# Chick Publications **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 24, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174 "2013-01-24T02:33:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hottius\_Maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ab097/32.png) [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/1 "2013-01-24T02:33:21Z")
Who exactly IS Jack Chick? Is that his real name? Is he still alive? I recall seeing ridiculous and vitriolic religious tracts from Chick Publications which often made outrageous claims against anyone that basically disagreed with Jack Chick’s version of Christianity. I recall a series called “Alberto” which described how a man “Alberto” studied to be a Catholic priest and was taught to burn Protestant Churches. I know Alberto was debunked, but Jack Chick then insisted that the Vatican sent Alberto with a false story to make him look bad. Does anyone know the sordid history of Jack T. Chick and why he became such a religious fanatic? ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/2 "2013-01-24T02:44:00Z")
> [@Hottius\_Maximus](#): > > Who exactly IS Jack Chick? He is a fundamentalist Baptist cartoonist who writes various comic books to convert people to Christianity. > [@](#): > > Is that his real name? Yes > [@](#): > > Is he still alive? Yes > [@](#): > > I recall seeing ridiculous and vitriolic religious tracts from Chick Publications which often made outrageous claims against anyone that basically disagreed with Jack Chick’s version of Christianity. I recall a series called “Alberto” which described how a man “Alberto” studied to be a Catholic priest and was taught to burn Protestant Churches. I know Alberto was debunked, but Jack Chick then insisted that the Vatican sent Alberto with a false story to make him look bad. Jack Chick hasn’t actually, in fact as far as I can tell he still promotes Alberto’s conspiracy theories regarding the Catholic Church. > [@](#): > > Does anyone know the sordid history of Jack T. Chick and why he became such a religious fanatic? Probably because of his denomination (the Independent Baptists) who are probably the most hardcore fundamentalist (excepting minor groups) in the United States and who retain pre-ecumenical anti-Catholic attitudes. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/3 "2013-01-24T05:30:29Z")
Is Jack Chick still personally writing and drawing those tracts? He must be getting on in years, n’est-ce pas? I’ve assumed in recent years that he’s got a company continuing his work in his name even if he might not be so active himself any more. Anybody know about this? His tracts have been around for at least 40 years that I’ve been seeing them — long before the Internet. While his anti-Catholic and anti-gay screeds are truly venemous, he’s also done others that were simply silly and entertaining. [The Mad Machine](http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0072/0072_01.asp) was a goofy comical classic. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/4 "2013-01-24T06:01:44Z")
I’d say in about a third of his comics, somebody will say to some unsaved person “Jesus died for our sins” or some such, and the sinner will say, “I didn’t know that!” Like they’ve never heard of Jesus before. Yeah, sure. How stupid does this guy think the average yokel is? ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/5 "2013-01-24T08:05:59Z")
All of the unsaved people either have never heard of Jesus, or else actively hate him. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/6 "2013-01-24T08:50:27Z")
[Jack Chick](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_T._Chick), age 88 now. A friend back in my Texas days took Jack Chick’s anti-Catholic rantings dead serious. He thought we did too until he realized we were laughing at how serious he took it and not agreeing. Then he kept it to himself. But before that, he was always trotting out Jack Chick as “proof” of worldwide Catholic domination. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/7 "2013-01-24T11:18:48Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > While his anti-Catholic and anti-gay screeds are truly venemous, he’s also done others that were simply silly and entertaining. [The Mad Machine](http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0072/0072_01.asp) was a goofy comical classic. I can also recommend [The Last Generation](http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0094/0094_01.asp). It is scary to think anyone takes this shit seriously though. \ ---
**Author:** ![Hottius\_Maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ab097/32.png) [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/8 "2013-01-24T13:04:03Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > [Jack Chick](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_T._Chick), age 88 now. > > A friend back in my Texas days took Jack Chick’s anti-Catholic rantings dead serious. He thought we did too until he realized we were laughing at how serious he took it and not agreeing. Then he kept it to himself. But before that, he was always trotting out Jack Chick as “proof” of worldwide Catholic domination. My friend who introduced me to these things (he and I also used to laugh at them) especially enjoyed one called “Somebody Goofed” that featured a bunch of laughing demons on the cover. Another one I got a kick out of was called “The Bull” about a tough convict at a prison called Blakefield. This one was so ridiculous, I think even Jack Chick realized how silly he sounded because at the end it says “if you find yourself laughing at this story, just ask yourself this question: Where will YOU spend eternity? In Heaven or in Hell?” Well as a practicing Cafeteria Catholic myself, that is a valid question. The problem is that Jack Chick seems to think that HE HIMSELF knows who’s going to Heaven and who’s going to Hell, and I believe that GOD decides that. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/9 "2013-01-24T13:08:37Z")
There’s no beating Dark Dungeons for sheer insanity. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/10 "2013-01-24T13:39:08Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Is Jack Chick still personally writing and drawing those tracts? He must be getting on in years, n’est-ce pas? I’ve assumed in recent years that he’s got a company continuing his work in his name even if he might not be so active himself any more. Anybody know about this? > > His tracts have been around for at least 40 years that I’ve been seeing them — long before the Internet. > > While his anti-Catholic and anti-gay screeds are truly venemous, he’s also done others that were simply silly and entertaining. [The Mad Machine](http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0072/0072_01.asp) was a goofy comical classic. I don’t think he drew any but the earliest ones. And I have noticed that there’s a lot of recycling, making me think he doesn’t do as much anymore. Those could be redone by someone else. But there are occasionally some new ones, and I have a hard time thinking anyone has quite the exact set of beliefs as Chick. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/11 "2013-01-24T13:58:18Z")
> [@Hottius\_Maximus](#): > > Who exactly IS Jack Chick? Is that his real name? Is he still alive? I recall seeing ridiculous and vitriolic religious tracts from Chick Publications which often made outrageous claims against anyone that basically disagreed with Jack Chick’s version of Christianity. I recall a series called “Alberto” which described how a man “Alberto” studied to be a Catholic priest and was taught to burn Protestant Churches. I know Alberto was debunked, but Jack Chick then insisted that the Vatican sent Alberto with a false story to make him look bad. Does anyone know the sordid history of Jack T. Chick and why he became such a religious fanatic? In case the OP isn’t aware (I apologize if you are), Jack is a bit of a minor celebrity on the SD. His new tracks are usually featured in The Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/12 "2013-01-24T13:59:48Z")
I actually enjoy his publications, and find them a little humorous. Apparently others are a little more thin skinned, and any time he has a new one it’s posted in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/13 "2013-01-24T14:09:40Z")
Oh, I like them too. Lots of bang for the buck. And we can’t say we were never warned if he turns out to be true! ---
**Author:** ![Cumberdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/14 "2013-01-24T17:13:19Z")
Years ago, you could find his comics on left on library shelves and desks. I cannot recall the last time I have seen one out in public. The only time I see them anymore is when they are linked to from here. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/15 "2013-01-24T17:33:02Z")
I see tracts left at restaurants occasionally. I go to some independent places, the sort of diner that has a table and bulletin board for people to leave flyers and cards. Sometimes I see a stack of tracts. Sometimes people (I assume female type people) leave tracts in restrooms in restaurants and shops. Back when there were still public phones, I’d sometimes see tracts left on the shelves. Unless the tracts are left in a place that’s designated to hold flyers and such, I treat them as I would other random bits of trash left by litterbugs…I gather them up and toss them. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/16 "2013-01-24T21:35:33Z")
> [@Cumberdale](#): > > Years ago, you could find his comics on left on library shelves and desks. I cannot recall the last time I have seen one out in public. The only time I see them anymore is when they are linked to from here. I would have agreed with you entirely… Then, yesterday, I found a Chick track on the top of the toilet in our public library. I forget which one it was. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/17 "2013-01-25T01:42:35Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Then, yesterday, I found a Chick track on the top of the toilet in our public library. I forget which one it was. Good on the library for filing it in the proper section. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/18 "2013-01-25T01:52:47Z")
> [@Cumberdale](#): > > Years ago, you could find his comics on left on library shelves and desks. I cannot recall the last time I have seen one out in public. The only time I see them anymore is when they are linked to from here. Ran across them all the time in college. Graduated in 2005, so not all that long ago. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/19 "2013-01-25T03:19:04Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Is Jack Chick still personally writing and drawing those tracts? He must be getting on in years, n’est-ce pas? I’ve assumed in recent years that he’s got a company continuing his work in his name even if he might not be so active himself any more. He has had for a while a team of collaborating illustrators and writers – you can identify a handful of distinct styles in some tract series – while Chick retains editorial control at Chick Publications. They not only update some of the tracts but also draw distinct international versions to fit other cultural environments (e.g. the African and Asian versions of This Was Your Life are very distinct styles). ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174/20 "2013-01-25T15:39:24Z")
The photo-realistic art (such as from the Chick color comic series 'The Crusaders", in which the Alberto ones were a sub-series) is done by a black man named Fred Carter, who I think is a retired pastor. The two main characters dubbed ‘The Crusaders’ have been said to be idealized versions of Jack & Fred. From what I gather, Jack outlines those stories & Fred illustrated. The more cartoony ones are supposed to be Chick’s own art. They are getting simpler as he ages. Btw, you could find his stuff at most Christian book stores until he got on the Alberto/Anti-Catholic trip. The big chains effectively banned them, so people either order them personally or get them from independent Christian stores or their own fundamentalist churches. The documentary ‘God’s Cartoonist’ refers to him as the most prolific & widely read underground comic publisher in history. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chick-publications/648174.md?page=2)