The Gospel Blimp

The Gospel Blimp is a 1967 Christian novel written by Joseph T. Bayly. The novel was later made into a comic book of the same name in 1974, drawn by Al Hartley (better known as the creator of Archie Comics before their left-wing turn, who had become a Christian a few years prior) under the Spire Christian Comics label.

In the story, George is concerned about the eternal condition of his neighbors, who's church attendance is limited to Christmas and Easter, and spend their other weekends at home, drinking and smoking. Seeing a Goodyear blimp pass by, someone suggests a blimp; the idea would be shot down except for Herm, a local businessman who decides the idea would be wonderful, and engages the local business community to support the idea.

The blimp is commissioned, but becomes an embarrassment to both the community and its local Christians. Undaunted, supporters hire a public relations expert which helps for a time, but after another fiasco, the blimp's supporters ultimately shift from a purely Christian message to a mixed message of religion and social issues, which allows the blimp to become a proud community asset.

Eventually, on the third anniversary of the blimp's launch, George announces that his neighbors became Christians, but not due to the blimp, instead due to the personal involvement of George and his wife in their lives.