Jack Chick pseudo-Christian tracts are marvelous things. They are simple black and white newsprint comic books in a small form-factor, sized just right for handing to strangers on the street, or leaving on the top of the toilet paper dispenser in a public restroom. Filled to the brim with hatred of and cartoonish stereotypes of Jews, Catholics, and Moslems; insane conspiracy theories; complete disregard for historical facts (or any other facts, actually); and simple moralizing, they exist in their own world with their own rules. They are so richly strange that some people collect them as cultural artifacts. For a great overview, check here, or the inevitable Wikipedia entry.

One classic tract is Dark Dungeons, a 1984 screed against role-playing games. Dungeons and Dragons was at the peak of its popularity, and thus a ripe target for Jack Chick's faith-based missile. I mean, everyone knows that playing D&D inevitably leads to human sacrifice and suicide, right? Here's a sample panel.

Of course, all this sermonizing lends itself to easy parody, and the web is full of them! Here's a personal favorite, a tract to turn people away from the goth lifestyle: Darque Dungeon. The comparable panel is here.

I can't explain why I find them so appealing. Perhaps it is their over-the-top nature, or maybe it's just nostalgia for a simpler time, before religious nutjobs became media tycoons with marketing teams, and could still be some guy working off his dining room table. Ah, those were the days...

Update: Visitor Stephen points out another great parody, one that actually does what I had planned to do before I got lazy: side by side comparison with the original, with a "director's commentary track" explaining the in-jokes in the parody. Dork Dungeons is worth a read. Thanks, Stephen!