Readers are ready to welcome back one of pop culture’s most beloved TV heroes.
Los Angeles, CA — Amp Comics’ Free Comic Book Day edition of The Greatest American Hero Issue #1 sold out at both the distributor and retail level, leaving roughly 4,000 units on backorder. The publisher has announced an expanded retail release of Issue #1 this July, followed by a 45th anniversary crowdfunding campaign. Fans who want to be notified of the campaign launch, get access to early bird exclusive content, and show their support are encouraged to click here to follow the pre-launch page which is now live!
“Fans have made it absolutely clear that they want more of The Greatest American Hero,” said Don Handfield, CEO of Amp Comics. “We are thrilled to honor this milestone anniversary by giving them exactly that.”
First debuting in 1981, the TV series followed a hapless substitute teacher gifted a powerful alien suit — and an instruction manual he promptly lost. Forty-five years later, the property remains a beloved touchstone of American pop culture, and the FCBD sell-out confirms the appetite is stronger than ever.
The 45th Anniversary Kickstarter campaign, launching this August, will offer an exclusive hardcover edition of the graphic novel penned by Hollywood Writer/Producer Don Handfield (The Founder, Amazing Stories), from a story he created with Tawnia McKiernan, daughter of series creator Stephen J. Cannell. He is joined by his Co-Writer Joshua Malkin (Widow, The Source), with illustrations by Alper Geçgel (Prodigal Son). Original star William Katt is also part of the creative process as Executive Producer while lending his likeness to the series. The campaign will also feature limited edition merchandise — T-shirts, belt buckles, and rare items signed by Katt himself. Tawnia and her sister, Chelsea Cannell Briggs are actively involved and committed to honoring their father’s legacy by reviving the character he created.
The Greatest American Hero Issue #1, written by Handfield from a story co-written with McKiernan, hits shelves through Massive Indies / Lunar Distribution on July 29th, 2026. Fans who missed the FCBD edition can pre-order now at their local comic book retailer. Additional variant cover announcements are coming soon.
Fans can follow the 45th Anniversary campaign now at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ampcomics/the-greatest-american-hero-45th-anniversary-graphic-novel
ABOUT AMP COMICS
AMP Comics is an independent publisher bringing bold, character-driven storytelling to audiences worldwide with original and licensed IP across comics, film, and television. Its catalog — including The Greatest American Hero, House of Lowther, NeverWars, and Prodigal Son — is distributed through Simon & Schuster, Diamond, Universal, and Lunar Distribution via Massive Indies. AMP Comics is rapidly establishing itself as a leading incubator of independent IP with properties in active development with Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort, Westbrook Entertainment (Bel-Air, Cobra Kai), and Brownstone (Elizabeth Banks). Amp is the official publisher of the Script2Comic Contest and is expanding internationally with Kyojin, developed in partnership with Kodansha Japan, due in 2027. Its debut feature film, WIDOW, starring Abigail Cowen, Lou Diamond Phillips and Jackie Earle Haley is currently in post-production.
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