Jack Thomas Chick (1924–2016) was an American cartoonist and publisher recognized for creating fundamentalist Christian comic tracts. Through his company, Chick Publications, he distributed over 750 million tracts, comic books, and other materials designed to promote evangelical Protestantism. These works, translated into over 100 languages, often presented morality plays that expressed his views on various issues, frequently accusing groups like Roman Catholics, Freemasons, and Muslims of conspiracies and harmful actions.

Chick's theological stance was rooted in Independent Baptist and dispensationalist beliefs, and he was a proponent of the King James Only movement. His early life included drama studies and military service in the Pacific during World War II, which he later cited as a motivation for his international outreach through tracts. After his conversion to Christianity, influenced by his wife Lola Lynn Priddle and the radio program 'The Old-Fashioned Revival Hour,' Chick began creating tracts to evangelize, inspired by the effectiveness of comic books in spreading influence.

His career began with syndicated single-panel cartoons before he focused on self-publishing his tracts, starting in 1960. While initially met with resistance from some Christian bookstores, his tracts gained popularity among missionaries and churches. Chick Publications was officially established in 1970. He wrote and illustrated many of his early works, later hiring other artists. His publications often explored themes of conspiracy, the occult, and biblical prophecy, portraying a world engaged in a constant battle between God and Satan.

Chick's publications frequently explored themes of conspiracy, asserting that secret organizations such as the Illuminati manipulated world events. His narratives often depicted Satan and his followers as the primary antagonists, orchestrating major historical and biblical events as part of an ongoing struggle for human souls. This worldview positioned God's actions as responses to the Devil's influence. His strong anti-Catholic stance was a recurring element, leading to accusations of hate literature and prompting some Christian bookstores to cease stocking his materials. Chick maintained that his opposition was directed at the Roman Catholic Church as a sociopolitical entity rather than its individual members, stating his aim was to lead Catholics to salvation through faith in Jesus.

Chick Publications became a significant distributor of religious materials, most notably the "Chick tracts." These small, illustrated comic tracts, often featuring titles like "This Was Your Life!," were translated into approximately 100 languages, including less common ones. Beyond tracts, the company also produced full-size "Chick comics," such as the Crusader series, which delved into topics like the occult, prophecy, and evolution. Some of these comics prominently featured the controversial accounts of Alberto Rivera, who claimed to be a former Jesuit priest and became a vocal critic of the Catholic Church. The company reported selling over 750 million items in total, encompassing tracts, books, videos, and posters.

Jack Chick identified as an Independent Baptist and adhered to a dispensationalist view of eschatology, believing in a specific timeline for end-times events. He was also a proponent of the King James Only movement, which holds that the King James Version of the Bible is the only accurate English translation. His early life included acting studies at the Pasadena Playhouse and military service in the Pacific during World War II. His wartime experiences, particularly the loss of friends and exposure to different cultures, reportedly fueled his later dedication to missionary work and tract translation. His conversion to Christianity was influenced by his wife, Lola Lynn Priddle, and the radio ministry 'The Old-Fashioned Revival Hour.'