Corporate scientist Miles Hastwick heads the Museum of Genital Integrity, but whenever an infant male finds itself in danger of “male genital mutilation” (aka circumcision), Hastwick transforms into FORESKIN MAN! In the comic’s first issue, Foreskin Man fought Dr. Mutilator but in the second issue, Foreskin Man takes on Monster Mohel, the would-be circumciser of his acquaintance’s newborn son. Never fear! Foreskin Man will use plasma rocket boots, superhuman strength, anti-semitism, and kidnapping to save the day!
Foreskin Man’s second issue drops amid two separate California ballot attempts to ban circumcision city-wide; a ban that has Debra Saunders at the SF Gate wondering about its possible anti-Semetic intentions. It might seem like a stretch, but Jewish groups would likely be among the first to file a lawsuit if the ban ends up on the books.
Foreskin Man creator and intactivist Matthew Hess has said, “The Foreskin Man comic book uses popular art to shine a spotlight on the practice of infant circumcision. Over the years there have been a lot of rationalizations and justifications to keep it going, but the bottom line is that forced circumcision violates human rights. I hope this story will help convince some people of that in a way that words alone cannot.”
He says, he says, “A lot of people have said that [the comic is anti-semetic], but we’re not trying to be anti-Semitic. We’re trying to be pro-human rights.”
Pro-human rights? That’s an odd thing to say when your hero cracks a Hasidic Jew across the face with a pool cue and then kidnaps his hostess’ baby. But maybe we’re not being fair. So we created an abbreviated version of Foreskin Man issue #2 with the biggest plot highlights so you can judge for yourselves.
Corporate scientist Miles Hastwick heads the Museum of Genital Integrity, but whenever an infant male finds itself in danger of “male genital mutilation” (aka circumcision), Hastwick transforms into FORESKIN MAN! In the comic’s first issue, Foreskin Man fought Dr. Mutilator but in the second issue, Foreskin Man takes on Monster Mohel, the would-be circumciser of his acquaintance’s newborn son. Never fear! Foreskin Man will use plasma rocket boots, superhuman strength, anti-semitism, and kidnapping to save the day!
Foreskin Man’s second issue drops amid two separate California ballot attempts to ban circumcision city-wide; a ban that has Debra Saunders at the SF Gate wondering about its possible anti-Semetic intentions. It might seem like a stretch, but Jewish groups would likely be among the first to file a lawsuit if the ban ends up on the books.
Foreskin Man creator and intactivist Matthew Hess has said, “The Foreskin Man comic book uses popular art to shine a spotlight on the practice of infant circumcision. Over the years there have been a lot of rationalizations and justifications to keep it going, but the bottom line is that forced circumcision violates human rights. I hope this story will help convince some people of that in a way that words alone cannot.”
He says, he says, “A lot of people have said that [the comic is anti-semetic], but we’re not trying to be anti-Semitic. We’re trying to be pro-human rights.”
Pro-human rights? That’s an odd thing to say when your hero cracks a Hasidic Jew across the face with a pool cue and then kidnaps his hostess’ baby. But maybe we’re not being fair. So we created an abbreviated version of Foreskin Man issue #2 with the biggest plot highlights so you can judge for yourselves.
Notice the “Jew claw” and lack of pupils in Monster Mohel’s foreskin-hungry eyes. Plus, daddy Jethro’s rocking the Wolverine-style mutton chops while assenting with his Yiddish co-conspirators. Will the blonde surfer dude save the baby with the horrible first name? Glick? C’mon. That is not a traditional Jewish name, not even in California.
Why did Jethro hire THE SCARIEST MOYLE IN THE WORLD to circumcise his son? Were the Crypt Keeper or the Insane Clown Posse already booked? And what of Foreskin Man’s foreskin? Does he still have it or did he decide to become a superhero because of his own botched circumcision? So many questions…
ronbo
It’s seems an insult to God that man thinks he can improve upon His creation. I’m just glad my Jewish grandfather did not believe in say… blinding his offspring or cutting off a hand, to prove his love.
What a foolish and dangerous rite. The sooner we end this barbaric practice, the better.
gregger
As someone who was mutilated, I wish I wasn’t. It’s a barbaric practice, it deadens the most sensitive part of a man’s penis and causes problems with abrasion. I’m not commenting on the PC scale of the comic book.
Anthony
Normally, it’s Catholic priests and nuns who have routinely been subjected to this kind of artistic villainization in the culture. Jews are very much part of the American mainstream today and should expect to be treated no differently than any other group that weilds wealth, power and influence in society.
Jennifer
I’m not Jewish. My boys aren’t circumcised. This comic has done what I said it would when it came out: people are not being educated about not circumcising or not being circumcised. They’re being offended and/or laughing. This comic is over-the-top. And, frankly, its more like self-written fantasy. So now, we have no education but comedy and disgust. That won’t persuade anybody to Foreskin Man’s side.
seldo
Foreskin man’s chest emblem is completely hilarious.
greybat
So wrong in so many ways. And not funny enough to be a proper Farce!
PLAINTOM
I was raised a Methodist and this comic book looks way anti-semitic to me. I not commenting on the merits of the issue just this method of debate.
Z
Another disgusting practice of the (ancient) Jews. Every group has its bad practices. This is one of Jewish origin.
JohnAGJ
Thank goodness we have Super Aryan Foreskin Man to save the day from those dastardly Jooooooos! This comic looks like it came straight out of Der Stürmer. Disgusting. As for the proposed law itself, if by chance it should be enacted SCOTUS will quash it as the violation of the First Amendment it most assuredly is.
Dallas David
This is kind of weird, even for me. But here it is, in the worshipfull book cherished by . . . um . . . the people who cherish such things . . .
=========================================
Today’s Scripture Lesson . . .
“How to find yourself a nice wife.”
———–
I Samuel 18:26-27 — King David cut the foreskins off 200 dead Philistines and used them to buy a wife
———-
17 And Saul said to David: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her will I give you to wife: only be a valiant man, and fight the battles of the Lord. Now Saul said within himself: Let not my hand be upon him, but let the hands of the Philistines be upon him. 18 And David said to Saul: Who am I, or what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law of the king? 19 And it came to pass at the time when Merob, the daughter of Saul, should have been given to David, that she was given to Hadriel, the Molathite, to wife. 20 But Michol, the other daughter of Saul, loved David. And it was told Saul, and it pleased him. 21 And Saul said: I will give her to him, that she may be a stumbling block to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be upon him. And Saul said to David: In two things you shall be my son in law this day. 22 And Saul commanded his servants to speak to David privately, saying: Behold, you please the king, and all his servants love you. Now, therefore be the king’s son in law. 23 And the servants of Saul spoke all these words in the ear of David. And David said: Does it seem to you a small matter to be the king’s son in law? But I am a poor man, and of small ability. 24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying: Such words as these has David spoken. 25 And Saul said: Speak thus to David: The king desires not any dowry, but only a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. Now Saul thought to deliver David into the hands of the Philistines. 26 And when his servants had told David the words that Saul had said, the word was pleasing in the eyes of David to be the king’s son in law. 27 And after a few days David rose up, and went with the men that were under him, and he slew of the Philistines two hundred men, and brought their foreskins and numbered them out to the king, that he might be his son in law. Saul therefore gave him Michol, his daughter, to wife. 28 And Saul saw, and understood that the Lord was with David. And Michol, the daughter of Saul, loved him. 29 And Saul began to fear David more: and Saul became David’s enemy continually. 30 And the princes of the Philistines went forth: and from the beginning of their going forth, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, and his name became very famous.
Dallas David
Everything else aside, that’s one weird looking baby.
shmoikel
i for one am glad my foreskin is gone, bc i certainly would have rubbed it off by now. i can imagine any more sensitivity, i would never leave the house. go get the reconstructive procedure if you want your turtle shell back. hmmm while we’re at it, let’s see what else we can blame das judens for.
this is not a procedure done by force or coercion…if you want to be mad at someone, blame your mommy & daddy and get some therapy. Better still; if you live in ca, this is why your state is broke…wasting taxpayer time and money on this crap. find something real to get all upset about… how about darfur or the abuse of women around the world. Its just more garbage to distract people from real issues.
Adam
I really don’t buy the argument that circumcision reduces sensitivity. There are so many conflicting studies; some show a decrease in sensitivity, some show an increase, but most show no noticeable change. I’m circumcised and it feels pretty fucking great when I have sex. Will I circumcise my children? Probably not. But I think the vitriol surrounding the whole discussion is because being circumcised make men feel out of power, and that’s one thing that men simply cannot abide by.
RM
@ronbo: And that’s why you never pierce your ears. Or cut your hair or fingernails. Or brush your teeth. Or get that ruptured appendix removed. Or do anything to alter your appearance since you left the uterus. Cuz that’s just a barbaric and arrogant deviation of God’s perfect vision of humanity.
gregger
@shmoikel: Really smart, not. I’m a bleeder. So I’m sorrt of stuck…I do blame my parents and their idiot doctor. So take your sing song and stick it where the sun don’t shine. Don’t get me started on protest, you don’t want to hear what all I protest.
The crustybastard
When your god wants you to cut up you little boy’s dick, it’s probably time to reconsider your god.
Kieran
Aside from the health benefits and cleanliness, aesthetically the chiseled penis looks a lot better than the worm-like uncircumsized ones.
SuperCat
Yeah, those depictions of Jewish people are pretty bad.
However questioning the practice itself isn’t wrong in any way. Foreskin man comics just have no tact. However… do they really need it?
I can see why the artist would take practitioners of a barbaric procedure and portray them as monsters.
Also freedom of speech etc.
hyhybt
Any super hero called “Foreskin Man” needs a flap of useless skin covering his face.
Jeffree
World Health Organization says about 30% of males* are circumcised, and 68% of those cut men are Muslim. (Muslims greatly outnumber Jews worldwide) Although the Qur’an doesn’t specifically call for it, and you don’t need to get your tip pipped to convert, it’s a common practice, supported by what’s called the Hadith (secondary scripture / commentary).
Interesting WHO stat: 75% of US males are cut versus less than 4% in Canada. Rates of infant circumcision in the US have been going down since the 1950s, with some blips due to research that led some medical groups to think there were modest reductions in STDs & peñis cancer.
*You really gotta wonder how that research was done. There’s comedic potential there & I’m not sure i know what to do with it…..
GG
@RM: Hair and fingernails grow back and I think anybody who is against circumcision will also be against piercing their children ears without their consent… so your arguments are pretty irrelevant.
@Kieran: Says who? Health benefits and cleanliness are just a myth. I will grant you the fact that you find it more aesthetic but it’s just YOUR opinion, infant generally don’t care about aesthetic anyway…
@hyhybt: Arg, foreskin in NOT useless! I so don’t understand you Americans! Do you know that the US is the only country in the world where the majority of baby boys have part of their penises cut off for non-religious reasons?
SingaporeRed
Leave the willies of of the world alone. Only viable argument is a medical condition that would dictate circumcision.
Jeffree
@GG: When you’re talking about rates of circumcision, you forgot about Israel, the Vatican (jk), and many Muslim countries.
Helpful hint: before quoting stats, do a little research. It will make you sound more smarter.
@SingaporeRed: The US doctôr groups haven’t been unanimous in advising for or against infant circumcision. What bothers me is that there seems to be no clear-cut protocol to discuss the risks / benefits of the snip-tip with parents. If it was a question of immunizations [which don’t involve surgery] the discussion would be over & done in a couple minutes: Pro vs Com.
One procedure lasts forever, the other one may need to be redone.
Do the algebra 🙂
hyhybt
@GG: A foreskin that grew over your face would be useless, though. Worse than useless. That’s why I used the word.
Nat
@Jeffree:
Is the Canadian stat the overall percentage, or just boys who are being circumcised now? Because historically, I thought circumcision rates were much higher in Canada, at least in certain regions. Nowhere near American levels mind you, but still relatively high compared to most of Western Europe.
Jennifer
I cant see them upholding this law, should it pass. Will they hunt down every Jewish family from hospital birth records then appear at their houses? Will they go to parents in the hospital and make a scarlet letter on each boy born, Jewish or not? People can drive to the next city over if its that important.
This comic is mental masturbation for the writer. It wont convince anybody to not circ – quite the opposite- they may laugh and dig their heels in. In fact, its already doing damage to their message- just like this comic.
Jennifer
@Nat:
I thought Canada’s rate was about 20%. US is supposedly down to 33%. My boys are 9 and 13 and its about 50/50 for their ages. In the mid-90s it was 65%.
Mark Bernadiner
The cartoons book resembles me 1930’s Geobbels propaganda machine publications. The Hess cartoons are exactly like those, just colored.
B
No. 9 · JohnAGJ wrote, “Thank goodness we have Super Aryan Foreskin Man to save the day from those dastardly Jooooooos! This comic looks like it came straight out of Der Stürmer.”
More likely, the people who wrote Der Stürmer were familiar with what a sleazy U.S. political figure named Boss Tweed had said: “I don’t care what they write about me
but stop them damn cartoons!” ( http://books.google.com/books?id=2yJusP0vrdgC&pg=PA897&lpg=PA897&dq=%22Boss+Tweed%22+%22damn+cartoons%22&source=bl&ots=nZpWndx20-&sig=15Nn2x8qoxQSnkyh1qmm9TZTEjs&hl=en&ei=fHLwTcHxCI–sQPBtKW_Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Boss%20Tweed%22%20%22damn%20cartoons%22&f=false ). The editors of Der Stürmer probably knew cartoons worked with uneducated elements of the population and simply copied a standard style (why reinvent the wheel when all you want is something known to work).
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Boss+Tweed%22+cartoons&hl=en&client=ubuntu&hs=BdF&channel=fs&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=2nHwTY33FYGgsQO_95WWDg&ved=0CBsQsAQ&biw=952&bih=787 has some cartoons of Boss Tweed.
Moe
@Jeffree: he said NON-religious reasons. Hint: learn how to read so you can sound smarter.
@hyhybt: your “useless” comment was obviously referring to foreskin. Of course if you weren’t completely ignorant you would know the foreskin has many useful functions.
Jeffree
@Moe: You’re correct. I mis-read.
Sorry, GG.
edward Margolis
The comic parody, Smegna Man Gets Circumcised, (published at Smegmaman.com) is a lot funnier; has a great plot; and passes along sound information about the medical and cosmetic benefits of the procedure– and, in the end, the villains meet a very appropriate end.
Ed Margolis
Jeremy
Personally I wish I was Glyck, would have rather been raised in an orphanage with a foreskin then as my parents son without one.