Is there a stigma attached to G.I. Joe because it’s a “toy” comic?
Why is that? Hama: That’s just it. It was a toy book. Very uncool to the fan-boys at the time. It never got reviewed in the fan press. Totally ignored. The kids who bought G.I. Joe were a totally new crowd who were coming into the comic shops for the first time because they had the toys and they saw the commercials. Many of them started to buy other comics while they were there. Mania: G.I. Joe was the first comic book series to be advertised on TV, right? Hama: I believe so. If somebody else was first, they have not stepped forward. Mania: I know you can’t reveal details about the G.I. Joe movie, but what is your involvement? You’re an executive producer? Consulting producer? Hama: Consultant. Also did a cameo as a NATO General. Hopefully, I’ll survive the final cut, but I never count on stuff like that. Mania: Regarding the new IDW comic series, how did that come about? Did Devil’s Due choose not to renew the license to G.I. Joe? Hama: I know nothing about the business end of things.
