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1. Comics character

The Vision is the name of three fictional comic book characters that appear in the Marvel Universe. The original is a superhero who first appears in the 1940s period referred to as the Golden Age of Comic Books. The second is an android associated with the team the Avengers, while the third is a futuristic successor version that appears with the team Young Avengers.

Publication history

In 1940, the Vision debuted in a four-page feature in Marvel Mystery Comics #13 (November 1940), and proved popular enough keep appearing until #48 (October 1943).

In 1943, the Vision also features in an eight-page story in Kid Comics #3 (no month given - previous issue dated Summer 1943).

In 1993, the character reappeared in a retroactive story in The Invaders, vol. 2, #3 (July 1993).

Golden Age Vision (Timely Comics)

The Golden Age Vision, also known as Aarkus, is an alien policeman from a dimension called Smokeworld. While Aarkus is looking for a suitable place to exile a prisoner, he accidentally contacted by an Earth scientist called Markham Erickson. Leaving the prisoner on the planet Jupiter, Aarkus accepts Erickson's invitation to fight crime on Earth. Aarkus does so for several years, although during World War II is briefly manipulated by the Axis powers into fighting the Allies. The superhero team the Invaders, however, manage to help Aarkus realize his mistake. After the end of World War II, Aarkus is not "seen" again until Rick Jones, empowered by the Kree entity the Supreme Intelligence, summons versions of Golden Age heroes to help end the Kree-Skrull War.

Modern Vision

The modern Vision is an android, and is created by the robot Ultron. Using the brain patterns of the then-deceased Wonder Man, Ultron programs the artificial lifeform to attack Ultron's creator, Henry Pym and his wife, the Wasp. The Wasp is the first to encounter the synthezoid, and describes it as a "vision" while trying to escape. The Vision is convinced by the superhero team the Avengers to turn against Ultron and becomes a member of the team. The Vision becomes a core member of the team for many years, and eventually forms a relationship with the Scarlet Witch, who he later marries. The pair have twin sons, but suffer a personal setback when it is revealed that their children are in fact two missing shards of the soul of the demonic entity Mephisto. This drives the Scarlet Witch insane, and while eventually recovering she and the Vision separate.

Aside from the Vision's partnership with the Scarlet Witch, he has been involved in four significant events that have impacted on the Avengers. The first was the belief that the Vision's body has been created from that of the original Human Torch, but this is later proved to be false when the Human Torch returns. On one occasion, however, the time lord Immortus uses the power of the Forever Crystal to split the original Human Torch into two separate entities:one remains the original Torch while the other is rebuilt as the Vision by Ultron.

The second event begins when the Vision attempts to penetrate a null-field erected by the villain Annihilus, and simply "shuts down". Some weeks later, the Vision regains consciousness but is still paralysed. Assuming a holographic form and able to take control of computer technology to assist the Avengers, the Vision eventually regains control of his body, but has been "unbalanced" by the incident and attempts to take control of the world's computers. With the aid of the Avengers, the Vision is restored to his normal self, but is now being closely monitored by the governments of the world.

The third event occurs some months later when the Vision is abducted by a coalition of the world governments and dismantled to ensure that he is no longer a threat. Although rebuilt, a now conscious Wonder Man refuses to have his brain patterns used again as on the first instance it was done without his consent. Due to the this and extensive damage to the Vision's synthetic skin, he is recreated as a colourless, emotionless synthezoid. The Vision eventually regains his emotions by adopting the brain patterns of the deceased scientist Alex Lipton, and gains a new body that resembles his original. Simon Williams's brain patterns also gradually reemerge and meld with Lipton's patterns, fully restoring the Vision.

Shortly after a reformation of the Avengers, the Vision sustains massive damage in the final battle with the sorceress Morgan Le Fey, but is eventually rebuilt and recovers.

The fourth and final event is orchestrated by the Scarlet Witch. Driven insane once more over the thought of her lost children, she uses her magic to rewrite reality, causing the Vision to crash an Avengers quinjet into their mansion. The Vision then emerges from the rubble and regurgitates five spheres - an act that shuts him down - that become versions of Ultron and attack the Avengers. Although the Avengers defeat the robots, She-Hulk becomes enraged and shreds the Vision's corpse.

Powers and abilities

The modern Vision is powered by solar energy absorbed via a gem on his forehead. In addition to his ability to discharge this energy via high-intensity solar-powered optic blasts, the Vision possesses the ability to manipulate his mass and density, which at its lowest allows flight and intangibility and at its highest provides superhuman strength and diamond-hard durability. On one occasion the Vision uses this extreme durability to render unconscious the villain Count Nefaria. 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 Hyperion. The Vision is also capable of self-repair and interfacing with other technology.

Young Avengers Vision

The newest incarnation of the Vision is in fact a fusion of the old Vision's operating systems and armour of teen adventurer Iron Lad. On arriving in the present, Iron Lad finds the Vision's mangled remains and downloads the operating system into his armour. With this information, Iron Lad is able to access plans the Vision had created in case the Avengers were ever rendered inactive and uses these plans to assemble a new team of Young Avengers. When Iron Lad is forced to remove his armour to stop master villain Kang the Conqueror from tracking him, the Vision's operating system causes the armour to become a sentient being.

Examination by the hero Iron Man reveals that although the future Vision has all of the physical and emotional potential of the original, he lacks the first Vision's experience, and brain patterns based on Iron Lad as opposed to Wonder Man. 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. During the events of Civil War, the Vision opposes the new Superhuman Registration Act and sides with Captain America by joining the Secret Avengers.

Powers and abilities

The futuristic Vision is able to use Iron Lad's neuro-kinetic armour to recreate the former Vision's abilities and is also capable of energy and holographic manipulation; shapeshifting and time-travel.

Alternate versions

Mainframe

Mainframe is an alternate universe (Earth-691) 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.

Ultimate Visions

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 Gak Lak Tus. After successfully repelling the invader, the Vision leaves Earth but en route is tricked and disabled by A.I.M and has yet to reappear.

MC2

An older version of the modern Vision appears in the MC2 universe. Stepping out of earlier retirement, Vision chose to rejoin the young heroes in A-Next.

Appearances in other media

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 Avengers animated series (thirteen episodes in 1999 - 2000). The Vision was voiced by Ron Ruben.

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 in the videogame Marvel Ultimate Alliance.

References

1. Marvel Mystery Comics #13 (November 1940)
2. The Invaders vol. 2, #3
3. Avengers vol. 1, #97
4. Avengers vol. 1, #108
5. Giant-Size Avengers #4 (1975)
6. Vision and the Scarlet Witch #12 (1985)
7. West Coast Avengers #51 - 52
8. Hinted at Avengers vol. 1, 116 + 118
9. Avengers West Coast #50
10. Avengers Forever #1 - 12 (1998 - 2000)
11. Avengers vol. 1, #233 + 238 + 242 - 243 + 251 + 253 - 254
12. West Coast Avengers #42 - 45
13. Vision #1 - 3(1994)
14. Avengers vol. 3, #4
15. Avengers vol. 3, #12
16. Avengers vol.1, #500
17. Avengers vol. 1, #166
18. Avengers vol. 1, #141
19. Young Avengers #1 - 5
20. Young Avengers #11
21. Civil War #2 - 3
22. Guardians of the Galaxy #5 (1990)
23. Ultimate Nightmare (2004); Ultimate Secret (2005) & Ultimate Extinction (2006)
24. Spider-Girl #94 (2006)

External links

• 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

• Marvel Comics robots
• Marvel Comics titles
• Marvel Comics superheroes
• Fictional robots
• Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
• Marvel Comics characters who can fly
• Fictional characters who can turn intangible