Toy-Ventures: V toys and bootlegs- The Visitors

Toy-Ventures this week is all about the groundbreaking TV mini-series, and it's many sequels. We talk about the merchandise, weep for the cancelled action figure and rejoice in the bootleg toys that have come in from around the world. Also, I talk about my 40-year crush on a Lizard lady, I know I can change her...
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#v #thevisitors #80stoys #80stv
Topics discussed, Marc Singer, Kenneth Johnson, NBC, V mini series, V the final battle, Warner Brothers, V the series, Ham Tyler, Mike Donavan, Jane Badler, Funko, Super 7, Mego, Gago, Argentina, Rack Toys, Toy-Ventures Magazine, Michael Ironside, June Chadwick, Duncan Reghar, Robert Englund, Willie, Mothership, Faye Grant, Julie, Star Child, Jeff Yeager, lizards, LJN toys, Italian toys, British Annuals, DC Comics, Puffy Stickers, Merchandise

[@jalexander1105]

When Robert Englund became famous for Freddy, I always remembered him as Willy, and still do.

[@monsterforge884]

Mego. Definitely Mego.

[@camcordernonsense5264]

i remember my dad grading papers and mumbling about V turning i to a soap opera. i did not understand. i still loved it. why didnt we get more toys? even earlier while the popularity was going strong. when my dad read outloud it was going off the air, i went outside and stood in our yard staring down at the plants growing in the rocks of our driveway for a long time.

[@arctrooper999]

Oh when I saw the original mini series I wanted that V Shuttle the kid plays with so bad. Me and a friend added the Visitors to our Star Wars adventures using our Millennium Falcons as motherships and Klatuu figures as Visitors unmasked. We threw in a little Dune so the rebels and imperials were fighting Visitors for spice. Good times.

[@japewisteria]

"You're in my way, piglet." Michael Ironside always gets the greatest entrances...

[@inspector2363]

You can pinpoint the exact moment Ironside decided to quit to when they put Ham Tyler in a Santa suit.😁

[@Dorelaxen]

See you at da pahty Richter!

[@reesepacker7983]

@@inspector2363 for me it was nearly in the first episode when they killed Martin ..only to use the tired old daytime soap story line of twin brother...one biggest flaws of the show having that large ensemble cast carry over from the mini series...imo the show would have worked better if featured the stories of the Freedom Network by Howard K Smith featuring different cast members every week in different cities and towns all over the country

[@inspector2363]

​ @reese packer the biggest jump the shark moment was near the end of the run, when Donovan & Julie infiltrated the mothership wearing their own faces over Lizard make-up on top of their real faces. Oh, and the "cliffhanger" were Kyle apparently sneaks aboard the Leader's shuttle following Elizabeth & a captured Diana claims to have planted a bomb, with all eyes on the single open door. Might as well write off the weekly series as a Dallas style dream, at that point.

[@reesepacker7983]

@@inspector2363 yes i would have to agree with that...not mention the those lizard faces looked so chessey...thats too bad because only 2 later shows like TNG would do soooo much better practical masks and make up ..yeah the show's formula was pretty much a combo of dynasty /dallas and The A Team ..im not surprised NBC didnt actually do cross over episodes with The A Team , Knight Rider and Hunter ....yeah the cliff hanger that never was ..heck even Galactica 1980 had much better final episode the "V" the series

[@elcowabungahe-man6156]

Great video Mego should get the license

[@DarkAlex1978]

Yep, V was pretty popular here in Italy and as child I had that bendy figure. I'd totally forgotten about it until I've seen your video and "boom", the memories came back. I played with that figure a lot: it battled against various japanese robots, Mego Spider-Man, He-Man, Red Falcon from the Micronauts and.... well, basically against all the toys I had XDXD I always wondered if the Visitors toys showcased in the series were the prototypes for a future toyline.

[@ViewpointProd]

Infamously, ARCO had the rights to V, and had produced a roleplay weapon for the line, though the series was canned, that tooling still got decent use as a generic laser pistol, infamously badged under ROBOTECH.

[@andre816149]

germany too as an 80s child it was one of my favorite series thanks for showing👍

[@inspector2363]

A Visitor Lizard mask (with added neck fins) made a cameo in "Earth Girls are Easy" in a dream sequence.

[@yandman26]

I was six when this launched and it terrified and excited me equally. This tv program went beyond and definitely equalled much of Hollywood productions of the time.

[@themegaroadproject3014]

They actually made a vintage visitor blaster toy. One was cast in red and it was under bravestar line, they also released the full visitor rifle, under robotech, and a generic version. Both were modular, shot darts and were awesome. I owned the generic version.

[@Schush]

We had the same... major $'s now

[@RVCollects]

So Webster was responsible for V demise! Lol

[@BrickMantooth]

He didn't help that's for sure.

[@brunobillion3435]

The LJN 12" figure is brilliant. Got this and the sunglasses

[@markives9257]

I think Hottoys should take control of this one. Diana season 1 final battle look. Sculpted hair and real(nylon) hair. Removable faceplate. Lizard face underneath. Also flicking tongue action feature. She'd be on a seamless body. She'd come in her signature burnt orange and red jump suit and tunic. Black. Black boots. Her blaster and black bullet proof vest. She also come with a mini poster from the show. Visitors are our friends/ V freindship posters. Sunglasses for sure. I'd buy that for sure.

[@BrickMantooth]

That would be my first hot toy

[@jenniferleigh383]

I was ten and cried when they cancelled it! Lol Mego definitely should do it! I mean, they made a Potsy doll for crying out loud! Lol.

[@TheMovieDawgs]

MEGO needs to jump on this one!!!

[@bgiles73]

Yes absolutely Brian, I agree with you that Mego and Super7 would be great choices to make these! Please use whatever influence you have with Marty, Paul and Joel to make that happen! Ramen Toys has been showing a Diana prototype in 6” but I really want some 3 3/4” Reaction Figures from Super7 and 8” Megos.

[@camcordernonsense5264]

I'd love reaction figures of them!

[@brunobillion3435]

Nema in the UK is releasing some retro style figures later this year

[@eltenda]

" v " action figures in 2023 ? I'm in! 😊 great video as usual!! I don't remember seeing a lot of items back in italy...the series was very famous back in time!

[@necron99.aka-sammyboy92]

Your V video is way more extensive than my favorite YT channel, as well as Lost Galaxies. I am newer here,but.... Ive already bought some merch n stuff. You , Dave S. and The JM are the best out there!!

[@dannyvestal299]

Bro, I remember when I was a kid and this first came out. It would run for several nights..So dang cool, it was before its time! I remember in the 80s, that main evil Brunette with the puffy hair I thought was so hot!🤣Thanks for the nostalgia! Love it! Subbed and Liked!👍🏼

[@Dorelaxen]

NECA wouldn't be a bad company to get the license. Yeah, they're pricey, but you'd get figures with all the different heads and whatnot, so they'd each be fairly complete. Super 7 would be nice, too, but they'd probably be online only and their quality control is sort of hit or miss at times. Also every figure would come with 6 sets of hands.

[@__-wm9lu]

Super 7 is trash and is so overpriced

[@DiceStationZebra]

fbi beverages, wow, haven’t thought of that in decades. Great video, I LOVED ‘V’.

[@BrickMantooth]

I loved FBI as a kid.

[@LightOfReason7]

V was really cool and I loved it as a kid and still like it

[@PeepshowMenagerie]

Ramen Toys would be a great company to put these out officially and at a good price too! Did you see their A-Team Van?

[@curtisnewton895]

one of the best show ever

[@wmnoe]

I LOVED V and made my own V Fanzines back in the day. I still need a V Action figure though, and I really need to get the V- Customs that are being made on Etsy. The guy who makes them is awesome!

[@christhornsberry3897]

I remember being totally freaked out when they ripped off the human face. I would love to see some super seven figures.

[@camcordernonsense5264]

my dad was recording it so he could mow. it was daylight outside. that face tear off got me going. couldn't find anyone to reassure me my world was alright.

[@cheayunju]

So fun. When I was in 4th grade, Friday night was V night with my best friend. Either at his house or mine, parents were commanded to order us pizza so we could feast while watching our sophisticated sci-fi drama. Like Thudaar the Barbarian, we were bemused a line of toys (especially that amazing shuttle) never came out.

[@mharg6408]

Many thanks for this video, V was a big succes in Argentina back then !! I had the ship aircraft from Galgo (an Argentine toy factory) and think still is in the athic, I must find.

[@BrickMantooth]

Very cool!

[@Scotty-Z70]

i LOVED THIS SHOW!!! Wish they made toys. i have a Christmas ornament of the V-Shuttle

[@mem1701movies]

I was pretty mad when it was a cliffhanger

[@marcpleass6219]

Arco did some amazing V themed kids dart gun weapons. Visitors Lazer rifle, hand blaster gun, resistance uzi, m16 and some hand pistols.

[@jambogb]

In Italy this show was MASSIVE back then! Too bad we never had any official toy available ☹

[@GreyhawkGrognard]

I loved both mini-series and even the TV series. Never really got into the toys, though. I was in college by then, and toys weren't a priority.

[@h.b.hatecraft953]

Mego figures of V all the way.

[@Schush]

I would love to see a future Plaid Stallions podcast tackle V. There was a toy pistol with the Robotech branding that you can piece meal to replicate the Visitors' rifle.

[@travishiltz4750]

Loved V as a kid. It freaked me out whenever a Visitor peeled their face off. Liked the two minis, and I remember watching a couple episodes of the series and owning a couple issues of the comics. Did not know they did any toys, but do remember seeing some tie in paperbacks.

[@NoordinaryTeacher]

❤ this show. Still have fond memories of eating popcorn on the couch watching this on Friday night.

[@necron99.aka-sammyboy92]

V , The 2.0 was a good show too imo. I wish that and Alien Nation got their respect that they deserved.

[@steveharrison9901]

I believe LJN also released a ‘role play’ toy of the pistol. It’s rattling around in storage somewhere. What I recall is it was molded in red with a silver holster. I THINK it came with the parts to convert it into the rifle but I recall that as not done well. I have memories of the pistol being a friction sparker but I might be thinking of something else. I know it didn’t have electronics. I’m kind of a nut about role play toys and toy guns you see… 😄

[@CoachOta]

I was all in on V when it was on and after the two mini-series I endured the ongoing TV series every week. I was even reading the novelization and follow on books like V: East Coast Crisis. I did get a Visitor doll on clearance but it didn't really fit with the smaller scale action figures I was playing with at the time. If the Visitor shuttle craft was produced, I'm sure I would've gotten those. For modern figures, maybe Mego would be ok. There might be a chance for a visitor mask effect like the old 12" doll and Mego figures could try to replicate 80s big hair!

[@anty2020]

We definitely need the V toys back.. I would love to see a decent figure of Steven from V. One that has almost Hot Toys standard about it. I would buy without a doubt. Can you imagine the lovely orangey red costumes on these figures? Fantastic.

[@bonebreakingaction6815]

40 year anniversary God im old. Who new this was based on a true story back then

[@chrishight6598]

Would love to see Mego or Brentz dolls get the "V" line. I would be afraid that NECA would make the "V" figures in 6 inch scale. The Webster cut was hilarious.

[@adorkability]

I loved V! I have the LJN Visitor figure and at one time had an autographed poster of Jane Badler as Diana. I have a moderate collection of Funko POPS and have both the Visitor and Diana figures, but I would really like Mego to get the license.

[@lazer-ape]

biffbangpow would have made a great v toyline in the 2000s

[@mczilla8628]

I loved that show i remember my mom freaking out when they ate the rat!!!! It was a sci fi geeks dream come true and when you found out they were lizards that took it to another level. I wouldn't mind Neca getting the license or Super 7 do it up old school star wars style!

[@SJK-ROW-K]

ReAction would be a great for this - could even get a V shuttle in 1.18 scale

[@mr.t-rash1579]

I could be mistaken, I “thought” I seen a prototype action figure made by a company called Ramen toy. This is the same company making the mask figures, and vehicles from the 80’s toy line.🤔 It wasn’t painted, it was in its gray prototype form.

[@captlazer5509]

Mego making V characters would be awesome but it would be hilarious if an out of no where toy company take a crack at it. Even trashy V action figures sounds like fun.

[@albertomorales9493]

ha ha ha I had a major crush on Diana too!

[@jasonking3182]

Alien Nation could really use a timely reboot.

[@jdamico3016]

Mattel n Netflix to do a continuation of the series even if animated. I appreciated both versions of V. Loved the modernization of the ABC series.

[@lovetosee2323]

Great choice for content! Wondering why Mego who I think would be ideal choice to make new action figures hasn't snatched it up yet. The feedback I heard was most likely licensing problems from network preventing it. There was follow up remake of V series done in early 2000's they made no toys from that.

[@markshulusky6680]

Oh no! Webster! AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh....!

[@necron99.aka-sammyboy92]

V is very popular in Japan! In fact, the V soft b back books were taking place In Japan. The book I read I liked! Y'all should read them

[@geomojo6635]

I'd like to see Boss Fight Studios pick up the license for a 1/18 scale line.

[@alexnejako777]

they missed the boat on making a 3 3/4 line for the show with both Visitors and the Resistance . kids would have bought them.

[@admiralseabass8993]

I had a toy (plastic) pistol in the 80s that looked identical to the V pistol. I believe I also saw it as part of a larger set where the pistol was part of a rifle. Did anyone else have these or see these? I believe they were knock offs but I am not sure.

[@albertomorales9493]

Playmobile V would be ok too

[@hopel2098]

I have the Funko-pop Diana & I knitted a Diana doll

[@BrickMantooth]

Fun!

[@ZombieFBody]

I grabbed the Pops last year. I hope Super 7 can come through. Ultimates and Reaction. I think Ramen Toys hinted at doing something. I'd love to see NECA give us a Diana. 8" cloth or 7" plastic. They did ALF, a cloth line one-off would work for them. They knocked Elvira out of the park, use the same body here. They could do red and white uniform versions.

[@JAbell1966]

While it would be great from Super7 to get the license for Re:Action I would really love to see S7 tackle the characters as Ultimates! They'd probably only get a wave or two out the property at that scale/price point but I think that would be enough. Honestly, they could probably get away with one male Visitor body and one female with multiple heads for the various characters, do a second run in the white uniforms with a different set of heads which could be swapped across waves and you'd be pretty good...

[@dubuyajay9964]

Hiya Toys. Their toys have more articulation than Super 7.

[@BrickMantooth]

I have to look into them.

[@dubuyajay9964]

@BrickMantooth I would suggest their Robocop line of figures especially. And Predator.

[@StillABigKid]

London Weekend Television originally broadcast V on sunday evenings, so I was too young to watch it first go. I'm gonna go left field, and suggest Goodsmile Company from Japan to make model kits of the ships. If they're able to get the license to Mega Force, then anything is possible with that company

[@Scotty-Z70]

i would love to see Mego versions, but i so want the figures that were in the movie. If Super7 got the license then i can't afford their prices. $17 for a 1:18 figure is harsh. I love the scale, especially if we get space ships.

[@TsukiCondor]

I've been meaning to check it out, I actually own the novelization by A.C. Crispin

[@mrhaltius1790]

BEWARE the Webster!!! 😂 I love V but Evil Webster was my favorite part of the video.🤣

[@KONEY.INDUSTRIAL]

I'd kill for some Kenner starwars like toys!!

[@camcordernonsense5264]

other countries got access to so much awful and cool at the same time toys!

[@jamessaltzburg9549]

Great show. Agree it was a bad Weekly series though. I'd love to see a company like valaverse get V as a 6 inch articulated modern figure, but For 3 and 3/4 inch spinmasters or jazz wares both seem to get making affordable vehicles so

[@brotherkellymatthewbarnes8882]

I would like Valaverse to get the license for all of the: V. ; Planet of the Apes; Buck Rogers in the 25th century ; Logan's Run; Space Academy; Jason Of Star Command; Ark II, Wizards & Warriors; and the Six Million Dollar Man verse Shows and other story forms. (comics & Novels to name a few.) in their 7 inch format.

[@antonmassopust568]

Great video is always yes, the visitors are friends just remember that and it came out of a book called this can't happen here I always thought that that was really interesting. The comic book wasn't too bad, But the television series became a planet of the Apes with lizards and when they even ride horses and so forth, it was not a bad idea but I wish that they had done a lot better and that administrators each week. The idea would have been a better idea than a

[@ChrisCooling]

great job. You clarified some info about some of these, and these details will make it into my next podcast on V. To me it seems that Italian bendy Visitor is a repurposed something else. Any clue what it originally was?

[@bernsk]

Neca would be perfect

[@simonslee73]

Lobos Collectibles in Australia produced 3 figurines (non poseable) based on the LNJ toys either 2021 or 2022, they look quite good, but yeah I’d love to see Super 7 do them…and the ship from the show!

[@alannevin2490]

It was aired in 84 not 83! Tut tut !

[@heathgoff4785]

Mego and Re-Action! Maybe. LJN did it better in the 70s with Emergency and other shows.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Didn’t the gorn make a guest appearance on V?

[@garyhoutz1540]

Pure silly cheese.

[@markives9257]

Shhhhh, they'll hear you.

[@andrewhoffman4245]

The rat eater

[@jameslamasters5254]

May a Visitor eat your spleen for using the Dukes of Hazzard movie to represent the '70s/80s TV show. That is even more of an abomination than the human/lizard hybrid Star-Child during the nightmare sequence...

[@jamespero6803]

I remember buying the 12in ljn figure. It fought my ljn Michael Jackson

[@markives9257]

I bet the vistor doll was horrified when confronted with Michaels mask.

[@tl1110]

Really? You couldn't even use the right photo for the Dukes of Hazzard?

[@BrickMantooth]

Or perhaps you missed the intended sarcasm.

[@reymed1670]

Ko rule

[@3dartistguy]

I liked V the mini-series but the series was AWFUL.

[@shtdaprdtr]

Super 7 needs to pick up V and do a reaction release of the prototype figures and vehicles like they did for alien, and for the powers of grayskull line.