Vision | |
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The Vision, from The Avengers vol. 3, #10 (Nov. 1998). Art by George Pérez. |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | The Avengers #57 (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 |
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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.
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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.
Silver and Bronze 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. Ultron sends his new servant to lead the Avengers into a trap. 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.[2] After learning how Ultron created him using the brain patterns of then-deceased Simon Williams (Wonder Man), the Vision becomes a member of the team.[3] The team initially believes the Vision's body was created from that of the android original Human Torch.[4] The Avengers later are told 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.[5]
Not long after joining the team, the Vision is temporarily controlled by Ultron, and rebuilds Ultron of adamantium, and battled the Avengers before regaining control of himself.[6] Shortly after that, the Vision first meets Wanda Maximoff, the mutant Scarlet Witch,[7] and later becomes romantically involved with Wanda.[8] The two eventually marry, and via the Scarlet Witch's hex powers have twin boys named Thomas and William.[9]
When the Vision attempts to penetrate an energy field erected by the villain Annihilus, he "shuts down" [10] and even after regaining consciousness weeks later remains paralyzed[11] and assumes a holographic form. He eventually regains control of his body and becomes team leader.[12] Having become unbalanced by these events,[13] 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. [14]
In a storyline called "Vision Quest", 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 even though he had on countless occasions prior to this referred to the Vision as "his brother". 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. [15]
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. [16]
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.[17]
Shortly after a reformation of the Avengers, the Vision sustains massive damage in the final battle with the sorceress Morgan Le Fey,[18] and although incapacitated for several weeks is eventually rebuilt and recovers. [19] 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, drives Wanda insane again, and she attempts to alter reality to recreate them. This causes 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 during one of the many periods in which Vision was held prisoner by Ultron, though this was never confirmed. [20] In Mighty Avengers he is briefly resurrected by the power of the Cosmic Cube/Absorbing Man.[volume & issue needed]
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".[21] The Solar Jewel on the Vision's forehead absorbs ambient solar energy to provide the needed power for him to function and he is also capable of discharging this energy as optic beams; with this, he can fire beams of infrared and microwave radiation. In extreme cases he can discharge this same power through the Solar Jewel itself which amplifies it's destructive effects considerably, albeit at the cost of losing most of his resources. The Vision also possesses the ability to manipulate his density, which at its lowest allows flight and a ghostly, phasing intangibility and at its heaviest provides superhuman strength, immovability and a diamond-hard near invulnerability. On one occasion the Vision uses this extreme durability to render unconscious the villain Count Nefaria.[22] The Vision often uses his ability to alter his density against foes, by phasing an intangible hand through them and then partially re-materializing 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.[23] Being an artificial life-form/android of sorts the Vision possesses multiple superhuman senses — as well as superhuman stamina, reflexes, speed, agility and strength (even without being at high density).
The Vision was trained in unarmed combat by Captain America, and is an expert in the combat use of his superhuman powers. The Vision is an expert on his own construction and repair, and is a highly skilled tactician and strategist. The Vision controls his density by interfacing with an unknown dimension to/from which he can shunt or accrue mass, thus becoming either intangible or extraordinarily massive. The Vision also possesses superhuman analytical capabilities, and has the ability to process information and make calculations with superhuman speed and accuracy.
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's program files and the armor and mental engrams of the hero Iron Lad. He has since been reconstituted back into the form of the Iron Lad armor.[citation needed]
Fictional character biography
The newest incarnation of the Vision is a fusion of the old Vision's operating systems and the armor of adventurer Iron Lad, a teenage version of Kang the Conqueror who arrives in the present. Through this merger, Iron Lad is able to access plans the Vision had created in the event of the Avengers' defeat. 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. Although this Vision has all 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 those of the superhero Wonder Man, the new Vision's brain patterns are based on those of Iron Lad.[24]
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 from his Iron Lad-like appearance to that of the original Vision, in order to comfort Iron Lad's former crush, the Young Avenger Stature (Cassie Lang, daughter of Scott Lang).[25] After the events of the superhero "Civil War" over federal registration, the Vision travels the world posing as different people in order to gain a better understanding of who he is. He then finds Cassie and declares his love and states he has adopted the name "Jonas."[26] During a later battle between the alien Skrulls and the Avengers, the Vision is shot through the head.[27] He survives and joins with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. alongside the other Young Avengers.[28]
With Stature, he joins the new lineup of the Mighty Avengers.[29] However, believing that they must leave the Young Avengers, they have doubts about joining. However, they are assured that they can maintain membership on both teams.
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
A version of the Vision called Mainframe features in the title Guardians of the Galaxy. Mainframe is the chief operating system of an entire planet and the guardian of the shield of hero Captain America.[30]
MC2
An older version of the modern Vision features in the title Spider-Girl in the MC2 universe. The character is an advisor to the President of the United States and joins the young heroes in A-Next, a future version of the Avengers.[31]
Ultimate Vision
The character debuts in the limited series Ultimate Nightmare, published under the Ultimate Marvel imprint. Alternate universe teams the Ultimates and Ultimate X-Men discover a damaged, sentient robot, who claims that the closest English translation of its' name is Vision. The robot warns of the coming of an invader from space called Gah Lak Tus, Eater of Worlds.[32] Ultimate Vision feature in a self-titled limited series involving a confrontation with organization A.I.M. Later, Hank Pym builds a robot based on Vision called "Vision 2."[33]
The Last Avengers Story
The limited series The Last Avengers Story is set in an alternate future where the Vision has two sons by the Scarlet Witch, who died in an accidental skirmish between the android and her brother Quicksilver. This version of the Vision joins the surviving Avengers in a battle to the death against villains Kang and Ultron.[34]
Marvel Zombies
In the limited series Marvel Zombies 3, the Vision has been partially dismantled and is being used as a communication tool by Kingpin. The character is still in love with the zombified Scarlet Witch.[35]
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, and also appears in The Avengers: United They Stand, voiced by Ron Rubin.
Animated film
- The first Vision appears in the direct-to-DVD movie Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow voiced by Shawn MacDonald.
Video games
- The first android Vision is a playable character in the 1991 arcade game, Captain America and the Avengers (1991) and appears as a non-playable character in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Roger Rose (2006).
Film
- In 2009, Marvel announced they have begun hiring a gathering of scribes to help come up with creative ways to launch its lesser-known properties, such as Vision, along with others such as Black Panther, Cable, Doctor Strange, Iron Fist, and Nighthawk.[36]
Bibliography
Vision I
- Avengers #57-402, 500, Annual #7-10, 12, 18-23
- Avengers Vol. 3 #0-84, Annual '98-01
- Avengers Spotlight Vol. 1 #22-23, 29-30, 40
- Avengers/Thunderbolts #1-6
- Avengers West Coast #47-55, 63, 82, 89-91, 100-102, Annual #4-6
- Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 1 #38, 45, 160
- Marvel Fanfare Vol. 1 #14, 23, 32
- Marvel Feture Vol. 1 #10
- Marvel Graph Novel #68
- Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 2 #9-10
- Marvel Team-Up Vol 1 9-11, 41-44, 129-130, Annaul #2, 4
- Marvel Two-In-One #39, 61, 65-66, 69, 75, 96
- Ms. Marvel Vol. 1 #5, 18
- New Avengers Annual #3 (Flashback)
- New Warriors Vol. 1 #26-27
- The Order Vol. 1 #3
- Punisher War Journal Vol. 2 #2-3
- Quasar #3841, 54, 60
- She-Hulk Vol. 1 #6, 11
- She-Hulk Vol. 2 #1, 3
- Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #4, 7, 54
- Solo Avengers Vol. 1 #5
- Spider-Man Team-Up #4
- Spider-Man Unlimited Vol. 1 #2
- Sub-Mariner Vol. 1 #8, 35
- Super-Villain Team-Up #9-10, 14
- Thanos #1
- Thor #208, 233, 271, 351-353, 445-446, Annual #5, 14
- Thunderbolts #0, 44 57
- Thunderstrike #10
- Uncanny X-Men #190-191, 307, 335-336
- Vision Vol. 1 #1-4
- Vision Vol. 2 #1-4
- Vision and the Scarlet Witch Vol. 1 #1-4
- Vision and the Scarlet Witch Vol. #1-12
- Warlock Vol. 1 #10
- Warlock and the Infinity Watch #8, 18-19, 26-28
- Web of Spider-Man Annual #5
- West Coast Avengers Vol. 1 #1-4
- West Coast Avengers Vol. #2-3, 30, 33-40, 3-45 Annual #1, 3
- What If? Vol. 1 #9
- What If? Vol. 2 #35-36
- Winter Soldier Winter Kills #1
- Wolverine Vol. 3 #42
- Wonder Man Special #1
- Wonder Man Vol. 1 #9, 13
- X-51 #4
- X-Men Vol. 2 #26, 55
- X-Statix #26
Vision II
- Young Avengers Presents #2
- Young Avengers #3-12, Special #1
- Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways #1-4
- Secret Invasion: Young Avengers/Runaways #1-3
- Dark Reign Young Avengers #1-5
- Mighty Avengers #22-36
References
- ^ Cover inker Buscema per Grand Comics Database: The Avengers #57, or George Klein per The Official Marvel Index to The Avengers #3 (Oct. 1987)
- ^ Avengers #57 (Oct. 1968)
- ^ Avengers #58
- ^ Hinted at in The Avengers #116 & 118 (Oct. & Dec. 1973)
- ^ Avengers Forever #8 (July 1999)
- ^ Avengers #66-68
- ^ Avengers #76
- ^ Avengers #108-109
- ^ Vision and the Scarlet Witch vol. 2, #3 & 12 (Dec. 1985 & Sept. 1986)
- ^ The Avengers #233 (July 1983)
- ^ Avengers #238 (Nov. 1983)
- ^ Avengers #242-243 (April - May 1984)
- ^ Avengers #251 (Jan. 1985)
- ^ Avengers #253-254 (March-April 1984)
- ^ West Coast Avengers #42-44 (March-May 1989)
- ^ Avengers West Coast #51-52 (Nov.-Dec. 1989)
- ^ Vision, #1-4 (Nov. 1994 - Feb. 1995)
- ^ Avengers vol. 3, #4 (May 1998)
- ^ Avengers vol. 3, #12 (Jan. 1999)
- ^ The Avengers #500 (Sept. 2004)
- ^ The Avengers #57 (Oct. 1968)
- ^ The Avengers #166 (Dec. 1977)
- ^ The Avengers #141 (Nov. 1975)
- ^ Young Avengers #1-7 (April-Oct. 2005)
- ^ Young Avengers #11 (May 2006)
- ^ Young Avengers Presents #4 (April 2008)
- ^ Secret Invasion #3 (Apr. 2008)
- ^ Secret Invasion #5 (June 2008)
- ^ Mighty Avengers #21
- ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #5 (Oct. 1990)
- ^ Spider-Girl #94 (Mar. 2006)
- ^ Ultimate Nightmare #1 - 5 (Oct. 2004 - Feb. 2005)
- ^ Ultimate Vision #0 (Jan. 2007); #0.1 - 0.3 (Jan. 2006); #04. & 0.6 (Feb. 2006); #1 - 3 (Feb. - Apr. 2007); #4 (Aug. 2007); #5 (Jan. 2008)
- ^ The Last Avengers Story #1 - 2 (Nov. - Dec. 1995)
- ^ Marvel Zombies 3 (Dec. 2008 - Mar. 2009)
- ^ Marc Graser (2009-03-26). "Marvel's hiring writers". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001734.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
External links
- Vision at Marvel.com
- Greg Theakston at Grand Comics Database: Marvel Mystery Comics #13
- Jess Nevins' "Pulp and Adventure Heroes of the Pre-War Years": The Golden Age Vision
- The Invaders profile on the Golden Age Vision
- The Vision at Don Markstein's Toonopedia
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