V #18

Paul Kupperberg places the period at the end of this DC Comics adaptation. Though promises of a third miniseries and numerous revival series would come and go, except for a Kenneth Johnson penned sequel in 2008, the original V is complete. Maybe I will get my hands on the mass paperback one day. But at current prices, I'm just not willing to pay a lot to possibly be disappointed. 

In my mind, issue #16 was the perfect ending to the original franchise. I'm happy with it. 

As for this issue, and the last one, I am extremely confused about it. I still don't understand why they put this two-parter about Elias and a woman from his past as the closer when things are wrapped up nice and tight in issue #16. Would it have been so hard to have switched things up? I guess I'll never get a definitive answer on this. Unless I happen to run into either Paul Kupperberg (again) or series editor Marv Wolfman (for the first time). 

If you are a fan of the original V and you want to collect the entire comic book series, it's not that expensive to do. I found a lot of my issues in bargain bins. And MyComicShop.com had every issue for prices ranging from $4-8 each, depending on grade. But if you do get the complete run, take my advice: read issues #17 & 18 before closing things out with issue #16. Heck, read these two issues before you get to #8 for an even better story flow based on later events. 

It's all up to you in the long run!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

V #17

With this issue and issue #18, I was able to get writer Paul Kupperburg to autograph these at a Con. I always felt bad for Kupperberg afterwards because when I handed these issues to him, the scribe exclaimed, 'I always have a habit of writing the last issues.' At least he didn't mind signing these unlike a certain X-Men legend when I asked him to sign an homage cover.

As I mentioned in the last issue review, issues #17 & 18 are set before issue #16, which due to the sudden cancellation of the series, became the last official of the original V storyline. This 'flashback' issues had been teased for a while and editor Marv Wolfman wanted to make sure that subscribers got their money's worth and for the writers and artists of these books to get properly paid. Thus, in a very non-DC manner (I.E. Cancelled Comics Cavalcade), V was given a 2-issue reprieve from cancellation. 

After reading this issue, I've got to ask- why didn't DC make issue #16 the last issue instead of this story? This story which features Elias, the fallen owner of the Creole Club, who is still alive in this two-parter. Things occur right after the destruction of his beloved business. Which I think happened around issue #8, or so. 

In the midst of the clean-up, a woman from Elias' past returns. Things did end well between the two and now there's very good evidence that this lady might be a Visitor spy. 

Meanwhile, Ham and Chris are still in Los Angeles and they've got something big in the wings. It involves a stolen shuttle and a bomb that might be able to do some serious damage to Diana's mothership. As this is a flashback episode, we all know that nothing comes from this plan. So it's all really kinda a letdown. 

Here's the thing about this being a flashback. For several issues, this story has been built up as a major untold tale in the life of Elias. From the cover, I was expecting this to be entirely before the events of the first V miniseries. I figured we'd see a whole bunch in Elias' life before it was upended by visiting Visitors. I don't think we even get a single panel of Elias and his ex's life before the war. 

So it's really a thrill ride comedown that could have been handled a whole lot differently in my opinion. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

V #16

Even though there are 2 issues remaining after this one, this is technically the end of V. The TV show had already wrapped up. NBC lowered the axe, opting not to film the proposed 20th episode that would have wrapped up the cliffhanger in which Elizabeth went on a shuttle with the Leader to the planet Sirius IV with Kyle hiding in the vehicle.

The Bron Saga comes to a tragic and bittersweet end. Yup, the Leader's son dies. Valiantly I might add, trying to save his friends from the Resistance. But Bron's death is not in vain. Racked from the guilt of the loss of his heir and impressed with the respect Bron had for the human race, the unseen Leader of the Visitors declares a truce. The invasion of Earth is over!

But why is it that the war is over but V is not? Series editor Marv Wolfman explains in an afterwords in the letter col that DC had a feeling for some time that V the TV series was coming to an end. NBC just wasn't happy with the expense of the show in correlation to the meager ratings the series was earning.  Paul Kupperberg and crew had already wrapped up a 2-part story due for issues #17& 18. Out of respect for the substitute team's work and so they can be properly paid, Wolfman and execs at DC decided to make adjustments.

In response to NBC's cancellation of V,  Cary Bates was ordered to change the ending of this issue to reflect an ending that while not definitive, was sufficient enough to appease most fans. Issues 17& 18 would become a flashback story, so as to not undo the ending put forth by Bates.

I've since learned that V creator Kenneth Johnson wrote a sequel novel in 2008. From what I have read, Ham Tyler was the main character of this official sequel with most of the Resistance leaders either dead or missing. The Visitors are the victors of the invasion. And most of the story occurs in Chicago.

I'd very much like to read that book. But it's out of print and internet prices are ridiculously expensive. I'm talking of $100 plus. So until I get really lucky and find the sequel for a fantastic price, I'll stick with issue #16 of this comic book adaptation as being the true, bittersweet ending of the original V.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

V #15

The gangs all here in this issue that sees Julie and Donovan taking Bron, the eldest son of the Leader to the Windy City. If you remember, a few issues back, Ham Tyler and Chris Farber took up residence in Chicago. The mercenaries were trying to protect Robin, the mother of Elizabeth the Star Child, from Visitor scientists looking to replicate the hybrid child's amazing powers. 

After the disaster of Mike and Julie's stop in that small town of unsupervised adolescents, the leaders of the Resistance look for calmer waters in Chi-Town. But as you can see from the cover, Chicago is swarming with Visitors.

Meanwhile, back in the City of Angels, Diana, thanks to a mole wearing a skin of Visitor Resistance ally Willie, is beginning her siege of the metropolitan area. 

The least memorable entry into the Bron Saga. The penultimate chapter of this amazing Cary Bates penned epic. 

Only 3 issues of the DC series adaptation remain!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

V #14

As Donovan and Julie smuggle the Leader's son through the American Midwest, the trio must stop due to car trouble. The town that they stop at is devoid of adults. Only youngsters under the age of 18 occupy the small town and the adolescents are preparing the newly arrived adults for execution.

It will be up to Bron/Brad to save the Resistance leaders. Though if the young Visitor has been looking for an excuse to do away with Donovan and Julie, the perfect opportunity is finally at hand.

This issue gives me such vibes of the classic Star Trek episode 'Miri', it's sick.  Another great chapter in the Bron Saga by Cary Bates. Another fantastic cover by Jerry Bingham. It hearkens back to the last issue cover of Diana. But it's not a continuation as the Visitor on this cover is clearly wearing a different uniform.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

V #13

The Bron Saga just keeps getting better!

With Donovan and Julie having Bron, now in human guise and going by the name of Brad, in their custody somewhere in the Midwest, Diana has a plan. She will find Bron, kill him and blame the Resistance on the death of the Leader's son! 

Meanwhile, Diana also has a mole infiltrating the Resistance. A loyal Visitor, wearing the skin of Fifth Columnist Willie has been sent to spy on the L.A. chapter of the human freedom fighters and hopefully destroy it from within. 

There's some really awesome dialogue between Bron and his human guests. More kudos to Cary Bates! The front cover by Jerry Bingham is just fantastic. Though I don't remember Diana's uniform showing so much cleavage on the TV show.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

V #12

The climax to the last issue had Fifth Columnist and Resistance ally Willie getting captured by Lydia. Now aboard the mothership, poor Willie is being tortured for information. Diana learns that the Resistance have located the Leader's missing son, Bron. But that's about it. 

When the Resistance found Bron, he didn't have a human skin disguise yet. Thankfully, the Resistance has a machine that can build him one. Now looking human and going by the name of Brad, the Resistance hopes to sway the young Visitor to their cause. They just need to get Brad to pass off as a human child now, which is going to be hard as Brad keeps using his superior alien strength in front of strangers. 

As Donovan and Julie take Bron on a trek across America, Diana hatches a plan to plant a mole in the midst of the Resistance- a loyal Visitor that looks just like Willie!

I really enjoy the Bron storyline. I don't care if it echoes the great 'Hard Traveling Heroes' storyline of Green Lantern/Green Arrow created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams. I mean obviously these few issues of V are inspired by that 1970s classic plot that sees the Emerald Warriors and a member of the Guardians traveling in a beat up pick up truck while searching for the heart and soul of America. But these issues aren't a swipe of that DC classic... or are they?

Donovan is brunette. Green Lantern is brunette. Julie is blonde. Green Arrow is blonde. Bron is an alien with a large head disguised as a human. The Guardian is an alien with a large head disguised as a human. Oh my God.. this story line is a total rip off!. Wait a minute... Wait a minute. Donovan and pals are driving a station wagon. Whew. plagiarism accusations avoided...

Great Read.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

V #11

The scene shifts back to Los Angeles. Governor Nathan Bates is dead. The power vacuum as a result leads to the end of the truce agreements between Visitors and humans. The City of Angels is a hot zone again. The Resistance's base of operations, the Creole Club has been destroyed and the owner Elias is dead. Yet all of this isn't even the most interesting part of issue #11.

The leader of the Visitors, aptly named the Leader, is sending his son Bron to Earth. Bron is being groomed to one day lead the Visitors, who we discover are called Sirians. The Leader thinks it's the right time for Bron to observe a mothership during war time. Of course Diana is thrilled with the news...

On the way to the mothership, Bron's ship actually attacks Diana's escort shuttles! That's because the vessel carrying Bron is piloted by Fifth Columnists who wish to deliver the Leader's son to the Resistance! Damaged in the skirmish, Bron's Visitor captors perished in a fiery crash, well short of Resistance forces. 

By a strange twist of fate (or a touch of convenient script writing), Willie and Donovan come across the stasis tube containing Bron. Julie and Elizabeth, the Star Child, see an opportunity to show Bron the best humanity has to offer. While Diana, as much as she hates having to play babysitter, hates the wraith of the Leader even more. Sending out a rescue party, members of the Resistance flee with Bron while the story ends with Fifth Column member Willie being captured by Lydia!

I've already read the whole series. So, I'm a bit behind on my reviews. But the Bron storyline which begins here, is perhaps the most memorable and well written plot of this comic book series! Cary Bates did a commendable job on this one. Too bad he didn't win any awards for his work with V, especially the next 3-4 issues. He really, really deserved to have!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

V #10

Issue #10 begins with one of the best covers of the entire series. Rival leaders of the Visitors Diana and Lydia stand in front of a white background, swiss-cheesed with bullet holes. Lydia is using the bar code box as a prop to rest one of her legs on. Diana is poised, ready to strike in her white commander uniform. She didn't wear that outfit for very long. But it was quite memorable. 

And those blasters! That was the coolest sci-fi laser gun of my childhood, next to Han Solo's blaster. I loved my toy version of it. When you squeezed the trigger, a little motor inside caused sparks to shoot out. It was so fun!!!

As for the material inside, there's a lot going for it and I'm not just singing Cary Bates' praises. The book feels thicker than the other issues do. Yet, the last page claims that there were 24 pages of story, which for 1985, was standard for a DC Comic. 

As mentioned with last issue, the leaders of the Resistance are in New York City on a recruitment drive. There really hasn't been much Resistance activity since the Big Apple is positioned in an area of the planet where reptiles can't survive for very long. As a result, the Visitors have focused on more sub-tropical areas to maintain a militaristic presence, such as Miami and L.A. 

However, with the coming of spring, more and more Lizards are slithering into the city that never sleeps. See the warmer it is, the less effective the Visitor poisoning agent, Red Dust, is to them. To prevent the Visitor Spring from taking place, members of the alien race who are opposed to Diana's harsh rule called the Fifth Column, are working to place a weather device atop the Empire State Building, ensuring 365 days of colder temps along the Eastern Seaboard. 

While the Resistance works to getting this gadget in place, Visitor Walter, in a human disguise, has found Mike Donovan. Under the false impression that Donovan is Diana's secret human lover, Walter is ready to turn the Resistance leader into reptile chow. Now Donovan must play the role of bait in order to keep Walter and the Visitors from stumbling upon the Resistance's climate change plans or else the coast is toast!

Like I said, a ton of stuff occurs in this issue, including a cat fight of sorts between Lydia and Diana. Of course, nothing that would affect the plots of the TV show is going to come from this battle. But it's still a guilty pleasure for sure seeing these two go at it! There's nothing sexual about the rivalry between Lydia and Diana. Those antagonistic scenes were some of the best writing of one-liners and yo mama type insults in TV history!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars. 

V #9

With the loss of Ham and Chris, who went to Chicago to protect Robin from Visitor scientists, the Los Angeles Resistance is looking pretty sparse. So Julie and Donovan head to the Big Apple for a recruitment drive. Only, with the Big Apple being smack dab in the middle of the safe zone created from the use of the Red Dust, none of the locals feel that the Visitors are a threat to the New Yorker way of life. 

Meanwhile, the drama is heating up on Diana's mothership. On the TV show, Diana was about to be forced into marrying a Visitor high-up named Charles. Should Diana wed, ancient custom would require her to have to go back to the Visitor homeworld and become a breeder for her race's glorious Leader. This would have allowed rival Lydia to become the new leader of the Earth contingent of Visitors. But Lydia was also in love with Charles and secretly poisoned Diana's ceremonial wedding chalice; which Diana switched with Charles!

So now Charles is dead. Lydia is in mourning. And Diana is coming out smelling like a rose as the widowed bride-to-be. Lydia is also planning revenge on Diana and it somehow involves a behemoth of a Visitor named Walter who has a giant crush on the Visitor leader. He thinks Diana is his! With Lydia pulling on Walter's heartstrings, the second-in-command hopes to kill two birds with one stone: Diana and Resistance leader, Mike Donovan!

Bates is Back. Infantino is on the cover. As is DeZuniga. It definitely looks like a mix of Infantino's classic style with touches that seem out of place. Once again, I am thinking Tony Dezuniga was needed to help Infantino stay on top of the demands of a hectic schedule brought about from age and CRISIS. 

Regardless, this was a great story. Too bad the TV show and this book didn't succeed. I think if both readers and viewers had known that the series and the comic were complementary of each other, it might have kept V on for another season and maybe given us 8-10 more issues of the comic. Oh, the mind boggles at the possibilities.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

V #8

Issue #8 spins off directly from the V television series. Episode 12, titled 'The Betrayal' was the final appearances of Ham Tyler, Chris Farber and Robin Maxwell. Robin is the mother of Elizabeth, the Star Child and the Visitors are eager to capture Robin and impregnate her once again in hopes of creating another super-powered hybrid child. 

Ham and Chris take Robin to Chicago in hopes of hiding her there. That's how all 3 characters left the show. But in reality, this was how writers wrote off actor Michael Ironside, who felt that the TV series lacked the quality of the original miniseries. Considering that the budget for each show was dramatically slashed, episodes looked more like Dynasty instead of The Invaders, and most of the special effects were recycled scenes from V and V: The Final Battle, Inronside might have been on to something. 

I like that guest scripter Bob Rozankis decided to focus on parts of the show left unfinished. The viewers got to see the trio leave for the Midwest. But we never find out if they made it and how they transitioned in an area reportedly known to be safe from Visitor influences thanks to the Red Dust. 

SPOILER- they are not safe!

I think Bob Rozankis wrote about Ham, Chris and Robin because they weren't off limits. Main characters such as Mike, Julie and Diana were probably listed as off limits until Cary Bates' return to the series. Just where is Mister Bates? Not sure. The letter col doesn't mention why he's absent from issue #8. However, the editors do mention that the fate of V: The TV Series is in danger of cancellation. But they reassure fans that if that happens, DC has been given permission to wrap up the storyline. I can live with that. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

V #7

Infantino is back! For real this time!

I had mentioned that Carmine Infantino as he got older was limiting his projects. Thus, he stepped away from projects often and used assistants. The letter col in the back of this issue kinda confirms all this as at the time of this publication, DC is in the throes of CRISIS and Infantino was needed to help on a few of the many tie-in books to that game changing event. 

As for this issue, Resistance leader Julie is the primary focus. She's heading to her home town in New Mexico to meet with a contact. Only, Julie isn't aware that this fellow Resistance cohort has been captured by the Visitors and that she is now walking into a trap. 

Of all the issues for Carmine Infantino to return to, I don't really know why he chose this one. There's very little action. It's more of a romance story as Julie runs into her old high school beau. Issue #6 is more of a psychological thriller in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock as you wonder throughout the tale if this old flame of Julie's is a friend or now a foe working with the Visitors. 

Great read. Just nowhere near on par with the level of action and adventure that has peppered the past 5 issues. It really feels like a waste of Infantino's talents, if you ask me.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

V #6

On the Visitor mothership, a doublecross is afoot! Under the guise of a peace conference between humans and Visitors, Diana has drugged an ardent representative of the human race named Earl Meagan. If it sounds an awful lot like Carl Sagan, give yourself a cookie! This advocate for peace is a Sagan archetype, even to the point of being an astronomer.

Anyways, Diana plans to brainwashed Meagan in her torturous conversion chamber to make him pro-Visitor. While at the same time, Meagan has a miniature nuclear bomb implanted in his neck and it's primed to go off shortly.

Julie and Donovan plan a rescue aboard the mothership. Though, if they'd just wait a little bit, their Visitor problems would be eradicated. Although, I can see where if you kill off Diana, then another, more deadlier leader might rise to power and make things much worse for the human race. 

Meanwhile, Ham and Chris are initiating plans to shut down the Visitor food processing plant. As I mentioned, earlier, the visitors were force feeding humans in a twisted twist on the term 'fat farm.' Visitor scientists are also conducting sickening experiments on humans too. But thanks to Ham and Chris, these researchers from another world are about to get their just desserts.

The interior of this issue claims that Carmine Infantino has returned. Yet, the artwork looks more like that of Infantino assistant Tony DeZuniga. Plus, Infantino isn't listed on the front cover. So, I'm not ready to proclaim his return to this series just yet. 

Still scripting V: The Comic Book is Cary Bates. He's doing on heck of a job. Sure, it's been decades since I last saw the TV show. Yet, what I remember from that series seems to gel quite well with what I remember. Except for 1 thing. Chris only appeared in a couple of episodes of V's TV series. One was a Christmas episode in which a main character died. I'm not complaining that Chris is here. I'm actually glad he is as Chris was one of my favorite characters. I'm just pointing out one way the comic and the show varies.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

V #5

There's a lot going on in this issue. But despite the amazing cover, what happens inside this issue just isn't as powerful and intense as the fiery destruction of an American city. 

Ham and Chris have found Elizabeth, the Star Child. Now with her psychic help, the mercenaries have a solid lead on Nathan Bates' missing son, Kyle. Disguised as security forces, Ham and Chris stumble upon the most sickening Visitor processing plant yet; camouflaged as a fat farm! Only it is a fat farm! One intent on fattening humans up for Visitor consumption.

Speaking of consumption, the peace conference between Diana and that Carl Sagan-like human character has begun aboard the mothership. The leader of the Visitors has prepared a feast based on French cuisine and it seems to soften the resolve of the human representative. But fret not- there's sabotage afoot on both sides of the chess board!

Like I said, a whole bunch is going on here. That twist on the fat farm was a shocker. But again, the action that occurs in book #5 just isn't on par with the Independence Day level destruction on the front. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

V #3

So the Visitors regular maintenance of those hot springs outside that small town is a ruse. Instead of purifying the watering holes, the aliens are actually stealing the water. Donovan and Julie point this out to the townsfolk. But with the Visitors restoring the severed arm of a farmer, they just refuse to believe the ill intentions of these so-called villains. But when a Visitor strike force kills a young boy in cold blood and has an even colder response to the lad's death, the citizens of this small hamlet finally join the Resistance!

It's all about Donovan and Julie, oh and Willie, the Visitor who joined the Resistance, in this issue. If you want to know what has happened to Ham Tyler and Chris Farber on their eventful trip to Catalina, well you'll have to wait until hopefully the next issue. They're completely omitted from this issue. 

Issue #3 sees Carmine Infantino's run as the series illustrator take a pause for a couple of issues. Tony DeZuniga is the inker on this. However, DeZuniga was given a cover credit which is really unheard of for inkers. I'm thinking he did a lot of pencil assists with the aging Infantino, who was starting to slow down the amount of work he did around this time period. DeZuniga inked the next issue. But with #4, he doesn't get a cover credit as I am thinking Tod Smith was more than capable of penciling things on his own. 

Great story. But there's so much other action that is just glossed over for one reason or another. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

V #2

Remember in Return of the Jedi, where Han, Chewie, Leia and Luke use a stolen shuttle-craft in order to sneak past Imperial forces to land on Endor? Well, so far in this series, the members of the Resistance have managed to steal a Visitor shuttle and have been using it to infiltrate areas of the country possessed by the Reptiles. Unfortunately, on the ship's maiden voyage, the engines crap out leaving Resistance leaders Julie and Donovan to crash land near a small farming community. 

Thinking that they are in the hands of allies, this town is actually fond of the Visitors! Needing parts to make repairs, Donovan and Julie head into the village and promptly find themselves imprisoned and being held for the Visitors who will make their regular pilgrimage of technological benefits, such as the use of chemicals to purify the local hot springs. 

As readers wonder about the mystery of this small town and just what the Visitors ulterior motives are, the action shifts to the coast off of Catalina. Resistance members Ham Tyler and his partner Chris Farber are in need of a boat. The ship they steal happens to be full of drug runners! With a Visitor assault squad on their tail, at least Ham and Chris can benefit from all the guns and grenades on board!

Issue #2 is another triumph from Cary Bates! The artwork by Carmine Infantino is great. It doesn't really look like any of the actors that play the characters. But then again, Infantino never really tried to recreate likenesses. Awesome cover of a Visitor revealing his true nature in more ways than one by Eduardo Barreto!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

V #1

In 1983-84, I was in Kindergarten. One of the cultural events that a lot of classmates were rabid about was the NBC sci-fi miniseries V and V: The Final Battle. I was among them! 

The minis were about a race of aliens called the Visitors, that arrived on earth under the guise of peace. However, under their human-like flesh lives a reptilian race of scavengers that see our planet as a mini-mart. At the end of The Final Battle, the human race released a germ known as 'Red Dust' into the atmosphere to kill off the Visitors. 

Not all the Visitors were evil. Those who supported the human race were known as the Fifth Column. They were vaccinated against the Red Dust. For some reason or another, the germ warfare wasn't as powerful on the temperate areas of the planet. So, those areas remained under Visitor occupation.

Areas such as central Los Angeles, became designated truce zones, much like Rick's American Cafe in Casablanca. This allows for Visitors and members the earth's Resistance forces to interact, scheme and play deadly games of cloak & dagger. Diana, the Visitor leader, operates out of a mothership in orbit above this region, seeking to finally conquer this planet. Aiding her is the billionaire pharmaceutical tycoon Nathan Bates, who uses the power vacuum of the past war to take over California while assimilating Visitor tech.

Thankfully the first issue of this DC Comic adaptation does an amazing job of providing all this information. While I've seen the two miniseries within the past couple of years, I've not seen the TV show since its first days of airing in 1984-85. I love V and I used to have these books, along with a couple of toy guns and the coveted Visitor action figure when I was younger. The comics I was able to find for basically a dollar each or less and the fun I had from the franchise as a kid was just as rabid as it was 40 some years ago. 

Laying the frame work, I am excited to dig through this 18 issue run. Featuring a script by Cary Bates with artwork by the legendary Carmine Infantino, things are poised for full-throttle action and adventure. Oh, and of course fun!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.