How far back can you remember?

[DaveViper]

At 31, I am already losing my childhood memories of my Gi Joes.

31, so that means I was born in 1980. That also means I missed out on 1982-1984 because I was too young to want or have any intrest in Gi Joes. 85 is where is starts to come back to me. I remember getting the Mauler for Christmas that year. But what is pissing me off is I can't remember seeing any of the great stuff like the Flagg in my mind. How the hell did I miss it the box it's huge! Surely I had to have pointed it out to my parents. I must have gotten other stuff too but my memory only comes up with just the Mauler for that year. Figures and other vehicles, its all a blank.

Then there was the Tomahawk in 86. I remember seeing a Defiant as a kid once, the store on base was raffeling one off. But that's it I can't remember seeing them on shelves at other stores.

It seems I can only remember certain figures and a handfull of vehicles. Thank god my parents did a lot of video taping when I was young.

So how far back can you remember? Where does it start to get fuzzy on the details?

[Frank Talltree]

For me it goes back to.... wait, what was I trying to remember?

[Xenos]

I was born in 1980 also, but I had two older brothers, so I was getting them really early and my first Joe was a straight arm Rock n Roll.

I have some vague memories of getting the Dragonfly, Zartan, and the Water Moccasin, but my vivid memories really start around 85/86. I could tell you where I was when I got pretty much all those figures.

My brothers and I got the Defiant Christmas of '87, and I remember the box was just so huge. It was about the same hight as I was.

[spiderpumpkin]

deleted

[zedhatch]

I have memories as far back as when I was 2 (At least my mother says I had to be 2 since the house I described in the memory we moved out of before my 3rd b-day).

As for toys, I have tons of memories there, I have found old boxes Ihad forgotten about and then memories fly back in, but I can't say I have completely forgotten much (Unless I just don't know I forgot it).

I'm sure there are adventures I made up that have faded away though.

BUt I vividly remember things like Flaggs, Melenium Falcons, Death Star, ect being on the toy shelf. I did find some old Adventure People sets I had forgotten and the memories are a bit fuzzy on those (which would have been for me about the same time frame you describe). I can't say I forgot them, but the memories are not so clear.

I was 6 when star wars came out, and I VERY VIVIDLY remember the lines for it, nothing in this universe has ever compaired to that, so when I see "whatever hot movie" just set new records I think that they must not be accouting for inflation cause SW was a mad house back in the day.

[OreoBuilder]

Joe-wise, I remember buying straight-arm Short-Fuze (my first Joe) at Zayre in 1982. I was with my mom, grandmother and sister on a shopping trip to Plattsburg, NY. I was 5 or 6 at the time.

If we're talking toys in general, I remeber having to choose between 2 Lego sets (a rescue helicopter and a mobile crane), when I was 2 or 3.

OB

[DaveViper]

For me it goes back to.... wait, what was I trying to remember?

ROFL! But its too early to declare a thread winner.

[DaveViper]

I'm the oldest of 5 boys so it started with me. The next oldest brother was in to Star Wars. I have a cousin that I grew up with who is 4 years older then me so I saw a lot of the early Gi joe he had but this was when I was older so they were no longer being made. He would give me a hard time because I wanted the stuff he had but couldn't get it. When I started to get into joes we would compete to see who got the coolest joe stuff for Christmas. The year I got the MCC I beat him. Thanks guys my memory is coming back :)


I was born in 1980 also, but I had two older brothers, so I was getting them really early and my first Joe was a straight arm Rock n Roll.

I have some vague memories of getting the Dragonfly, Zartan, and the Water Moccasin, but my vivid memories really start around 85/86. I could tell you where I was when I got pretty much all those figures.

My brothers and I got the Defiant Christmas of '87, and I remember the box was just so huge. It was about the same hight as I was.

[Maximus]

I was born in 81 so I missed out on the very beginning of the line as well. I remember my first Joe as more of a pacifier than a toy. At least I think it was my first joe....Listen N Fun Tripwire!

I have vague memories of drooling over the giant Flagg box at Children's Palace, and having my mind blown by the mirrored packaging of Tomax & Xamot at a Nickels (I think that's how you spell that store).

I have vivid memories of some of the 86/87 figures being in my childhood collection, but I think that's because by then I was getting a whopping $3/week allowance. Not much, but it did buy me one new Joe or Cobra every week if I wanted back then...

I also remember my first trip to the comic book store and discovering there was a GIJoe comic! I think it was right around issue 119? Looking back I'm surprised it took me 4 years or so to discover the comics, but until then I couldn't be bothered with reading comics....I had GIJoes to play with, lol!

[Nordland]

My name is Nordland and i remember everything! Well... almost.
I can vividly remember seeing and buying Gi Joe 1 of the Marvel run on import in my local comic store. That started the whole thing. Of course we didn't get joes for another 2 years but i was collecting the Action Force line during that time.

My local independant toy shop used to hang all the new figures side by side in their side window so it was like a wall of artwork, i remember running down every day to see if the new series had arrived yet.
I was born in 1972, so i also remember the boxes with 12 back Star Wars figures in the same shop.... and seeing Star wars on the first showing, on the first day of release. :)

[Wylde Weezle]

I was 7, and I remember being in K-Mart looking at Empire Strikes Back figures, and on the pegs right next to them -- straight arm GI Joes from the really cool TV commercial!
I think my mom noticed me looking at them because for Christmas My brother and I got Flash, Short Fuze, Scarlett and a Cobra Officer and a RAM cycle. From family friends we also got a HAL and MOBAT so it was the perfect start to our collection.
My first GI Joe comic book was Marvel issue 11, bought from a pharmacy because I had chicken pox. That issue intro Doc and Gung Ho and introduced me to Larry Hama awesomeness!

[Cobra Fox]

I remember being in a K.B. Toystore and I looked up and LO AND BEHOLD, THE USS FLAGG. Oh why oh why didn't I beg my mom to get that for me.

[VideoViper]

My earliest memory.... There was a really big bang... Then this sorry excuse for a universe began..... What were we talking about???


I remember AT figures in the store.

[07GT500 COBRA]

Born in '74.

My first figure was '82 straight arm SnakeEyes (actually thought he was a bad guy at first), then my second figure was Stalker.
First vehicle was the Skystriker which officially ended my Star Wars days (until 1995 with the POFTII line). My first Marvel comic was issue #5 and then I got issue #6 (dad got it for me) which I LOVED. I can still remember my old man reading it and other military comics like Sgt. Rock with me and doing the "Rata-tat-tat" effects and stuff.

Yep, my memory is still good. It helps I had good ones I guess.

[kingphilbert]

I remember having (straight arms) Breaker and Grunt before my parents bought the house I grew up in. I remember having (straight arms) Stalker and SE when we moved into that house later that year. I also remember getting Rock & Roll from my grandmother when I was 5 somewhere in-between all that.

I also remember the day I found the 85 Snake-Eyes at Hill's and grabbed him so fast only to have my brother throw a shit-fit because he wanted the guy with the "dog" and my mom made me get Dusty. I'll never forget that.

[Crimson Rage]

WHAT'S THAT YA SAY, SONNY??

As an old fart, my Joe stint lasted well into my teens - I remember everything: First Joe, first Transformer, first Gobot, first... never mind.

[CrimsonGuard101]

I am 36 and I still remeber my first toys I had when I was 4, and ALL of my Joe toys...its scarred into my memory pathways for eternity...but beyond that its pretty fuzzy...I dont think I was actully human/conscious until I was 4 :0 when I possed the current human coveyence I occupy.

[Xenos]

I remember being in a K.B. Toystore and I looked up and LO AND BEHOLD, THE USS FLAGG. Oh why oh why didn't I beg my mom to get that for me.

Worse then that is I remember seeing a Flagg on clearance at a Zayer in 1990. Man, do I wish I could convince my dad to buy that.

[MJjoe4life]

I was born in '79 so i dont remember too much, lol. I do remember before i was collecting joes going to BEST all the time and seeing SE with Timber on the pegs, I was of course into He-Man figures at that time. So i would just walk on past and go straight to those.

[Python Viper]

Worse then that is I remember seeing a Flagg on clearance at a Zayer in 1990. Man, do I wish I could convince my dad to buy that.


On the shelf in 1990??!?! WHat was it marked down to??

I wasborn in 1980 also, I remember getting my first few Joes in 1985, opening up the Havoc and Triple T that Christmas. Picking out a Mauler at TRU on my birthday 2 weeks later. Hmmm, I might have some of these memories out of order...... Thats my only problem.

[Indiana Joe]

I remember getting this for 1983 christmas:
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/83/apc/apc_title.jpg
and playing with it in the snow.
and this from my uncle:
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/83/skystriker/skystriker_title.jpg

the next X-mas 1984, this:
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/84/sharc/sharc_title.jpg
and this:
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/84/watermoccasin/watermoccasin_title.jpg

and X-mas 1985 this:
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/85/battleplatform/ttbp_title.jpg
my older brother put it together for me and it took forever!
and this:
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/85/bridgelayer/bridgelayer_title.jpg

[Omega 8]

I was born in '73 so I was 10 when I remember getting Issue 20 of the Marvel book and one week later 21 showed up...... I was hooked.

As I recall, Flash (swivel arm) was my first figure followed closely by the OG HISS, Polar Battle Bear, and Cobra Officer.

Christmas '83: Wolverine, Mobat, JUMP platform, MMS, Dragonfly, Airboren, Bludd, Scarlett, Gung-Ho.....

I remeber going to TRU in '84 (back then the closest stores were basically 30 minutes in each direction) and seeing Fire Fly, Roadblock, Duke (after he was first offered as a Mail-In) and a good deal on the 3rd series.

I've only ever seen SSv1 @ retail once, it was a drugstore called "Fisher Drug" Of course I bought him and called my best friend (way too late BTW) as soon as I got home with my Mom. I got buzzer there as well.

My mom got me a shit-ton of straight-arm joes at a place called Osco-Drug sometime in '84 (it was ong after switch to swivel-arm) I has such disdain for those straight-arm figs....

I remember a BUNCH.

[cobracobra]

I remember getting the General in the 2nd grade and it was the best b-day present I have ever had since. I started collecting around 1990, My first love was Ninja Turtles but then I started to notice the power in the punch of GI JOES and really changed gears at that time.

[Crimson Rage]

The memory that will burn (pun intended) longest is when I set fire to pretty much the whole '83-'84 cast in an intricately constructed cardboard fortress. The smell of burning toy plastic is profoundly memorable!

[Xenos]

On the shelf in 1990??!?! WHat was it marked down to??

I wasborn in 1980 also, I remember getting my first few Joes in 1985, opening up the Havoc and Triple T that Christmas. Picking out a Mauler at TRU on my birthday 2 weeks later. Hmmm, I might have some of these memories out of order...... Thats my only problem.

I want to say it was $89.99 (not much of a clearance, really) but it was so long ago, I can't say for sure.

[Playful]

So how far back can you remember? Where does it start to get fuzzy on the details?

Born in 1968, my first G.I. Joes were Action Soldier and Action Marine. They were my only toys as articulated as my Gumby and Pokey toys, and had removable helmets and tools (like firefighter Gumby did).

All my other soldiers were Marx brand, and did not have the versatility which G.I. Joe offered.

The first dios which I remember are the View Master reels of G.I. Joe toys (Adventure Team).

My first comics were the Adventure Team Peter Pan record sets.

As a high school freshman, comtemplating a military career, I loved Larry Hama's G.I. Joe issue #1 when it showed up in stores. For several years, I loved reading every issue.

Anytime I was in a toy store, the aisles were packed with interesting G.I. Joe toys and filecards, which I would read at every opportunity when nobody my age was looking.

By 1985, I had stopped looking at G.I. Joe products, because I was already attending Delayed Entry Program meetings and visiting military installations.

[CrimsonGuard101]

Thsi thread igves a great movie ideer,

They need to do a superbad concept comming of age movie about collectors. They could get Fred Savage to play the part as the kid back in the 80s and have him grow up trying to enjoy his collection while the myriad of outside influences tear him in two as he struggles to grow up and later on in his adult life comes to find his collection and return to the joys of hunting joes as a kid. It would win best picture and be critically acclaimed! Can get Dustin Hoffman, Meg Ryan, JLo, Sheena Easton, Charlie Sheen and hmmm Kevin Bacon as supporting roles...Director Martin Scorzseee and Prodcuer Jerry Brukhiemr. I'd go see it lol...

[Magick]

I remember finding GI Joe toys at retail in 1982 when I was 7.

Same here.. still remember the first figure I bought. I even remember when and where I bought the Twins. I also remember when there were more toy and retail stores to choose from.. Gibsons, Best, Service Merchandise, Childrens Palace... the list goes on and on..

Floor to ceiling toys.. not like the distribution that we have today where you don't see anything on the shelf or pegs for months.

Man i miss the 80's. LOL

[Cdt Weasel]

Born in 1978, have a few faint memories of 1980-82. So I still remember my poalr battle bear, snow job, FLAK and flash. ALso recall getting the Manta sailboard thingy and not understanding what it was or how to use it lol.

[AlleyViperEXE]

I'm 28, and was born in '83. I don't remember my very first GI Joe, specifically, because If I remember right, I was actually handed a small number of them by a babysitter who was getting rid of them. This was when I was 5 or 6.

I don't remember exactly which one it was, but the earliest GI Joe I do remember was a figure that had a large tan, rectangular missile launcher that could store 4 or 6 missiles. This was before spring-loaded missile launchers, so you had to flick the end with your finger to "launch" the missiles. Maybe someone remembers this figure. It may have been some version of Gung Ho, but I don't know.

I do pretty vividly remember playing with figures like TARGET, Countdown, Lifeline, Scoop, and a pile of others. I would build forts outside of rocks and sticks and play with them out there.

I remember loving the Battle Corps line once it came out, and most of my figures were from that line. I also loved the Eco Warriors, the Ninja Force figures, etc. I remember these figures with large bulky backpacks that had electronic noises and whatnot when you pressed a button.

Most of my friends had GI Joes too, so we spent entire weekends and evenings playing, trading, and talking about them.

[CrimsonGuard101]

I'm 28, and was born in '83. I don't remember my very first GI Joe, specifically, because If I remember right, I was actually handed a small number of them by a babysitter who was getting rid of them. This was when I was 5 or 6.

I don't remember exactly which one it was, but the earliest GI Joe I do remember was a figure that had a large tan, rectangular missile launcher that could store 4 or 6 missiles. This was before spring-loaded missile launchers, so you had to flick the end with your finger to "launch" the missiles. Maybe someone remembers this figure. It may have been some version of Gung Ho, but I don't know.

I do pretty vividly remember playing with figures like TARGET, Countdown, Lifeline, Scoop, and a pile of others. I would build forts outside of rocks and sticks and play with them out there.

I remember loving the Battle Corps line once it came out, and most of my figures were from that line. I also loved the Eco Warriors, the Ninja Force figures, etc. I remember these figures with large bulky backpacks that had electronic noises and whatnot when you pressed a button.

Most of my friends had GI Joes too, so we spent entire weekends and evenings playing, trading, and talking about them.

That first one sounds like Salvo?

Salvo (v1) , YOJOE.COM | YoJoe.com: Dedicated to the G.I.Joe of the 80's, 90's and beyond! (http://www.yojoe.com/action/90/salvo.shtml)

[AlleyViperEXE]

@ CrimsonGuard: That's him!

[CrimsonGuard101]

@ CrimsonGuard: That's him!

:) Its like playing memory lol...keeps the brain healthy! and the 80s memories live and well!

[Fire_Fly]

i was born in 1974 and i can remember going to mongomery wards with my parents and my dad buying me a straight arm rock n roll after that i was hooked

[AlleyViperEXE]

Indeed.

Before I really had Joes (started getting them when I was about 6-7) I had tons of Ghostbuster/TMNT figures. Those were the earliest ones I had, but I kind of ended up transitioning more into Joes because the $2-$3 price tag was a lot easier for my parents to deal with than the $6 or whatever for the bigger figures.

I ended up liking Joes more anyway. As a kid, it was a lot easier to by them yourself, and get them more frequently at such as low price point.

Man, how the times have changed.

[fireflyguy]

I can actually remember stuff that happened when I was 2, 3 or even 4 years old. I was born in 1975, so I was at the "right" age when GI Joe started in 1982. I remember going into a Fred's store and seeing Snake Eyes, and I remember my mom NOT letting me get him. That was a bummer. I remember when I was about 4 or so, and before GI Joe came out, I was big time into CHiPs, and for Christmas my brother and I got Paunch and John 12" Figures, and my brother swallowed the removable wrist watch. I remember when my mom was going to college to finish her teaching degree. This was around 1980-81 or so. She did an art project for a class that resembled the dinosaur-looking thing I saw on TV (the AT-AT). I have tons of Joe memories. I remember a class-mate of mine in the 2nd grade getting Gung Ho and another getting Torpedo. I remember in 3rd grade the day I got both the Baroness and the ASP in the same day. My mom caved into my whininess when I said that a couple of kids at the school Christmas party got GI Joe figures (Storm Shadow and Ripcord) and I didn't. WAAAAAHHHH!!! So she took me to the Walmart in the town 8 miles north of ours, and to the Wal-mart in the town 8 miles south of ours (32 mile round-trip) and I got Baroness at one and the ASP at the other. I have TONS of Joe memories.

[fireflyguy]

i was born in 1974 and i can remember going to mongomery wards with my parents and my dad buying me a straight arm rock n roll after that i was hooked

My brother's birthday was in November and mine is in December. I remember we were sitting in our car outside of a store in Dexter, MO in Nov, 1982, and my dad handed my brother a package from our favorite aunt, one of my dad's sisters. My brother opened it, and it was straight arm RnR. I remember it was straight arm because (besides the fact it was 1982) my dad, who was a minister, took the figure, bent him at his knees, bent his arms at his elbows, and tried to put his hands together. He then says, "Look! I made him pray!". But I kept thinking that he was gonna tear his arms off!

[Sniper Viper]

Didn't get into Joes until '89-'90, I guess I showed enough interest (from seeing friends' collections) to get surprised for Christmas that year with a few vehicles & figures (remember Night Creeper & the Razorback, General & Hammerhead vehicles), & the following year for birthday picking probably one of each figure off the shelf (accidentally picked up 2 Topsides). I don't remember seeing Joe toys in the store before this. I know for sure my little brother had been knowing about them since 1985 (he had Tomax & Xamot), & he picked up through the years the Desert Fox with Skidmark, & a Frag Viper. For some strange reason I was more interested in model kits & goldfish (that was a waste) as birthday gifts. I wish I could go back & kick myself for being so dumb. I acquired the rest of my vintage collection in the early 90's via toy stores, Hasbro mail order flag points offers, & the occasional garage sale score.

Before that, maybe '86, my older brother gave me & my little brother his entire He-man collection when he shipped off for basic training for the Air Force, & I don't even remember playing with them all that much, but apparently we destroyed those toys, as throughout the years we'd find a leg, head, or arm here or there. He was not too happy when he got back.

I do recall getting Gobots & the Hotwheels city playset before or around that time for Christmas, thought those were pretty cool.

[Tunnel_Rat1320]

I'm relatively young and will probably be booted off for posting here but I was born in 1990, and I remember getting repaints of most of the ARAH stuff and then Sgt. Savage's Commandos or what have you. The ridiculous 4 point articulation figs. But I do remember what I did and didn't get.

[Snow Wolf]

I can remember being 3 years old pretty vividly. I got my first Joe figure (a Cobra actually) when I was in kindergarten (4 yrs)......a Cobra Officer with swivel arms, then Flash and Destro. This started something special as GIJoe was a major part of my childhood.

[wertdog91]

I remember vaguely putting the stickers on the Headquarters on Christmas morning. I also but only bits and pieces of playing with the MMS and Ram in the yard

[rglass2]

My first joes; my dad bought for me in 85, I was 4. He got me BBQ and Shipwreck...I was hooked ever sense

[Xaven]

I can remember bits and peices from the time I was three. Every now and then parts come to me from earlier.

[Cobra Terrorist]

Man....it's sad to say, but I barely remember ANY of those good ol' childhood memories.

I vaguely remember playing Joes with my buddy Shane, and loving the Cobra Stinger he had. I also have vague memories of playing with my stuff (Tomahawk, ASP, Thunder Machine, Moray, etc.).


It's kinda weird, I don't remember events, but only "snapshots" of what I was doing...mental pictures, I guess you could say...


But, I do distinctly remember cranking up the rotors on my Dragonfly to about 1000RPM!:D

[Korvac]

I can still remember picking up my first Joe (Flash) at the Summit Park Mall in Niagara Falls NY. I think I remember walking past Chess King too. No way anyone forgets the awesomeness of Chess King.

[WVMojo]

I was born in 80 and I have pics of me playing with GI Joes at age 2 and 3...no weapons or helmets though so I'm guessing I must have ate those. My older brothers had GI Joes so I got my own.

Christmas 1984 I was four (ready to turn five in March of 85) and I got the Killer Whale, Zartan, a bunch of other figures, the Sharc, a Stinger and a Vamp MkII.

At this point I already had the first Vamp, a hiss tank, HAL, Dragonfly and an APC, plus a bunch of figs.

I remember getting a big ass box that year and a couple of little ones...inside the big box was all of the Joe vehicles already put together and all the figures already on stands with guns in hand. My stocking had three or four accessory packs opened and dumped in. I went nuts. Still remember trying to get the weapons unstuck from the stocking...

[dtm1971]

the flagg was always in the back room of the store. I never saw them on the floor. you had to go to will call to pick it up.
At 31, I am already losing my childhood memories of my Gi Joes.

31, so that means I was born in 1980. That also means I missed out on 1982-1984 because I was too young to want or have any intrest in Gi Joes. 85 is where is starts to come back to me. I remember getting the Mauler for Christmas that year. But what is pissing me off is I can't remember seeing any of the great stuff like the Flagg in my mind. How the hell did I miss it the box it's huge! Surely I had to have pointed it out to my parents. I must have gotten other stuff too but my memory only comes up with just the Mauler for that year. Figures and other vehicles, its all a blank.

Then there was the Tomahawk in 86. I remember seeing a Defiant as a kid once, the store on base was raffeling one off. But that's it I can't remember seeing them on shelves at other stores.

It seems I can only remember certain figures and a handfull of vehicles. Thank god my parents did a lot of video taping when I was young.

So how far back can you remember? Where does it start to get fuzzy on the details?

[Cobra Terrorist]

You know....the more I think about it....

Probably the oldest Joe memory I have is the first time I saw a Sky Striker. One of the kids I went to school with (at St. Mary's Catholic School, btw!), had one and brought it to school.

I swear I can still remember the exact spot in the hallway where he was showing it off and we were checking it out!

[Python_Puckman]

I still remember picking out my very first Joe (Scrap Iron) with my brother (who picked Dusty) at the local Johnny's Toys.

I also remember in 1984 when McDonalds gave away free food whenever the U.S. won a medal. I ate so many Big Macs that year it wasn't funny.

Everything else in my life is a blur. At least I remember the important stuff


P.S.
I also remember the McD.L.T. :)

[CliffSteele]

At 33, I feel especially old because I can remember asking my Dad to buy me Rock & Roll (version 1!). He said, "That's not Rock & Roll, that's G.I. Joe!" I don't know how well it came out, but in my mind, I remember explaining that that was his name. My mother claims I was extremely well spoken at the age of 3. I THINK this happened at Montgomery Ward or maybe Sears (they used to have a toy dept.). Idk how, but I remember going down the escalator to get to the G.I. Joes.

[joefan76]

my first gi joe memory is when i was 7 and got the sears cobra missle command playset for x-mas i was hooked from that moment on

[joefan76]

my first gi joe memory is when i was 7 and got the sears cobra missle command playset for x-mas i was hooked from that moment on

wish i still had that thing it was cardboard glory lol

[greenfox]

Oh man what a thread. Hmmm. 38 here and can remember seeing Snake Eyes for the first time at True Value. I was 8 though at the time. A little older than most here i guess. Went ahead and got Stalker also. The next weekend it was V.A.M.P w/Clutch at True Value in another town. Luckily i can remember the majority of my Joes, getting them, playing with them, and such. Had the F.L.A.G.G set up in my bedroom for the longest. But i also remember toys from years before to. Monster stretch. Evil stunt bike which actually came out in '73, but somehow they got me one for Christmas of '75. The old Remco energized Spidey. That was '78 so i was 4 there. Can remember dad pulling the arms off the monster stretch also. I still dream about that guy. Where's a time machine when we need one???

[DOCHOLIDAY56]

what a great thread!!!

[sbartek1974]

I'm 38 years right now and I can remember looking at the Service Merchandise Christmas Catalog for 1985. So then I was 11 and the way that they had the Joes displayed in the catalog dio was the coolest thing in the world. I remember looking at it showing my mom what I wanted for Christmas and then threw up all over the Joe page. Still don't know why I threw up, I didn't even feel sick. I just threw up.

[Cobra Terrorist]

I'm 38 years right now and I can remember looking at the Service Merchandise Christmas Catalog for 1985....

Haha, oh man. Service Merchandise!

Speaking of Joe memories, I can still picture exactly where the toy dept. was in our Service Merchandise store - which was bulldozed 15+ years ago!

[gruppenfuhrer88]

Ah, Service Mechandise. My "go to" store for hard to find Joes, at least for me anyway. I loved that place....

[mister-x]

im 35, and can remember conversations and peoples facial expressions from before kindergarten...

but dont know what i had for lunch yesterday?

unless we are talking about joe memorys, and mine would be getting snowjob and the snow mobile (polar cat) for easter...

[dewrag]

how far back does my memory go...hmmm I remember all my joes and all my christmas/birthday presents....

as far as retail goes I remember seeing them at eckerds alot, as far as other stores go I cant really remember seeing them on the shelves....yet I remember battlestar galactica figures on the shelf...

The only vehicle I never saw as a kid was the FLAGG, I did see it as a teen but i was out of joes by then.

[sbartek1974]

Haha, oh man. Service Merchandise!

Speaking of Joe memories, I can still picture exactly where the toy dept. was in our Service Merchandise store - which was bulldozed 15+ years ago!

I can still remember riding my bike to the mall because it had Service Merchandise in it. And they had like a half of an entire aisle for the Joes and the other half had Star Wars. And that's the way it was with toys back then, GI Joe and Star Wars.

Ah, Service Mechandise. My "go to" store for hard to find Joes, at least for me anyway. I loved that place....

Yes, and I remember I would walk right past KB Toys and straight into Service Merchandise to find all my Joes.

[crock master]

years after the flag came out, i was a sam warehouse and saw 4 flags at $50 each. but these were mainly items purchased the sears and service merchandise catologs.
i do remember seeing terror dromes at target

[ibjc1106]

I remember Service Merchendise and a store just like it here in town called BEST products. Alot of the larger toys, Skystriker or larger, you would pull a slip and give it to a employee and they would pull it from the back and come rolling down a conveyer belt. I also remember calling another toy store mall chain, Toy Box asking what they had in stock. Early days of hunting.....lol By the way, I'm 36.

[ceraurus]

I can remember back to 2 or 3--at that age I used to pull out kitchen drawers like steps to climb up to the counter and get cookies. I also think I have vague memories of my 3rd birthday party.

As for joes, I have pretty good memories, although I was 9 when I got my first figures (Flash and Hawk w/ MMS) so that wasn't particularly young. I can also remember sitting in the back of my dad's car in the mall parking lot looking at the cardback for Scarlett and Snake Eyes.

I can remember shopping at K & K Toys, Toys R Us, and sometime Best for joes--standing there and begging my dad to buy me something!

[lazlo76]

I was born in 1976 so I would've 6 years old in 1982 when G.I.Joe ARAH came out but Star Wars was still going strong and with Return Of The Jedi coming out in '83 that was pretty much the talk at school playgrounds.

But of course that was soon to change when Star Wars died out in '84 and Transformers and G.I.Joe was now on every grade school kids mind.

I also remember my first Joes being Duke and Flint.

[Flint-wo2]

Yesterday.

[Hellion42]

I remember my little brother being born. I was 17 months old at the time. I also remember the apartment layout from back then as well. And we moved when I was two. http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i116/hellion42/smilies/eek.gif

Toy-wise, I remember getting a RAM and Snake Eyes (possibly Rock N Roll) at age 3 or so.

My folks are amazed that I can remember some of this stuff... yet I can't remember someone's name that I just met, or if I left my window open before leaving for work. http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i116/hellion42/smilies/doh.gif

[dropshipbob]

Man, I was born in '73 and I can't remember much of anything Joe related.

I do remember going to a Kay-Bee toys and seeing a Lady J and Alpine but not being able to get them for some reason.
I also remember getting a Baroness and that same night, going to a Godfathers Pizza for dinner. I put Baroness in my coat pocket and took her in with me...like I was taking her to dinner! LOL.

O.k., I guess not ALL of my Joe memories are gone.

[Indiana Joe]

So how far back can you remember?

I can remember back to..... uhhh....what was the question?

[troublemagnet]

I remember seeing the commercial for G.I.Joe #1 and getting it shortly thereafter. #2 took a while to come out, and for most of the eighties it was one of the "rare" issues.I was 11 at the time.During 82-about 86, joe was one of the hottest comics around, just look at all the old comic ads selling them from any comic during that era. For some reason # 50 was the swansong of the classic Joe comic era. The Joes left the PIT and became a sort of nomad unit, and it just wasn't the same.

[Crimson Rage]

One vivid memory I have retained, and I don't why, is when a UK TV show in the early 80's about the power of advertising was running a montage of American ads. Up flashed an animated commercial for GI Joe with characters I recognised (Duke) and plenty that I didn't... I didn't have a clue what it was or what GI Joe was supposed to be, but my first reaction was "The buggers have ripped off our 'Action Force' idea!!"

[darthdrew13]

I was born in '71. I remember having 12" AT stuff. My brother and I had the 6 wheeled buggy, yellow helicopter, an Egyptian mummy and sarcophagus, and a few Joes (some flock haired and a couple without). It wasn't until I was at Airedevon's house last week that she showed me that the copter, buggy and mummy all came in one set. I'll bet my parents got us that for Christmas one year. We also had a tiger too now that I think about it.

In 1982, I was 11 and my parents (mom mostly) were pushing me away from toys. I begged my dad to let me go to Toys R Us and spend my $10 allowance I just got. He did take me and I found Joes that day. While I liked the Cobra Trooper and Snake Eyes, I snagged Flash and the VAMP that day. I picked up the other 2 next (in that order).

We moved from Illinois to Florida in Jan of '85 and I was totally stoked when the next door neighbor was playing Joes in his back yard and I was doing the same in mine. We had a conversation through the fence (not seeing much of each other as it was one of those fences with wood planks tucked close to each other). We did eventually meet in the front yard between houses and shared what we had and wanted. We played Joes for a couple more years along with a tight group of 3 other neighborhood kids. We did a lot of army vs army battles (every kid for himself with Joes and Cobras mixed on teams) and used a school yard pick so Joes would be shared so you could try out figs you didn't have and the less fortunate could have a same sized team.

Later in '85 I got a call from a man in the neighborhood who had a son who needed a babysitter on a Friday night. He found me through the neighborhood grapevine I guess. Anyway, I took the job and many more for the man after that. His son was given the USS Flagg as a "I'm sorry" from his dad for getting divorced. I found out later the babysitting jobs were for dates so his dad and mom could reconcile. They did and I was the official babysitter for a while. They liked having a responsible male babysitter and loved the fact that I played with their son until bath and bed time. Jamie and I had a BLAST! He didn't have a Skystriker for his Flagg, just the Conquest. I brought my Skystriker over all the time and let him land it on the Flagg over and over again. The parents even approved a trade where I got Keel Haul in exchange for 2 or 3 of my older Joes Jamie didn't have access to and liked (He may have gotten my straight arm Snake Eyes as I already had the swivel arm one and preferred it).

Memories. Thanks for the thread DaveViper!

[DaveViper]

Thanks for sharing your stories guys and girls. I remember everything in 5 second video snippets. Kind of like a flashback video player. Reading some of your stories has helped me recall some of the awesome memories I had as a kid.

I envy some of you older folks. By the time I got into Joes I missed out on some cool stuff. Thanks for the great memories Hasbro.

[lazlo76]

I remember seeing the commercial for G.I.Joe #1 and getting it shortly thereafter. #2 took a while to come out, and for most of the eighties it was one of the "rare" issues.I was 11 at the time.During 82-about 86, joe was one of the hottest comics around, just look at all the old comic ads selling them from any comic during that era. For some reason # 50 was the swansong of the classic Joe comic era. The Joes left the PIT and became a sort of nomad unit, and it just wasn't the same.
And it's funny how at the start of the 90's with X-Men, Spider-Man, Image, Valiant comics all G.I.Joe comics were suddenly considered lame which was a good thing in a way since I managed to get chunks of back issues for cheap.

[samantha]

I was born in 1971. A perfect age to see the dawn of so many toy lines. My brother and I had all of the strait armed Joes as well as all of the vehicles released that year. We Had a local "Hill's" store that supplied our childhood toy addiction. :D (Hill's was really where the toys where.

Hills is where the toys are - 1986 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Qjzwd7NAw)

[Crimson Rage]

I was born in 1971. A perfect age to see the dawn of so many toy lines. My brother and I had all of the strait armed Joes as well as all of the vehicles released that year. We Had a local "Hill's" store that supplied our childhood toy addiction. :D (Hill's was really where the toys where.


I was born in 1970 (in the UK) and it's true: We really did live through the best years for toys, I think. I wouldn't change a thing about my childhood: The 1970's had me playing with Action Man, Micronauts, Cyborg, 12" Steve Austin (that EVERYONE had), Dinky, Matchbox, and the first ever Star Wars line... soooo many cool memories, and I wonder how I found the time to other outdoor 'kid' things (which I did: No computer games back then)
Then into the 80's with Joe, TF's, MOTU, Centurions, Robotix, MASK... It was the best of ALL worlds for us 'old codgers'!

[homer_sapien]

I know there was earlier stuff, but the earliest I can remember with an actual date is my birthday when I was in the 4th grade (March '84). My biggest want for my birthday that year was the Whirlwind so I made a deal with a friend of mine whose birthday was 2 days before mine. I'd gave him the Joe toy he wanted the most for his birthday and he'd give me the Whirlwind for mine. That way no matter what else we got we'd at least have the one gift we'd really wanted. Of course that was one of the times my mom was really paying attention to what I wanted so she got me a Whirlwind too.

[WVMojo]

There was a Best in Harrisonburg, VA that we'd go to in 90-91. They had a lot of stuff just in cardboard boxes that sat on their industrial shelves...and you just looked through them. They had two or three boxes of GI Joes priced at a couple bucks each. I could get two for a $5 bill. The figs were left-overs from the 80's...I got a bunch of my Joes there, ones that I didn't get when they came out in 86-88. Good times.

[Kaedryl]

Earliest memory was first seeing them in Target in '82. My brother and I both got a figure that day. Compared to the SW figures we had been playing with these blew them out of the water. My first figure was Flash - man, what a figure - helmet, backpack, gun that attached to the back pack!!! Clear visor. The bright pads on this armor. This was a great toy. Also got the JUMP to go with it and I played with him non-stop for hours.

Shortly after I realized the straight arm figures can't shoot straight and if you manipulate the weapons too much, the thumbs break. Ugh!!! Luckily '83 brought out the swivel-arm battle grip and no more thumbless joes.

I remember finding Firefly in Target, stashing him behind a bunch of barbies and running to find my mother to see if I could get him. Opening the HISS on my 11th birthday. Countless battles in the rock garden at my cousin's house. Wondering why my skystriker only had 1 parachute (my cousin's had 2!!). Having to hit the library to figure out what NATO and the WARSAW pact were.

Ah, good time, good times :)

[monstermonkey]

I have memories dating back to right before my 3rd birthday. I'm almost 38 now. I attribute my great memory to staying away from alcohol and drugs and having a strict diet of chilled monkey brains.

As for GI Joe, I remember seeing the commercial for issue 1 of the Marvel comic, then going to the corner deli to see if they had it. Kept checking every other day for 2 weeks until it showed up. That's when I found out they were making toys for it, awesome. My first figures were Short Fuze and Grunt (Grunt was technically my brother's, but he was a little older and not really into it, so the figure became mine). I came home from school one day and my parents gave them to us after they got back from shopping.

[troublemagnet]

I was born in 1971. A perfect age to see the dawn of so many toy lines. My brother and I had all of the strait armed Joes as well as all of the vehicles released that year. We Had a local "Hill's" store that supplied our childhood toy addiction. :D (Hill's was really where the toys where.

Hills is where the toys are - 1986 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Qjzwd7NAw)

I worked at Hills until they went out of business in 95 or so. Even back then, they had ALOT of toys. Much more than you see today, even at "TOY" stores now.

[Headman]

I remember my 2nd birthday party. That's the earliest memory I have.

[Joe Fan 1]

I vaguely remember my childhood. Only bits and pieces. The only thing I can recall G.I. Joe wise is my parents didn't bother buying vehicles requiring a lot of assembly and mostly got us figures. That and my older brother kept hogging them all the time.

[Kaboomskie]

My first Joe my mom bought me was a B.A.T and when I happily told her that he's a bad guy, she was a bit shocked and disappointed with me, hehehe

[Dunedain]

My oldest memory is in the womb, where i bruised him in the head and he bruised me upon my heel.

[Zarana]

80 minutes ago.... OGAWA REFERENCE!

[PimpDaddySatan]

I was born in 1976, I remember being at Ventures retail store with my mom, aunt, and a couple of cousins when we found GI Joe in the toy isle. My first two joes were straight arm versions of Rock n Roll and Breaker, and while alot of toys have come and gone, including Joes, I still have both of my first two Joes, broken thumbs and all! I remember getting them home and incorporating them in with my Sgt Rock figures, and Fisher Price Adventure Peoples!

I remember finding Major Bludd and Destro at Kmart in a wire cage bin set up at the end of the isle! I remember finding Airbourne, Snow Job, and Torpedo at Service Merchandise! And Doc and Tripwire at Kaybee toys! Heck I even remember finding Joes at montgomery wards, they used to have a nice toy section, where I was allowed to get the Vamp with Clutch! I remember my cousins finding Zartan at kmart there was only one, I wasn't happy about that, watching them all cheesing because they had something new that I didn't have. lol... Several weeks later my dad took me to Childrens Palace where I finally found Zartan, and to top it off was allowed to get Storm Shadows and Firefly too!

Heck I remember when Childrens Palace went out of buisness they had the Flagg, several of them marked down to like $49.99, but I was in Jr High going into my freshmen year of high school and playing with Joes was no longer cool, so I spent my money on a Shitty Nintendo Powerglove instead! Yeah I can pretty much remember buying toys when i was little, the places where I got stuff, what weapons went to what, and even the times I cried to get things that my mom wouldn't buy, like Storm Trooper Luke at Kaybee toys, she made me put him back! That still hurts! :)

[cobralegion]

Born in 68 but I didn't get into the new Joes until quite a bit later. Before that I was more into military modeling and 1/72 battles.By the time the new 80s Joes came out I was "too old" for toys and was more into comic books. I still remember getting GI Joe #1 from the local Drug store( back when they had everything) and being in awe of both the story and the quality of the paper. My youngest brother got a lot of the Joe and Heman stuff and I loved helping him put them together. In 1983 he got the Vamp, Dragonfly and Whirlwind. I do remember seeing the Sears exclusives in store and wishing I could get them..especially the Hiss and MMS.
It wasn't until 1992 that I finally got into Joes with the Hall of Fame guys I bought at Toys and Wheels. Its been nonstop since then!

[arlichar]

interesting post... my first memory of joes was at christmas i got duke cobra commander and spirit and skyhawk... i think all same time maybe not ... i just rember the transition from big blue store to kb toys.. i was lucky and got every joe i wanted just about.. i can still picture the joes in boxes and hanging on the hangers.. but do not ever rember seeing the flagg at store.. it was something you had order ....! so i never had it until later in life when found omne at garage sale..! so whats funny i was never awre of the previous joes before 83,so thought duke was the first joe made...lol.. did alot of stupid things with my joes as kid that regret now... but at least i save d my vehicle boxes and never cut out points!//// i only wish had saved my figure packages!