Michael Walsh (10)

The price Vision has to pay to create a version of normal life for himself, when he and his family are not only synthezoids, but also subject to the demands and expectations and scrutiny of superheroes with their scientific surveillance and their mystical prophetic dreams, becomes the price he is willing to exact when that life is threatened or damaged. The construction of this story is exquisite, a finely tuned creation for squeezing tension and suspense out of every panel and putting the show more reader through the emotional wringer as likeable characters do terrible things for excellent reasons. Dark, measured, intense, occasionally shocking, it's a brilliant, unexpected and highly original merging of superheroes and psychological thriller. show less

This volume begins with a digression, with a whirlwind recap of Vision's relationship and marriage with Scarlet Witch. Then back to the present as Vision's brother Victor pays him and his new family a visit. The Avengers, concerned about glimpses of the future in which Vision destroys the world, so they sent Victor to learn the truth about some troubling occurrences (as seen in the first volume). King uses an interesting narrative technique, summarizing not only Victor's history, but also show more his ultimate fate before we see it play out. And play out it does as Vision's perfect little family life unravels. This is a poignant story, a very human story about AIs. It's about programming, and how different, really, is electronic coding over what's coded into human DNA? Perhaps only the details, the methodology, as we all do what we can to survive. And in a way, this story is also about wish fulfillment, about how trying to stop something from happening often brings it about. The two volumes together tell an amazing story, one not typically seen in a superhero book. This isn't a big "good vs evil" story but a quiet tale about trying to be normal, to fit in, instead of embracing your specialness, and a whole lot more. show less

Much like the first volume, this is more beautifully crafted than you would expect from a superhero comic. It's a tragedy, and like the best of those, you can see the events coming, but you can't stop them. I also give this story credit because it leaves the characters still usable, and more interesting than when the story began. One of the best superhero comics I've read in some time.

This twelve issue run of The Vision has got to be one of the smartest, most vicious, absolutely brilliant runs in comic history.

Think I'm joking? Read it. Come back to me.

Comics rarely make me cry. A few have. Some are really awesome in other ways.

This one is pure tragedy masquerading as vicious comedy, irony, and satire that neatly sidesteps the very idea of satire because the Vision and his family are SO FAR OUTSIDE, looking in, that they actually become everything that we are.

People. show more Getting by. Making mistakes. Seeking justice. Receiving tragedy.

Do you think the many, many quotes from Merchant of Venice is a fluke? This comic does more than ravage us. It transforms us. I mentioned I cried? It was terrible sobs. Reminds me of the time I read Saga... but this might be slightly sharper. I'm bleeding. show less