Comics have never been bigger: with Marvel TV shows, DC movies and indie adaptations growing by the day, comics have never been so prominent in pop culture. In this weekly Verge column, comic series new and old are recommended, whether you are a fan or a newbie.
WandaVision‘s season finale has hit Disney Plus, but if you fancy more surrealistic suburban comics, look no further than Vision, a 12-issue by author Tom King and artist Gabriel Hernandez Walta, further explores the idea of a superhero trying to step back and start a family, regardless of the cost.
What is it? Vision is a 12-series comic book series. Although slightly connected to the character’s history during decades of comics, it’s largely an independent story: Vision moves to the DC suburbs and makes (literally) a family: a wife, Virginia, and two teenage children, Viv and Wine.
Issue one leaves readers right in the mix with the newly formed synthezoid family. Vision tries to juggle his work as Avenger (and as the superhero group’s government liaison) and as a new father and husband; Virginia works to fit into the environment; and the twins struggle with teenage drama to try to fit in with school (which is especially difficult given their robotic nature and superpowers). Later editions also include Sparky, a particularly adorable synthezoid dog.
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It’s the kind of series that sees Vision fight a giant monster with the Avengers, while also chatting with Virginia over the phone to pick out drama with the twins at school.
But throughout it all is a creeping sense of horror and fear, aided by an unseen narrator who promises throughout the issue that Vision’s seemingly perfect suburban life will end in tears. Things start out relatively benign, like neighbors being unnerved by the family or a mean spray-painted slogan on the garage, but things quickly turn into murderous cover-ups as Vision and his new family begin to get caught up in a web of lies, misunderstandings, and revenge.
If you enjoyed the slow burning of WandaVision, with a superhero drama amidst a terrifying illusion of tranquility in the house, Vision # 1 (and the rest of the run) should offer a lot more feed.
The series is also ideal for newcomers to Vision as a character: alternated across the run is a re-examination of the most important moments in the career of the artificial hero, including his relationship with Wanda, their desire for a family, his time as a famous white Vision who lost all his memories, and more. For MCU fans who are more familiar with Vision’s origins on screen, check out the original version of the character.
Eventually, Vision is a compelling look at the foibles and fools of people, and an investigation into what someone would be willing to do to protect their family. What could be more human than that?
By whom is it? Vision was created by author Tom King (also known for his recent run up Batman and she awarded Mr. Miracle series), artist Gabriel Hernandez Walta, and colored Jordie Bellaire.
Where can I read it? The entire twelve-edition series is available on the Marvel Unlimited subscription service. A digital collection is also available for $ 6.49 at Kindle / Comixology, along with paperback and hardcover collections (which are a bit more expensive and harder to find).