Phased Vision Sculpt –Randy Bowen & Shiflett Brothers
Brief History: Assembled at the direction of Ultron, the Vision is an android who mimics virtually every organic function of a human being, including independent thought. Seeking vengeance against the Avengers, Ultron programmed the Vision's neural processors with the brain patterns of Wonder Man, and implanted special synthesized cells permitting him to alter his mass and solidity. Ultron then dispatched the Vision to draw the Avengers into a death trap. Moved by the team's plight though, the Vision overrode his mission parameters and helped the heroes defeat his creator. The Vision served the Avengers faithfully for years, all the while seeking to transcend his original programming as a vehicle of vengeance and become fully "human." Destroyed by his estranged wife, the Scarlet Witch, during the Avengers Disassembled event, The Vision is reborn as we remember him best: a cold, regal presence for good! Standing over 12" tall, The Vision stands with hand raised in a pose similar to his classic pose from the cover of Avengers Vol. 1 #57! For much more information on the Vision try –
http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/v/vision.htm
Sculpt: Vision is the one of three full-size sculpts from this phase, which has been co-sculpted by the as always excellent Shiflett Brothers and Randy Bowen. It is based on the famous artwork of Avengers #57. There are two variants of the sculpt the ‘Fully painted’ and the more limited ‘Phased’. The sculpt is a more refined anatomy than you would expect from the Shiflett’s who are better know for hugely muscular sculpts like the Hulk, Juggernaut and Thanos. For this reason it is probably the most interesting one that they have produced to date. The anatomy of the legs, torso and arms are all excellent. From the rear the cape is excellently sculpted around the body. The base is a simple design with a circuit diagram engraved into the top surface.
Paint Application: The problems which occurred on the Thanos sculpt do not seem to have occurred into this release. The paintwork on my Vision is excellent with the phasing on the legs and cape cleverly produced. This type of painting appears to be difficult to achieve and the factory in this instance have produced a good product.
Critique: Not a lot wrong with this one except for the very annoying stabilising peg which holds the sculpt onto the base. It is clearly visible on the Vision’s right foot. While this doesn’t really bother me all that much I know a lot of collectors would be turning in the beds unable to sleep
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Conclusion: The Vision is a fantastic sculpt with a good paint application. If you can get over the ‘Peg’ you will have in your collection one of the most stylish and regal sculpts from Phase 2.