: Cornell talks Young Avengers Presents, Comic Book Resources, April 23, 2008
- ^ Secret Invasion #3
- ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #5 (Oct. 1990)
- ^ Spider-Girl #94 (March 2006)
- ^ Ultimate Nightmare (2004); Ultimate Secret (2005) and Ultimate Extinction (2006)
- ^ The Last Avengers Story #1, 2
[edit] References
- Greg Theakston at Grand Comics Database: Marvel Mystery Comics #13
- The Vision at Don Markstein's Toonopedia
- Jess Nevins' "Pulp and Adventure Heroes of the Pre-War Years": The Golden Age Vision
- The Invaders profile on the Golden Age Vision
