Historic comic book series promotes saints, Catholic education
Hidden in the 6th floor of the Hesburgh Library, deep within the University Archives, lies a hidden gem: Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact, a series of comic books featuring several noteworthy stories about saints, sports, and children.
The first issue of Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact was published on March 12, 1946 by George A. Pflaum. Although there was a wide array of characters and storylines, they all served the same purpose: to educate and to catechize. However, their popularity did decline, and in the late 1960s they had transitioned to monthly publications. They eventually were discontinued, and at the end of their run they had published roughly 500 issues—well within the top percentile of American comic books. Their last issue was dated July, 1972.
A typical series, Talking It Over With Father John, featured advice from a Catholic priest aimed at elementary students. Father John would encourage its student readers to engage in virtuous and pious habits like praying for their teachers or attending Holy Mass on a regular basis, even while on summer break. Subscriptions to the comics were only made available through the Catholic school systems. Despite this, the comics were still popular and even included many mainstream comic book artists such as Joe Sinnot who also worked on Thor and Fantastic Four, Reed Crandall who worked on Blackhawk and T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Bernard Baily who worked on The Spectre and Hourman.
Chuck White and His Friends was another one of Treasure Chest’s longest running storylines. This lighthearted series follows a young boy, Chuck White, throughout his life and includes many typical childhood activities such as playing with friends, engaging in sports, and attending school.
Another storyline, Christ Courageous One, depicts the martyrdom of Saint Tarcisius who was tragically beaten to death in 263 B.C. while attempting to bring the Holy Eucharist to the imprisoned. The comic portrays St. Tarcisius being stopped by a group of boys, attempting to steal the pyx that held the Most Blessed Sacrament. Clutching and protecting the pyx, the comic illustrates St. Tarcisius being backed against the wall and disappearing in the next panel. He appears again two panels later and is depicted as saying, “Never mind me … take care of the Divine Mysteries.” One of the last panels of the story shows pilgrims at the tomb of St. Tarcisius in Rome, requesting his intercession.
Jacob Mills, a freshman in O’Neill Family Hall, who had the chance to see pictures of several issues from the actual comic books held within the University Archives told the Rover that he appreciated the “excellent images that could really help young Catholics meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary.”
In addition to religious stories, the comics also presented political commentary.
During the Cold War era, the comics reflected anti-communist sentiment with stories such as This Godless Communism. Unlike the lighthearted themes that were typically depicted, this series chose to tackle heavier topics such as depictions of death and degradation. There were several illustrations that showed executions, unfair treatment of farm workers, and forced labor.
This series’ main goal was to publish the facts about the Communist way of thinking, and to show how its core beliefs were incompatible with Church teaching. In the final panels a Catholic priest is depicted telling his students, “God made us with a body and soul destined to be with Him forever after our death. This is denied completely by Communism. Communism is the work of the Devil that can be best illustrated by looking at what Communism has done to the people under its domination.” This storyline ends with the same Catholic priest now looking at the reader, urging them to pray their Rosary, as a means of fighting against Communism.
A sophomore in Fisher Hall, Bartosz Karol Chramiec, stated, “As a history major, looking at these comics is like looking through a window into a different world, and such windows not only help us understand the past, but can also help us understand the present in a new light, especially in this case how to live out our Catholic faith.”
The University of Notre Dame Archives acquired most of its current collection of Treasure Chest of Fun & Fact by purchase; however, 21 issues were also donated by Jeanette Horn.
Luke Turner, a sophomore in Fisher Hall, told the Rover how he finds the comic books relevant even today: “The Church that does not create its own culture, will soon be subsumed by the culture that surrounds it.”
Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact can be accessed in the archives of the University of Notre Dame.
Rylen Lastrella is a Program of Liberal Studies major who loves California, but is still praying for its revival that turns more hearts to the Church and fewer people to ‘find themselves’ on a yoga mat. If you’d like to talk about the best state in the nation, he can be reached at rlastrel@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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