© 2008 Monsterwax. Rev. 9.1.08
Welcome to the
Museum's Late Breaking News Stand
Here's the latest news on Chick tracts, updates to this site, and misc. news!
(See also our Chick memories 12 section for updated comments.)
If you have news of interest to Chick collectors and/or fans, E-mail our curator Be aware that all emails are subject to public posting in our memories section unless you state otherwise in your note.
BIG NEWS: The Chick Documentary DVD is Now On Sale!
The Chick documentary is finished and making the film festivals rounds! We interviewed all the major players in Chick's comic history (except Chick himself, who doesn't allow interviews or photographs). It includes Fred Carter, Rebecca Brown, Alberto's widow (Nury Rivera), Kent Hovind (before he went to jail), Chaplain Dann, Chick assistant David Daniels, Artist Hal Robins, Conspiracy expert Ivan Stang, and authors of separate books about Chick (Bob Fowler of The World of Jack Chick and Dan Raeburn The Imp #2). It was directed by filmmaker Kurt Kuersteiner, author of the latest book on Chick (The Art of Jack T. Chick). Also included are archival recordings and videos of Alberto Rivera and John Todd, two of Chick's inspirational sources. Too busy to make it to one of the documentary film festivals? No problemo! You can go here to order it on DVD.
Alberto's Wife Stars in New Video
Nury Rivera, widow of Alberto Rivera, stars in a new DVD called Idols Have No Power. The Spanish video has English subtitles and follows a Spanish woman (Rivera) as she is seduced by the power of Virgin Mary idol. She eventually experiences a super-natural event that sets her straight. Nury Rivera does a remarkable job in the role, ab libbing much of the dialogue as the camera runs. Once the idol arrives on the scene, the story really picks up and packs an emotional punch. Alberto had charisma, but Nury can really act!
Chick Announces 4 Free Web Tracts!
Chick has just released four tracts that can be emailed to friends, put on face-book, or even your own webpage. The viewer can click the images and flick the pages. The titles are THE EXECUTION, FIRST BITE, OOPS, and (of course) THIS WAS YOUR LIFE. It's a clever idea and a MUST for every Chick collector with a web page. For the code and free demonstration, go here.
College Thesis on Chick Available for Free Download
One of our regular readers, Phillip Forness, has made a unique contribution to the museum and its members. He has made his graduate Thesis on Chick Tracts available for free download. You can get a pdf file of this interesting 50 page academic summary (fully illustrated) by going here: http://www.monsterwax.com/ChickTractVisualCulture.pdf
Thanks Phillip!
Record Breaking Price on Ebay Auction
A medium oversized WHY NO REVIVAL (measuring 5 x 4.25 inches) broke all previous prices, selling for a whopping $622 on March 30! This tract had art different from the current version (but the same as the other oversized WHY NO REVIVAL?s) though it does has a drawing not found in any other versions (reproduced on page 160 of THE ART OF JACK CHICK). Also, a medium oversized version of HOLY JOE sold for $152.
John Todd Dies ... Again
John Wayne Todd, Chick's infamous "Illuminati Insider" was sent to jail back in 1988 (he claims he was set up by former Senator Strom Thurmond, who Todd got kicked off the board of Bob Jones University). Well, rumor has it that he died in a South Carolina prison last November 11th. Of course, he was said to have died two times prior to that, once having been thrown out of a helicopter. So don't be quick to count those former Satanists out (they tend to keep coming back!) Oddly enough, Todd was scheduled for parole in 2005, but for some reason (Masons? Illuminati? Conspiracy?) he was denied and left to rot in jail. We tried to contact him on numerous occasions but our mail was never answered.
Brand New Crusaders Comic
After nearly a 20 year hiatus, The Crusaders are back with a hard-hitting expose on Mormonism.. and it's just in time for Mormon Mitt Romney and the Republican primaries! It's called THE ENCHANTER. To counter those who claim the comic is not accurate about Mormonism, Chick has included a special on-line reference showing the source to every controversial claim made.
New Version of Primal Man Comic!
Also new from The Crusaders, a new revamped version of Primal Man! It's basically the same plot, but with new evolution/ creationist arguments promoted by Kent Hovind (see below, the "Dr. Dino" headlines). You'll see newer cars, new scenes, and newer info. I expect it will also mention Dr. Kent Hovind in the acknowledgements section at the top of the first page (or page 3, if you use the tract page counting method). Now for the mad scramble to find the OLD versions if you don't already have one!
Chick Passes 200!
That's right! Chick's written, drawn or designed over 200 different tracts. He's done even MORE titles, but we don't consider them really different tracts if they are the same story with ethnic groups (like THE ONE WAY vs. THE TRUE PATH), or different versions of the same stories (like THE SUPERSTAR vs. THE SLUGGER) or different titles of the same tract (like JEOPARDY vs. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL JEW vs. LOVE THE JEWISH PEOPLE). But even when using this more conservative standard of counting, There Go The Dinosaurs is still Chick's 200th unique story! He drew this one himself and it deals with one of his favorite topics: Evolution. Congrats to the Chickster and let's hope we have another 200 in store before he faces the faceless one! View Chick's chronological list of all 200+ titles.
Two (previously) UNDISCOVERED Tracts!
That's right, Chickcomics.com reveals a whopping two (previously) undiscovered tracts, both copyrighted 1970. The first is called WHAT'S YOUR SCORE? It's a "have you witnessed lately" type tract, similiar to style to WHO ME, but with a Soviet KGB subplot!
The other previously undiscovered title is THE LOST CONTINENT, about the commies taking over South America. It has an illustration of South America on the cover. Both titles are extreamly rare with only one known copy found. This brings the total number of undiscovered tracts announced by our site to six (KISS INDIA GOODBYE, OPERATION SOMEBODY CARES, PSSSSST ISN'T IT TIME? and MISSIONARIES ARE FOOLS were the first four... and that's not including the negro versions of WHO ME, DEMONS NIGHTMARE, THIS WAS YOUR LIFE, or original version of WHY NO REVIVAL & SOMEBODY GOOFED). Of course, the REAL credit goes to our readers who send in what they've found. As always, they are our real eyes and ears. Who knows what else might be out there waiting to be found!
You'll be pleased to know that The Chick Tract Club has just REPRINTED one of these tracts (WHAT'S YOUR SCORE) to celebrate Chick's 200th original tract story. You can buy one for just $9.95 postpaid, or, for a limited time, get one FREE by joining The Chick Tract Club. So if you're not a member yet, JOIN NOW! Your support helps us finance special projects like this (and run the website).
Prison Chaplain In Hot Water over Tracts
It's just like a story out of one of Chick's tracts, on this one is true! A prison chaplain is suspended for evangelizing with Chick tracts... seriously! (She was supposed to endorse what she considered are false religions, to keep the PC crowd and other forces of darkness happy). Read all about it!
More Tracts Discontinued
Chick's web site has just marked nine more tracts as discontinued: They are:
Here He Comes!
It's Coming
The Last Generation
The Peace Maker
The Promise
Sin Busters
The Star
The Superstar
The Thief
What's Wrong With This?
Other tracts that were discontinued last year include:
Kidnapped, War Zone, and 7 more of the Bible tracts (Caught, The Loser, Man in Black, The Outcast, The Promise, Real Heat, and Who Cares?). If you don't have 'em yet, better get 'em!
New Record Breaking Auction Results
A recent auction on eBay broke new records in fetching high prices for older oversized tracts. Three tracts from the 1960s sold for a combined total over over $500. The medium oversized version of This Was Your Life sold for $90. (A super oversized version sold for $200 a few years back, but no more have appeared for sale). A medium oversized version of A Demon's Nightmare sold for $125. An oversized version of WHY NO REVIVAL (with all different art from the recent version) sold for $164.50. And finally, the first version of Somebody Goofed sold for a whooping $309! (The tract contains completely redrawn art from the current version, although the story is the same. The cover is different as well.) It pays to collect Chick tracts! (At least it does if you have old ones for sale.) An even more recent auction sold a "lot" of 37 tracts for $397! (It included a medium oversized 1969 WHO ME, 1969 CREATOR OR LIAR, and 1964 THIS WAS YOUR LIFE).
New Wing: Six Degrees of Chick Separation!
Ever hear about the Kevin Bacon game, Six Degrees of Separation? That ain't NOTHING! Check out our new wing devoted to the far more conspiratorial version, Six Degrees of Chick Separation!
"Interactive" Chick Blog Launched
The Chick Blog is a collection of headlines related directly or indirectly to Chick related topics (controversial religious issues like gay marriage, evolution in schools, Israel, the Vatican, etc.) Starting July 3rd, we've opened it up to public comments, so you can put in YOUR two cents worth as well. Check it out at http://www.chickcomics.blogspot.com
Dr. Dino's Wife Sentenced Above Guidelines
This from Dr. Dino's website after the July 2nd sentencing of his wife:
"To the many who took time to pray for Mrs. Hovind or support her in the court room, we express our deep gratitude. The sentencing guideline for her charges was zero to six months in prison as a maximum, or probation as an appropriate option. After the prosecution filed a memorandum asking for an upward departure from the recommended sentence guidelines to be applied, the Court contacted the Sentencing Commission for a clarification in this case.
The Sentencing Commission handed back the same decision as the Sentencing Guideline Book recommended—zero to six months in prison as a maximum, or probation as an appropriate option.
"In spite of these facts, Judge Rodgers ordered Mrs. Hovind to one year and one day in Federal Prison. Judge Rodgers said her reasons for the upward departure were largely based on the fact that she believed Mrs. Hovind was a “tax protestor” who conspired with her husband to evade the IRS. Those who know her, know that label to be untrue in every sense of the word.
You can read more here.
"Dr. Dino" sentenced to Ten Years.
Kent "Dr. Dino" Hovind, the author who helped revise the classic "Big Daddy" tract, plus "In The Beginning" and "It's Coming", was arrested July 15 for tax evasion. Chick Publications also distributes a series of anti-evolution videos Hovind produced. (He offers anyone $250,000.00 if they can "prove" evolution.) Hovind is in trouble with the IRS over refusing to pay taxes on what he considers a religious theme park, Dinosaur AdventureLand. Hovind also hosts a weekly radio program over the internet. You can hear him interview David Daniels about a new book Chick illustrated (Did The Catholicl Church Give Us the Bible?) at this link. It plays in "real audio". As of November, 2006, Hovind was found guilty and he and his wife face a combined jail time of nearly 500 years, but he was recently sentenced for ten years for refusing to paying payrole taxes. Although that's a significant reduction, it's still overkill, considering murders and rapists get less time for far worse crimes. He is also supposed to pay $640,000, which will force the sale of the theme park. His wife faces sentencing on March 1. In the meantime, Hovind continues to get messages out to be published on his blog.
Watch ALBERTO Videos On-line
Here's a new site with actual video of Alberto preaching and doing interviews. Check it out at http://www.spirituallysmart.com/alberto.html
Special on our Guide to Chick Tracts!
We're offering a special gift package with our book on Chick tracts, The Art of Jack T. Chick. It includes a free full color Crusader comic, a free issue of Battle Cry, and several Chick tracts at no additonal cost (by request only). The book itself has 224 pages with 580 pictures, most in color. If you would like this special offer, please order here. There's free postage, no sales tax (outside Florida) and proceeds help pay for this website. Our site provided the foundation of the book, but most of it is all new material, including reviews of every tract, the history of various conspiracies and major Chick authors, and a complete tract price guide. (Signed copies are available at no extra charge.) You can read feedback of it here.
We want to print a tract of our homage to Chick (as seen in our book and film ).
This is a professional parody that is funny without being judgmental. We
need a "patron saint" who can help us with the printing. (You'll
get 1,000 copies and the back cover design of all of them printed will have
your name or advertisement on it.) Go
here for samples and details.
New Tracts On-line
The latest tract published by Chick is First Bite. Other recent titles include Who Is He?, Moving On Up!, Fatal Decision, Poor Little Lamb, Unforgiven, Where Did They Go?, There Go The Dinosaurs, Guitly, Fairy Tales, Set Free and Free At Last (a negro version of Set Free!). Also The Prophet (the full color comic book, now on-line), Also on-line is the graphic novel, A Solution To The Marriage Mess. A classic retired tract has turned up on line: The controversial Lisa. View pages 1-6 here, pages 7-12 here, pages 13-18 here, and pages 19-24 here. Also, Wounded Children.
Chick releases a new tract for Halloween with lots of spooky images but a kid-friendly plot. It's intended to fascinate kids who get in their trick or treat bags. Talk about fiendishly clever! Check it out at http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/1047/1047_01.asp
New Black Tracts
Chick has recently adapted several tracts with an all black cast. Check out the new Negro version of Somebody Goofed, renamed Oops! Also, see the more recent Set Free! tract, renamed Free At Last! Also the Negro version of The Star, renamed Fame. Also, the black version of A Love Story, called, Who Loves You? Also, Best Friends is redrawn with a Negro cast as Soul Sisters. Also the black version of This Was Your Life and the Somebody Loves Me (renamed, Hard Times.) Plus, there's a new negro version of "Allah Had No Son", called Who Is Allah?
New Reviews
For pseudo-serious (but mostly humorous) blow by blow tract "dissections", check out the latest reviews of First Bite , Moving On Up, Unforgiven, Where Did They Go?, Fairy Tales, Heart Trouble, The Unwelcome Guest, Here Kitty Kitty, Men of Peace?, The Star, The Chaplain, The Dirty Diamond, The Missing Day, What's Wrong With This?
Lost? View our CONTENTS page.
