Quick Kick: The Martial Artist Who Became a G.I. Joe Icon – A Spotlight on His Journey and Legacy

Story by Mitchell Smith

Welcome to The Outpost. I’m sure many of you have picked up a G.I. Joe Classified Quick Kick by now. I’m also sure if you missed the 25th style you went and got one of those. Then much like me if you never had one as a kid I’m sure you found an original 1985 figure recently or at some point in your collecting years. Quick Kick who’s real name is MacArthur S. Ito is Japanese and Korean who had a hard time fitting in back in more troubled times in America, so he turned to martial arts as a release.

Trained in several martial arts Quick Kick is a Hollywood stunt double as well as an Army Ranger. Quick Kick was one of those characters who came on to the scene and was intriguing right from the get go. François Chau, the voice of Quick Kick quickly captured the hearts of many fans across the world. It didn’t take long in his first appearance in the mini series “The Pyramid of Darkness” to establish himself and become a GI Joe. In one episode he saves Alpine and Bazooka, KOs Storm Shadow, and serves up Frozen Fudgy Bars in the Arctic all with bare feet and just a sash covering his upper body.

I’m not sure why Quick kick wasn’t in later eighties and nineties shows along with Sigma Six, or even one of the live action movies. He is just a great character and I would have loved to see a 12 inch figure and a Sigma6 figure as well. I am happy they did the Classified version which should lead to an Alpine soon. Overall Quick Kick is one of my favorite characters and love his uniqueness, there is no other Joe like him. Who loves Quick Kick? Make sure to check back next week for the next discussion at The Outpost.