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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 10 From Jan 1st to Dec. 31, 2005 (The latest entries are at the top.) Revised. 12.28b.05 (All contents ©2005 Monsterwax)
You know how JTC doesn't like to be photographed, I'm wondering if he's been appearing in tracts and comics more than he lets on. For some reason I get the feeling that the "One Good Cop in Town" from Broken Cross is based on Jack. And there's that one Carter tract where the old man is trying to pass tracts and gets yelled at... for some reason I also think that's Jack. (I can't remember which tract it is, but I think the panel iin question is in your book.) I have no evidence on either account, just a feeling I get whenever I look at both of those pics that the voice on "Closet Witches" goes with them. - Adam PS: I meant to ask you about a tract I just won on ebay... "Hokus Pokus", I never heard of it, have you? Is it a foriegn tract? Also the one called "Se!" Which I'mm assuming is a foriegn tract, is there an English counterpart to it? The man you describe is Chaplain Dann, The Human Tract dispenser! (Check out our wing dedicated to him.) Hokus Pokus is the German venison of The Death Cookie , and only the cover and language are different. Se! is foreign (Finnish?) version of The Thing, It also has a different cover from the English version.
I really admire and respect Jack Chick's work for Jesus. Mr. Chick is one of the only men who supported and believed John Todd's testimony. He is certainly a man of conviction! A few months after I got saved back in 1971 when I was in the USAF, I used to get out Chick tracts to the GIs on base and at my work place. They read them all. Some people did get saved as a result of my witness, praise God! -James
Hello, I really like to read your reviews, as sarcastic comments are the only thing to make the absurdity of Chick tracts a bit bearable. When I originally read the new Thanksgiving tract on Chick's site, I was surprised and appalled by his message. Then, when I read your review, I wondered why you didn't address the two strange issues. I was surprised that Chick, who's so obsessed in finding the pagan roots to Halloween and ignoring the Christian tradition of All Saints Day (Remembrance of the Dead day), seems to be ignorant to the pagan roots of thanksgiving. Maybe because Americans celebrate it in November to tie with the Pilgrims story, whereas we celebrate in on the first Sunday of October, after the harvest's brought in? I've always been aware, even when bringing the fruits and grain to the altar in the Christian church, that giving thanks to God (or gods) is a very old festivity. But what really appalled me was the way Chick twisted the Indians' contribution. If the Christian God sent the pagan Indians to save the Pilgrims (because they were too stupid and ignorant to help themselves or ask directly for help?) - then his way of repaying them for their help sucks. Or is this bit left out when the quaint Pilgrim's story is taught in American schools? Several years after the Indians saved the Pilgrims from starvation, the Pilgrims were eager for their land, so they killed most of them and sold the rest into slavery, starting the Christian treatment of fellow humans. But hey, the Bible said that white people should rule over colored, and God had given them America as the Jews had been given Israel, so everything was okay and allowed! And negotiations weren't necessary - since the Indians weren't Christians, it wasn't necessary for the white people to keep their word or be fair. It's really a pity that this isn't addressed at all. As for the tradition of Thanksgiving ... It's not that old, only about 200 years. More here http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_147.html Mit freundlichen Grüssen, Constanze W. Thanks Constanze. I wish I could take credit for the review of THE MISSING DAY, but that goes to Emby Quinn, one of our more regular guest writers. Those are interesting points you made about the Indians, and like the slaves, they certainly got a raw deal in America. But the Indian decedents living on reservations today have a pretty good set up: No Federal income taxes, no state income or property taxes, free education, and very lucrative gambling revenues. I don't think it's accurate to claim the Bible said the White people should rule over the Black. No such passage exists. (Although there were some who came up with twisted interpreations to make such an arguement.) Despite their unfair treatment in the past, descendants of the slaves are doing much better than those who were "left behind" in the homeland. I'm not saying anyone would want to trade places with the original victims, but it does demonstrate how one generation's seemingly hopeless existence can be followed by a much brighter future. Hey, that kinda sounds like the story of a converted sinner in a Chick tract. Haw-haw-haw!
Adam (a dedicated Chick tract fan) shares a picture of his Chick Tract Tree with us here. It's very colorful and some of the tracts are pretty rare! Note that he doesn't harm the tracts by punching any holes, but rather, uses a rubber band around the spine and hands them on the branches, the way Chick says we should hang tracts on door knobs.
I just wanted to let you know I appreciate all you to maintain the fan club and site. I'm sure sometimes people don't let you know that, but I for one appreciate it. While I did not celebrate the 22nd and I have not been passing out tracts lately or being a good Christian(haw-haw!) I have been reading the Art of Jack Chick book again. It really was a labor of love and I've been enjoying rereading it. I noticed for example too in The Wicked Magistrate I think Heh-heh was used instead of haw -haw! Anyways thanks for all the work and the book and site and all you also have a happy holiday season! - Paul Thanks for the thanks, Paul. It's always nice to know someone out there is enjoying our collective efforts. I hope you have a Merry Christmas as well.
I'm trying to find the title of a Chick tract I haven't seen in 30+ years. The last page shows a firing squad and someone asking, "Do you deny Jesus?" - George. That sounds like it may be the retired 1970s tract, The Poor Revolutionist. It's a popular but very tough and expensive tract to find these days. ($75 to $175 when auctioned.) They (the hippys) all get shot in the end by the commies they helped invade America. But I don't see that quote anywhere in it. You must refer to THE LAST CALL. That's not a tract, but a 60+ page book with five cartoons at the front, the last of which lines up victims in front of maching guns and asks your question.
Greetings and Felicitations: After a recent on-line discussion regarding Chick tracts and various parodies out there, I took a closer look at the tracts on the Chick Publications web site and came to realize how good Fred Carter's art is. Whether one agrees or not with the world-view shown in the tracts themselves, they remain an excellent example of an artistic style which never should have gone out of fashion. By chance, I came across The Chick Tract Club through a Google search of Jack Chick. Right then, I knew I wanted to start collecting the Fred Carter tracts. Chick tracts are campy, fun, warped, and again, the art is brilliant. As a new collector, my "holy grail" is the tract Dark Dungeons, which warns against the evils of role playing. As a Buddhist, I'm also interested in acquiring The Tycoon tract. In addition, I'm also seeking out any tracts that demonize Halloween, FreeMasonry and occultism. I'm also interested in Chick tract parodies. Any information you could provide would be appreciated. Please sign me up for the club. Thanks you, -Roman G. Thank you Roman and welcome to the club. If you're after tracts against Halloween and cults, then Chick's your man! You'll get a complete tract checklist with your club kit, along with a free copy of Dark Dungeons. And here's the link to our Chick Parody page.
Hey there, As a Chick "fan", I thought you might like to hear about something I've been doing with a few of my friends for the last two years. I have a radio show (on our non-commercial, free-format, campus radio station) and we do a segment called "Tract or Fiction?" What we do is enact a radio adaptation of a Chick Tract, then have a "debate" about its validity. The debate is all fake and improvised, with me deciding who is on what side of the debate by flipping a coin, and calling the winner the same way. It's really goofy, but it's a lot of fun to do. Thought you might enjoy it. The first two "seasons" were all recorded live on the air, while the new season was prerecorded in our recording studio for better sound quality. We have a great time making them, and so far, the reaction has been pretty positive. http://www.wax-work.com/radio/tract.htm Let me know what you think! - Jordan D. White, wax-work.com Sounds like a hoot, Jordan. What I heard sounded pretty good, but I'm on a dial up computer right now, so I'll have to check again when I'm on broadband and it downloads faster. It looks like you've done this for three years now and have quite a selection. You also have plenty more titles to choose from since Chick is closing in on his 200th tract!
I read your book on the Art of Jack T. Chick, and thought it was quite good. I have to admit, I never thought about anyone collecting Chick tracts, and I collect everything! Or at least, I never get rid of anything (much to my wife's chagrin). I only remember a couple of the tracts and doubt that I have any of those. I may have kept a copy of Bad Bob. That one was pretty cool. I remember even as a kid thinking Chick was a little out there, but after reading your book I am amazed at how far out there! Though your meeting with him sounds like a good time. Robert L. Thanks for the comments Rob. There are certainly some older tracts that are worth considerable coin, if you can dig them up. They tend to be the more controversial ones that weren't as popular at the time-- hence, their retirement. Bad Bob is still in print and shows no sign of disappearing even after all these years.
File under "I am not my brothers keeper": The "Christian" comic website http://members.aol.com/ChriCom/index.html completly snubs the brilliant work of Jack C. Chick. Poor J C Chick; denied as christ was. When the rapture comes then Chick will be the one laughing: Haw, Haw, Haw! Are you familiar with the Spire Christian Comics series? These came out in the 1970's and are almost as good as Chick comics. Look for them on the internet.
Hi, Somehow I stumbled into this site. What a gem. Born in 1961, I was a dope smoking teen in the 70s. One of my older friends had found Jesus while watching the 700 Club. He attempted to convert me for months. I hold no ones religion against them, so he was welcome in my home and I would get high ( he always refused though I offered ) and we would talk about Christianity. He always brought these tracts over by JTC, and they were addictive. I couldn't wait to see another. I never really converted, but I sure liked the tracts. Who knows, maybe JTC is right, at any rate, I admire people who have the courage of their convictions. - MS
Hi , I just received the November mailing from Chick publications. (Did you notice that Battle Cry has changed from newsletter to booklet format?) I'm a graphic artist who specializes in direct mail. A lot of people wonder how Chick has managed to keep a small independent press afloat for some many years, and under such pressure, and I think it has a lot to do with his direct mail. I don't know if Chick publications has a former direct mail marketer on staff or if they've just done a lot of research, but their packages are some of the most effective I've seen outside of credit card marketing. Everything about it, from the size of envelopes (2 standard direct mail sizes), to the package weight, use of color, pricing, target-customer list, and number of content components is a by-the-numbers marketing tool, almost exactly like we use to market financial products for banks. Even the way they use the 2-color uncoated ink with a cartoon and a tagline on the envelopes just adds to the branding... it's distinctly "Chick". (ie: It looks like the tracts.) People can say what they want about him, but the man know how to move product. Anyway, it's just something I've noticed since I started receiving their mail pieces a while ago, and thought other Chick fans might find slightly interesting. Adam
I would like to let you know how much I enjoy your website. My memories of Jack Chick and his work go back to my early years in the 1970's, where Chick tracts were everywhere. I remember finding and reading such classics as "The Mad Machine," "This Was Your Life," and "A Demon's Nightmare." Then in high school (around the time that Alberto and Double Cross came out), I had a Fundamentalist Christian friend who was seriously into Chick's work. He was always warning me about hell and damnation, as well how I could not possibly be saved because I am and Anglican Christian (I am orginally from Canada). I would read eveything Chick in the local Christian bookstore just so I could understand what he was talking about. So began my love for all things Chick! As for the friend, though, he eventually left the Christian faith and is now a very cynical atheist! I too eventually drifted from the Christian faith, only to re-discover it after reading a found copy of "This Was Your Life!" Upon re-dedicating my life to Jesus Christ and resuming my Anglican expression of faith, I had my interest in Jack Chick revived. Later on, I tried to share my Chick interest with my beautiful (and VERY Catholic) wife from the Philippine Islands. I ordered "Why Is Mary Crying" and "Last Rites" in Tagalog, thinking that she would "get it" too. Unfortunately, she didn't! I almost had to permanently sleep on the couch because of that stunt, and to this day she doesn't like it whenever I talk about Chick's work or look at your (or his) website at home. One can imagine a demon standing right next to my wife with his hands around her eyes and ears (Haw Haw Haw!) Still, I am very glad to see that you, as well as so many others, enjoy the pure camp that is Jack Chick and his work. Just so you know, I am intending on ordering your book as soon as I can spare the expense. But in the meantime, please continue your fine work on this website. Thanks for the great stories! It's letters like yours that make this site fun for me, too.
(This email from D. Tillman received early September:) A collection of John Todd/ Lance Collins conspiracy rants are for sale on eBay. Even though his predictions about Jimmy Carter being the anti-christ seemed to have not quite materialized the way he thought (although no one can deny Jimmy Carter is evil...pure evil I tells ya!), apparently one person still likes to promote Todd/Collins message. One wonders what Todd/Collins would think, having redefected to Wicca serving out a 30 year sentence for rape (because some liberal weinnie judge wouldn't give him a life sentence). CD apparently has a couple of other ranters too, besides Todd/Collins. The guy is usually selling copies for under $10 a pot on ebay under the seller's handle of covenanter1599. Seller says the CD includes: 1A John Todd's testimony of deliverance from the Occult, evils of witchcraft 24.5 megabytes in MP3 format with 43 minutes of audio. The sound quality will improve after the first couple minutes. 1B Music and Spells44 minutes. 2A Dangers of fortune telling, familiar spirits, CS Lewis, JRR Toiken, etc etc! 43 minutes. 2B Process Church, epilepsy, UFOs, demon possession, Jimmy Carter etc! 40 minutes . 3A What is the Illuminati? CFR? Trilateral Commission, what 33rd. Degree Masons believe about Lucifer, etc! 43 minutes. 3B Continuation of what is the Illuminati? Who leads it? The Charismatic movement / Chuck Smith / Jesus Rock / John Birch Society / Freemasons, purpose of Rock Music, etc! 40 minutes. 4A How to survive, etc! 43 minutes. 4B Masons, Salvation message by pastor 1 hour 16 minutes. It is the largest of all the files of this set. The audio quality is not very good but still audible. 5A Todd's testimony about the occult world, the Illuminati, the Collins family, introduction of witchcraft to America, etc! 41 minutes. 5B Salvation testimony, deliverance from fear based on 2Tim1:7, Rock Music, Book of Mormon based on the Witchcraft bible Book of Shadows, witchcraft symbols used in jewelry, Catholic mass compared to witchcraft, why JFK was killed, etc! 39 minutes. 6A History as a witch, doctrine, evils of television,43 minutes 6B More details of his life in the occult, evils and addiction of rock music, purpose of rock music - to get Christians cast spells on themselves! etc.36 minutes. Seller warns people not to interfere with his auctions warning: "THOU SHALL NOT STEAL BY HAVING MY LISTINGS REMOVED. YAHWEH WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS." Who am I to squabble with YAHWEH? Chick fans might be interested in hearing Todd/Collins account of how he got saved when someone gave him a "Bewitched" tract. He's probably the only one that ever did! When I heard the tapes at age 13, I whole heartedly followed Wicca, hoping to find the mysterious illuminati and be on the team that rules the world. Eventually I realized the iluminati was bull...and several more years later that Wicca was the product of more than one paranoid schitzo. I'm happy with Anglicanism now...it's schitzophrenic enough for anybody. Peace In Christ, D.Tillman Thanks for the heads upTillman, I'll be sure to check them out! (If I turn up dead, you'll know why!) Here's a FREE link to some of Todd's comments in text and MP3: http://www.kt70.com/~jamesjpn/articles/john_todd_and_the_illuminati.htm
My girl friend was in to see hour college councelor today. He said, " Do you have anything to do with this website?" He flipped his monitor around and there was.... not her home page made for the computer class.... but... The Jack Chick Museum of Fine Art! (She uses my address to receive mail, and he recognized it on the web site.) The guy then said, "My wife is a Catholic..." My girlfriend thought she was about to get suspended from school, but then he went on to say: "And I LOVE this web site, I've been reading it for years. It's soooo funny!" Then he sent her home with a hand written message to me that read, "Love your website. It is my favorite. Take care and watch out for those Jesuits, Haw-haw-haw!"
I saw an item for bid on eBay that at first interested me. It caught my attention because it had the words "Chick Publications" in it. The item was for sale by "Mustardtree Publications." The name kinda puzzled me, since the seller sells second hand books. He doesn't actually "publish" anything. Maybe he secretly ENVIES Jack...the largest publisher in the world! HAW HAW! The item is an overpriced anti-Roman Catholic booklet put out by the Greek Orthodox Church (the seller wanted $10 is the reason why I say it's overpriced. Originally it was probably a quarter). The seller pooh-poohed the book's tone, because he was a Roman Catholic. The seller called it "the closest to Chick publications I have ever seen for the Eastern Orthodox Church of the 20th century." Yeah, you think the Greek Orthodox would have gotten over that whole Crusade thing their Roman brothers launched against them (I think it was Crusade #4). HAW HAW! I offered $3 for the booklet (it was a stapled paper booklet from 1959...hardly worth the $10 he wanted. I was then treated to this delightful email: "Thank you for your o-so-kind offer. After giving your proposal a full fifteen seconds thought, which is a full ten seconds longer than I usually entertain penny-pinching-cheapskate- hair brained offers such as yours, I have decided against it. Ebay now has a "best offer" feature that some sellers choose to utilize. I do not. Now, I suggest that you stick to collecting comic books and bible tracts, as I do not think that you are of sufficient intelligence to comprehend such a text. Happy Fourth of July!" GEEZE! OK, I admit, my ThSB isn't from Harvard, but I'm sure I could handle an 82 page booklet! HAW HAW! Gotta love it. - Rev. Deacon Dave That's a pretty funny eBay story, Dave. Sounds like some of the sellers take themselves way too seriously!
I just thought you would like to know that the German version of Death Cookie has had the title and cover redone. It's called Hokus Pokus and the cover shows the wizard guys zapping the wafer instead of a giant picture of the Cookie. As far as I can tell, the inside is still the same since the grammatical revamp in 2001. - John H. Thanks for the head's up John. I'll have to add that one to my want list.
Hi, I love the Chick Tract Museum website almost as much as I love Chick tracts themselves. I have been collecting and distributing Chick tracts for years. I remember finding a copy of, "This Was Your Life," on a pay phone when I was about 11 and it scared the crap out of me. I am now a Christian, and I think that tract really planted a seed in me, I wasn't raised with any religious upbringing. I have a new website mainly about my Chick tract ministry and I have put a link to your site on my links page. I hope you will check out my site and let me know what you think. It is brand new and I would love if you would sign the guestbook. Thanks Doug, We'll check it out and I'm sure it will be fun to see what the other Chick tract fans have to say. Good look on your site and your collection... as well as your spreading of Chick's tracts. (Doug has since added another page with a pretty funny photo of a Church sign "advertising" Chick tracts.)
First off you know nothing about Catholism, individuals make up the church. The church isn't some building. Christianity is not a book (Bible) but a person, Jesus. Therefore, denominations should not have to bash each other. So we have arguments about how Christianity started, as well as meanings and contridictions of the Bible. And also if we are all human why is the Catholic church the only one corrupted?! Every church is just as corrupted as any other. No person is perfect. The Catholic church just gets more media attention. And the best thing to do is stop arguing about details and be a real Christian. But if you must argue, talk to someone who knows their faith. anonymous Since we're not here to bash anyone, I'm assuming you've also confused us with Chick Publications. We're the fan site, and we prefer to sit back and let the other dogs fight it out.
Jack you are an old man at this time in history do you think the pride of Jedea Jesus will have open arms or you are will he split you out, hell a long time. Glen Boudreaux Sorry Glen, We're not Chick Publications. Try chick.com. And you many want to spell "split" without an "L".
Hello all and congratulations on making a truly enjoyable site. As a catholic and a free speech hating Canadian I am probably the last person who should enjoy chick tracts as much as I do but yet here I am. The only mild criticisms I have with your site are first of all your Canada against Chick section, and a few of the Catholics who have posted their comments in the catholic corner (I know this is not your fault) First off the Canada against Chick section, as a flag waving patriotic Canadian I think I need to defend the true north strong and free. While I do not agree with the courts decision to ban some of the Chicks tracts I can also understand that in a country where almost 50 percent of the population is Roman Catholic how tracts like Holocaust might rub some of us the wrong way. I also know that much of the Canada section was exaggerated and should not be taken too seriously (we do have a sense of humour up here, remember SCTV ya hoser?) and I have to say I got some laughs off that page too. My other criticism stems from the many other Catholics who have e-mailed the site yelling and screaming about Jack Chick preaching hate. I beg you all please just take this with a grain of salt, it looks even worse for Catholics when we scream and shout about Tracts being hate literature then if we just ignored it, and learned to laugh a little. We really shouldn't worry about people learning to hate Catholics from these Tracts; in fact anyone willing to believe in a massive Catholic conspiracy backed by Satan probably doesn't like Catholics all that much anyway. Also trying to justify or downplay the Inquisitions or other atrocities committed in the name of the Catholic Church, or bringing up the Protestant skeletons in their closet serves no one. If you want to defend the faith please look to what the Church is like today instead of trying to defend the horrors of the past, if Jack Chick wants to live in the past fine why don't you look at the present I feel it presents a much rosier picture than trying to defend the crimes of the past. So in closing: God bless Canada, God bless a sense of humour, and God bless you all Sincerely, Kyle S. Thanks Kyle. You put it into perspective better than any of our previous writers, myself included.
Something that I spotted immediately when looking at the Chick tract "The Letter" was that a lot of the artwork was cribbed. Almost all of the "Hell" sequence was copied, almost line-for-line, from illustrations by Gustave Dore (a Catholic!) for Dante's Inferno. So, it looks like Fred Carter isn't above swiping from Catholics when it suits his purpose---or else the deadline for the tract was coming up fast. -Eric O. Haw-haw! I guess imitation is the greatest form of flattery!
I once was employed for a community corrections facility and the jail chaplain would drop off the comics for reading. My son was a prisoner in a facility and once again I read the comics. I was a born again Christian in December of 2000. Keep up the excellent work. - Mike M. Thanks Mike. You were at one of the lucky prisons, because many of them don't allow Chick Tracts. (The Catholics complained.) They allow TV violence, cigarettees, and gay sex, but not Chick tracts. Go figure.
I'm writing to let you know that I really like your chick tracts. It's very interesting and has the person thinking about the religion that they are in. I am a muslim, and the tracts that I've read on islam is very surprising. The track The Pilgrimage, the Deceived and more. For long I've been practicing a religion that I thought was the one and only religion. As we all taught as muslim, we were born muslim and every prophet there was, were a muslim. Also, being taught that the last and seal of the prophets was Muhammad Ibn Abdullah. The God that was there idol in the pre-islamic days (Allah), we're taught to call on him. I was in aw when I discovered that Allah is or was an idol going all the way back to babylon. That's very shameful, and satan is just playing with everyones souls. He knows that he's burning in hell, but he's not going alone. I am scared now, because also we was taught in the Quran that calling on Jesus is idol worshipping, when he said in the bible John16:23 "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing, verily, verily, I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you". What does that mean, it's going to be a little hard for me, because I was always taught to just see Jesus as a prophet, not someone and God in the flesh who shed his blood for our sins. I'm doing a lot of studying on Islam and Christianity and Judism, everything is coming together. I want to serve my Lord in the correct way, but now I'm have some doubts about certain things. Do you blame me? Thinking that I was practicing something that came directly from God, finding out that it was all a lie. I pray that what I'm studying is not a lie, because Satan is on a rampage, remember he's not going to hell by himself, he's taking a lot with him. I pray that God protect my family and me. - N.D. Dear N.D., We're not Chick, just fans of his comics. But you can reach Chick Publications at www.chick.com. Thanks for the interesting story though. It proves Chick tracts get read and make people think. Best wishes on your religious quest.
Dear Curator, Can you tell me when "The Nervous Witch" was first printed? I stumbled across it the other day and about died laughing. Because you know, once you read Harry Potter...ding! Out pops another satanist! And also (I'm not a feminist), but I've noticed a disturbing trend in his comics. In "the Nervous Witch" and also the tract about how Catholics created Islam (don't EVEN get me started on that...) the person that is portrayed as the sinner, the evil one infested with demons, always seems to be a woman. Any thoughts on that? Love the site! Jennifer Hey Jennifer, The Nervous Witch came out in 2001. You'll notice the demon leaving the 2nd witch is directly lifted from the first Harry Potter movie. I bet that somewhere, someone is passing these tracts out at the various Harry Potter sequels. I also think any serious Harry Potter collector has to have one of these tracts to truely finish their collection. I haven't noticed any trend for the number of villians in various tracts being women, but then again, I haven't been keeping track. But when it comes to witchcraft, rest assured, they play a staring role.
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