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June 20, 2011
A note of support
I'm glad to see there are people shedding light on this barbaric practice. Many parents simply go along with the tradition without giving any thought to the necessity or wisdom of removing a part of their son's penis. I wish you the best in your endeavor to have circumcision outlawed as the genital mutilation that it is.
Krista Berryhill Dubuque, Iowa
P.S. There is no such thing as bad press. I only became aware of your effort because of the outrage from the Jewish community. The more people become aware of the actual history of how the practice of circumcision became widespread outside the Jewish community, the more outrage there will be how the medical community has been duping parents for years. |
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June 18, 2011
Thoughts on "Foreskin Man"
As a fellow California intactivist, I commend you on your efforts to help eliminate the practice of male infant circumcision. At the same time, I'd like to mention some concerns about the way you're going about it and suggest some alternatives.
Although I'm not a comic book aficionado, I recognize "Foreskin Man" as an excellent and totally professional example of the genre. You're a talented man. But some of the content of the second issue disturbs me. When your hero is blond and blue-eyed and the villains are ugly Jews with side curls, you're providing ammunition to those who see intactivism as anti-Semitic and your comic as reminiscent of Nazi propaganda. That doesn't do us any good.
As I'm sure you know, there are movements within Judaism, small but growing, to eliminate the Brit Milah. We need to encourage these enlightened people, not alienate them. I for one am a secular Jewish atheist (not an oxymoron), and although I'm no fan of Hasidism or orthodoxy or religion in general, I found some of your characters offensive.
As an antidote to perceptions of anti-Semitism, how about introducing some sympathetic, if improbable, Hasidic characters complete with tzitzis, side curls, fur hats, and prayer shawls, who have seen the light and are now working to change this outmoded tradition? I think that kind of counterbalance would go a long way to eliminate the distractions that undermine your message.
One more thing: For me, the most potent argument against infant circumcision is that based on civil rights. What more basic right is there than the right to your own body? When I was eight days old, a normal part of my anatomy was cut off and thrown away, and I will never get it back. I'd like to see you hit that blatant insult to freedom hard in FM--it's a powerful argument.
Thanks again for your efforts, and continued success in the ongoing battle.
Paul Frommer Los Angeles |
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June 9, 2011
Simply Brilliant!
I am writing to say "thank you" for your courageous stand against circumcision. Your cartoons are not anti-Semitic, because they are not meant to literally depict the brit milah in that manner. They can best be interpreted as hyperbole.
What is literal is the damage done by male circumcision. It is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I had no complications and there is no "problem" with the work. The right amount of skin was taken off and there is a good cosmetic appearance. I just don't want this and the lifetime of reduced sexual gratification that even properly done circumcisions bring. I want choice!
Thank you for saying what needs to be said and for taking a stand despite having unpopular views. You are simply brilliant.
Matthew, you are not only Foreskin Man...you are Superman.
Lou Elkins Cleveland, OH |
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June 9, 2011
Symbols used in circumstraint pyre
Could you please explain the symbols you used to construct the circumstraint pyre. I thought these looked Hebrew, but I couldn't find them.
Beautifully drawn, by the way. I'll always treasure these.
Jim Cook Encinitas, CA _______________________
I'm glad you asked! The symbol mounted on the fire pit stand is the Intactivist Underground's logo.
The outer edge of the logo represents a protective shield. The "I" stands for "Intactivist" and also symbolizes the shaft of the penis. The shape around the "I" represents the foreskin and also roughly forms the letter “U”, which stands for “Underground”.
-Matthew |
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June 7, 2011
Thank You!
Thank you for fighting against circumcision in a most clever and artistic way. I've just begun to view your comics, and they are awesome and colorful. I was circumcised (without my knowledge or consent, obviously) and I hate the end result of a dry stick instead of a normal, fully functional penis. Keep up the good work! Reason has to prevail someday. Also, barbaric religious practices must be stopped by whichever religion perpetrates them. People who attack you are most ignorant and must be defeated and stopped by legislation from harming newborn males.
Guy Green Los Angeles, CA |
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December 4, 2010
Thanks!
I just wanted to let you know that I love your comic. I haven't been particularly well lately with my ability to deal with the issue of circumcision - frequently the memory of "It was an aesthetic choice," and other blind deflections from my consenter(s) echo and infuriate me. Discovering your comic this morning resulted in the first time I have ever laughed and smiled so much with regards to it. Despite the debates of implication on your facebook page, the comic exaggerations of themselves are refreshingly humorous and over-the-top - a parody of appearances because in reality, the philosophical and physical issues are not exaggerated enough. I love the directness with which you defy the clutter of P.C. bullshit and get straight to the point of protecting children. Keep doing what you're doing.
Joel W. Churchville, MD |
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July 31, 2010
Issue No 1
What a terrific first edition... congratulations on telling a serious story in an entertaining and thought-provoking way!
Like most people who think through the issues involved, I'm totally opposed to infant circumcision. In my view, the procedure should only be available to adult men who can make informed decisions about what they want done to their own body. Until then... leave that kid alone!
All power to you.
Peter Denton Teddington, UK |
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July 31, 2010
Thanks a ton!
I am so glad I found this site today.
Being a 32 year old uncut guy from the deep South, I know what it's
like to be around many cut men and never really getting to know what
it's supposed to feel like as an uncut male in society. It took
many years to meet other uncut men from different nationalities to
understand what I have is a great thing. Thanks a lot for creating
a hero for us. _______________________
Thanks for writing, Wes. As an intact man, you are one of the lucky ones! -Matthew |
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July 26, 2010
Genius... Sheer genius.. Virulently funny
concept. "Flesh out" the story line. Seriously, I can see this being
made into a movie. Also I agree that circumcision is nothing more
than westernized genital mutilation on par with clitorectomies - a
crude a barbaric cultural throw back. Pasadena, CA _______________________
Foreskin Man: The Movie? It does have a certain ring to it. Maybe Hollywood will come calling one day... -Matthew |
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July 25, 2010
Shirts?
Thank you for leading the good fight
against circumcision. I was wondering if perhaps you can sell
T-shirts with your logo - I would very much like to buy and wear
one. Ashdod, Israel _______________________
Yes, t-shirts (and other merchandise) are now available at CafePress. At the moment we don't have plans to translate Foreskin Man into different languages, but you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter. -Matthew |
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July 23, 2010
Congratulations
Someone yesterday sent me a link to your comic. I think it's fantastic! I liked the "monster" getting attacked with a circumstraint but I especially liked the Batman-style symbol on the hero's shirt. I see the mag is labelled "Volume 1, Number 1" (so I'm glad I haven't missed any) but when will the next one be out; is it a weekly or a monthly publication? Look forward to hearing from you.
Pete (A circumcised Brit living in Germany - you can imagine how out of place I am!) _______________________
I’m glad you enjoyed our first issue! A follow-up story has already been written, and the pencilling is now underway. Good art takes time, though, so it will be a few months until Foreskin Man #2 hits the stands. -Matthew |
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July 23, 2010
loved the comic, except . . .
I have always been opposed to circumcision in any form, and I appreciate your contributions toward fighting against it.
Reading the comic, though, I wondered why you don't give a more empowering role to the parents. No matter what sort of scientific information is out there, and no matter what doctors believe or say, it's always ultimately going to be the parents' choice. Why do you present them as passive? At least have the mother making the phone call. If Jenny's going to be playing a role (beyond romantic interest, which just seems random in the context) it ought to be in teaming up with the mother and taking that dude down. I also think that giving a father a thoughtful role would be beneficial in influencing people's opinions.
I hope that you do another issue, and that if you do you'll think a little bit about the roles that your characters play and how those roles could be positively extended to real life.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Julia Minneapolis, MN _______________________
I think you are going to like Foreskin Man #2 when it comes out! -Matthew |
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July 23, 2010
disappointed
All the hype of the name "Foreskin Man" lead to quite a disappointing read when you realize Foreskin Man doesn't have any sort of powers relating to his foreskin. It should grow out of him and wrap around opponents or shoot lazers or SOMETHING. I'm sure this would be pretty disgusting to draw but hey, it would be a hell of a lot more interesting.
Chris Coats Los Angeles, CA _______________________
It's true - Foreskin Man has no super powers. Instead he must rely on his own intellect and physical strength...and advanced technology. -Matthew |
