In the 1980s, the three American television networks of the day (NBC, ABC, CBS) competed with lavish mini-series budgeted far higher than their usual fare. NBC offered a story so big it took two mini-series a year apart to tell, asking what the United States would do if it were put in the position of Vichy France. Aliens euphemistically dubbed "Visitors" (hence the "V") claim they come in peace but quickly turn America into a collaborating totalitarian regime which is ultimately freed by a brand of brave rebels.
The success of the original story led to a brief ongoing TV series and comic book series, neither of which managed to keep the magic going for very long. The comic book featured DC stalwart Cary Bates, writing for Infantino (returned from a stint drawing Star Wars for Marvel) and DeZuniga.
This page appears near the end of a story in which the Visitors have been driven away from another town by humans. Devon the alien captain returns in ignominy to his spaceship as he tries to think how he can spin this defeat for his superiors. Look at the poor guy slumping in his chair!
