Iconic ‘G.I. Joe’ Comic Book Creator Larry Hama Reveals Health Issues Will Likely Leave Him “Incapable Of Drawing Within The Next Few Years”
In an admittedly heartbreaking reminder of life’s fleeting nature, noted G.I. Joe comic book creator Larry Hama is currently speculating that due to his health issues, he will likely be rendered physically unable to draw sometime “within the next few years.”
A long-term veteran of the industry, Hama’s sequential art career has seen him a range of creative comic book roles.
Perhaps best known for his work both writing and occasionally illustrating the Joes’ original Marvel Comics outings – during which time he was responsible for the creation of Snake Eyes – Hama’s bibliography also includes stints as the lead writer on Avengers Vol. 1, Batman Vol. 1, and various Venom titles, the artist on Marvel Premiere and Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja, and the editor on Peter Porker: The Spectacular Spider Ham Vol. 1.
Oh, and he also co-created, alongside artist Michael Golden, a little character known as Bucky O’Hare.
Hama, now in his provided this unfortunate life update via a July 9th post made to his personal Facebook page.
“I have macular degeneration [a common degenerative eye disease that occurs with age and results in one losing their central vision],” explained the comic book creator. “I will probably be incapable of drawing within the next few years. So, if you want a sketch, better act soon.”
“Although my arthritis may make everything moot before then,” he added. “I have no ligaments left in my basal thumb joints, it’s just bone scraping against bone there – Drawing actually quite painful. But not as painful as signing my signature.”
In light of this post, Hama would proceed to find himself flooded with requests for his artistic services, prompting him to return to his Facebook to clarify the process through which a fan could obtain a commission.
“I am getting bombarded with commission requests,” explained the comic book creator. “I don’t do commissions through the mail. I do pencil sketches, but only at cons. There are many comic shops these days that have ‘facilitators’ who take customer’s comics to cons to have them signed and or graded. If you can’t get to a con, ask your local shop if they provide that service.”
Met by the subsequent observation from a fan that “I guess nobody listened to the part about how much it hurts,” Hama asserted, “Drawing is what I do. Yes, it hurts. But that’s the price – [like] boxers and ballet dancers – accept the pain. It comes with the territory.
At current, in addition to his commission work, Hama is preparing to launch a Kickstarter campaign for his new comic, Mounties vs. Werewolves.
Illustrated by IDW’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero artist Guy Dorian Sr., the series tells the tale of one “David Lawrence, a veteran of the Great War in France, and a Deputy Inspector in the RCMP is assigned to a remote outpost in Northern Alberta.”
“The quiet posting he had been expecting turns out to be anything but,” continues the series’ official synopsis. “The small rag-tag unit he commands is actually a top-secret sub-agency whose mission is to kill werewolves, and prevent them from spreading south to prey on larger settlements and population centers.”
NEXT: Larry Hama Appears To Completely Reverse Course On Why Snake Eyes Was White In The Comics
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