How did you get into G.I. Joe and why?

How did you get into G.I. Joe and why? I am just asking this. I hope you don't mind.

Started in 82 cause the figures were damn cool.

1984. Got some for my birthday.
Then later it was the cartoon and the comics.
Needless to say I was hooked. That is unitl 1988 when BF2000 showed up.
Sab

I forget why I started originally, but it probably had something to do with my dad.

The second time around was in 2003. I was at Botcon in Chicago and there was a guy there with a bunch of loose figures for $3 each and DDP was there with the new Transformers Vs GI Joe comics. When I got home, I realised I had more Joe stuff than I did Transformers

a 6 year old in 82, the newest coolest toys out, and having the most awesome dad on the planet (yes, he was better than yours) haha

I blame my grandfather for this. He was in the Army and served in World War 2 and I always love Military movies and being a cartoon fan I guess this was a perfect marrige as it were.

Personally, I think that it was because of the Cartoon and comics. Also, to get something that my cousin didn't have at the time. He got everything he wanted...Transformers, Robotech, Masters of the Universe. He flaunted it...my parents afforded what they can and that was 50-60 cent comic books, gobots and Secret Wars figures were what they could afford and sure enough, GI Joe.

Cousin started getting into GI Joe soon after but it was cool to have something that he didn't have for once.

By accident. I was into Star Wars and I had every fig released up to 82 and with nothing new out, I went looking for a new toy and saw a Zap. A few days later, issue 1 of the comic came out and I was hooked from then on.

Had a few figures but really became hooked because of the cartoon. Everyday after school I would rush home to catch it. Soon after other kids on the street got into them and we would all bring out our figures and have massive battles.

By accident as well. I never used to watch the cartoon in favor of Thundercats. This was around 1985, I was 7. I always figured anything to do with "real life" i.e... Military... Had to be for older kids so I stuck with the fantasy side of things. Then for whatever reason Thundercats wasn't on so I switched over to watch GI Joe instead of the adult programming my grandparents wold surely turn on were my brother and I not to have any further cartoons to watch. Lo and behold, GI Joe was the coolest thing in the world and far better than I thought. From then on in, I was ok with watching big kid programming and figures followed shortly thereafter.... Incidentally Christmas 1987 was the best ever as I had a Transformers - Joe haul that included the Defiant Space Station... Tnence forth I have been a nut for Joes...Except for the Re-envisioning of Joe v. Cobra and the VvV and other lines using new molds sans the O-ring. They were just plain bad. The 25th line has restored my faith in Hasbro and GI Joe as a whole.