The Vision #12 Review: Building A Better World For Viv

Tom King and Gabriel Walta wrap up their disturbing look into a robot family’s attempt to live the American dream. Vision, Viv, and Virginia will never be the same!

The Vision #12

Writer: Tom King

Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

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If there is any series that Marvel has launched from within the last year which defied expectations, it’s this. Originally intended, editorially, as yet another Avengers spin off, it has instead evolved into something more profound. What could have been a pedestrian story about a robot superhero and his wacky family instead became something deeper. The end result is a complete twelve-issue work which time will tell was a modern classic. It did more than set up Viv Vision for Champions.

Image by Marvel Comics

The Vision has been a story about the titular hero attempting to raise a “typical American family” of robots. Using brain patterns borrowed from his ex-wife (Scarlet Witch), Vision created his new wife Virginia. From their shared brain patterns came Vin and Viv; and, ultimately, a dog named Sparky followed. Yet their attempt to live a normal life in a Washington D.C. suburb was met almost immediately with intolerance, distrust, and prejudice from both citizens and superheroes alike.

Having Christmas Colors Didn’t Win over the Neighbors!

The distrust and prejudice of the people around them caused Virginia to begin the chain of events that led to tragedy. Her murder of the Grim Reaper during his home invasion attempt caused her to be blackmailed by a local neighbor. Instead of give in and fleeing the area, Virginia confronted him. This led to the accidental death of the only teenage boy in the local school who liked Viv. The Vision ultimately lied to police detective Lin about Virginia’s whereabouts. This was a turning point.

Image by Marvel Comics

Issue eleven was an all out brawl between Vision and the Avengers. The witch Agatha Harkness saw a magical prophecy of the Vision “razing the world” to avenge his family. The Avengers’ subsequent suspicion of their old teammate led them to station Victor Mancha nearby. A fellow robot and Vision’s “half brother,” his accidental murder of Vin wound up causing the very battle Agatha and the Avengers had hoped to prevent. Virginia did what she could, at a horrid price.

Image by Marvel Comics

If issue eleven was the climax, then this final issue is the resolution. All of Virginia’s actions throughout the series have been to protect her family at all costs. She continues to do so here, delivering a confession to detective Lin that absolves Vision of any legal ramifications. Unfortunately, Virginia’s many actions to defend her family have left Viv disillusioned with her, and have weighed on Virginia’s conscience. With her husband at her side, Virginia decides to end it all.

Image by Marvel Comics

Even An Android Can Die!

Many comics are decompressed to the point of absurdity. Routine single issue tales from the 1960s are often retold with four to six issues now. The Vision is a rare comic where the extra pace is justified, as scenes are allowed to breathe. Nearly half the issue consists of Vision and Virginia talking on or around a coach, but it’s utterly gripping. Tragedy has surrounded the Vision almost since his creation in 1968, but this could top them all. In Viv, however, there is hope for the future.

Image by Marvel Comics

Tom King describes this series as having “made his career” as a comic book writer. It shows on every page, with methodical thought put into every area of the comic. The character progressions, the pacing of the panels, and the devolution of past continuity is all masterfully orchestrated. Gabriel Hernandez Walta drew all but one of these twelve issues, and also poured his all into them. His pencils with Bellaire’s colors made it a book that looked like no other.

Image by Marvel Comics

One Editorial Note and This Could Have Tied into Civil War II for 7 Issues!

The Vision finds itself in a fascinating position within the Marvel Comics library. It draws much inspiration from past Marvel continuity from the 1960s through the early 2000s. Vision’s costume places him within 2015’s established set up. Yet if one tries to position it within what Marvel is currently doing in Civil War II, it clashes awkwardly. Both stories feature an allegory about “liberty vs. security” and profiling, only with a cast on different sides of the argument in each one.

Image by Marvel Comics

Yet, this may be a good thing. What The Vision lacks in conforming to current expectations, it makes up for in long lasting appeal. Compared to DC Comics, Marvel have few collected stories which could be considered “evergreen.” These are compact stories whose reprints are timeless and always sell in trade reprints. DC has many, mostly from the 1980s such as Watchmen or Sandman. If kept within the memories of fans, The Vision could easily be such a series for Marvel.

A True Robot Superhero Classic!

There are many themes running within The Vision. One of the key ones is what it means to be “normal,” especially for those who society deems as “other.” The subtle drama and horror of the series was watching Vision and his family try desperately to conform as best they could in a world which was unwilling to allow them to. The Vision has spent his entire life trying to be human and ultimately falling either too far, or too close, to the mark. Modern suburbia was deconstructed, too.

Image by Marvel Comics

This issue ends with a generational theme. Vision himself may always find himself awkwardly positioned as a robot that wants to be a man. But Viv may have accepted that she’s never going to be normal, whether due to her robotic status or familial tragedies. In doing this, Viv may be free to create more of a distinct and happy life for herself than Vision (and Virginia) did. And in making a home where Viv could live a better life than he, the Vision could fulfill a role all parents seek.

Image by Marvel Comics

Next: See how the Vision snapped from #10!

Audiences and critics responded well to the series. Tom King got an exclusive contract from DC Comics due to its success. It is one of too few Marvel comics which will sell above 20,000 copies an issue for its entire run. It should have long legs in an inevitable hardcover collection. In combining drama, horror, action, and some dry humor, The Vision may be one of Marvel’s best comics of 2016, if not the decade. It is a complete work of comic book fiction. Do not miss it.