The Vision remains as stalwart as ever in terms of quality, thanks to Tom King and Gabriel Walta’s consistent efforts to put out the best work that they can. With the ever increasing attempts of Marvel to make the series find a paying audience, it is at least clear that they know what they have on their hands. What does The Vision #3 have to offer? Quite a lot, actually.
Tom King is well versed in the act known as the “long game”, and this issue gives readers the first in what is no doubt meant to be quite a few twists and turns in this story. Not to give anything away, but it answers just as many questions as it raises, while not pulling focus away from the central character arcs. It’s a delicate balance, but while the series has now been opened up somewhat, it’s nothing to note that Virginia and her dynamics remain ever present. One can basically hope that this continues into the later issues of this storyline, because it would be such a shame to see Vision’s family fade out into the background. It’s not really a Vision or Avengers story, it is rather a story all of their own. So many little bits in this issue really sell that, from the heartwarming to the humorously out-there. If it weren’t for the huge reveals near the end of the issue, it might have seemed that the series would have finally become what it had originally appeared to be.
Walta is just as on point as he has always been, although now really into the groove that artists get once they have settled in. The facial tics that were given to Vision’s family now have become a pattern all their own, natural and sporadically random. The intensity of the facial work, while blank when necessary, becomes strangely warm and entrancing. Again, it all counts on the reader not seeing them as real characters to begin with, android or not. It plays with our perception.How many times have disposable characters such as these been introduced, given an arc, and then just left to rot? Countless times. Yet, it’s the method of weaving these bits and pieces, of which two stand out incredibly high, that Walta is able to convey scenes so heart-wrenching. Bellaire only adds to it with the mundane fantasticality of the entire environment. I’ve heard this series called one of King’s lesser efforts, but if it is then it all comes together due to these parts.
The Vision continues a strong trend into 2016 as one of the standout series. It is a series that is on the lookout for many, and if you haven’t gotten on the boat yet, then I implore you to seek it out. If it’s not your thing, then no harm no foul, but if it is, then you might have found a series worth digging into for the next few months. Who knows how long it will last? Comments and thoughts would be appreciated below.
Rating
8.8
Pros
The writing for the Vision family is still on point
