Advertisement

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT

You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.

An excerpt from Mr. Chick’s most popular tract, titled “This Was Your Life!”Credit...Jack T. Chick

Oct. 26, 2016

Jack T. Chick, whose religious cartoons, known as Chick tracts, became known worldwide as tools of religious salvation, but which were also attacked as instruments of hate speech, died on Sunday at his home in Alhambra, Calif. He was 92.

The death was confirmed by David W. Daniels of Mr. Chick’s company, Chick Publications.

“To some, Chick tracts are American folk art or even a form of religious pornography, titillating and somewhat dangerous,” Brill’s Content wrote in 1999. “Chick is the ultimate underground artist.”

Chick Publications says that almost 900 million copies of the cartoons have been printed and sold in 102 languages to missionaries, churches, youth groups and others.

The pocket-size tracts blend typical comic-book illustrations with a chatty, contemporary tone. “Who Cares?” begins with a picture of a plane approaching the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. In subsequent frames a character named Omar and his mother worry about anti-Muslim sentiment after the terrorist attacks.

“May Allah protect you, son,” the mother says as he leaves for work.

Omar answers, “If he doesn’t, I’m toast.”

When Omar is attacked by angry Americans, only one man, a good Christian, comes to his aid — and afterward converts him.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

Advertisement

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT

Omar articles