Back in 1964 Hasbro came out with the first G.I. Joe dolls and DC helped promote the product. They featured G.I. Joe in two issues of SHOWCASE--53 (November-December 1964) and 54 (January-February 1965), on sale in September and November of 1964, respectively. Close enough to Christmas for every boy to put the doll on his wishlist for Santa. This ad appeared in BATMAN 168 (December 1964), on sale in October, 1964--
The doll was also heavily advertised on TV and kids like me harangued their parents for any and all things to do with the soldier. Woe to parents, because it was a lot of money to acquire all that stuff. I didn't get that much from my parents or my aunt and uncle. But I dreamed of getting everything. I don't remember my parents taking any joy in seeing me play with my new toy on Christmas day--I just remember them yelling at me to get out from under foot while they worried over putting the turkey in the oven on time. This ad is from DETECTIVE COMICS 348 (February 1966), on sale near Christmas of 1965.
But in the comics, Andy & George had all the things. And I despised them. Two rich kids, obviously, who had everything given to them on a silver platter by indulgent parents. The Andy & George ads were by prominent DC war artist Irv Novick, who brought to life exciting battle adventures that G.I. Joe would have, if you could just get all the Hasbro products for your military campaign. This ad is from WORLD’S FINEST COMICS 163 (December ’66), on sale in October of 1966.