Synopsis
Avengers, The (1963 series) #348 synopsis by
T Vernon
Rating:
Crystal and Black Knight enter Avengers Mansion and nearly bump into the original colorful Vision and Scarlet Witch locked in a passionate kiss. The current colorless Vision apologizes, explaining he was using an encephalo-helmet, devised by Reed Richards, to access old memories, translated into holograms, to see if he retained any of his old capacity for human feeling in his programming. He remembers everything perfectly but feels none of the emotions. Crystal excuses herself to check on Carol Danvers in the infirmary; Dane warns Vision that she is a bit emotionally fragile now and needs some support; Vision asks if he detects some greater concern in Dane but the knight denies it and departs. Vision ponders this. He is interrupted by Marilla, complaining about Jarvis and his need for a day off; after some questioning, she tells Vision someone wants to see him. Vision goes out and finds Laura Lipton, who is pleased he remembers her as technically she was once his wife….
Dane Whitman and Hercules are hanging out at Golden’s Bar. Dane expresses concern for Captain America’s taking a leave of absence; Herc isn’t worried and detects that Dane has something else on his mind. But then Herc spots a fashionably dressed woman and recognizes her as the woman warrior Magdalene who had earlier defeated him….
In the infirmary, Crystal tells Carol of her concern about the Vision who has lost all of his humanity. Carol can sympathize because when Rogue stole her powers, she lost all emotional connection to her past. After she leaves, Carol expresses concern about Crys’ fitness for the Avengers to Black Widow who responds that she and Cap have complete confidence in Crystal….
Vision assures Laura that while his programming was based on recordings of her late husband Alex’s brain patterns, his personality is entirely his own. Laura tells Vision that her father-in-law is dying and wants to see him tonight. Vision says that would be impossible because of his duties at the Mansion. She is distraught and Crystal, overhearing, tells Vision he must go because it is the human thing to do….
Hercules dashes out of the bar and accosts the woman whom he believes is Magdalene; her name is Melissa Darrow and she tells him to leave her alone. Dane shows up and tries to apologize explaining they are Avengers…but she thinks they are both crazy and walks off. But Herc is still suspicious….
Vision arrives at Dr. Lipton’s beachfront home, accompanied by Crystal and Laura. Dr. Lipton, dying of cancer, is watching endless home movies of his son Alex and his fervent desire is to see him again before he dies. Lipton explains he has devised a reconfiguration program which would superimpose Alex’s brain patterns over Visions operating system, thereby turning Vision into Alex for a limited time, with no permanent harm. Vision explains that such a program is impossible but Crystal tells him to try it anyway to help Lipton. So Vision agrees….
Melissa Darrow enters her apartment to be confronted by Magdalene and Proctor. Melissa is the equivalent of Magdalene in this dimension and they must kill her so that Mag can live. Herc and Dane have followed her and they hear her scream so they break in, only to find the apartment destroyed by a plasma blast and no one there….
Vision stands in a glass tube as the program is run. When he steps out, he is Alex Lipton, overjoyed to see his father once again. Their union lasts for hours until the old man passes away just before dawn, his last words, “I love you.” Vision notices Laura outside near the shore. He tells Crystal Dr. Lipton did so much for him, he was glad to be there for him but he excuses himself and goes to Laura. He holds her and tells her he loves her and they kiss and in the middle of the kiss, she realizes that Alex is gone once more, that Vision’s cold inhuman face is back. She expresses appreciation for what Vision did for Dr. Lipton. Vision goes back to Crystal who tells him that she saw his face as he emerged from the tube and realized that Lipton’s program had failed, that Vision was faking the whole time, based on the images of Alex on the screens. He sheds a tear but declines to confirm her suspicions as they head home….
CharactersGood (or All)Plus: Binary (
Carol Danvers), Luna, Marilla.
Enemies
Magdalene, Proctor.