Tattoo History

In the world of comic books, where visual design carries as much narrative weight as dialogue or plot, tattoos serve as a powerful storytelling device. Far from being mere aesthetic embellishments, they often convey a character’s personal history, cultural roots, psychological scars, or philosophical beliefs. Whether etched in mystical runes, ritualistic symbols, or stark lines

For decades, the tattoo industry has been seen as gritty, masculine, and heavily male-dominated. But times are changing—and women are not only entering the scene, they’re redefining it. With machines in hand and bold visions in mind, female tattoo artists are breaking industry norms and building legacies on their own terms. Today’s generation of women

March was Women’s History Month, so we of course needed to celebrate the top five women in tattoo history! Maud Wagner (1877–1961) Maud Wagner was an aerialist and contortionist on the circus circuit before becoming the first known female tattoo artist in the U.S. While traveling with the circus, Maud met her husband, Gus Wagner,

From the biblical depiction of Satan as a serpent to Egyptian worship, we have always been fascinated with snakes. Whether revered as sacred beings, feared as agents of chaos, or seen as symbols of transformation and wisdom, these serpentine creatures appear in myths, scriptures, and rituals spanning different civilizations. Let’s explore the role of snakes

As part of this Thanksgiving issue, we wanted to give a nod to the long tattoo history of America’s indigenous peoples! There is such a rich history of tattoos among Native American tribes that it’s frankly crazy how neglected this area of tattoo history is among historians and anthropologists! In fact, until recently the 1985

Tattoos have long served as a powerful form of self-expression, and in the realm of horror films, they often carry deeper meanings, reflecting a character’s psyche, backstory, or transformation. From the flamboyant to the sinister, here’s a closer look at some iconic tattooed characters that have left a lasting impression in horror cinema. One of

Irezumi, or Japanese traditional tattooing, has a long, vibrant history full of symbolism and tradition. In fact, the earliest evidence of tattooing in the world comes from clay figurines unearthed in Japanese tombs. These figurines date back to the Jomon Period, around 5000 BCE, with the oldest being from the Kassaka site in Sagamihara City,