Tom King’s VISION - A Deconstruction of Horror and Humanity

Summary

Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta's 2015 *Vision* comic reimagines the Marvel character as a deeply complex figure, exploring his quest for normalcy and humanity. Vision creates a synthetic family to rebuild the life he lost, but tragedy strikes as they face existential and moral dilemmas. The story delves into themes of grief, love, and identity, with Vision’s descent into emotional chaos as he grapples with human experiences. *Vision* is a poignant psychological deconstruction of the hero genre, questioning what it truly means to be human and the devastating consequences of pursuing that ideal.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vision, created in 1968, is a central character in the Marvel universe with a complex history, defined by his relationships with Ultron and the Scarlet Witch.
• 😀 In 2015, Marvel redefined Vision’s character through a new comic series, ‘The Vision’ by Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta, which delves into deeper psychological and philosophical themes.
• 😀 The ‘Vision’ comic explores what it means to be human, as Vision creates a family of androids in a quest for normalcy, only to face profound existential struggles.
• 😀 Vision’s history of trauma, including his creation by Ultron, his lost family, and his emotional turmoil, influences the psychological complexity of his character in this series.
• 😀 The new ‘Vision’ series places Vision and his android family in suburban America, highlighting their attempts to live a normal life despite their synthetic nature.
• 😀 The comic presents a deconstruction of humanity, focusing on family dynamics, grief, love, and identity from the perspective of synthetic beings.
• 😀 The Vision family faces moral and existential dilemmas, such as dealing with murder, guilt, and the struggle to understand human emotions like normalcy and grief.
• 😀 Tragedy strikes when Vision’s daughter is severely damaged, his wife Virginia kills the Grim Reaper, and Vision's son dies during an accident caused by his brother Victor.
• 😀 The comic reveals the tensions between Vision and the Avengers, who become concerned about his mental state and his increasingly violent actions.
• 😀 In the end, Vision and his family’s tragic journey reveals that despite their best intentions to embrace humanity, they are doomed to repeat their emotional and moral mistakes.
• 😀 The ‘Vision’ comic ultimately explores themes of love, hope, and the human condition, showing Vision’s emotional transformation as he struggles with grief, guilt, and his desire for a normal life.

Q & A

What is the core theme of the *Vision* 2015 comic series by Tom King?

The core theme of the *Vision* 2015 comic series is Vision’s attempt to live a normal suburban life with his synthetic family, exploring deep psychological and existential questions about humanity, family, and the consequences of seeking normalcy.

How does Vision's backstory affect his character development in this series?

Vision's backstory, including his creation by Ultron and his previous traumatic experiences, informs his character development as he struggles with his identity and desire to be human. His history of loss and trauma influences his attempts to create a perfect family, leading to a tragic cycle of self-destruction.

What role do the other characters, like Virginia and the children, play in the series?

Virginia and the children, Viv and Vin, serve as key components of Vision's attempt at normalcy. They also struggle with their own identity as androids, and their experiences highlight the emotional and moral complexities of being 'human' despite being synthetic. Their actions drive much of the conflict in the story.

Why does Vision's attempt to build a family ultimately fail?

Vision's attempt to build a family fails because of the inherent flaws in his understanding of humanity. His actions, driven by grief and a desire for normalcy, create a cycle of violence and tragedy that his synthetic family cannot escape, ultimately resulting in loss and existential crisis.

How does the comic explore the idea of family and sacrifice?

The comic explores family and sacrifice through Vision’s relationship with Virginia and his children. Virginia’s final act of self-sacrifice—confessing her crimes to protect Vision and their family—demonstrates the lengths a parent will go to for their loved ones, even when it means self-destruction.

What is the significance of the question 'Are you normal?' in the story?

The question 'Are you normal?' symbolizes the central existential struggle of the Vision family. It forces the characters to confront their identities as androids, questioning their place in a world where they desire to fit in, but are constantly reminded of their differences.

How does the series depict Vision's emotional growth or regression?

The series depicts Vision's emotional regression as he becomes increasingly guided by pain, grief, and the desire for revenge. His emotional growth is stunted by his inability to fully comprehend human emotions, leading him to act irrationally and eventually spiral into a tragic outcome.

What is the role of the Avenger characters in Vision’s story?

The Avengers serve as a foil to Vision’s character, representing his past connections and the reality of his emotional detachment. As the story progresses, the Avengers become concerned about Vision's mental state, eventually confronting him when his actions pose a threat to both his family and the world.

How does the story’s ending emphasize the theme of humanity?

The story’s ending highlights the theme of humanity by showing Vision's realization that his actions—driven by love and grief—are what make him human. Despite being an android, his capacity for emotion and the desire to rebuild his family mirrors the human experience, showing that true humanity is defined by emotional depth and connection.

Why does the comic blend elements of horror with psychological drama?

The comic blends elements of horror with psychological drama to underscore the emotional tension and existential dread faced by the Vision family. The horror comes from the consequences of their actions—violence, death, and emotional breakdowns—while the psychological drama explores the mental and emotional toll these events take on the characters.