Larry Hama, born June 7, 1949, is an American writer, artist, actor, and musician whose career spans an unusually wide range of creative disciplines. Before establishing himself in comics, he carved out a modest but notable presence in performance, appearing in minor roles on *M\*A\*S\*H* and *Saturday Night Live* during the 1970s and taking the stage on Broadway in the original 1976 production of Stephen Sondheim's *Pacific Overtures*.
Marvel Premiere #19 (1974)
His transition into comics proved enduring. Working primarily as a writer and editor at Marvel Comics, Hama became closely identified with *G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero*, the long-running licensed series tied to Hasbro's toy line, on which he is credited across an extraordinary number of issues stretching from the late 1960s through the mid-2020s. Beyond that flagship title, he wrote *Wolverine*, *Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja*, and *Elektra*, demonstrating a consistent affinity for action-driven characters. Alongside artist Michael Golden, he co-created Bucky O'Hare, a property that expanded into toys and an animated television series.
G.I. Joe, a Real American Hero #11 (1983)
Hama's influence on the G.I. Joe mythology in particular — shaping its characters, lore, and tone over decades — represents one of the more sustained creative relationships between a writer and a licensed property in mainstream American comics. In October 2024, he was inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame.
