Welcome to the Museum's Memory Lane!
A collection of correspondence on Chick tracts. (New e-letters added as they come in.) To view older letters & memories, click here.
[Please Note: Curator's remarks are in bold type.]
This is Chick Memories 13
From Jan 1st 2009 to present (The latest entries are at the top.)
Revised 12.12.09 (All contents ©2009 Monsterwax)
A poem about Chick tracts from: http://digitalcuttlefish.blogspot.com/2009/12/could-comic-book-save-your-soul.html
If you ask about science in science class
Could a comic book save your soul?
If you like to smoke a little grass
Could a comic book save your soul?
If you'd like to try to cast a spell,
If you've killed a man, and you're in a cell,
You're a breath away from a trip to Hell--
Could a comic book save your soul?
If you're Catholic, Muslim, Witch, or Jew
Could a comic book save your soul?
If there is no God, according to you
Could a comic book save your soul?
If you like to listen to Metal bands,
If you do your thinking with your glans,
If you don't do all that God demands
Could a comic book save your soul?
If you're curious while attending church
Could a comic book save your soul?
Are there pamphlets there, to help your search?
Could a comic book save your soul?
There's a little screed, by Jack T. Chick
It will make you laugh; it will make you sick,
But it just might make your brain go... *click*...
Could a comic book save your soul?
I was watching an online video about hoarders and you can clearly see a collection of Chick tracts (on the back wall) at 1:13 if you pause the video.
I've included the link so you can see for yourself: http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/truth-be-told-clips-im-not-a-hoarder.html
-Chris Z.
Thanks Chris. I guess Chick tracts get read! And collected! And hoarded! Haw haw!
I am a Christian, and I have a love hate relationship with these things. I love them because they are HILARIOUS! I hate them because how can you honestly believe that a tiny comic is going to lead ppl to Christ. The main purpose of these things is to scare ppl into getting saved so they wont go to hell. I'm sorry but claiming to be saved so you wont go to hell isn't being a Christian.
(From You-Tube's feedback of God's Cartoonist.)
My very first encounter with the world of Jack Chick happened when I was a teenager and I was snooping around my great aunt's house for something to read. I was very anti-Christian then, no surprise considering my mother was a raging atheist who disposed of any religious things I got my hands on (including the bible a friend got me a few years earlier - talk about paranoid). Peeking under the scanner, I found a little comic book and since I was a collector of Marvel and DC titles, I quickly snatched it up to read. Of course it wasn't really a comic book - it was Dark Dungeons! Imagine my surprise when I read on and found out it was a religious tract, more than likely passed to my aunt because I was an avid Dungeons and Dragons player at the time. Boy did that little tract piss me off. I was so angry at how ignorant and uninformed about D&D it was that I shoved it back under the scanner and ranted about it to my friends! Looking back, I wish I had taken it with me instead and not been so thin skinned about the subject.
Years went by and I decided to pursue studying various religions. As an adult, I didn't have to worry about my mother trashing my books or making sure they vanished. Would you believe the memory of that little tract stayed with me? When Chick says his stuff grabs attention, he really is not kidding! I began collecting tracts in search of Chick's work as I couldn't recall who published the comic I'd read or where to get my own copy but nothing I got a hold of came close. Most were forgettable declarations of "God Loves You" or shameless self promotions of a particular church or preacher. It wasn't until I took my little sister trick or treating one year that I came across what I'd been searching for: a genuine Chick tract (Bad Bob if I recall correctly) stashed in with the candy! Every year after, I made sure we hit that house and every year they passed both me and my sister Chick tracts. I was passed the 'hard hitting' ones like Holy Joe and Hi There (which both amused and frightened me) while my sister would get the ones more aimed towards kids. One year, we laid them out on the coffee table and let everyone read our 'bounty'. Boy did my mom and her friends get pissed, HAW HAW! It was incredible just how angry a simple comic made them and I couldn't help but recall what I'd felt when first reading Dark Dungeons. Thankfully I'd grown a much thicker skin and I almost was sorry that they couldn't enjoy Chick's work without taking it personally.
For a long while, getting tracts passed to me on Halloween was the only time I came across Chick's work. That all changed when I got a computer and had a steady source of income, I discovered Chick.com and the holy grail - an all tract assortment! I could not get that money order out in the mail fast enough and soon, I had in my hot little hands one of every currently available tract. I spent the whole day reading through them, utterly fascinated with how bold and offensive some of them were. That's probably one of the reasons I love Chick's work so much - he does not pull punches or bother with being politically correct. The man has guts and he will bluntly state his views in his comics no matter how controversial or paranoid. Even though I don't agree with everything he believes in, I can't help but to admire him for that. How many religious leaders do you know who refuse to bow to social pressure and spread their message without resorting to physical violence? Chick really is an amazing man who has changed lives with pen and paper, love him or hate him - it's hard to deny that simple fact.
After getting the all tract assortment, I was hooked for good and started buying new titles when ever they popped up. Ebay lead me to the older ones - including my very own copy of Dark Dungeons (funny how years later it wasn't half as rage inducing - knowing my dungeon master had gotten into black magic after we parted ways didn't help, I suppose I was the only one who thought D&D was a silly game and not a portal to Hell!) and I started collecting and sharing my own tracts with others, something I continue to do to this day.
So what draws me to Chick's work? Above all else, it's the non-PC nature of his tracts that really gets me - the fact that he doesn't coddle with lovey dovey messages but goes straight for your throat in a way you're going to remember. Part of Chick's charm is that he has no issues with stirring up folks all in the name of soul-winning, even if his beliefs come out sounding paranoid or absolutely hateful to some. The best tracts are the ones where I find myself going "I can't believe he dared to say/do that!", even those who despise him can't stop talking about titles like "The Death Cookie", "Doom Town" and "This Was Your Life". It just proves what Chick has been saying all along - Chick tracts get read. I know Chick is getting on in age but I sincerely hope he still has many years ahead of him to continue drawing and wowing us with his campy but compelling stories!
-Enelar
That's a great story Enelar, thanks for sharing it.
Hello,
Thank you for printing my 6 Degrees question (Kent State) and Top 10 Favorite tracts about a year ago. I have four brief questions for you, regarding your thoughts about JTC.
First: Why doesn't Chick go after Alcoholics Anonymous*? It seems to me that anything as vague as a "Higher Power" would draw Mr. Chick's ire. Some AA people claim a doorknob, tree, or ashtray as their Higher Power, which I imagine would make Mr. Chick apoplectic.
Second: Is Mr. Chick a Calvinist? Do his tracks lean either way? Does he care?
Third: Was the daughter actually raped in "The Marriage Mess"? Was her rapist someone actually from the church? I am very unclear about this.
Fourth: In "The Slugger", why did Frank Stone reappear in the last panel? Wasn't he already dead?
Great website! Sincerely, David S.
Dear David, I'll do my best with your questions, but they are just my opinion:
1. I'm not sure what Chick's stand on AA is. Sorry.
2. I do not believe Chick is a Calvinist as I heard he discontinued the original "Four Brothers" because it had Calvinist leanings that contradicted his thoughts on salvation and free will. But that's just a rumor, so I wouldn't swear by it.
3. No, the daughter wasn't raped in "The Marriage Mess" graphic model (written by Chick and drawn by Carter). She thought she was pregnant from "one of the boys at Church" and didn't know which one, but she never said it was forced. (That would have meant a Church member gang rape and that would have been too explosive, even by Chick tract standards!)
4. I believe Frank Stone appears in the last panel in a sort of "flashback" image, as his voice continues to echo the intent of his final will. They are all gathered around listening to the will in the preceding pages, and the last page he says, "Friend, this is what I leave to you." (or words to that effect). I hope that helps!
They told me they have never heard of his reward to Validate one of Chick's claims. I can think of at least one example of Chick's claims that are true. Could you please give me the date cover and what newspaper it was in? I would like to see what claims they are seeking to see that Chick makes that is true. Sincerly, Ryan C.
Hey Ryan,
"I can think of at least one example of Chick's claims that are true." So you're saying you already know of at least one claim that Chick made that is true? Certainly this doesn't surprise you, does it? I'm sure some are true and others are not. Nobody is going to be right or wrong 100% of the time. I you're referring to the reward for proving or disproving the Alberto/Vatican conspiracy, I have heard it quoted many times, but that doesn't mean either side will ever pay it. The fact is, it's impossible to prove such a claim for certain one way or the other, because someone can always be lying on either side of the issue. That's just my opinion on it. Either way, it's a fascinating conspiracy theory.
I just received my copy of “It’s All About You,” the new Chick tract. In the tract (the specimen I received), the girl’s name is “Hannah.” One place, it’s spelled Hanna; the other place, it’s Hannah. (The online version shows “Hannah” in both places.)
You might take a good look at your own copy of this new tract. We may have received a “first printing” that will be valuable someday because of the misprint.
I haven't gotten mine yet, but I bet you're right! I'll look out for it. Thanks for the head's up.
I'm interested in getting a copy (printed or scanned) of the tract "Lisa." I've done searches, and I can't seem to find it online anywhere. The only place that did have the complete scan, the Livejournal community scans_daily, ended up getting suspended. Please get back to me when you have a chance.-- Rebecca.
Hey Rebecca! That's one of the rarest and most prized out of print Chick tracts. But the good news is that it has just been reprinted in book form, along with several other way cool tracts, many of which are new and one that can be found no where else ("Home Alone"). The book is called "Hot Topics" and it's under $7 direct from Chick.com. Enjoy!
Hi Kurt,
I just read the new Chick tract "It's All About You" online. Looks like the standard "teenage" tract but something caught my eye. The main character Hannah starts off with the typical facial features seen in Jack's childrens' tracts... Big, round eyes, no lips, oval mouth-o-horror, etc., but after hearing (and believing) the gospel her features completely change. There's a crossover panel, where she still has the big VW-with-the-doors-open ears, but she has lips and her eyes are more detailed. By the final message panel, she looks completely like a Chick grown up. I remember seeing these sort of character transformations in Fred Carter tracts, Lisa comes to mind, when the ugly parents lose their scowls and wrinkles after being saved, but I can't recall ever seeing it in any of Jack Chick's work. Am I just forgetting, or is Jack Chick still 'evolving' (Haw Haw!) his style after all these years? -Adam
Hey Adam,
It sounds like the make up effects to "THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON". Perhaps he's being influenced by such movies? Then again, it could be older films, like "THE TRANSFORMERS". Haw-haw!
Hey-
Finally made the Chickstalker list as a buyer and a seller! does this mean I've arrived or that I'm just a kook?
The last 21 on the list were from me and all from the $272 lot that ended up being doubles.
Keep up the good work, William tells me a 3rd edition of the book is on it's way. Let me know if there are any missing codes and I'll take a gander at what I have.
-George
Hey George,
It's means that you (another kook) has just arrived! Welcome to the club! Glad to know you had so many tough doubles and decided to "share the wealth". You probably made back the full $272 off just the spares! At least now you know I don't make up those figures on the auction report (although it sure would be a lot easier!)
Who is "William"? Is that Bob Fowler you mean? If so, that means he's planning a 3rd edition of WORLD OF CHICK? It must be from all the stardom he got from our documentary, haw-haw-haw!
PS. The only variations (and codes) of note that I track are listed on our variations page.
Hi - I bought this lot on eBay on speculation. If you look at it, you will see that he didn't list the titles, and the photo just shows a stack of tracts. But it looked like at least some of them were early printings and/or out of print, so I gambled the minimum bid ($10) on speculation that there might be something interesting.
It turned out the photo wasn't of the tracts he sent; I would have been pissed off, except what I got was so much better. I opened the envelope, and the first one I saw was a somewhat beat-up copy of THE BEAST - the 48 page oversized version. The second one was THE THING. And the third one, believe it or not, was KISS INDIA GOODBYE. This is not an April Fool's joke! So, do I have the only known copy outside of Chick's vault? The cover is different from the one in your book, it's the standard style with white title on black background, picture on the left (map of India in the middle of crosshairs, with a red splotch centered around Calcutta).
Except for the cover, it ALMOST matches the description in your book (p. 82-83) - but there appears to be a few differences. For example, p. 5 has "less than 1 1/2 years" (instead of "less than 1 year"); p. 6 deletes the text about Calcutta; p. 22 deletes the name of the foundation (leaving a blank space) - which sort of takes the point out of the message, I would have thought.
I just wish I had bid on this guy's other lot too (he sold another lot of 40 tracts). And no, he doesn't have any more. But the moral is, you can still find some rare tracts at bargain prices - maybe OPERATION SOMEBODY CARES went for $500, but KISS INDIA GOODBYE went for 50 cents! Haw Haw Haw!
-Bill P.
That's a great story Bill, and it shows there's still great deals and great finds out there waiting to be fetched by those willing to sniff them out. Your copy is the only one with that cover that I'm aware of (as the one in the book had a different format cover entirely). I'll be sure to add it to the variations section. Congrats!
hello. PRAISE THE LORD! i was just wondering what you folks find wrong with creating gospel tracts to reach people for Christ using the format jack chick uses. it just happends to be a wonderful format, perhaps the best. are you folks calling them "knockoffs" because the titles are similar or for simply because jack chicks format was used. if its the format well think about this: what if the person who invented the "book" format for literature was offended by "copycats" and suggested everyone else stick with scrolls or some other format. think about it. I have been concidering creating tracts using a similar format (format only, not storylines) and would hate to be called a copycat and accussed of pushing knockoffs. could you please respond to this email. i would really like to know were you folks are coming from on this thank you very much. -Len
Hey Len,
We're not Chick publications, just fans of his comics. Don't let the "copy cat" title fool you. We just say copy cat to best describe that the tracts are very similar to Chick tracts, since he was the first to drawn Gospel comic tracts. We have no problem with other people who use comics for Gospel purposes, in fact, we collect those as well! So if you make any, please be sure to send at least one copy for our archives and website at: Monsterwax, 3202 Enterprise Drive, Tallahassee FL 32312. Include any info you want included on the website so other people know where to order them.
I got the DVD yesterday and will watch this weekend...THANKS also for the Chick tract!!...and I am going to order your Chick book and I want to join the Chick Tract club...I love them and have bought everyone I could find and I'd like to eventually collect them all.... thanks for doing all this...Chick rocks!
David H. (Winston-Salem, NC)
Glad it arrived okay David, And I think you'll enjoy the Chick collecting. I also collect cards and coins, but tracts are by far the most fun!
Hi Kurt,
I just wanted to say that your book completely hit my mainline a while back!
I'm delighted that your film is now available. I wanted to get an authentic copy direct from the source. Is it possible to get my copy autographed?
I'm a 2nd generation tattooist who grew up in a Pentecostal church reading Chick literature, and I plan to tattoo Chick's dog "Fang" somewhere on my hide in the near future. Have you heard of others who've had Chick art tattooed on them?
- Gary (Taylor, MI _
Hey Gary,
I had a lot of fun with the book, even though it did eat up two years of life writing and laying it out! I still find plenty of typos, but I'm overall happy with the results. The film was an added plus, to be sure. Unfortunately, it not only took another two years, but it also took thousands of dollars to produce, and and we're still paying off the bills. They keep selling though, so we're hopeful it will get paid off.
Of course I'll be happy to sign your copy. I can't say I've heard of others with Fang tattoos, but I've certainly seen such tattoos in various Chick tracts! (Like on the Janitor's arm on page 9 of Fatal Decision, or page 12 on the orderly's arm in Real Heat, or on page 9 on a prisoner in The Secret, or on a fan's arm on page 3 of The Slugger).
(Rev. Rich Lee was planning on taking the new Jack Chick documentary at the Comic Con this summer and showing it there. He just emailed me disturbing news about this scheme.)
Stop the presses! My contact in the San Diego area, P.C. Hamerlinck, comics historian, evangelical Christian, and Jack Chick fan was planning to get the documentary shown and sold at the biggest comic book convention in the country, the annual San Diego Comic Con held every July. Here is what he said. Dang! He and I were planning to host this event! - Rich Lee
(from Hamerlinck):
"Comic-Con has no interest in JTC. (When I attend this summer I'll place JTC tracts all over the Convention Center. I'll show them! heh heh heh..)"
This is indeed an anti-moral outrage!
KittySneezes.com just published an interview with author and film maker Kurt Kuersteiner regarding the new Chick documentary and his older book on Chick. It's a quirky piece, you might enjoy it. (If link fails, go here.)
And here's another one on Gary Dale Cearly's blog at http://thoushaltnotbearfalsewitness.wordpress.com/
(Cearly is a noted Jack Chick critic and wrote an entire book (and runs a website) attacking Alberto's claims about the Vatican being the source of Islam.)
From the book "Anti-Rock" By Linda Martin and Kerry Seagrave (page 284):
The first major record burning in the 1970s occurred in Tallahassee, Florida in 1976. The Reverend Charles Boykin of Lakewood Baptist Church preached against rockers like Elton John (an admitted bisexual), the Rolling Stones (for onstage debauchery), and John Denver (for smoking marijuana). Boykin claimed that rock music led to "illicit sex, drugs, and homosexuality." In November, he scheduled a record burning where $2,000 worth of records and tapes were destroyed outside the church by youthful members of the congregation. So popular was this idea that people began sending hundreds of records a day to Boykin to be destroyed. A second burning took place in December when Boykin preached a sermon on "The Evils of Rock" at Southside Baptist Church. Five thousand dollars worth of records were set on fire and smashed. When asked why the records weren't just given away, one of the youths explained it would be like giving away dope. Boykin said his record bonfires were unlike the book burnings in Nazi Germany because the record burnings were voluntary.
You heard it here first, folks: Tallahassee, home of the JTC Museum of Fine Art, was also FIRST of the 1970s record burnings! Woo-hoo! We're number one, we're number one! Keep in mind that Chick would popularize the record burning concept in his John Todd inspired comic book SPELLBOUND just two years later, and a series or record buring events would sweep the nation it the aftermath.
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