A Look Inside, VISION

                                                                                     
    This is an ongoing series of articles that not only shows the history of different comic book characters spanning as many titles and companies as I can think of, but also my personal history with the character. From where they began on the comics page to where they are now; including their appearances in film, television and other media. I hope to show how the world of comics and its enormous roster of heroes and villains have influenced me and shaped my life one character at a time.
 
    I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think. Now let's get started.
 
VISION (MARVEL COMICS)
 
Aliases: Victor Shade
 
First Appearance: The Avengers #57 (1968)
 
Created By: Roy Thomas and John Buscema
 
The Origin Story
    After the automaton known as Ultron turned against his creator Hank Pym (Ant-Man), he decides to create an android he refers to as a “synthezoid” in order to destroy Pym and his Avengers. The first of the Avengers to encounter Ultron’s creation is Janet Van Dyne (the Wasp), who describes him as a “vision”. The Avengers tell the android that his brain patterns are mapped from the deceased Sam Wilson (Wonder Man) and they are able to convince him to turn against Ultron. The synthezoid later joins the Avengers and adopts the name Vision.
 
Powers and Abilities
    Vision possesses a number of powers most of which stem from his ability to change his molecular density at will. The ability to control his mass and density allows Vision to become intangible which enables him to phase through solid objects including people. As Vision phases through someone he can then re-solidify while still inside the person and cause them considerable harm and even death if he wanted. Vision’s density controls also allow him to become virtually weightless, allowing him to fly, as well as the ability to become so dense and heavy that he becomes invulnerable. A solar jewel on Vision’s forehead can project energy blasts. These blasts can also emit from his eyes as well.

My History With the Character and What I’ve Learned Digging Deeper
    When I was a kid, Marvel’s animated series’ seemed to be everywhere; from Spider-Man to the X-Men, the Incredible Hulk and even Silver Surfer. For a while, every comic title looked primed for its own series. It was on one such series that I was first introduced to and fell in love with the character of Vision. The team’s roster in the series is loosely based on the 1984 West Coast Avengers lineup and the three big players in the Avengers, Captain America, Iron-Man and Thor, are not on the team, although they are mentioned. His futuristic design, his unwavering moral compass and the ever present redemption story that helps define the character made Vision instantly stick out to me.
    After the series was cancelled, the character of Vision unfortunately left my life but never my thoughts. An old action figure from the series played as a constant reminder for me and kept me searching for more. Sadly, it wasn’t until I re-immersed myself into the world of comics several years later that I was finally able to expand my knowledge of the character.
    I had found a few Avengers issues that at least featured the character and I was able to add a couple more figures to my ever growing collection. Ironically, it wasn’t until I discovered the Marvel Universe event, Avengers: Disassembled, that I truly experienced much of what Vision has to offer. The story opens with the Avengers mansion being attacked on several fronts, from Jack of Hearts exploding at the front door which kills the then Ant-Man Scott Lang, to Vision crashing a Quin-Jet into the mansion and then unleashing an army of Ultrons. By the end we discover that Visions ex-wife the Scarlett Witch was responsible for the attacks, having gone mad after the death of her children. She used her hexing powers to manipulate and ultimately dismantle the Avengers causing the team to disband and several of its members to parish.
    In September 2008, in association with Lionsgate, Marvel released the direct to DVD animated film Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow. While the quality of the film isn’t quite up to par with the other direct to DVD releases from Lionsgate, it is the first appearance of Vision outside of comics since the old Avengers animated series. The film follows the children of the Avengers being taken care of by an elderly Tony Stark, one of the only surviving members of the team. We discover that the original Avengers were killed off by the villainous Ultron and it is Vision who comes to warn the children and Tony of the androids return. Vision appears badly damaged as he floats into Tony’s sanctuary for the children and after the complex is attacked, Vision spends the rest of the film as a disembodied head that must be carried around while providing helpful information about Ultron and the history of the Avengers for the children. Vision is a bit of a comic relief for the film and an inventive way of giving exposition. In all honesty I don’t particularly like the film. Although I enjoy its portrayal of the maniacal Ultron and Vision, but it is at times a bit childish and unevenly written. However, it was nice to see Vision return to animation for the first time since Avengers: United They Stand.
    Vision returns as a regular character in the Avengers comics with The Avengers, issue 24.1 (2012). Having been rebuilt by Tony Stark, Vision seeks out Magneto, the father of Scarlett Witch. After unsuccessfully confronting his ex-father in-law to try and find Scarlett Witch, Vision encounters other Avengers on his quest to readjust to the world around him. Even as a single issue, this story is very gripping, showing the emotional range of Vision. From an immense capacity for compassion and forgiveness to the boiling rage I never knew Vision was capable of.
    While only appearing sporadically, the latest rendition of Vision that I have been able to indulge myself in and enjoy appeared in the second season of the animated series Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Following but not being restricted by the traditional origins of the character, the series perfectly encapsulates Vision’s relationship with his creator Ultron and made me root for his eventual redemption once on the Avengers. I’ve enjoyed the series since its debut, specifically the episodes Behold…the Vision! and Ultron Unlimited, in which Vision first appears are among the best of the series.
    In my research, I learned that there have actually been several versions of Vision throughout the years, including a female version of the character that appeared in the Ultimates universe. This version warns of the coming of a being called Gah Lak Tus, Eater of Worlds, and later Hank Pym builds a robot based on her that he calls “Vision 2”. I also discovered that in Marvel Zombies 3, Vision has been dismantled and repurposed as a communicator for use by the zombie Kingpin. Vision remains hopelessly in love with the zombie form of his wife Scarlett Witch, which shows that even in this state, he retains a glimmer of his old self.

Group/Team Affiliations
    Vision has been a long standing member of The Avengers ever since he saw the evil Ultron for what he really was and decided to turn on his creator. He has also been a member of the West Coast Avengers.

Notable Appearances in TV, Film, and Other Media

• Ron Rubin voiced Vision in the short lived 90’s animated series Avengers: United They Stand.
• Vision also appears throughout the Direct to DVD animated film Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow spending most of the movie severely damaged and by the end of the film is just a disembodied head.
• Peter Jessop lent his voice to portray Vision in a handful of episodes in The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes animated series.
• Paul Bettany will portray the first live action Vision in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. Transitioning to the character after his long time role as Tony Stark’s A.I., J.A.R.V.I.S. in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Vision is an un-lockable character in Marvel: Avengers Alliance.

Recommended Viewing
    I have loved Vision ever since I was a kid watching the Avengers: United They Stand animated series on Saturday mornings. My enjoyment of the character has continued and grown throughout the years due to the many engaging incarnations of the character. The Marvel One-Shot, Avengers Origins: Vision is possibly one of the best ways to experience the beginnings of the character. With a very unique art style by Stephane Perger and an intriguing look inside the mind of Vision, it’s practically essential reading for learning about the character. Speaking of essential reading, the Marvel event Avengers: Disassembled is not only a gripping story that completely shattered many of the main stays of the Marvel Universe, but it is also a pivotal moment in the history of the Vision. Finally, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes episodes, Behold…the Vision! and Ultron Unlimited are a great way of introducing yourself to the character and enjoying all of the tropes of his origin displayed in a slightly new way.

Final Thoughts
    Vision has been one of my favorite comic characters or as long as I can remember and I always get a twinkle in my eye whenever I see his inclusion in anything Marvel. When I first heard that Paul Bettany was making the move from playing J.A.R.V.I.S. to portraying the first live action version of Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron, nothing could wipe the smile off my face. To me, Vision has always been the moral center of the group, keeping the various team members in check as well as providing a unique perspective on the characters and their surroundings. His story of redemption and his wide eyed view of the world is one that I’ve always identified with and admired.