Greatest American Hero question

[zuludelta]

Ok, I was browsing through the Freedom Force-related threads and saw Avalon's recent skin of The Greatest American Hero (the dude from the early 1980s TV show). Now, I'd almost forgotten about this (I first noticed the symbol when I was a kid), but has it ever been explained why his insignia is the Chinese character ("zhong"), which translates literally to "center" (also used as the symbol referring to "China")? Is it anything more than a coincidence? How likely would it be that some random superhero logo would end up looking like a specific Chinese ideogram?

[El Condor]

Unfortunately, the explanation is not as mystical or spiritual as one might hope.  The show's creator, Stephen Cannell, explained in that the design idea came from a odd-looking set of square-handled scissors sitting on his desk.   <_<

I give all due credit to IMDB and a related fan site for this info.  Apparently, the actual interview where Cannell recounts this is on the DVD set of the series.  Who'd a thunk they'd even produce one?

EC

BTW:  Thanks, Zulu - now that durned tune is stuck in my head! "Believe it or not, IIIII'm walkin' on air..."  :P

[zuludelta]

Well, that's an underwhelming explanation. I didn't even know the show was collected on DVD... I don't usually go out of my way to re-watch stuff from my childhood, but I might make an exception for this one... it's one of the first English-language programs I ever saw (along with The Electric Company), and it probably played a huge role in developing my lifelong interest in comic books and superheroes.

[danhagen]

Not only is the series collected on DVD, but you can buy all three seasons together in a set with a full-sized Ralph Hinckley cape, is you really want to geek out.

[Ajax]

Well when this was aired in china it was called "Sky Flying Red Center Hero". :D

[thalaw2]

Not only is the series collected on DVD, but you can buy all three seasons together in a set with a full-sized Ralph Hinckley cape, is you really want to geek out.

ROTFLMAO!!!!