The Overstreet Hall of Fame: Larry Hama

Who are the individuals who have made great contributions to the comic book arts? Who are the writers, artists, editors, publishers and others who have plied their craft in insightful ways? The Overstreet Hall of Fame, which spotlights many such creators and leading figures, is featured in The Overstreet Guide To Collecting Comics.

Writer-artist-editor Larry Hama began his long association with the comic book incarnation of G.I. Joe almost immediately following then Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter’s meeting with Hasbro. “It was Larry’s book all the way,” Shooter said. And in the minds of many fans, that’s how it has remained. During the title’s 155-issue run at Marvel, subsequent appearance at Devil’s Due Publishing, and revival at IDW Publishing, Hama’s portrayal of the characters defined many of them permanently for their fans. He has, however, been far from all G.I. Joe. He broke into comics as an assistant for Wally Wood, served as editor for Marvel’s Conan line and The ‘Nam, created Bucky O’Hare, wrote such titles as Kitty Pryde, Agent of SHIELD, Punisher: War Zone and Weapon X, among others. He has also written video games, consulted for G.I Joe in feature films, and even appeared as a actor on M*A*S*H, but it’s his work on G.I. Joe – including the acclaimed “Silent Interlude” in G.I. Joe #21, which he wrote and penciled – that continues to demand attention.

The most recent inductees into The Overstreet Hall of Fame are featured in The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #43, which is now on sale. Those inducted up to that point are featured in The Overstreet Guide To Collecting Comics.

Larry Hama will be a featured guest at the November 23-24, 2013 edition of the Virginia Comicon.