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     It's this three part series that gets the ball rolling, and while this beginning is action packed and full of everything a V fan wants in a comic book, it is only a piece of the pie. The rest of the series offers even more than any V series could, TV or otherwise. While elements of the TV series make their way into the books, the comic offers so much more and takes a better look into the characters that help to make the show so good. One issue focused entirely on Juliet Parrish and her trip back home. It isn't a happy homecoming when Visitors spoil the fun. The final two issues have nothing to do with continuity and focus on an older tale when Elias was still alive and had to fight for his life and love. Elias was a favorite character and I was shocked to see him die on the television series. Apparently, so were many fans, and this was DC's opportunity to allow the fans a last glimpse at the street thug turned hero. It was a perfect send off to the series, even though it should have never ended.

     I don't want to end on a sad point, so I will discuss a few other aspects of the comic that made it so damn good. First, to illustrate my point about the tie-ins to the series, in one episode, Ham, Chris and Robin leave and are never heard from again. In the comic, we see their further adventures as they travel to Chicago and crack a Visitor takeover at a newspaper company. Poor Robin falls for another guy who turns out to be a lizard. If you saw the series, you would see what it is I am talking about. Other locations played a part in this series as the Resistance battle Diana in New York.

     Finally, one thing that I loved the most was the fact that the series focused on more than just the Visitors vs. the Resistance. One issue dealt with the fact that a well-known scientist had a plot that would destroy the mothership. While it would have ended Diana's life, the Resistance knew too well that this would bring more motherships that could fire on the planet and destroy it faster than a nuclear attack. So the Resistance actually have to save the mothership and save the Visitors as well. That is just cool and something we probably wouldn't have seen on the television show.

     Unfortunately, there was a lot more we didn't get a chance to see in the comic book that would have been great. Due to the series cancellation, the books were eventually halted. But imagine what they could have done with this series if given a chance? It could have continued with a look at the lizard's home planet or a continuation from where the television show concluded just ended and V fell off the planet with no sign of return.

     For all the shows I have taped and for all the books and comic books I have watched, I must admit that nothing will take the place of actually having the show back amongst us again. One day, I swear that will happen, but until that day, I will satisfy my thirst by turning back the pages once again.

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to JMinners@ybfree.com.

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