Tag Archives: amp comics

The Greatest American Hero returns with William Katt on Board

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The Greatest American Hero

AMP Comics has acquired the comic book publishing rights to the beloved cult classic The Greatest American Hero. The groundbreaking superhero series, which originally aired from 1981–1983, will return in an all-new comic series premiering in 2026—led by an all-star team that includes the original Hero himself, William Katt, as Executive Producer.

In a move that’s sure to thrill longtime fans, Katt will also reprise his iconic role as Ralph Hinkley—this time in comic form—bringing the character back to life in a new storyline that stays true to the original series’ heart and humor.

The creative team behind the reboot features Tawnia McKiernan, daughter of the late series creator and TV legend Stephen J.Cannell, alongside Don Handfield, CEO of AMP Comics, who will co-break the story. Handfield will write the initial arc with other writers, including AMP Editor-in-Chief Joshua Malkin, set to step in for subsequent issues.

The series is slated for release in 2026, with plans to feature signings and a fan celebration at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, where Katt and other cast members will reunite to promote the launch.

The Greatest American Hero marks the company’s first venture into licensed titles, bringing AMP’s commitment to quality storytelling to a cherished classic.

Believe it or not… he’s back.

AMP Comics Launches with partnerships with The Op, Script2Comic, and Kodansha

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AMP Comics

AMP Comics has announced its planned launch in 2025 with distribution through Diamond in the direct market and Simon & Schuster in the bookstore market. AMP brings together several film and comic industry veterans to establish a sustainable, creator-first publishing model. With a focus on quality over quantity and effective marketing, AMP is dedicated to benefiting both creators and readers alike.

AMP has secured a first-look deal with The Op aka USAopoly, giving the board game giant the first opportunity to create games based on AMP’s books. Additionally, AMP is now the official publisher of the Script2Comic Contest, with the 2024 winner’s work set to be financed and published in partnership with Kodansha Japan.

Leading AMP Comics as CEO is Don Handfield, a seasoned comic creator whose first book, The Rift, was adapted for television by Steven Spielberg for the Amazing Stories reboot on Apple+. Handfield is also a successful film producer and TV creator. His extensive entertainment industry experience, combined with his roles as a partner in comic financier Thunder and former board member of Scout Comics, uniquely position him to guide AMP Comics into board games, videogames, film, television, and other mediums.

Joshua Starnes, a founding partner of Red 5 Comics, takes on the role of President. David Byrne, creator of indie hits such as Stake and former co-publisher at Scout Comics, will oversee release and development strategy as Publisher. Joining them are Joel Rodriguez as Design Director, Joshua Malkin as Editor-in-Chief, and Jordan Moore as Director of Development. Additional partners and advisory board members will be announced in the coming weeks.

AMP Comics will operate as a boutique creator-based label, focusing on a select number of high-quality titles that are marketed effectively and provide transparent and timely royalties to creators. Among its exciting lineup of launch titles, MC Foley’s LoveStruck has already been picked up for development as a television series by Ryan Reynolds’ production company Maximum Effort.

Other AMP launch titles include House of Lowther by writer-artist K Lynn Smith, Lost Boy: The Origin of Peter Pan, Kronos, a sci-fi thriller by Alain Soussokho, and Saving Santa, a Christmas story by Arun Narayanan.

Additionally, Honour Bound, an origin story of Robin Hood by Omri Rose, Ambergris, a World War II historical epic by Jacobo Fe Gismera, and the recent Horror2Comic winner Hillbillies vs. Alien Chickens from Nicholas Tana will be featured. Indie hit She Bites will also see all future volumes published by the new label.

SDCC 2024: AMP Comics promises a new era

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AMP SDCC 2024 Panel

Comic enthusiasts and industry insiders are in for an exciting revelation at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con with the official launch of AMP, a new indie comic label. This highly anticipated panel, “AMP Up Your Comic Collection: A New Era Begins,” will take place on Friday, July 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in Room Grand 10 & 11 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

AMP is set to make an impact on the comic world through its partnerships with Kodansha board game publisher The Op and production companies including Maximum Effort. Attendees will be among the first to hear about Kodansha’s role in producing the inaugural AMP/Script2Comic collaboration in the USA, with potential for worldwide manga publication.

This panel will provide a unique glimpse into the future of AMP Comics and its innovative partnerships that bridge comics, manga, and gaming. Panelists will discuss the collaborative efforts and creative processes behind these ventures, offering valuable insights for creators and fans alike.

Panelists Include:

  • AMP Executives and Creators
  • Kevin Hill – Maximum Effort
  • Representatives from Kodansha
  • Representatives from The Op