EP 155: Larry Hama’s our (real) American Hero
Larry Hama is an American comic book legend — an accomplished artist, writer, actor, and musician who’s been in the business since the 1960s. Larry is also a US Army Veteran - where he became a firearms and explosive ordnance expert. Larry’s actually best known to American comic readers as writer / editor for Marvel Comics, where he worked on G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Wolverine, Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja, and Elektra. He co-created the character Bucky O'Hare - developed into comics, toys, and animation. And in the 1980s, Larry helped create “The ‘Nam” - arguably one of the most authentic retellings of the Vietnam war from the American perspective (for many surpassing the film Platoon). Larry’s storied experience as a Japanese American, Army Veteran, comics legend, and kid from SF + NY - inform everything he’s done, and why his work resonates with so many across industries. And you’ll love hearing about all of his encounters with contemporaries like Gloria Steinem, Neal Adams, and even Marlon Brando. Special shout-outs to guest host Dan Wu (from NPR’s “Where Y’All Really From”) and Keith Chow @ HardNOC Media who connected us with the one and only Larry Hama.
This episode is sponsored by the Department of Health & Human Services, who’s encouraging you and your community to make sure you’ve got the COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster. We can do this, together. Find vaccines and boosters near you @ VACCINES.gov
LEARN ABOUT LARRY HAMA
MENTIONS
INVERSE: “I Always Wanted Snake Eyes To Be Asian” - inverse.com/entertainment/snake-eyes-gi-joe-larry-hama-interview
COMIC: The ‘Nam - wikipedia.org/wiki/The_%27Nam
CBR - “Larry Hama Shares a Dismaying Marvel Story About Pearl Harbor and White Privilege” - cbr.com/gi-joe-larry-hama-marvel-pearl-harbor-white-privilege-story/
BOOKS
PERSON: Neal Adams - wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Adams
PERSON: Gloria Steinem - wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Steinem
Underground Comix: https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/55614