[GoodGuy9]

Free-standing display in the grocery store, didn't know what the toys were but I was super into Voltar because of the vulture.

[ScottyHawkeye]

I watched Saturday morning cartoons as a kid. I mostly watched KidsWB, once it ended I'd change the channel and found Sigma 6 on TV so I watched it until it was no longer on the air. I enjoyed the show. However, it was the Comics that really sold me on the franchise, particularly the DDP stuff.

[jgasbo1]

Great question!!! I enjoy reading the responses! Instant Nostalgia! I purchased my first figure, Flash and the FLAK Canon; by brother got Rock-n-Roll and the RAM Cycle at Service Merchandise.

[BizCopperhead]

This poll is terrible. I picked the 'cartoon' because it's closest, but I saw a commercial in 1984, then got a figure randomly from my grandma. I didn't see the toon until later.

[Rojixus]

I watched a little bit of G.I. JOE EXTREME!!!!!!! back when I was a kid.

[Josh Z]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BizCopperhead

This poll is terrible. I picked the 'cartoon' because it's closest, but I saw a commercial in 1984, then got a figure randomly from my grandma. I didn't see the toon until later.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I first "learned" about G.I. Joe from the TV commercials for the 1982 line. My first Joe toy was the VAMP with Clutch, and I was instantly hooked. The cartoon and comic came later.

[Shawn Kane]

I saw the commercial for issue #1 on TV and bought it at the local Drug Fair. Then I saw that toys were coming out!

[TunnelRat007]

Got Breaker and RAM cycle for Christmas in 82 from my grandpa. Effectively switched from Star Wars to joes after that.

[THEDARKONE508]

the first gijoe i ever noticed was chuckles at an albertsons in 1988 or 1989. he floated around that store a couple years until it closed. (you can pretty much stop reading here.)

my first gijoe was torch. i found him at a playground down the street from my house. i would twist him until his ring made him spin like a tornado. he was lost before kindergarden. honestly, i waffle between torch and monkey wrench being my first gijoe, but im 88% sure it's torch.

my second gijoe was fast draw, through a christmas gift exchange in kindergarden 1988. my third gijoe was hydro viper to "be his friend" shortly after. i played with them as long as a kid that doesnt know what he's playing with. i still remember my dad trying to convince me hydroviper was a badguy.

in 1989/1990 my best friend bobby kendall (i think two l's) showed me some gijoes that were cool and said "you can get 2 for 3 bucks at walmart!" and then i got free fall and deepsix. scoop that was sitting in a processed plastic jet at woolworth's. then a couple more that i dont remember. then bobby made a guy named "flip" out of bullhorn's upper body and night creeper's lower body. he would do this awesome flip kick when playing. we would reenact terminator 2 and gijoe the movie with our gijoes. anyway, my collection grew and no one stands out as "who came next". bobby went to another school by the time i got big ben at eckerds. i remember that purchase too. down to how stupid i was saying "big ben"

the cartoon was on but i watched more of the dic series than the sunbow though. because i wasnt a toddler and could figure out what was going on during sunbow's period. i dont have these ride or die connections to either the show or the comics.

there was no "oo rah usa usa america is great!" patriotism when we (myself, or me with other kids) were playing with our gijoes, and that's probably why i never cared for the comics. hell when i make custom figures now, im not even trying to pretend to make a military themed character. it's superheroes or cyberpunk or space stuff or whatever.