Ok, I was browsing through the Freedom Force-related threads and saw Avalon's recent skin of The Greatest American Hero (http://www.tvcrazy.net/tvclassics/wallpaper/oldshows/greatest-american/greatest-american-hero.jpg) (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 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/dltesterzfd/zhong.gif) ("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?
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
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.
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.
Well when this was aired in china it was called "Sky Flying Red Center Hero". :D
Quote from: danhagen on January 30, 2008, 08:40:16 AM
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!!!!