‘Visions of the Future’
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Published by Marvel Comics
The last time we saw The Vision proper was in the Avengers special a month or two back where we learned he had wiped his emotions to keep his systems functioning properly. As a result, it’s very jarring to see The Vision now residing in Arlington as the Avengers liason to the government. But that feeling may be intentional.
See, the series kicks off with The Vision and his family. Yes, his family; he’s got a wife and two kids now that are built and modeled just after him. They’ve settled in to a new home, struggling to adapt to their new life. The Vision seems relatively at peace with the idea, but his wife and kids are having a more difficult time. His wife seems at odds with day to day life, and the mental processes of his children are still developing, leaving them as teenagers while their systems evolve.
It’s in their interactions with each other that writer Tom King’s series takes a decidedly creepy tone. The narration boxes read very deliberately and matter of factly, always reading in third person and repeating phrases often to drive them home. There is comparatively very little dialogue from the Visions themselves, their interactions mainly seeming to be The vision trying to explain to his wife and children the reasons they are trying to blend in. The outcast nature of the family is hihglghted in Gabriel Hernandez Walta’s art, the Visions look decidedly unhuman while still blending in witht he world around them. The series toes the line of weird while still being grounded, leading to a feeling that keeps the reader turning pages while feeling on edge.
It’s nice to see these characters being used in new and exciting ways. I’m far more engaged in this than I would be if it was just a striaght “Vision as a super hero” comic. But much like was done with Hawkeye, I’m finding myself drawn in more by the prospects of seeing what these characters do outside of the time spent wearing a costume. While some of Marvel’s books this week may be hit or miss, I’m definitely persuaded to give ‘The Vision’ a pick up and a further look. The book’s creepy tone, surprise villain appearance and dark ending lend to a promising run and a new spin on an Avengers favorite.
