The Vision #12 Review

Virginia’s Sacrifice

Written by: Tom King
Art by: Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 26, 2016
Review by: Branden Murray

This is it folks. The final issue of the best series All-New All-Different Marvel had to offer.  So far I
have absolutely loved this book and the fact Marvel didn’t lump it into the Civil War tie-in fiasco has to be considered a small miracle on its own. It’s amazing what can happen when a publisher allows a title to breathe, do what it wants, and not be bogged down with lame decisions from “the suits” upstairs.  Without hesitating any further let’s get right into Tom King’s, surely shocking, conclusion to this series and see what’s in store for Vision’s family when the final page is turned.



Virginia takes center stage most of this issue as it centers on a call she places to the police station at the start. Vision’s wife admits to her dirty deeds that have been kept secret from the public and most her family throughout the series. She changes some minor details, to protect her main man, while taking a huge chug from the vase of Zenn-La … something feels wrong now.

Vision arrives home after a long day of kicking the Avengers asses and sits down next to his wife, after changing out of “work” gear, taking comfort in the dark living room next to his wife.  The narration reveals how people make compromises that are necessary to raise a family ironically mirroring Virginia and Vision’s predicaments throughout the series.

At this point Virginia spills her guts to Vision filling him in on what he’s missed since he left. This includes how she murdered the family pup and how Viv won’t speak to her after hearing about how C.K. was killed.  During this conversation Virginia begins having difficulty speaking, a consequence of drinking the liquid from the vase of Zenn-La (I knew it). As the liquid destroys her circuitry Vision begs her to phase, so the liquid will pass through, but Virginia denies the request and is at peace with her decisions.

Here is where the issue takes its patented gut wrenching approach to storytelling as our hero holds his dying wife in his hands. While the book has been full of twists, turns, and heartbreak Tom King saves the very best for dead last.

You see Virginia didn’t sacrifice herself because she was afraid of the family hating her, or being shut off by the Avengers, or even facing any discipline at all.  In her final moments she tells Vision that the reason she killed Victor before he could, turned herself in, and provided evidence to support her claims was because after eating a petal of the Wundergore Everbloom (which provides glimpse into the future) Virginia “saw Vision destroy the future for us … for me” obviously in reference to herself and the rest of his family.

Since Virginia couldn’t let this future happen come to pass she sacrifices herself in order to prevent the inevitable chaos from happening that would have if she stuck around. In essence by preventing Vision from taking these actions and removing herself from the equation to do so Virginia has becomes the hero in a roundabout way. She has saved what’s left of her family and the world Vision would have potentially destroyed if and when people came to harm them.  That’s some deep shit right there and unless you’re a soulless monster has to hit you right in the feels.    

As the book concludes the narrator of our issue is revealed to be Scarlet Witch. She’s seen having a talk with Viv, in doing so helping her find reasoning behind her mother’s actions, while via a Tony Stark’s helping hand, bringing Sparky (the family dog) back into the fold to help the remaining family heal.

Our cliffhanger (?) reveal is Vision and Viv seemingly trying to resume a normal life again as Viv heads off to school and Vision retreats back indoors.  While inside Vision takes a second, to break the 4th wall with a “shhh”, revealing he’s creating possibly a new member of the family … could it be a new Virginia!?!?!?

Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta have created a magnificent comic series.  If you told me that I would have absolutely loved a book, from issue one through twelve, about someone simply raising a family in the suburbs I may have called someone to have you taken by people in white coats for my own safety. I’d just assume you’re completely bonkers and you couldn’t convince me otherwise.  However this idea with the content, dialogue, art, and techniques used to tell it completely enthralled me not just in this issue but the entire series. Everything came together to complete a perfectly formed puzzle.

The issue overall was a quick but meaningful read that can be appreciated at different levels upon each additional reread. Tom King has created a very layered but straight forward story about a robot raising a family he would do anything for. This series has a little of everything, heart, mystery, and a unique page turning ability that few comics possess. The art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta is the perfect companion and I couldn’t imagine anyone doing the content inside more justice.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue is simply the cherry on top to a perfectly crafted sundae, a very unique addition to the Marvel super hero genre.

10/10