The Story Behind "The Silent Issue" of G.I. Joe, told by Larry Hama

Larry Hama is known as the man who created the G.I. Joe universe, but one of his biggest accomplishments in comics was G.I. Joe issue #21 AKA The Silent Issue. In this video, Larry explains the story behind the book, why it came to be, and how he made it. Plus, Larry also explains why he made one of the biggest twists in the G.I. Joe mythos happen in this issue (spoiler alert) - the revelation that Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow shared a similar past!
This event was filmed at the Museum of the Chinese in America in downtown Manhattan, NYC. Head to MOCANYC.org to learn more about their museum and how you can support their organization.
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Check out G.I. JOE: Silent Interlude 30th Anniversary Edition, which features the famous "silent issue" of GI Joe that Larry talked about in this video - amzn.to/2kvrcer
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 1 - amzn.to/2kvrcLt
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Omnibus, Vol. 1 - amzn.to/2mmZy3D
G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection, Vol. 1 - amzn.to/2mtoPtd
Wolverine by Larry Hama and Marc Silvestri, Vol. 1 - amzn.to/2kx61Zs
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[@wunderchivo4083]

In other interviews Mr. Hama mentions nothing in GIJoe was pre-planned or thought out, etc but I think that's his modest nature. He also said he wasn't singled out at Marvel Comics for any reason, he was simply the last guy on the writing floor to take the job after everyone else passed. Whether or not it's a complete fluke the Joe brand outlasted so many other 80s brands, for a lot of fans who started with the toys, stayed for the cartoon, then "graduated" to the comics, his dedication to the persistent themes and storylines kept us reading.

[@davidbanks5354]

By far, one of my favorite issues of the comic (for any series)! I remember "reading" it for the first time and having that "mind-blown" moment in those panels that showed their forearms! Which led me to reread it over and over again. It's shocking to hear that it wasn't planned!

[@unsolicited577]

It’s a “Luke, I am your father” moment.

[@craven1927]

There's another silent issue they did later on, I think issue 85, with Storm Shadow and Jinx fighting a bunch of ninjas. The only lettering in that one are the sound effects.

[@smyers9052]

A great issue.

[@Sgt_Mushroom]

I can't love this video enough.

[@smyers9052]

My sentiments exactly. I have nothing to add.

[@bradshipp5746]

I bought this issue of a spinning rack at a drug store when it came out. I still have it today, by far my favorite issue.

[@yodasdad]

Legend!

[@Booyaka9000]

3 minutes or so in, before I realised they weren't talking about the GI Joe #85 silent issue based around Storm Shadow and Jinx. Sweet, so there's 2x great silent issues then.

[@otakutourguide]

Thank you for this interview! LOVE IT

[@CorporalDanLives]

Larry, we love you!!!

[@mrwill0910]

He is my favorite, next to the late great Stan Lee.

[@8145cc]

Brilliant man

[@henrymartinez4871]

Love him.

[@nohomers100]

art through adversity

[@CaptWesStarwind]

My first tattoo.

[@jonathanduplantis1403]

He's the best

[@jonathanduplantis1403]

The road, no country for old men