No, this time I’m not talking about the Tori Amos-themed comic (though I still think you should check it out).
I have a real tattoo appointment today at 12:30 to get the finishing touches put on one of my pieces, and whenever I go in for ink I want more. Currently, I have no comic-themed pieces, but I’m always thinking about changing that. My friend and yours, the Rev. OJ Flow of Best Shots fame has several, and they look super-cool.
I’d feel a bit weird getting someone’s art inked on me without their permission, though I didn’t get to tattoo copyright issues in my law class, but there are several comic artists I love whose work I think would make excellent tattoos. In general, comic art works well because it’s inked in solid lines, much as tattoos are, so the possibilities are limitless.
When I was younger, I contemplated Death from Sandman (which teenage goth girl didn’t, really?), Lucifer, or even a scene from Preacher. I still love Delirium, but lately my thoughts have turned more to James Jean’s luscious Fables covers. I haven’t met Jean, so I don’t know how he’d feel about it, but I think his paintings would lend themselves well to a full Fables sleeve. I’m not anywhere near that level of commitment with tattooing yet, though.
Plus, I would kind of like to wait until someone’s drawn something just for me. There are many comic characters that I adore, but if I ever get around to writing a comic script and actually getting someone to draw it, I’d want that to be something I tattooed on my skin.
Still, while I’m under the needle today, I’ll be daydreaming about the next one.
Any of you have comic book tattoos? What of, where are they? Who did them? And if you don’t, yet, but are thinking about it, what would you like? (Links to pictures would be awesome.)
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
Sorry, but tattoo removal services will be the big thing in the next decade or so. It can’t be that much longer before we go back to regarding tattoos as something only sailors and convicts wear, and so there will be a rush by “respectable folks” to get rid of theirs. There’s money to made, people! Start learning the techniques of tattoo removal and start your own business!
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
For whatever reason, I didn’t start small. When I finally decided to get a tattoo I went all in: I am slowly having a sleeve done of all Jack Kirby artwork on my right arm.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superactiongo/sets/72157604098174443/
The artist is Jason Kelly (http://www.jasonkellytattoo.com) in Atlanta who I’ve followed through two locations now (I’m not about to switch halfway through). Apart from finding someone talented I also made sure it was someone who’d be excited about doing it. I didn’t want permanent etchings on my arm done by someone who was bored.
In the end it’ll be full color with plenty of Kirby Dots tying it all together.
I think the James Jean idea is great. If not the person you’re already using, it seems like a good idea would be to find someone good at portraiture and shading techniques.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I love how Kimota94 speaks in such broad characterizations for our benefit on people’s personal choices. Just because something as harmless as tattoo work doesn’t suit you, don’t rush to assume that a sea change is going to occur because you assume that they’re all bad, senseless choices being made by 18-year-olds. Shouldn’t you be shooing kids off your lawn right now instead of belittling what Sarah holds near and dear to her?
For the record, I got my first bit of work when I was 20 and a little bit more within the next 3-4 years after that, nothing too substantial. But I waited almost a decade before getting back into it full force, and the majority of my work has been well into my 30s, and I normally encourage most people to wait until they’re over 21 because all they’re going to do is cover it up later. Exactly what I’ve done in the last couple of years is cover up the “mistakes” I made in my early 20s with better pieces of work in the latter half of my 30s. Already I have 5 appointments lined up for more in 2009 when I’ll be 37.
Paul, your Kirby work is EXTRAORDINARY. Jason Kelly CLEARLY does great work. Kudos.
While I’m here, a shout out to my artist, Patrick Cornolo of Speakeasy Custom Tattoos in Chicago.
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
The Kirby sleeve IS excellent! A while back (pre-Final Crisis) I got Metron’s chest design stretching down my left arm (although since the original design is somewhat open-ended, on my arm it terminates in a figure lifted from the chest design of the similarly-named TRON).
Also, down my left calf I have Dr. Blasphemy’s chest design from BRAT PACK, although I chose it more for what it stood for (it’s the classic comic swear-substitute of spiral-octothorpe-star-exclamation point) than for any identification with the character.
Hey! OJ Flow! Long time no see!
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Shane Helms (former The Hurrican in the WWE) has a small tasteful Green Lantern logo on his bicep. He got a whole superhero persona as a result of his comic-book fandom.
I have considered a comic-related tattoo for many years, but never have made the dive because a) I could never decide on what image I wanted affixed onto my body for eterity, and b) I am a tremendous wimp.
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Thanks, everyone.
I couldn’t be happier with how they’re turning out. And hey, Rev, I know exactly what you mean, I started the sleeve a year or so ago when I was 38. I’m glad I waited that long and was sure what I wanted and was able to approach it as a whole rather than a collection of various tattoos. Not that I begrudge anyone a collection, I’m just too anal to not have that drive me nuts over time. 
The other thing I’ll say, to the uninitiated… I always thought it’d be a big change to have such a large work on my arm, but I’ve found that I don’t even notice it, which I wouldn’t have expected. It’s just my arm, like it’s always been there.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Paul, that piece is definitely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing! I’ve heard of Jason Kelly–I’m fairly sure some of my Atlanta friends have his work on them. My artist is Zack Spurlock in Savannah, GA and even though I live in Philly now, I see him on my vacations with the family rather than find someone new.
Tattoos don’t hurt as much as you think they’re going to, but I’d have to say the pain is important–like the cost, they help limit you to what you really, really want instead of sending you rushing in for a new one whenever you get a bright idea.
Off to take Advil and get some sleep. I’ll link to pics of my new piece (though non-comic-related) when it’s healed.
December 24th, 2008 at 2:13 am
Thanks, Sarah! This was one of those rare posts where I got to think, “Hey, I’ve actually got something unique to add!” so thanks for the unknowing setup. Looking forward to seeing the new piece.
By the way, I’ve really enjoyed your stuff here, to the point that I’m going to go nose around your linked blog now.
December 27th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I have four comic book tattoos. This is my latest: http://www.flickr.com/photos/meldotcom/3128314474/