Geek Gets Inked with Superman

by Robert J. Wilson
(Louisiana)

Geek Gets Inked with Superman! I'm a life-long fan of DC Comics, superheroes and Superman in particular. When I decided to get a tattoo, there was no doubt about the subject I'd want permanently inked on my body: Superman, of course.

In the late 1990's I got my first Superman tattoo his traditional S-shield on my right upper shoulder. I was pleased with it, and eventually decided that I wanted another tattooed homage to my favorite super hero.

One Wednesday while in my neighborhood comic shop, a few guys came in sporting the brightest most colorful tattoos I'd ever seen.

I commented on them and one of the guys gave me his business card and I came to find out, they'd tattooed each other and were in the process of opening a studio just down the street.

After a conversation about comic books and comic art, I knew this guy was the artist I wanted. His name was Steve and he worked at the now-defunct Acme Tattoo Clinic in Baton Rouge. I can't remember his last name, but his artwork was incredible.

Growing up in the 1980's, the artist whose rendition most captured my imagination was the amazing José Luis García-López. I loved Swan, Byrne, Adams, and the rest, but García-López's clean graphic style was my favorite.

I happened up on the line art for this piece during a routine web search and knew it was exactly what I wanted.

This Superman tattoo was done in two sittings of two hours each. The first was devoted to the outline (likening it to pencils and inks used in comics).

In the next sitting, about a month later, Steve did the colors. It was a masterpiece. This photo was taken by Steve with my iPhone immediately after he was finished.

I've gotten compliments on it from folks in New York City, Washington D.C., San Francisco and beyond. It's been about four years and I'm still in love with it.

I'm obviously a huge geek about my tattoo, so please feel free to send comments or questions to robertjwilson1 (at) gmail (dot) com.

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