Chick Tracts: Best-Selling Comics of All Time!!!
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
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They were often distributed as Halloween "treats" back in the 60's and 70's. I can't tell you how many I ended up with in my treat bag over the years.
How is that possible? They weren't even around in the 60s. The first Chick Tract wasn't released until the mid 1970s.
@@fatfreddyfreak6926 New subscriber here.
"Have yuh heard th' good news today, brother?"
Found a prestine copy (Born Wild!) on top of a gas pump three weeks ago.
Always wanted to read Chick tracts out of curiosity, but never wanted to give them my money. Thanks for making both those goals happen, Ed and Jim!
I live in the bible belt in South Carolina so these things have always been around. You find them shoved in credit card slots on gas pumps, randomly hid on store shelves, all over the place at flea markets. My friends and I refer to them as God Grenades coz people leave them around like pulling the pin on a grenade and tossing from cover hoping you'll blast someone with the good word of the lord haha
I grab these whenever I see them coz reading them is straight like how fucked up is shit gonna get before someone comes along and hits em with the power of prayer. It's pure trash entertainment to me but I dig the art and format.
My first illustration job was to paint these soccer players in various poses, and it followed a loose narrative but I wasn't given a story or dialogue. It was just like "a guy scoring a goal, a guy getting a red card etc". Weeks later they sent me the print version and I had provided the illustrations for one of these things. To be passed out at the Olympics in 08 and they wanted to use it for the world cup... it's good to ask what your work is going to be used for. Hard lesson learned.
Can you name the actual title where your work was used?
I had no idea about this guy until I watched your video. But last month I stopped at a Wawa on the weekend. Wawa’s kind of like 7-ELEVEN, but better. Great coffee. Anyhow, the place was inundated by biker gangs. Reminded me of The Wild Ones and the old Mad Max. So when I used the facilities, I found the Sissy comic on top of the urinal (and took it home with me). Felt like prison, and I had to watch my back, haha. I didn’t know what to expect opening up that thing to read it. I was blown away to find out it was about Jesus. Crazy world.
Gotta preface never been in prison, but when I found that little comic I felt like the protagonist in Shawshank. Scary little moment.
woe unto them that call evil good and good evil... isaiah 5:20, most of those tracts can be purchased pretty cheap from the chick website at about 17 cents each, some are out of print.
One of my friends in high school had insanely religious, evangelical parents. He had a giant garbage bag filled with these comics. We'd get high in his basement and laugh our asses off reading them.
Don't read them on acid, though.
@@JoelMielke, ‼️
Jesus is real. Repent and believe before it is too late.
when i was a kid, being forced to attend summer bible camps and all, they'd hand these things out like candy. i had quite a few of them as a kid but over time would dispose of them. i vividly remember reading This Was Your Life in middle school. at the time i was getting into punk rock and i distinctly remember a panel that said something like, "Satan has kids listening to punk rock, thinking hell is party time!" so then i balanced it out with christian punk rock, lol. anyway, fascinating weird stuff. thanks for another well-done video overview!
Back in the early 1980s, there was a Florida-based punk rock fanzine called "Destroy," which I used to pick up at the local indie record store (me being a metalhead interested in anything locally produced and crazy). In one issue, they did a multi-page reworking of "This Was Your Life" with new text, and the twist ending was that the protagonist went to hell because he didn't buy the new Roach Motel record, if I remember correctly. (I would scan and post here, but I loaned my stack of "Destroy" to someone who was supposedly going to use them in a film, and I never saw 'em again.)
Jim did a great job with some very difficult subject matter, not condoning from a moral perspective but also not ignoring on an artistic level. I can relate to him here, my parents also let me read as many of these as I wanted (and there were a LOT of them). They terrified me. They were essentially my first exposure to the “horror” genre. But from a strictly cartoonist perspective, the seemingly innocent artwork that then becomes a demonic hellscape with the turn of a page is very effective.
Got some of these in high school from the cashier at a thrift store in a tiny town in Northern Arkansas. My friends and I laughed so hard at them but once I started thinking about the kids raised on these in earnest it really disturbed me. Some really toxic and horrifying ideas.
Year later in college, I shopped at Walmart and saw the cashier running outside calling for me. It turned out that I had forgotten a bag and he was kind enough to return it. Then he handed me a couple of these booklets and started preaching to me while he was away from the counter. Always a story when you come across Chick.
I am in Canada and remember growing up in 80s being exposed to these. My parents were bikers and had these friends out of town that we would visit on way to Sturgis. These books were everywhere in the house especially the bathrooms. Read every single one of these books between ages of 12-16 out of pure boredom. They fascinated me in the sense that i couldn't believe people actually believed in a comic strip. They used to be sold in strange places, like gas stations NOTE: I was raised with no religion, churches were only entered for someone's wedding or funeral
I haven't been to a church for any reason in 25 years.
Couldn't drag me to one !
I work retail and often times find these things deliberately abandoned in random places for people to find.
I was handed one in the cashier line of a pet store a few years ago. I treasure it.
This review could have gone sideways really quick, but as always, you guys did a great job of being objective while focusing on the comic aspect and history of the material. Well done.
Chick Tracts were available in Canada up until the mid-80's. I remember finding them on buses during the 60's and 70's. I was a bible thumper at the time and even then I found Chick Tracts beyond the pale. I appreciate your history of this peculiar form of religious propaganda. I don't think Canadians have become significantly culturally deprived by not having them around.
They weren't out in the 1960s
My mom has stories of getting them at her church
OMG Ed you cracked me up when Jim showed you the art of the bruised Jesus, and you said “ugh.”
Also gotta preface that I’m not laughing at Jesus (Isaiah 53 KJV), or you. I just thought it was ironic, because you make the Red Room comic, and you revealed a goodness in you. You tickled my heart, because I love to write very rough stuff as well. The both of you are good people. Keep doing what you’re doing. Thank you.
But it was really that gory.
I used to find these all over town as a kid. I'd find them in restaurant bathroom stalls, left on gas pumps at gas stations, stuck in the napkin dispenser in cafeterias, laying around randomly in public places or put under the windshield wipers on your car etc. I always thought the illustration was nice but the messages were so vile and hateful I always threw them away.
I have a copy of "Kiss the protestants goodbye" . I think I found it on a bench in the change room at the gym I was frequenting. I also remember a young man handing me a tract back in 1978 or so at a junior college. I read it and it was the seed that fell on good earth.
As a a Christian I grew up around these things. Dude was definitely off his rocker...
Great and honest review.
Getting to this in a minute ...just finishing the Ron Frenz shoot interview from last year.
It's like I'm diggin through your long boxes and you slap a new #1 in my face.
Is there a PDF version of The Imp? series by Daniel Raeburn? Would love to read them and can't find any hard copies to purchase...
Hell of a presentation. I laughed too hard at the "in a state of PTSD" line.
When I worked at the Words & Pictures Museum, Chick would wedge Tracts into the window display of Kevin Eastman's studio recreation. Cheapskate attempt to make time in a museum if you ask me. i did keep a few copies in my office though. For fun.
Jack T Chick: the most widely read theologian in human history
Anyone ever read THE GOOD MORTY? It is tract by Justin Roiland, Ryan Rydley and Erica Hayes that came with season one of Rick and Morty DVD set. Thanks for the tract enlightenment Jim and Ed it helped me decipher THE GOOD MORTY tract. Righteous
One possible answer to the "why are the tracts in this format?" may be in connection to the paperbacks that were distributed to servicemen in WWII which Jack Chick would have had access to during his service. These unabridged novels were sized so that servicemen could slide them in their pocket easily. They tended to choose shorter novels so that the books wouldn't be too thick or bulky. I have a copy of Cannery Row and it isn't much larger than a chick tract (maybe 3x6 or 3x7). The size makes it easy for people to carry with them and share with others.
I know Dan Clowes would parody Chick Tracts when he was working on Eightball.
I only remember Devil Doll. Did he do more?
@@fad23 Other than the IMP, Devil Doll is the one that people know more. I’d be down if he did a whole series of them.
I remember coming across these at random benches and pay phones in the college I went to in San Francisco. I ended up buying one of those packs. His tracts are so filled with glee over the punishments of the damned. One thing he talked about a lot was that he was inspired by comics that he had seen that were made in China during Mao's rule that celebrated the dear leader and his ideas. So that may be where he got the idea for the size.
These things are like tumble weeds in New York Especially the 42nd street station (Times Square). I used to ask the person handin em out for one of each. They were always more than happy to give em away. These things would be stomped flat into the ground like chewing gum!
He... probably went the hell.
They ban these comics because people think Christianity is only about love. But Jack sheds light in our evils. Thats why we need Jesus. Some Christians dont even talk about these topics. sad.
If you think there's any value in these, then yeah I would say that's pretty sad
I got handed my first Chick Tract, Big Daddy, from a street preacher at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco back in the 90’s. Frankly, it took some balls to proselytize with homophobia and creationism on the streets of SF! I was repulsed initially but intrigued by the book and Jack T. Chick. I later found Scarface in a quarter box at Jelly’s in Hawaii. Most of these books are offensive but I do see value in reviewing them and the creators from an academic standpoint. Great video
I remember getting at least a few of these in my Halloween hauls every year as a kid. So disappointing at the time, but I wish I'd held onto them now.
I've always found the ones I have from the wild at bus stops.
They put these horrific comics on our middle school playground in the 90s. They were so graphic that I was afraid to bring one home because my Christian mother would have grounded me.
looking forward to your interview of Pat Mills ( British Comic Writer / Editor from 2000AD ) being interviewed on SPACE WARP - and his reveal of British Comic Rights ( or the lack of them ) - and it seems to not really have improved over time !
Very glad you guys covered these Tracts. I grew up reading them in El Salvador and, although I despise their message, I loved seeing the cool crude art (specially as a 7 year old).
I had a couple of these as a kid. My grandparents hated them. I liked the art and just thought it was typical prosthelytizing. Wish I still had them.
That was soooooo interesting. Thank God for Jim Rugg, truly a scholar.
My, what a very excellent last name you have there, sir.
Wasn't Jim Rugg on the original Star Trek as a special effects designer?
I still have one about a gang doing drive-bys. Sometimes I’ll keep those Watchtowers & Awakes that have dope art about Armageddon. Figure I’ll make a collage one day or something haha
I love Chick Tracts. Started collecting in 1979. Hi There and Frame Up were my first two.
Dang, you guys brought back some memories. I remember these. Way to hit on this. This is very interesting. There's a lot of interesting stories in people who do comics.
when I worked at Trader Joe's, I found at least one in the bathroom, just sitting on top of the toilet
What an incredible review! I believe the story of salvation contained in the Chick Tracts. 'This Was Your Life' is probably my favorite.
Time for a trip to Canada!
Oh man, my friends and I would follow the religious freaks dropping those little comics all over Times sq in NYC. That stuff, though so wrong(SO WRONG!) in intent, but was great for the lurid imagery.
the holy joe comic left me wondering what really happened to him at the end cause he was not shown in the ending; did he reject jesus (it happens) and ended up in heaven? well never knows...
I heard you mention Chick tracts a while back and I’m glad you got around to doing it.
I loved reading these when I was a kid.
also have been collecting these forever and can confirm they are still available for free next to many a cash register all throughout the south
Thanks for making this video, I love how you two can have a simple conversation regarding the genius behind these tracts minus a lot of emotional commentary. I remember finding these as a kid in the seventies, in the Midwest. - I look forward to seeing these make their way into future distribution. Great video!
Thanks guys! I totally missed this one!
I used to find Chick Tracts on the subway all the time. Recentyl found two after not having seen any in more than a decade.
Absolutely phenomenal video! I appreciate the objective analysis of Chick’s legacy. A lot of people, even historians, would dismiss him offhand because of his positions.
They were so absurd I loved finding them on the bus - the size was for putting in your pocket.
You have to make sure your wife buys you shirts with pockets. If no pockets the demons will be happy. Pocket less shirts have no room for Chick tracts! I have purchased a couple of Chick tract wallets to keep the tracts from becoming dog eared. I love handing them out. I gave Doom Town to a high school kid who was hanging out with a few other teens. I told him to pass it around.
@@PIANOPHUNGUY Luckily my wife only buys me dresses so I have nowhere to put these sorry ass tracts.
You probably don't know how many people got saved off a chick track
Can’t wait for the Pat Mills interview! Release the Guv’na!
They started terrorizing us with these in fourth grade, in Sunday school. We’d walk in, and they’d be laid out at every seat at the table.
#RaisedBaptist
I always find it so amazing, sad and pathetic how so many lost people who are on their way to hell, believe that they are experts on Christianity and the King James Bible. When many authentic saved Christians who have studied for decades, don't even have remotely the kind of arrogance and pride to think they know it all. Blind leaders of the blind is what they are.
i have several if these - to show how old I am, I would often find them on top of Pay Phones ;D
I just got into the Chick Comix, from watching lectures from Alberto Riviera. And man if you want to go to thru the rabbit hole, this is it, because the storys are real incidents . . The history and practice of religion/occult is so wild and full of control freaks, and world dominination . It put a fresh perspective on why Martin Luther , whycliffe and Jan hus protested against the Pope (who claims to be the emperor of the world and God on Earth ) . And that every bad road, leads to Rome. And yeah, Jesus is our saviour, the most hardcore dude around, and the most merciful .
Good lil video about this. The documentary is really good too
I've literally used pages from one of these to wipe my ass after finding it on an empty toilet paper dispenser in a fast food joint, lol. There is definitely some borderline antisemitic and anti-islamic nonsense in Shit Tracts. The one I used as inky Charmin was about a Rabbi who went to hell for not converting, and it showed up a whooooole lot in my very Jewish neighborhood. Jack Chick is pretty well worth forgetting, but this was fun.
His stuff looks sick as hell, I think we had one on fornication somewhere. They're ridiculously well laid out too. The latter ones look like they're made in actual ms paint.
I think he had a stroke at some point. That was probably the cause, or someone else doing it not giving af lol 😅
I have a copy of "Dark Dungeons" I picked mine up on eBay. I think it was less than $10, but do not recall. It's out of print, but it's not one of the really really rare ones.
The worst doctor's waiting room I've ever had to be in had a little metal display stand for them.
I love Chick's work, it kept me on fire for God for years, I used to take them to camp and on trips, and share them with people.
Some kids would even steel my crusader comics.
Chick also inspires me, because I have a desire to be a graphic novelist
How do you spend your time in a laundromat while your clothes are being cleaned? Reading a CHICK TRACT of course.
*One can argue that WW2 has also brought out authors with literary impacts. Military veterans turned writers such as George Orwell, William Golding, Ernest Hemingway, Jack Chick, etc are such examples*
My first exposure to these were in a public bathroom.
I think my neighbor handed these out for halloween, haha!
When I lived in Virginia for a few years as a kid I would come across these. This was the exact brand of Christianity that they were selling down there... FIRE AND BRIMSTONE! 🔥 ☠️
I love that this is in the Halloween playlist. 🤣
They were distrupted as conversion tools. So kids in the neighbour hood could give them away. I first discovered these when I first moved to Toronto and I was on the subway listening to tool, maybe even wearing a tool shirt, and probably reading a comic. When this little asian girl handed me a comic and it was all about how I was going to hell because of metal music. I thought it was so awesome lol. I didn't know it was a thing until I saw a video, I think from vice.
I was just thinking about the origin of this dude, and lo and behold you guys have the answer! I grew up seeing these on the streets on NY, and handouts etc. you can still find these on the subways.
The First Chick Tract was "This was your Life" in 1972, not 1960
I got one as a trick or treat trinket when I was in the fifth grade I believe. It was the last year I wanted to go around town trick or treating, and someone dropped it in my bag. I remember exactly which one it was... It was "Happy Halloween," and before reading it I thought it was going to be a nice little Halloween celebratory comic. Boy was I wrong! That scared me more than watching The Exorcist in high school. That was so hateful and hell bent paranoid about being damned, it might be why I stopped trick or treating in town. Ha ha ha, now I want to find a copy of that as a morbid memento.
@8:10 Holy Crap! I just picked up The Broken Cross this summer!!! I wondered why it looked so weird!!!
My favorite Chick parody is the Lovecraft-themed Who Will Be Eaten First.
How much hate would you have to have to not tell everyone the way to eternal life.
I love how anyone who encounters these in the modern age just feels dirty, I've found these in the bathroom at work
The Bible is also being viewed by many who don't understand God's word as hateful. Jesus died so you don't have to. But there's many people who are lost and on the way to destruction. This is what the Bible teaches. God does not wish for anyone to perish. But if we aren't confronted with truth we may not realize we're on the way to hell. Read the Bible. God bless.
Sooo .... is there a shoot interview coming up with this maniac???
hahahhahaha lol only if Jim and Ed make it to heaven! hahahaah
@@JamesParatiiArts you think this guy went to heaven :P
you know it's upsetting when it unnerves ed piskor
I knew he was cool and love the little tracts ...didn't know about the full comics, they look awesome!
The only one I have ever found in the wild was in the bathroom of Barnes & Noble in Homestead, PA.
my personal fave was "Lisa"...no doubt about it...Chick was sick.
Just to clarify the "banned in Canada" point at 5:24-5:30. Some tracts have been banned. But there is no blanket ban - I personally saw one as recently as 2 years ago in the hands of a child (I am certain it was a French translation but I couldn't see which tract it was). Lisa was withdrawn by the organization itself, of course
Child molesters are sinners. They need to stop.
This was fascinating. I actually have a copy of "This Was Your Life" at home and I have no idea how I got it or any of this backstory.
damn, jim and ed hit on some eccentric topics. for real though, appreciate the perspective, even if its message is hot garbage. this is the one situation i can think of where something that can arguably be considered an outlaw comic is also pure propaganda. Those Chinese Communist Party comics mentioned would be cool to learn more about too, and I wonder about other propaganda comics. hats off for doing the research on this :)
Brings back memories for me, don’t agree with a lot of what he said but still enjoyed the read 😊
If you don’t agree 100% with Chick, Chick says you’re going to hell. He constantly breaks the commandment of baring false witness. His basic stance is hate. His “Christian” comics are anything but.
Kurtzman’s Humbug? More likely a reference to Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, and probably the cover drawing is of Scrooge (“Bah, humbug!”). And as for the printing size, the reason a row of the printed booklets don’t add up to a standard size is probably because they are trimmed. Note the bleed on all the covers.
I had “this was your life” don’t know where I got it but I had one . It was decent so I’m guessing there’s still being printed en masse
Oooh snap. I remember seeing that Scar Face cover at a local Christian bookstore, early 90’s.
I remember, back when the comics journal had a message board, someone was wondering if there were standards in comics in the same way that jazz has standards. I think doing a chick tract parody is a comics standard. People from all ends of the spectrum have done them, perhaps due to all the enemies Chick made. So you'll have a Catholic cartoonist like myself doing one kind and Dan Clowes doing another. Chick's work is certainly hard to ignore.
I had a lot of those Crusaders series comics when I was a kid. Some of the ones you didn't show in the video are the craziest ones, and have some pretty decent painted covers. I would check out The Force, Angel of Light, Spellbound?, The Four Horsemen, and The Big Betrayal.
I had the first dozen or so of the full size comics…picked them out myself at our local Christian bookstore in the late 70s/early 80s as a pre-teen. I think my folks just figured they were fine due to where we got them…I doubt they would have let me get them if they’d actually looked at them. 😬
My mother and grandmother had those things. As I got older I saw how ridiculous that material was!