Vision (Aarkus)


Vision is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by the writer Joe Simon and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared during the Golden Age of comic books in Marvel Mystery Comics #13, published by Marvel predecessor Timely Comics.

Publication history

The Vision debuted in a short comic story in Marvel Mystery Comics #13, and continued as a regular feature in that superhero anthology through issue #48. He also starred in an eight-page story in Kid Comics #3.
Five decades later, he appeared in a flashback story in the superhero-team series The Invaders vol. 2, #3, set during World War II. He returns with the other Invaders in the miniseries Invaders Now!, beginning with issue #1. He appeared in several issues of the Marvel NOW! relaunch of , before appearing in the All-New Invaders series in 2014.

Fictional character biography

The Golden Age Vision, also known as Aarkus, is an alien law enforcement officer from a dimension called Smokeworld. While Aarkus is looking for a suitable place to exile a prisoner, he is accidentally contacted by an Earth scientist named Markham Erickson. Leaving the prisoner on the planet Jupiter, Aarkus accepts Erickson's invitation to fight crime on Earth. Aarkus does so for several years, although during World War II he is briefly manipulated by the Axis powers into fighting the Allies. The superhero team the Invaders help Aarkus realize his mistake.
A simulacrum of the Vision was temporarily created by Rick Jones, along with those of the Blazing Skull, the Fin, and the Golden Age Angel and Patriot, to aid the superhero team the Avengers during the Kree-Skrull War.
In the present day, it is revealed that he inhabits the sewers under New York, taking care of a Cosmic Cube that is feeding off the feelings of people affected by the death of Captain America. Following a period in which he traveled through time, he is seen with the newly resurrected Toro. He plays a supporting role in 2012's , first opposing and later aiding main character Legion. During the story, he falls into a coma and is confined to the medical wing of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning.
After awaking from his coma, Aarkus is approached by the Winter Soldier for help in getting the surviving members of the Invaders to the Kree home world to rescue Namor. It is revealed during this time that in World War II, Aarkus had mindwiped the Invaders in order to hide the location of an ancient Kree weapon called the God's Whisper, that had granted Baron von Strucker the power to control gods. The Invaders then attack Kree in order to free Namor and recover the weapon. It is later revealed that Aarkus was working with the Eternals on using the God's Whisper to manipulate Galactus.

Powers and abilities

The Vision can generate illusory images of himself, fly, generate ice and extreme cold, and teleport wherever there is smoke.

''Vision'' reprints

Some of the original stories of the original Vision have been reprinted in other publications.