The Vision, Vol. 2: Little Better Than a Beast

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 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.

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 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 show more 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. 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 show more time I read Saga... but this might be slightly sharper. I'm bleeding. show less

I enjoyed this one a lot more than volume 1. Maybe it was because Vision and his family were more "human" than the first comic. Plus backstory that was needed in book 1 with Wanda!!! Put together I enjoyed the story throughout and definitely a sad ending.

the first volume of the Vision was really bloody good. this second volume is absolutely incredible, completely blew me away.
I find that it takes a lot more from a trade paperback comic collection for me to get really emotionally involved and for me to feel all the feels. this one slipped right under my skin and completely thrilled my with the depth of feeling it stirred up.
Probably hyperbole as it's difficult to remember everything I've read, but I'd say it's the best trade paperback I've ever read. Slowly builds up to an uncomfortably harrowing finale and a beautifully touching epilogue.
6 stars from me.

And then everything came crashing more down. Call me jaded, but I feel like that's to be expected when Wanda/Vision is invoked. Those two crazy kids...

Anyway, brilliant second half - we meet Victor, Vision's "brother" who has a world of issues all his own. There's love, there's tragedy, there's a serious chat about what Vin does when he goes upstairs (it's Shakespeare, folks - the kid has an obsession).

Great series. Weird, creepy, but great.