Comics have never been bigger: with Marvel TV shows, DC movies and independent adaptations growing by the day, comics have never been more prominent in pop culture. This weekly column from Verge recommends new and old comic series, whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer.
WandaVisionThe end of the season has come to Disney Plus, but if you have a burning desire for a more surreal suburban comic drama, look no further. Eyesight, a 12-issue edition by writer Tom King and artist Gabriel Hernandez Walta, which further explores the idea of a superhero trying to step back and start a family – no matter what the cost.
What is that? Eyesight is a 12-issue comic series. While it loosely ties in with the character’s past story over decades of comics, it’s largely an autonomous story: Vision moves to the DC suburbs and (literally) makes a family: a wife, Virginia, and two teenage children, Viv and Vin.
Issue One puts readers directly into the mix, along with the newly formed syntezoid family. Vision is trying to reconcile his work as an Avenger (and as the link between the superhero group and the government) and as a new father and husband; Virginia works to fit in the neighborhood; and the twins struggle with the teen drama of trying to fit in with school (which is particularly difficult due to their robotic nature and superpowers). Later editions also include Sparky, a particularly adorable synthetic dog.
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It is the type of series that sees Vision battling a gigantic monster next to the Avengers, while also talking on the phone with Virginia to solve the drama with the twins at school.
But throughout all of this there is a chilling sensation of horror and dread, aided by an invisible narrator who promises throughout the edition that Vision’s seemingly perfect suburban life will end in tears. Things start out relatively benign, like neighbors getting nervous with their family or an evil spray-painted slogan in the garage, but things quickly turn into murder coverups when Vision and his new family start to get caught up in a web of lies, misunderstandings and revenge.
If you enjoyed the slow burning of WandaVision, with superheroic drama sandwiched between an unnerving illusion of tranquility at home, Eyesight # 1 (and the rest of the race) should offer a lot more fodder.
The series is also great for newcomers to Vision as a character: interspersed throughout the race is a re-examination of crucial moments in the artificial hero’s career, including his relationship with Wanda, his desire for a family, his time as a familiar-looking white Vision who lost all his memories and more. For MCU fans who are more familiar with the origin of Vision on the screen, it’s a good look at the original version of the character.
Ultimately, Eyesight it is a convincing look at people’s weaknesses and follies and an examination of what someone would be willing to do to protect their family. What could be more human than that?
Who is it for? Eyesight was created by writer Tom King (also known for his recent exhibition in bat Man and its acclaimed Lord miracle series), artist Gabriel Hernandez Walta and colorist Jordie Bellaire.
Where can I read this? The full run of twelve editions is available on the Marvel Unlimited subscription service. A digital collection is also available on Kindle / Comixology for $ 6.49, along with paperback and hardcover collections (which are slightly more expensive and difficult to find).