David Mack Speaks To Tripwire About The Greatest American Hero And More

Painting His Own Creative Path

Tripwire’s contributing writer recently spoke to comic artist David Mack about his plans for 2026.

TRIPWIRE: You recently shared online an image of a new cover you painted. It is for a comic based on the short-lived early 1980’s superhero TV series The Greatest American Hero. You indicated that at a young age you were a fan of the series. Could you describe your memories of watching the show? Why did you enjoy it? My research found me tapping my toe to the opening theme tune, so was that part of the appeal?

DAVID MACK:  I was rooting for the hero to get it together- no matter how much he didn’t have it all working, he still kept trying and would find a way to make it work.  He still gave it all his effort even though he didn’t always know what he was doing or how to do it 🙂

It was my favourite TV show when I was in 3rd grade 🙂

TW: How did the cover come about? On paper (if you’ll excuse the pun) it seems like a rather fun and light-hearted departure for you as an artist. May I ask, what was the brief? How did you approach creating it? Is it a one-off or might you be return to the character?

DM:   Yes, the writer Don Handfield from AMP Comics asked me to contribute the cover and I was happy to do so because the TV show was so magical to me as a young kid.  I approached it just from where my mind left off as a kid.  The magic and wonder of the character. This week we had a signing set up at ComicsPro for Don & I to sign with the actor William Katt at the event for retailers to make them aware of the new comic series.

TW: I understand the cover has been produced for AMP Comics as part of what will be a Free Comics Day giveaway. As a creator, are you similar to many comic fans, so do you rush to your local comic shop on Free Comics Day to discover new and exciting comics you might have otherwise missed out on being exposed to or enjoying?

DM: For FCBD each year, I’m usually signing at one of my favourite comic shops.  For years, it was FCBD signing at my childhood comic shop of Comic Book World.  Last few years, it’s been Golden Apple in Los Angeles.

TW: While I have the opportunity to ask a couple of questions can I please ask, what are your current comic reading habits? Are there any new titles or creators you follow or that you would recommend to other comic fans?

DM: I’m enjoying some up and coming creators like Federico Mele and Tony Moy and Don Nyguen, who I often see on my travels at conventions.  I’m right now creating art for an Italian book with Federico Mele from Mirage Comics, my favourite Italian publisher that is publishing all of my Kabuki in Italian.  They also publish just in Italian hardcovers of my books: Cover with Brian Bendis, My children’s book The Shy Creatures and my cat stories Butterfly Effect & Mews all in HC.

TW: From a convention point of view, do you have any plans to appear at any event in the UK or Europe this year?

DM: I will be signing in Italy in April at Lake Como and in May in Naples.  I very much look forward to it.

All my books in hardcover and Italian will be timed to be at these shows from Mirage Comics.

TW: Finally, is there anything you would like to promote? What are you working on currently? What should your fans expect from you in 2026? …. or are there projects that are in the works that you are sworn to secrecy about?

DM:  I am also currently working on Vol 2 of our creator owned series called Cover with Brian Michael Bendis, which is inspired by my overseas work for the US State Dept.  Vol 1 is at Dark Horse Comics right now.

Working on my 3rd story in the Cat trilogy: Mewzic which will be out at San Diego ComicCon.

Working on all the covers to the new Alias Jessica Jones series.  And working on new art for the promo of the new Daredevil Born Again TV series!  Season 2 comes out in March. And see DD Born Again season 1 which has a lot of my work in each episode of the show 🙂

And today I am working on a cover to Absolute Batman 🙂