Image via ABC
John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.
Fans finally know exactly when they can look forward to the return of The Greatest American Hero.
Per Bleeding Cool, comic book publisher and distributor AMP Comics has officially announced the release date for the hotly anticipated return of The Greatest American Hero. The new series will not only be written by Don Handfield and illustrated by artist Alper Gelcel, but its creative team also features the original Greatest American Hero himself — William Katt. The Greatest American Hero from AMP Comics makes its debut on May 2 with a Free Comic Book Day special featuring cover art by David Mack.
Free Comic Book Day 2026 The Greatest American Hero #1
- Written by DON HANDFIELD
- Art by ALPER GELCEL
- Main cover art by DAVID MACK
The official solicit synopsis for Free Comic Book Day 2026 The Greatest American Hero #1 from AMP Comics reads, "He's back. The bumbling superhero from the hit '80s TV show returns to reconnect with his son—who only knows him as the 'crazy man in red pajamas.' Seven days. One suit. A final sacrifice. The Greatest American Hero gets the ending he deserved."
What Is The Greatest American Hero?
Image via ABCThe original The Greatest American Hero television series was created by Stephen J. Cannell and starred William Katt as Ralph Hinkley, an otherwise ordinary high school teacher who becomes an unlikely superhero after a chance encounter with a benevolent extraterrestrial force. Thanks to his incredible suit, Ralph is capable of flight, telekinesis, psychometry, and wields a whole host of other abilities that seemingly never end.
Alongside Katt, The Greatest American Hero starred Robert Culp, Connie Sellecca, Faye Grant, Jesse D. Goines, Michael Paré, William Bogert, and Don Cervantes. The original series ran for 45 episodes (five of which never aired) across three seasons before coming to a close in 1983.
Three years later, the main cast of the original series returned to produce a pilot episode for The Greatest American Heroine, which would have seen Mary Ellen Stuart's Holly Hathaway take up Ralph's old mantle. While the pilot never aired, it wasn't the franchise's only attempt at a reboot.
In 2018, ABC signed Hannah Simone on as the star of a reboot of The Greatest American Hero, which had been in development for years at different networks by that time. Once again, this project was ultimately shuttered after ABC decided against picking up the series for a full first season run.
The upcoming AMP Comics series was announced back in 2025, and marks the second comic book series based on the original show after Arcana's short-lived 2008 run at the title, which was notable for completely avoiding using any likenesses from the TV series. Fortunately for fans of the original, AMP Comics' The Greatest American Hero looks to be recreating the classic cast almost entirely.
Back in September 2025, The Greatest American Hero writer Don Handfield said of the series, "The Greatest American Hero was ahead of its time—quirky, heartfelt, and deeply human. We’re honored to continue its legacy and couldn’t be more excited to have William Katt involved every step of the way. Being a part of this franchise is a boyhood dream come true."
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