Talking With Larry Hama And Chris Mooneyham About ‘G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero’ #301

This week sees the debut of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #301 from Skybound and the return of Larry Hama to scripting duties, alongside new series’ artist Chris Mooneyham. Both of whom I was blessed with being able to interview ahead of the book’s release. In the following interview we talk about the continuation of Hama’s legacy on a title synonymous with him, as well as how GI Joe has resonated with fans over the years, and what it means to incoming artist, Mooneyham too. That and much, much more.

Olly MacNamee: First up, Larry, I have to ask, while it’s not been too long since the last time in the saddle, how’s it feel to be picking up the pen again and writing G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero; series synonymous with you?

Larry Hama: It’s like proving Thomas Wolfe wrong;  You CAN go home again.

MacNamee: With Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers comic, we’ve seen a faithful reinterpretation of the past but with an all new take on a timeless classic. Will this be an approach you’ll be taking with you own series?

Hama: I’m not interested in a whole new take. As far as I am concerned, I have been writing the same arc since 1982. I really don’t know any other way to do it.

MacNamee: Chris, I’m loving your take on the G.I. Joe gang. Gritty, contemporary, and pretty darn epic from what’s in the first issue. How was it for you teaming up with an industry legend? And, what was your own relationship with G.I. Joe growing up?

Chris Mooneyham: Thank you. I didn’t really grow up with G.I. Joe. I was aware of it, but was more interested in superheroes. But as I started getting into actual comics, I did become aware of Larry, mostly from his work on The Punisher and Wolverine (which I love), so it’s been pretty cool to add him to the list of comic book giants that I’ve had the pleasure of associating my name with.

MacNamee: G.I. Joe has been through a number of reiterations, all of which you’ve been involved with Larry. How do you intend this run to differ? I know a BIG difference is going to be the amalgamation of both the Transformers and G.I Joe lines into one shared Energon Universe?

Hama: There have been different iterations of GI Joe, but my ARAH continuity has been running for 40 years and is a separate universe. They have killed off characters in other iterations who are still alive and kicking in mine, and they have created new characters in other iterations that don’t exist in mine.  I’ve never actually read any of the other iterations.  There was a cross-over with Transformers in the original Marvel run, so that’s not anything new to me.

MacNamee: As a British citizen we had Action Man, but never G.I. Joe. So, what do you both think is the perennial appeal of Hawk and the gang. Especially after all this time? Chris, as a self-proclaimed newcomer to this particular franchise, I’ll start with your take, if that’s okay?

Hama: The core fantasy is camaraderie and loyalty in played out with a strong moral and ethical center. I get hundreds of letters from fans who say that the GI Joe fantasy helped them cope with horrible family situations, abuse, divorce, etc.  My fans don’t tell me they like my writing, they thank me for their childhoods.

Mooneyham: I would say Larry’s take is the big one to listen to. Beyond that, in my very American opinion (lol), I think that the G.I. Joe team, like Superman, or Captain America, stand for the ideals that our flag represents. They fight for the possibilities that mankind should strive for, to be the best that we can be, and most of all, for what’s right and just. Like us, they aren’t perfect, but they keep fighting, because freedom and goodness are worth fighting for. At least, that what appeals to me.

MacNamee: In such a large team – and that goes for Cobra Command too – how do you allow each character to live, breathe and stand out as an individual voice in such a big team book? You must be something of an expert at it now, Larry, surely?

Hama: The characters are based on people I know. That’s how I keep them consistent. I have a point of reference to keep from going off track. I’m not a plot person. I just work on nailing the characters and putting them together into situations where they write their own story. BTW, I don’t identify as a writer, and I never have. I had to draw comics for well over a decade before anybody let me write one. I consider myself a “penciler with a word processor.” I don’t call myself an artist, either.  I think that word is an acclamation, not a job description. Like “poet.” Anointing oneself is bit gauche, n’est-ce-pas?

MacNamee: Chris, you mention in the back-up to the debut issue, you were a Navy Brat (me, I was a Royal Air Force Brat, for what it’s worth) and tried to get back into a military mindset for this gig. But how do you think this has manifested itself in your art, your choreography and posing of this iconic team and their equally iconic enemies?

Mooneyham: Honestly, I’m not too sure. There are scenes that definitely call for strict military uniform and formation, but really, the majority of time it’s just people acting like people… at least on the Joe side of things. With Cobra, there are still moments of military thinking, but it’s really more about portraying menace and terror. Cobra Commander and Serpentor Khan, specifically. There are some pretty awful people from history that serve as a mold for how I try to portray them, but it’s not so much the military attitude as it is the posturing and fear mongering.

MacNamee: Guys, and I know you can give too much away, what can we expect from this already dynamic series? I’m certainly intrigued with the developments we witness in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1. Now THAT is an original take, right there. Ha, I imagine a certain Robert Kirkman must be very happy!

Hama: I only know one way to do it, so that’s what you will be seeing.

Mooneyham: The biggest thing you can expect from me is that I’ll try and make this look as good as I possibly can. … how’s that for a non-answer?

MacNamee: Very diplomatic, Chris, Larry. Thanks. And thank you both for your precious time. All the best with the new series, although something tells me it’ll be a sell out success as the buzz for this one is on a scale I don’t ever remember for G.I. Joe either at Marvel, Devil’s Due or IDW. Would you agree, Larry?

Hama: I would certainly hope so!

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #301 is out Wednesday 15th November from Skybound/Image Comics