Larry Hama Talks About G.I.Joe's Storm Shadow

Starting in May, the sometimes Cobra, somtimes G.I.Joe ninja known as Storm Shadow will star in a new monthly, ongoing title to be written by legendary G.I.Joe writer Larry Hama. We had a chance to catch up with Mr. Hama and ask him a few questions about this new upcoming title. Here is what he had to say:

CNI: Just in case there are some readers out there who don't know who you are, can you tell us a little bit about your background and previous experiences with G.I.Joe?

Hama: I wrote most of the 155 issues of GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO for Marvel comics and wrote most of the file cards on the backs of the toy packages. I also designed most of the covers for the comics.

CNI: In your own words, can you give us a brief synopsis on the premise of this new title?

Hama: Storm Shadow is a modern ninja, more like a highly trained master commando than just a guy in a mask with a sword and throwing stars. Sort of Jason Bourne on steroids. Edgier than the old version.

CNI: Why the decision to do an on-going series that focuses on just one character, and why choose Storm Shadow to be that character?

Hama: Snake-Eyes had already been done, and Storm Shadow is my second-fave character.

CNI: How closely will this new series connect with DDP's other GIJoe title, America's Elite?

Hama: It will be true to present continuity but will be stand-alone in that a reader will not be completely lost if not plugged into the GI JOE AMERICA'S ELITE storyline.

CNI: Will readers need to read previous issues of the GIJoe title, either the DDP run or Marvel to know what is going on in this title?

Hama: I hope not! I think I have a pretty good handle on constructing stand-alone stories about rogue characters since I did it for eight years on Wolverine.

CNI: Will Storm Shadow be working with GIjoe or Cobra in this title, or will he be completely on his own?

Hama: On his own.

CNI: In your own opinion, do you think the Storm Shadow character is more interesting as a Joe or Cobra?

Hama: He's more interesting when he has his own agenda.

CNI: Will Storm Shadow have a new look for this new title?

Hama: That's up to the artist and Devil's Due.

CNI: Will Snake-Eyes also be making regular appearances in this title, or any other established Joe or Cobra characters?

Hama: Some of that is a surprise.

CNI: Will you be introducing new regular characters for this title? If so, anything you can tell us about them?

Hama: I'm never quite sure if a character is going to stick around when I first put them on their feet. Some seem to acquire lives of their own.

CNI: Have you seen the new 25th Anniversary GIJoe figures coming out from Hasbro this year?

Hama: Haven't seen them.

CNI: Did you have any involvement with writing the filecards for these?

Hama: Didn't write the file cards.

CNI: In your own words, what does GIJoe mean to you?

Hama: I think I summed it all up on the letters page of RAH #155. Whenever I paraphrase myself, the result is rather diluted. GI Joe was a job that was given to me, and for what it's worth, I gave it my best shot at the time. I shudder to look at work I did even a day ago. I always think I can do better.

CNI: Are there any other projects you are working on that you would like to talk about?

Hama: I've been writing episodes of an animated show called ROBOTBOY that's on the Cartoon Network. I also wrote a bunch of interstitials that link programming on PBS KIDS- Recently wrapped up scripting of a downloadable game for Curious Pictures and GameLab, called OUT OF YOUR MIND. Have about ten other projects that I can't really talk about yet.

CNI: How many issues of this series are you currently signed on to do?

Hama: As many as Devil' Due will let me.


Thanks to Mr. Hama for taking the time to answer our questions. Look for G.I. JOE: STORM SHADOW #1 at comic and shops this May.



G.I. JOE: STORM SHADOW #1
Written by Larry Hama
Art by Mark Robinson
Cover by Sean Murphy

32 pages
$3.50 (cardstock foil cover $9.99)

The life of Thomas Arashikage has taken him down paths that have allied him with both G.I. Joe and Cobra. Now he's away from both sides of the war, and getting into trouble all his own! Storm Shadow returns in his own monthly title written by his creator Larry Hama!