V

They came in ships that blotted out the sun, promising friendship, but beneath their human masks lurked reptilian invaders who would change science fiction television forever.

V was a landmark miniseries that transformed alien invasion into political allegory, drawing forty percent of American viewers in 1983 with its chilling re-imagining of fascist takeover. Kenneth Johnson's original vision, Nazis as lizards, became a cultural phenomenon that spawned sequels, a weekly series, and a devoted cult following that persists decades later.

This complete guide examines the entire V franchise with the enthusiasm it deserves and the critical honesty its contradictions demand. From the original miniseries' sophisticated exploration of occupation and resistance, through The Final Battle's spectacular escalation, to the weekly series' ambitious struggles and ultimate collapse, author Adrian Sherlock chronicles how brilliant political allegory evolved into 1980s camp, and why both matter.

Inside you'll discover:

• Complete episode-by-episode guide to all 19 broadcast episodes
• In-depth profiles of Jane Badler's iconic Diana and Michael Ironside's brutal Ham Tyler
• Behind-the-scenes production challenges, including the Dominique Dunne tragedy
• Honest assessment of what worked brilliantly and what failed spectacularly
• The franchise's lasting influence on science fiction television

For everyone who remembers spray-painting that blood-red V. Featuring cover art by Kevin Langille.