G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a homecoming for writer Larry Hama
Nov. 22, 2023Interview | Veteran writer Larry Hama and artist Chris Mooneyham talk G.I. Joe
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Newsarama: First off, Larry, congratulations on your return to G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. How does it feel to be back? And did you think that the bookwouldever come back?
Larry Hama:I never felt like I was away. After the Devil’s Due and IDW incarnations, I realized that somebody would always pick up the franchise, but my experiences with DD and IDW led me to believe that I was not considered an important part of the equation - until Robert Kirkman picked up the phone and personally asked me to write the Skybound continuation of the ARAH title.
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It’s all been one long run as far as I am concerned. The numbering speaks to that.
Chris, how does it feel to be joining A Real American Hero?
Chris Mooneyham:It’s pretty cool. I don’t think the full weight of it hit me until we started doing press for it. People love this property, and they love Larry, and it’s a cool thing to be a part of.
What’s the most challenging aspect of creating this comic?
Larry:Keeping it fresh, while not sacrificing a winning formula. Working on diversifying the cast to be even more inclusive, but in a realistic way.
Chris:I can definitely say I’ve never worked so hard on a book as I have this. It’s tough, but super rewarding. It pushes me to be better. I’ve always tried to make the best looking book I can possibly make, and you hope that each project levels you up a little. I love chasing that aspect of art, and G.I. Joe really forces me to get comfortable in what I’m uncomfortable with. Growth is a good thing.
Larry:It fits with the poignancy of his story arc.
How will his death effect the rest of the team?
Larry:That will play out when I get to it. I have never planned out plots in advance. I write page by page, and I don’t know what’s on page five until I get to page four, and on the way, I’m letting the characters write themselves. Keeping the characters consistent is my main concern. I can’t even remember plotlines, what I remember best are character points.
What can you both tease about the next few issues?
Chris:I think that’s a better question for Larry.
Larry:It’ll be a surprise. For me, as well.
A Real American Hero is staying separate from what Robert Kirkman is doing on the Energon Universe books. But do you think there is room for a potential crossover there?
Larry:I’m always open for new frontiers.
It’s been over 40 years since you started A Real American Hero, which is just an incredible run. What keeps this book and these characters fresh?
Larry:All the characters are based on people I know, so they evolve along with their flesh and blood templates.
What are both your hopes for the new run of A Real American Hero?
Larry:I’m always glad if a title makes it to the next quarter. I was brought up expecting impermanence, so I am always pleasantly surprised when something has legs.
Chris:I hope it goes until Larry says it can’t go anymore. It really is his story to tell, and I’m happy to be along for the ride.
Robert Kirkman explains the Energon Universe in ourin-depth interviewwith the writer.
Will Salmon is the Comics Editor for GamesRadar/Newsarama. He has been writing about comics, film, TV, and music for more than 15 years, which is quite a long time if you stop and think about it. At Future he has previously launched scary movie magazine Horrorville, relaunched Comic Heroes, and has written for every issue of SFX magazine for over a decade. He sometimes feels very old, like Guy Pearce in Prometheus. His music writing has appeared in The Quietus, MOJO, Electronic Sound, Clash, and loads of other places and he runs the micro-label Modern Aviation, which puts out experimental music on cassette tape.
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