Hop Harrigan™

Character History

History & Public Domain Status

Hop Harrigan™, AKA Hopkins Harrigan, first appeared in All-American Comics #1 in 1939, published by All-American Publications (later merged with DC). Billed as “America’s Ace of the Airways,” Hop was a civilian pilot turned adventurer, drawn into wartime exploits alongside his mechanic pal “Tank” Tinker. He became one of the first aviation heroes in comics, even starring in a 1946 Columbia Pictures movie serial.

Under the Copyright Act of 1909, which was in effect at the time, works were granted an initial copyright term of 28 years. To secure the full protection, the copyright had to be renewed during the last (28th) year of that first term, 1967. No such renewal was filed as far as we have been able to determine.

Later DC appearances, reimaginings, and trademarks remain under protection, but the character’s earliest form is freely available for new works.

Current Incarnation (PDSH)

In our stories, Hop Harrigan remains the daring young pilot of the skies — but one shaped by scars both physical and emotional. Reimagined with a prosthetic leg forged by wartime ingenuity, Hop symbolizes resilience and adaptation.

He partners with Spy Smasher™ as a trusted ally and foil, the man who keeps the mission flying even when the hero falters. Hop’s legacy is not just aviation daring, but survival against the odds, carrying forward the restless spirit of the air.

Trademark Note:

Public Domain Super Heroes has filed a Trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office as of November 2025 on "Hop Harrigan™" to protect our use of the character. Our work uses only the public domain character and in no way infringes on any trademark held by anyone else.