A Complex History of Tattooed Comic Book Characters

Written by Joy Yoon (@Joy_Yoon)
Additional research by Jian DeLeon (@jiandeleon) 

The art of tattooing, branding, or inking has been a part of history for many millennia. Since the Stone Age, civilizations from around the world have integrated this art form into their cultural practices. In the 18th century (1796), a naturalist aboard Captain Cook’s ship the HMS Endeavor discovered Polynesian tattoos and with that reinvigorated interest in body marking, brought the word ‘tatu’ or ‘tatau’ into Western culture. Tattoos swiftly regained popularity among European sailors and even high society.

In 1929, our favorite sailor Popeye appeared in the daily King Features comic strip ‘Thimble Theatre’ with his forearms tattooed with anchors in full view, an image that became synonymous with seamen everywhere. Since Popeye, pop culture has seen various cartoon characters with tattoos, a particularly boom occurring in 1980’s.

From Rainbow Brite (1983) and G.I. Joe supervillain Zartan’s facial tattoos (1984) to the matching Arashikage Clan markings on ninjas Snake Eyes (1982) and Storm Shadow (1984), Mumm-Ra from Thundercats (1985) large chest emblem, and The Simpsons (1989) Snake Jailbird’s snake tattoo, skin art seemed to be everywhere. Even now you’ll find more cartoon and comic book illustrators using tattoos on their characters as a form of expression, an integral part of their super powers, or as an ode, as Brian from Family Guy displays with his tattoo of comic character Ziggy. And with iconic Barbie doll now sporting a few tattoos (2011), who’s to say the world of fictional characters isn’t on track with real life?

Marvel at some of these inked heroes and villains. Check out A Complex History of Tattooed Comic Book Characters.

50. Popeye

First appearance: Thimble Theatre on January 17, 1929

Before his namesake was used to shill fried chicken, Popeye was the first tattooed comic book character. Appearing in 1929, we all know his main squeeze was Olive Oyl and he spent his spare time getting beat up by Bluto until he popped open a can of spinach. Those forearm anchor tattoos were pretty iconic, and in later cartoons would become animated and change color and shape to reflect Popeye's spinach-derived strength. Well blow me down!

49. Constantine Drakon

First Appearance: Green Arrow Vol. 3 #27, August 2003

This Greek assasssin was created by The Real World alumni Judd Winick and is depicted as a badass who doesn't take shit from anybody. He also has a high threshold for pain and is portrayed as a logical being without any propensity for murder who just does it to "see what he could do." He swiftly kicked the ass of Green Arrow Oliver Queen and let him live only because he wasn't getting paid enough cash to kill him yet. He also has a giant dragon on his back, similar to Japan's Crying Freeman protagonist.

48. Pix

Alias: Ariadne Pixnit
First Appearance: Batman: Gotham Knights #34, December 2002

Based on the Tattooed Man from the Green Lantern series, Pix uses "nanite-ink" for her tattoos that contains programmable nanobots that essentially come to life at her behest. After getting beaten and raped by a street gang, she starts working undercover at tattoo shop her attackers frequent in order to get her revenge. She does so by tattooing lethal objects like scorpions and swords on the people she wishes to kill and then brings them to life later on via computer. Later on, she injects a bunch of the nanite-ink directly into her skull, granting herself the ability to create creatures and weapons on her own skin that she can use or send against heroes like Batman.

47. John Constantine

Alias: Hellblazer
First Appearance: Swamp Thing Vol. 2 #37, June 1985

Magician and supernatural anti-hero John Constantine may be remembered as being portrayed by Keanu Reeves in the mediocre film based on the comic, but in the '80s the character was actually based on Sting's likeness. Tattoos play an important part throughout the comic's mythology, tying in imagery from Caballistic magic and latin spells all over the character's back. He also has a tree tattooed on his right buttock during a time he was possessed by the character Swamp Thing, as a practical joke. Don't go looking for the forearm tattoos from the film in the comic though, true Hellblazer fans know he never had them. They also know that John Constantine will always be blonde, British, and forever wear a tan trenchcoat.

46. Rachel Summers

Alias: Phoenix, daughter of Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Jean Grey (Phoenix) from Earth 8-11
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: The Uncanny X-Men #141, January 1981

You figured the daughter of such an iconic couple would undoubtedly have her fair share of problems, considering her mother’s penchant for going berserk, being possessed, killed and cloned. Rachel was kidnapped and brainwashed. Her face branded with the mark of the “hound”, and forced by the Sentinels to hunt down other mutants. She was later captured by the Shi’ar Death Commandos, and once again tattooed. Her back is now engulfed by the image of a large phoenix.  Rachel is known to use her telepathy to hide her heavily tattooed face.

45. Starman

Alias: Jack Knight
First Appearance: DC Comics, Zero Hour #1, October 1994

Starman’s tattoo (a winged lion partially covered by a kanji symbol) is almost as confusing as his classification as a superhero. Not particularly adept at combat, or a genius, and without the Cosmic Staff designed by his father Ted, he’d be just another ordinary guy. The Staff which bestows magical powers and allows him to fly is really the only thing that separates him from any other Joe Schmo…well, he is “very knowledgeable about antiques and collectables,” but without magic powers all that would get him beat like he stole something.

44. Bishop

Alias: Lucas Bishop
First Appearance:  Marvel Comics: Uncanny X-Men #282, November 1991

Bishop is a part of a mutant police task force from a dystopian future and head’s Xavier’s Security Enforcers (XSE). Since all future mutants are identified by the tattooed ‘M’ on their face, Bishop’s isn’t very special, but you gotta give a facial tattoo some props.

43. Domino

Alias: Neena Thurman
First Appearance:  Marvel Comics: X-Force #11, June 1992

The only physical reminder of Domino’s days with the Mutant Breeding Program is a large round black tattoo surrounding her left eye. Unfortunately combined with her chalk white skin, which is caused by a mutation, she now resembles Spuds Mackenzie.

42. Grace Choi

First Appearance: DC Comics: Outsiders #1, November 1985/1986

What do you say to 7-foot tall, bisexual half Amazonian mutant who has multiple tattoos including a sun around her navel, a tribal mask on one shoulder, some spiraling barbed wire on the other, and mishmash of everything else about her body art? Nothing because she’ll kill you.

41 .Grunge

Alias: Percival Edmund Chang
First Appearance: Wildstorm Comics: Deathmate Black, February 1993/1994

The Asian mutant embodiment of Jeff Spicoli, Grunge loves to surf, loves to slack, and loves the ladies. Unfortunately the ladies don’t necessarily love him back. And though the culprit for why is unknown, his chest tattoo of a skull with green-feathered wings may offer a clue.

39. Tattoo

Aliases: Longstrike, Christine Cord
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: New X-Men Vol. 1 #126, July 2002

Don’t adjust your computer screens. Yes Tattoo does resemble a slightly broke down version of Amber Rose. But unlike Amber, Tattoo has talent and the ability to display messages and designs on her chameleon like skin, causing a constant state of partial discoloration. She became infinitely hotter when she acquired the stilt suit, which covered almost her entire body, including the small tattoos on her left forearm. 

38. Sage

Alias: Tessa
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: The X-Men #132, April 1980

She’s known for her amazing telepathic mutant abilities that give her computer-like infinite recall and her distinctive face tattoos that look like jagged boomerangs. As for the tacky armband tattoo, let's just be grateful the illustrator wasn’t a huge fan of Pamela Anderson’s Barb Wire days.

37. Typhoid Mary

Alias: Mary Walker
First Appearance: Marvel Comics, Daredevil #254, May 1988

Daredevil’s enemy and former lover, she also first appeared in Avengers: The Initiative #4, but wasn’t revealed as Typhoid Mary till #20. Mary possesses low-level psionic powers including telekinesis and pyrokinesis which she uses to set people and objects in her immediate vicinity aflame. She’s described as gravely mentally ill which would explain this criminal assassin’s belly tattoo.

36. Icarus

Alias: Joshua “Jay” Guthrie
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Rom Annual #3, 1984

A mutant who can fly and possesses the ability to heal quickly is one thing. A winged mutant with a wing tattoo is borderline lame. Apparently I’m not the only who thought the tattoo cheesy, as it has now disappeared with the aid of his healing powers. Too bad his healing powers didn’t prevent him from getting the tattoo in the first place.

35. Velocity

Alias: Carin Taylor
First Appearance: TopCow: Cyberforce #1, October 1992

The younger sister of mutant Ballistic, Carin’s power is superhuman speed and has a lighting bolt tattooed over her right eye to prove it. Apparently she’s “lightning fast.”

34. Dagger

Alias: Tandy Bowen
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Spectacular Spider-Man #64, March 1982

Known as the other half of the vigilante duo Cloak & Dagger, Dagger’s powers were awakened after a drug-related experiment. Now she’s the personification of light and has a C-shaped tattoo around her right eye, which glows. Other than her power to illuminate herself, she can also cure drug addictions. Drug dealers everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief knowing that Dagger is only just a comic book character. She would be terrible for business.

33. Singe

First Appearance: Self-published: The Uniques #1

Another mutant with tattoos a bit too literal for my taste (see Velocity and Icarus). Singe, a mutant whose power is fire manipulation has flames tattooed on both arms. What makes his cooler is the sheer fact that they glow when his power is in use.

32. Roulette

Alias: Veronica Sinclair
First Appearance: DC Comics: JSA Secret Files #2, September 2001 

Known to be an incredibly sneaky, manipulative, and devious snake who makes her money from illegal gambling rackets and fighting, it’s only apropos that Roulette has a huge serpent tattoo that starts at her left shoulder, wraps around her torso, and down her right thigh.

31. Ink

Alias: Eric Gitter
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Young X-Men #1, April 2008 

Ink was first introduced when he was arrested in a tattoo parlor after getting a tattoo of a biohazard symbol on his hand. When the officers tried to apprehend him they became violently ill. Turns out that the tattoo artist, mutant Leon Nuñez (no relation to Chris Nuñez from Miami Ink), has the ability to grant superpowers through his tattoos and Eric Gitter was at the right place at the right time. Ink has gone back for several tattoos including wings for flight, lighting bolts on his head allowing him to read minds, armor markings like Colossus on his left hand which mimics his metal skin, and more. Each time Nuñez bestows another tattoo on Ink, it depletes his own mutant powers.

30. Deathbird

Alias: Cal’syee Neramani-Summers
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Ms. Marvel #9, September 1977 

The coup d’etat loving sister to Lilandra, the Empress of the Shi’ar Empire, Deathbird has tattoos on her face that are representative of her royal caste. She also has tattoos on her hands, which are present in Uncanny X-Men #275 “The Path Not Taken” (April 1991).

29. Blade

Alias: Eric Brooks
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: The Tomb of Dracula #10, July 1973

Though Blade is depicted with tattoos in his comic books, method actor and master thespian Wesley Snipes took this tribal tatts to the extreme when he brought the Dhampir daywalking vampire hunter to the big screen. Maybe he should have spent more time worrying about his taxes but then again, "tattoo" does come before "taxes" and I hear Mr. Snipes enjoys doing things in alphabetical order.

28. Psylocke

Alias: Elizabeth “Betsy” Braddock
First Appearance: Marvel Comics/Marvel UK. UK: Captain Britain, Vol.1 #8, Dec 1976; US: New Mutants Annual #2, October 1986

The psychic sister of Captain Britain of Excalibur was once a typically cute comic character. But when her mind was swapped and switched into the body of asian super-assassin Kwannon by Spiral, her sex appeal was undeniable. No wonder Cyclops engaged in an affair with her. Don’t worry; it was all in the mind. Later, badly mauled by Sabretooth and left critically wounded, Archangel and Wolverine retrieved a magical liquid known as Crimson Dawn to save her. The mission was successful with a minor side effect. Psylocke’s face now bares a jagged red tattoo over her left eye, but don’t worry, she’s still hot, and now more powerful (and bitchier) than ever.

27. Doctor Manhattan

Alias: Dr. Jonathan “Jon” Osterman
First Appearance: DC Comics: Watchmen #1, September 1986)

When offered a helmet marked with the hydrogen atom, Doctor Manhattan made his dislike for headwear publicly known by opting to tattoo his forehead with the symbol instead. Most of the time, I hardly notice the tattoo as I find his “understated” Ken doll-like genitals pretty distracting.

26. Deathcry

Alias: Sharra Neramani
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: The Avengers Vol. 1 #363, June 1993

The young Shi’ar warrior rumoured to be Deathbird’s daughter has unusual features for her race. Her skin is purple instead of yellow and is nearly invulnerable. Really? That’s it? I thought it might have been the matching face, arm and leg tattoos, not to mention the serious mullet/rat tail hairdo.

25. Supergirl

Alias: Kara Zor-El
First Appearance: DC Comics: Superman #123, August 1958

Leave it to Supergirl in Candor, Part 1 to A) Be the first female comic character I’ve seen get a tattoo in a comic, B) Go completely topless for a tattoo she’s just below her neck, and C) Make a comic tramp stamp look decent.

24. Rose Tattoo

First Appearance: Wildstorm Comics: Stormwatch Vol. 1 #37, 1996

Who knew comics were so philosophical? Describing Rose Tattoo as the spirit of murder; an ageless representation of a pure idea that is reincarnated after each death is truly poetic. But then you give her the power to kill dudes with her sex juices (mimicking heroin overdoses) and the spiritual appeal is lost. The bad tattoos that cover the majority of her body don’t help her cause either, one of them being of a gigantic rose.

23. Voodoo

Alias: Priscilla Kitaen
First Appearance: Wildstorm Comics: WildC.A.T.s #1, August 1992

Voodoo was first introduced in WildC.A.T.s #1 as a half-naked exotic dancer with dragon tattoos who had the power to lure men with her dancing. So what does that mean for this mutant with the gift of telepathy, sight, and more? Very large tips.

22. Skaar

First Appearance: Marvel Comics: World War Hulk #5, January 2008

Son of Hulk and alien Caiera and twin brother of Hiro-Kala, Skaar is the spitting image of his father with the exception of the wild mane of hair and zigzag striped patterned tattoos than run over his shoulder and down his right arm. They mark him as a true member of the Shadow People, his mother’s race.

21. Hiro-Kala

First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Skaar: Son of Hulk #2, September 2008

Son of the Hulk and the alien Caiera, and twin brother of Skaar. Born without his brother’s powers, enslaved as a child, and without the marking to signify his race, Hiro-Kala has had it rough. He does however make up for lost time by mastering Old World Powers, becoming a God, and battling his father and brother at the same time. A handsome character, he has two upside down sickle tattoos that run down his face over both eyes, or at least he did before Galactus, the Devourer of the Worlds, vomited on his face, scarring and disfiguring the right side.

20. Bullseye

First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Daredevil #131, 1976

Bullseye, known for the bullseye tattoo on his forehead, is a deadly assassin with flawless accuracy (hence his name). But apparently being a deadly killer also makes you completely psychotic (see Typhoid Mary), which would explain the tattoos that Ultimate Bullseye in Earth-1610 is now sporting. In addition to his trademark tattoo, he’s got a bullseye over his heart as well as other tattoos on his shoulders, a tribal mask and a heart on his back, all of which are completely off-the-mark.

19. Mr. Sinister

Alias: Dr. Nathaniel Essex
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Uncanny X-Men #221, September 1987

Dr. Nathaniel Essex is a 19th century scientist, with an expertise in several fields including genetics, physics, and cloning, who was genetically altered himself by super villain Apocalypse.  He now possesses superhuman physical and mental powers; in addition, his ability to splice and dice his own DNA with other mutants makes Mr. Sinister one bad mamajama. That is until you see him. His flat top hairstyle, kabuki white make-up and red diamond forehead tattoo immediate contradicts his villainous persona. Throw in the flamboyant “Japanese rock star” outfit (think Ziggy Stardust on crack) he wears 24/7, and you’ll find him less sinister and more camp. In Ultimate X-Men #46, July 2004, Sinister is depicted without his trademark make-up or outfit and wears what appears to be a Hanes tank top with a “Sinister” tattooed on his forearm in Old English font. Artist Brandon Peterson needs to just say no.

18. Zealot

Alias: Lady Zannah of Khera
First Appearance: Wildstorm: WildC.A.T.s #1, August 1992

Lady Zannah became Zealot when she formed a sisterhood of warriors known as The Coda on Earth and became a member of WildC.A.T.s. An alien, a warrior, a mutant, whatever she is, she’s sexy as hell and those red warrior facial tattoos not only look good, but match her outfit. Color coordination is always a plus. 

17. Rogue

First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Avengers Annual #10, August 1981

Known for her two-toned hair, her white trash appeal, and the ability to put normal people in comas and steal other mutants’ powers with just a single touch, Rogue in Marvel's Ultimate universe is now known for something else, her tribal tattoo sleeve. Apparently they’re psychic tattoos, but real enough to cement her white trash status while giving her an added butch girl edge.

16. Warpath

Alias: James Proudstar
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: New Mutants Vol.1, #16, June 1984

Formerly known as the second Thunderbird, (his older brother was the original before his death), the Apache Native American mutant got a huge thunderbird tattooed on his back in his honor. Unfortunately it looks more like the Pontiac Firebird logo than a thunderbird. But then again, I have no idea what a thunderbird looks like so… 

15. Mister X

First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Wolverine Vol. 1 #159, February 2001

This rich kid gone wrong has issues. He killed his dog in the oven and then killed his parents when they found out. Now he’s dedicated his life to murdering people. He’s trained with various combat teachers and martial arts masters from around the world mastering each skill only to turn around and kill his master, scarring himself in a ritual fashion for each life he takes. And though he’s a great fighter, he’s also a cheat, that uses his telepathy to read his opponents moves giving him the upper hand.

14. Loa

Alias: Alani Ryan
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: New X-Men: Academy X #5, November 2004

Nothing like seeing daddy dearest getting attacked by dubious villain Great White and his pack of trained sharks to trigger those hidden mutant powers. Now Hawaiian Alani Ryan, aka Loa (which reminds me of Macadamia nuts), has the ability to distort molecular bonds and disable binding forces, which causes matter to crumble and breakdown as she passes through it. Pro: New and very nerdy powers. Con: Permanent skin markings that cover her whole body. Technically not tattoos as they’re a physical sign of her mutation, she’s an exception to this list.)

13. Vanisher

Alias: Telford Porter
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: X-Men #2, November 1963

Naming a mutant Telford Porter and then giving him the ability to teleport is pretty cheesy. No wonder one of the oldest enemies of the X-Men has appeared in the re-design of the X-Force covered with tattoos. The tattoos look good, but the name is still bad. Telford could use the extra street cred.

12. Spider Jerusalem

Alias: Spider Django Heraclitus Jerusalem
First Appearance: Vertigo: Transmetropolitan #1, February 1998

If his tattoos don’t make any sense other than his signature spider on his head, don’t worry, it’s more to capture the essence of this famous truth seeking, anarchy loving, Gonzo-journalist. So what do the tattoos mean? Honestly, they only came about to help differentiate him from King Mob, another white bald dude with stylish glasses.

11. Daken

Alias: Akihiro
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Wolverine Origins #10, March 2007

The mutant son of Wolverine and his murdered Japanese wife Itsu has some issues. With his healing power and retractable claws, Daken is the spitting image of his dad. Unfortunately turns out Daken’s a bit of a dick and opts to take the supervillain route as evident by his large tribal tattoo, and the fact that he’s tried to kill his dad several times. Also not surprising is the fact that he’s sort of a manwhore. Using his power to manipulate pheromones, Daken seduces anything with legs to get what he wants. Is the large tribal tattoo the equivalent of the male tramp stamp? On Daken it is.

10. Executive Assistant Iris

First Appearance: Aspen MLT: Executive Assistant Iris #0, June 2011

Not only is Iris an executive assistant to Mr. Ching, but she’s also his secretary, bodyguard, and assassin — specially trained in a secret academy in China where she was at the top of her class, a sign of a true overachieving Asian. Iris has the typical Asian girl thing going on with her long mane of glossy black hair and “do-as-you're-told subservient approach to her job,” but shows a rebellious streak with a huge dragon tattoo that dominates her upper body. Side note: Best Asian Inspired Comic Book Name Ever.

9. Colossus

Alias" Piotr “Peter” Nikolaievitch Rasputin
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Giant-Size X-Men #1, May 1975

When you’re one of the strongest members of X-Men you’ve got no excuse for shying away from a tattoo needle, unless you’re Colossus. He’s attempted to get a tattoo twice and both times have resulted in him transforming his skin into metal right when the artist is about to start, resulting in broken tattoo guns. It took the “death” of his ladylove Katya — aka Kitty Pride or Shadowcat — for him to finally man up and get one. The result, a heart in the middle of his chest with “Katya” written across it. Some illustrators have gone a bit overboard expressing Colossus’s love and loss for Kitty with a recent mosaic heart tattoo that borders on obsession but then again, she was 14 and he 19 when they started their, um… "friendship."

8. Sun-Chained-In-Ink

Alias: Hemi Kiwara
First Appearance: DC Comics: Trinity Vol. 1 #8, July 2008

Kiwara, an unsuccessful tattoo artist, always dreamt of greatness.  One day as he tattoos himself while chanting Tama-nui-te-rā, the Maori personification of the Sun to cope with the pain, he is literally granted the powers of the sun. Note to self: Chant “Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase” at next tattoo session.

7. The Third "Tattooed Man"

Alias: Mark Richards
First Appearance: DC Comics: Green Lantern Vol. 4 #9, 2006

Why skip the second "Tattooed Man" straight for the Third? Because ungrateful people are frowned upon. John Oakes aka #2, used what he learned from his former cellmate Tarrant to defeat and then freakishly absorb him, excluding him from this list. Which leads to Mark Richards. The former U.S. Marine turned hitman acquired his tattoos from the art of “sin-grafting,” allowing him to take the sins of others and put them on himself to redeem the lives of the people he’s killed. Apparently all his victims had tattoos of their sins… how convenient.

6. Gentle

Alias: Nezhno Abidemi
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: New X-Men Vol.2 #23, April 2006)

With a name like Gentle, it’s obvious this Wakandan mutant that possesses amazing physical combat skills is a lover not a fighter. He’s even gone as far as opting to cover his body with Vibranium tattoos and practice meditation to keep his limitless power, which is triggered by his emotions, in check. His tattoos change from typical silver to glowing light blue when his powers are activated. Without the Vibranium (one of the metals used to construct Captain America’s shield), Gentle would undoubtedly be one of the strongest people in the Marvel Universe.

5. Shado

First Apperance: DC Comics: Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters #1, August 1987)

This trained Bushido warrior and Kyudo master was raised by the Yakuza and therefore branded with their tattoos to mark her allegiance. The dragon tattoo that wraps around her arm and shoulder adds to her badass appeal, especially when she draws her bow to deliver a fatal blow.

4. The Original Tattooed Man

Alias: Abel Tarrant
First Appearance: DC Comics: Green Lantern, Volume 2 #23, September 1963

Abel Tarrant is a sailor that’s so smart he can reproduce a mysterious chemical compound he discovered in a lab with utmost ease. Unfortunately his inability to get a real job with his background in chemistry is what got him into the lab in the first place when he tried to rob it. Hello to the irony that is America. That same mysterious chemical left him with the mental ability to create actual objects from it, and has used it to tattoo the necessities he’ll need to steal and fight on his body. From axes to shields to cannons and even a dragon, Tarrant has it all. A Green Lantern villain, the base color for the compound that comprised his tattoos was yellow, which made it super-effective against the emerald hero. But if he was smart, he should have just tattooed diamonds and dollars and left all the hard work to everyone else. Downside to the Tattooed Man: He can only concentrate on one tattoo at a time making him easily defeated if he multitasks, which is how the Green Lantern bested him.

3. Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow

Aliases: Classified (Snake Eyes), Thomas "Tommy" Arashikage (Storm Shadow)
First Appearance:  G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1, June 1982 (Snake Eyes)
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #21, March 1984 (Storm Shadow)

These sword brothers have quite the complicated history. When Snake Eyes was first introduced as a commando in the pages of G.I. Joe, creator Larry Hama really flipped the script when he added eastern mysticism and made him into a silent, stoic, totally badass ninja. In March 1984's Silent Interlude comic, which famously includes no speech within the panels, Hama introduces rival ninja Storm Shadow, and in the final pages reveals that both sword-wielding warriors carry the same red tattoo on their right forearm. The Arashikage clan symbol, as it became known, is actually lifted from the pages of the I Ching, specifically Hexagram 63, which can be interpreted as meaning either "after completion" or "every triumph brings new challenges." It'd be cooler if it meant "knowing is half the battle."

2. Magneto

Aliases: Max Eisenhardt, Erik Magnus Lehnsherr
First Appearance: Marvel Comics: Debut issue of X-Men #1, September 1963

Magneto’s tattoo may not be the most flamboyant of the comic lot, but his Auschwitz ID number is the most poignant. Originally branded with #214782 in Uncanny X-Men #161, it was later changed to #24005 in Excalibur (Vol.3, #2) when the original number was too high for him to have been among the first group of Jews to be tattooed there.

1. Darth Maul

First Appearance: Dark Horse Comics: Star Wars: Darth Maul (4 part series), May 2001

Getting a tattoo is painful enough, but to get your entire body covered is either some serious dark side dedication or Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. Either way, no one can touch Darth Maul on the comic tattoo front. Not only is the Sith’s ultimate killing machine totally covered with tattoos — he got them by using burning venom. Suck it Colossus.