WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for The Marvels #5, available now from Marvel Comics.
The Marvels has taken readers across the globe and through time itself in one of Marvel's biggest adventures, bringing together heroes of every caliber to face a threat that none of them completely understands. Thankfully, one of the most classic Marvel characters of all time has just stepped back into the spotlight to offer just that, and the original Vision might be exactly who the world needs to save it in The Marvels #5 by Kurt Busiek, Yildiray Cinar, Richard Isanove, and Simon Bowland.
The Avengers and Marvel's other heroes have been at a complete loss on how to deal with the ever-growing concerns in Siancong. The mysterious black dome which Lady Lotus has enveloped the nation in has proven to be impenetrable thus far, and everyone who has come into contact with it has suffered dearly. While the Avengers mull over how to tackle the situation at hand, Captain America remarks that he might know someone who can get them inside -- though reaching them in itself is a tall order. Thankfully, Cap is able to get ahold of what they'll need after calling in a favor from Namor. Joined by Iron Man and Storm, Captain America presses a button on the strange, ornate device he has been given, causing a cloud of thick yellow smoke pour out from within it. In what seems like no time at all, the heroes are completely immersed in the fog. Once it's clear, they find themselves standing before none other than Marvel's very first Vision.
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One of the oldest heroes in the Marvel Universe, Aarkus first appeared all the way back in 1940's Marvel Mystery Comics #13 in a story by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon. A native of Smokeworld, Aarkus was a Keeper of Law on his home planet who was contacted by a human scientist while trying to find a suitable prison for an alien murderer. After coming to find the blue planet hospitable, Aarkus battled mobsters, Nazis and ancient sorcerers in an effort to safeguard the world from those who would do it harm.
Over the years, Aarkus would even fight alongside Captain America during Steve Rogers' time with the Invaders as well as the Avengers. With his ability to teleport anywhere there is smoke through those very same vapors, there is a great chance he will be able to get the heroes into Siancong without too much of a hassle. Not only that, but from the looks of things, Aarkus is still willing to lend a hand whenever the world needs it.
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Whether or not the original Vision is able to get Captain America and his allies behind enemy lines is still to be seen, but the fact that Aarkus has reappeared at all is cause for celebration for many old-school Marvel fans. No matter what comes next, Aarkus will certainly have a major role to play in it, and with any luck, the heroes will be well prepared. Then again, now that they have Aarkus on their side, there might not be anything they can't handle.