The cartoon started in 1983 I believe..the toy line started in 1982...Transformers started a bit later, but had simlar themes, shows, tendencies, etc.
In GI Joe lore Flint married Lady Jaye after GI Joe first disbanded , but she has since died(supposedly).
Now the really strange part is that in the cartoon Duke and Scarlett were an item and in the comic Scarlett and Snake Eyes were an item..I always defer to the Marvel Comic because Larry Hama wrote that and he created GI Joe (new version) in a joint venture with Hasbro and Marvel. The show is really good until the movie-the movie has its good parts, but the Cobra La stuff is ridiculous as Grimm previously stated...
