Vision (Marvel Comics)

Superherobox|

caption=The Vision, from "The Avengers" vol. 3, #10 (Nov. 1998). Art by George Perez.
character_name=Vision
real_name=Inapplicable, brain patterns based on Wonder Man and Alex Lipton
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="The Avengers" #57
(Oct. 1968)
creators=Roy Thomas
John Buscema
alliances=Avengers West Coast Avengers
aliases=Victor Shade
powers=
*Density and mass control
*Energy projection
*Computer/IT network interfacing
*Superhuman intelligence, strength, reflexes, senses
*Flight|

The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.

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 "Avengers" #57 (Oct. 1968). This version was apparently destroyed in "Avengers" vol. 3, #500 (Sept. 2004).

A new Vision, adapted from the original by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung, was introduced in the series "Young Avengers".

Golden Age

During the 1940s, Marvel predecessor Timely Comics published stories featuring an unrelated superhero called the Vision, who was an alien from an alternate dimension.

ilver Age

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 a second volume numbered #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.

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. ["Avengers" #57 (Oct. 1968)] The Wasp is the first to encounter the synthezoid, and describes it as a "vision" while trying to escape. Adopting the name, the Vision is convinced by the Avengers to turn against Ultron and becomes a member of the team. The team believes the Vision's body was created from that of the android original Human Torch, [Hinted at in "The Avengers" #116 & 118 (Oct. & Dec. 1973)] 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. ["Avengers Forever" #8 (July 1999)]

He later becomes romantically involved with Wanda Maximoff, the mutant Scarlet Witch. The two eventually marry, and via the Scarlet Witch's hex powers have twin boys named Thomas and William. ["Vision and the Scarlet Witch" vol. 2, #3 & 12 (Dec. 1985 & Sept. 1986)]

When the Vision attempts to penetrate an energy field erected by the villain Annihilus, he "shuts down" ["The Avengers" #233 (July 1983)] and even after regaining consciousness weeks later remains paralyzed ["Avengers" #238 (Nov. 1983)] and assumes a holographic form. He eventually regains control of his body and become team leader, ["Avengers" #242-243 (April - May 1984)] Having become unbalanced by these events, ["Avengers" #251 (Jan. 1985)] he attempts to take control of the world's computers. With the aid of the Avengers, the Vision is restored to his normal self, but now closely monitored by a coalition of governments. ["Avengers" #253-254 (March-April 1984)]

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 the Vision but with a chalk-white complexion. The revived Simon Williams, however, 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. ["West Coast Avengers" #42-44 (March-May 1989)]

The original Human Torch also returns from his own apparent demise, casting doubt on the Vision's identity. The Vision and the Scarlet Witch's children are then revealed to be 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 are absorbed back into Mephisto, which temporarily drives Wanda insane. Although she recovers, Wanda and the Vision separate, each operating on a different Avengers team. ["Avengers West Coast" #51-52 (Nov.-Dec. 1989)]

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. ["Vision", #1-4 (Nov. 1994 - Feb. 1995)]

Shortly after a reformation of the Avengers, the Vision sustains massive damage in the final battle with the sorceress Morgan Le Fey, ["Avengers" vol. 3, #4 (May 1998)] and although incapacitated for several weeks is eventually rebuilt and recovers. ["Avengers" vol. 3, #12 (Jan. 1999)] While recovering, 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 (a.k.a Warbird/Ms. Marvel) 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. The Vision advises his teammates that he is no longer in control of his body and then expels several spheres that form 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. "The Avengers" #500 (Sept. 2004)]

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". ["The Avengers" #57 (Oct. 1968)] 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. ["The Avengers" #166 (Dec. 1977)] 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. ["The Avengers" #141 (Nov. 1975)] The Vision is also capable of self-repair and of interfacing with other technology.

Modern Age

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.

Fictional character biography

The newest incarnation of the Vision is a fusion of the old Vision's operating systems and armor of adventurer Iron Lad, a teenage version of Kang the Conqueror. When Iron Lad arrives in the present and is 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 were ever defeated. 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."Young Avengers" #1-7 (April-Oct. 2005)]

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"Young Avengers" #11 (May 2006)] During the events of "Civil War", the Vision opposes the new Superhuman Registration Act, and sides with Captain America by joining the Secret Avengers."Civil War" #2 - 3 (Aug.-Sept. 2006)] Vision plays a major role in the final battle, disabling Iron Man's armor."Civil War" #7 (Jan. 2007)]

After the events of the Civil War, the Vision travels the world posing as different people for a better understanding of who he is. He then finds Cassie and declares his love and states he is now called Jonas. ["Young Avengers Presents" #4 (April 2008)] During a later battle between the alien Skrulls and the Avengers, the Vision is shot through the head. [Secret Invasion #3 (Apr. 2008)] He is revealed to have survived, and joins with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. alongside the other Young Avengers. ["Secret Invasion" #5]

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, including strength; density manipulation and flight. The solar cell on the Vision's forehead can also emit a beam of infrared and microwave radiation. The Vision is also capable of energy and holographic manipulation, shapeshifting, and time travel.

Other versions

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. ["Guardians of the Galaxy" #5 (Oct. 1990)]

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 and later rejoins the young heroes in A-Next. ["Spider-Girl" #94 (March 2006)]

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 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. Ant Man later creates a robot based on the Vision called Vision 2. ["Ultimate Nightmare" (2004); "Ultimate Secret" (2005) and "Ultimate Extinction" (2006)]

"The Last Avengers Story"

In an alternate future the Vision has two sons by the Scarlet Witch, who died in an accidental skirmish between the Vision and Quicksilver. This version of the Vision joins the surviving Avengers in a battle to the death against Kang and Ultron. ["The Last Avengers Story" #1 - 2 (Nov. - Dec. 1995)]

In other media

Television

*The first android Vision is one of several Avengers to make cameo appearances in the mid-1990s "Fantastic Four" syndicated animated television series. He also appears in the 13-episode, 1999-2000 Fox Kids animated series "", voiced by Ron Rubin.

Animated film

*The first Vision appears in the direct-to-dvd movie "" and is voiced by Shawn MacDonald.

Video games

*The first android Vision is a playable character in the 1991 arcade game, "Captain America and the Avengers", developed by Data East, voiced by Roger Rose.
*The Vision also makes an appearance in "Marvel Ultimate Alliance" as an information specialist the player can talk to throughout the game.cn

Footnotes

References

*Greg Theakston at Grand Comics Database: [http://comics.org/details.lasso?id=1102#4 "Marvel Mystery Comics" #13]
* [http://www.geocities.com/jjnevins/vision.html Jess Nevins' "Pulp and Adventure Heroes of the Pre-War Years": The Golden Age Vision]
* [http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/4775/vision.html "The Invaders" profile on the Golden Age Vision]
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/vision2.htm The Vision] at Don Markstein's Toonopedia