Hannibal Thompson knew it would be difficult to exceed the thrill of entertaining U.S. troops during a 2015-2017 run.

“It was my first tour. It was great,” Thompson remembers. “It really gave me a sense to go back and read up a lot of stuff with the military. It made me more appreciative of the military.”

That swing through Kuwait, South Korea, and Japan was the career highlight for the Vallejo High School graduate, class of 2005 — until now. Or, more specifically, Aug. 4, with Thompson’s solo one-hour comedy special, “Out of Control,” unveiled on nearly 50 cable platforms, including Amazon Prime, Comcast Infinity, and Dish.

The show has been in the works for a few years, Thompson said by phone.

“I wanted it to be the right comedy special at the right time,” he said. “I took the time to make sure the comedy was crisp and it worked.”

The live recording was a six-camera shoot last October in Sacramento at the 217-seat Guild Theater in front of a sold-out audience.

“It was nerves” as Thompson stepped onstage. “But I always get nervous excitement. I had sold the place out a day before the show and I get really excited about that. The people are there to see you. That’s a different level of excitement.”

Thompson knew five minutes in that he had the fans in the palm of his hands.

“The first joke tells you whether it’ll be a good set or not,” the stand-up said.

And when his hour was up, “again, excited, because it went really well,” Thompson said. “There were laughs all through the show. There weren’t any dead spots. And it comes through preparation.”

Sure, Thompson said, what the home audience sees Aug. 4 “took a lot of editing,” including an introductory sketch spotlighting Thompson’s colorful characters.

When it was all said and done, there were no regrets, he said.

“I was happy from top to bottom, start to finish,” Thompson said, delighted with not just the final product, but his financial arrangement with the production company, Comedy Dynamics.

Though most comics have their struggles at some point, Thompson said he never lost hope that his career would get to this level.

“I’m a strong believer that if you put the work in, most likely things will happen,” he said. “I’ve been dong stand-up 10 years strong. I knew, eventually, something would happen as long as I kept working.”

Thompson says “Out of Control” has universal appeal.

“I do material just about life in general,” he said. “It’s not about one demographic.”

As the oldest of nine kids, growing up “generated a lot of material,” Thompson said, realizing early that “life is funny.”

“Growing up was really funny. As I became an adult, life became funnier,” he said, fondly recalling “laughing at my little brothers with my cousins. I used to give my then-youngest brother a hard time in a good way.”

The family’s four girls and five boys “are really close” with all in Northern California, said Thompson.

Not surprising, “everyone’s excited to see” his solo special.

“Especially being on the big platform,” Thompson said.

Thompson said many globally will see he’s one funny guy when “Out of Control” is launched.

“Millions of people,” he said. “I just hope it expands my career across the world and shows the world my true talent.”

Thompson hopes “Out of Control” leads to TV and movie work.

“I would just want to play someone who’s fun and who I can have fun with,” he said. “I think I have my own style. And there’s not a time or space when I’m not having fun. My smile and laugh on stage is genuine and I’m good at talking about anything and everything.”

Celebrating the special — on, coincidentally, his 33rd birthday — will also be a welcomed diversion from having live performances shelved during COVID-19.

“I’m not going to lie. It’s tough,” Thompson said. “I’ve done comedy 10 years straight without taking a break. I’ve never not been on stage for five months. Through the grace of God, I have this comedy special.”

One plus about people watching his act from the comfort of their couch: No two-drink minimum, and that’s well and dandy, Thompson said.

“They can watch it sober,” he said laughing.

Thompson said his classmates at Vallejo High wouldn’t be surprised that the 6-foot-4 comic got his solo special.

“I wasn’t a comedian back then, but I was the ‘funny guy. They knew I was the class clown,” Thompson said.

Thompson lived in Vallejo five years, relocating to San Francisco for good after high school. He returns to Vallejo “every few weeks. I have a lot of family out there.”

For more, visit Thompson’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/hannibal.thompson