[TheOverlordCorp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWOL

Mr. Hama IS G.I. Joe.

Sorry, pal. That's the delusion that's bogged down the title.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzie92

As a huge fan of what Hama did for really long stretches of the OG run, let me just say?ummm, no.

I do agree with AWOL that Hama's run is impressive. He Stan Lee'd the heck out of the title.

[ozzie92]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOverlordCorp

I do agree with AWOL that Hama's run is impressive. He Stan Lee'd the heck out of the title.

Sure?it was destined to be a short run toy advertisement. He turned it into a gem.

?and then killed it.

[TheOverlordCorp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzie92

Sure?it was destined to be a short run toy advertisement. He turned it into a gem.

?and then killed it.

He may have killed his head-canon of the Joes but that's one among many. His early work on the title remains some of the best comics I've ever read.

[ozzie92]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOverlordCorp

He may have killed his head-canon of the Joes but that's one among many. His early work on the title remains some of the best comics I've ever read.

Agreed on the early OG run?even through 105/110.

[TheOverlordCorp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzie92

Agreed on the early OG run?even through 105/110.

My interest starts to fade in the 70s. I think I begrudge the fact that they didn't spend more time on the Cobra Island/Serpentor/Zartan infiltrating The PIT arc. That era fascinated me. I'd still love to see it in an animated film.


I also just noticed that if the Z and T in Zartan are swapped, another famous character comes to life.

[AWOL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzie92

As a huge fan of what Hama did for really long stretches of the OG run, let me just say?ummm, no. 155.5 - 300 has seen very few quality issues. Most has been hack garbage.

Wasn't talking to the perceived quality of the writing, just to the longevity.

[stopdead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzie92

As a huge fan of what Hama did for really long stretches of the OG run, let me just say?ummm, no. 155.5 - 300 has seen very few quality issues. Most has been hack garbage.

I'm more inclined to blame Hasbro and IDW than I am Hama. Superior art teams aside, I think the first 50 issues of Marvel are great in part because Hasbro and Marvel were more hands on and gave Hama the direction that he needed to make the book better. Hasbro's mandates to include specific characters and vehicles in an effort to sell toys forced Hama to be more creative. The IDW run was very hands off. I think the lack of oversight and direction resulted in a lack of focus. And for the most part, the artwork suffered during the IDW run. The all-too-short Diaz run was great as were the one off issues by Wagner and Shoening, but those were few and far between. Better art always makes an issue more interesting IMO.

My point is, I think Hama can continue to shine, but I hope the new publisher supports him with better direction and a budget that can support a strong art team.

[JoeArashikage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOverlordCorp

Sorry, pal. That's the delusion that's bogged down the title.

Nah.

The delusion is that you can't have a Joe book you enjoy being published so long as you know somebody, somewhere is also still enjoying new stuff by Hama that you don't like.

The delusion is that Hama has to stop before they can publish a book you like better.

That's just silly.

There is one product that some fans still want that only one man can create: Joe books written by Larry Hama.

There is something that other fans want that Larry Hama can't make: Joe books not written by Larry Hama.

And some people even want both.

As long as both of those are selling enough to make it worth it, it's silly to think they shouldn't co-exist. They should stop coexisting only when people don't want enough of one of them.

[TheOverlordCorp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopdead

"I'm more inclined to blame Hasbro and IDW than I am Hama. ... My point is, I think Hama can continue to shine..."

Again, Hama turns 74 in less than two weeks. Also again, if he's the best option, the title doesn't deserve to go forward with a new publisher.

I'm likely outnumbered in this view, so I'll double-down and add that I also think the ol' Living Legend probably made it so miserable to work with him if he didn't get his way that people gave up and just let him do what he wanted. No evidence of that, but creatives and elder gents can be ... prickly ... as they age. Or, he has a share in the franchise and they can't buck him.

[JoeArashikage]

The idea that a new publisher fought for the rights to Joe comics solely for the right to publish more Larry Hama is silly.

They unquestionably had their own ideas for the line, too.

Whatever announcement we get it at comic con, it will certainly be Hama AND something.