INNER LIP TATTOOS DON'T COUNT
As part of our Tattoo Series, we interviewed WNW Member #1217 Vincent Iadevaia, a London-based UX/IA designer with quite the collection. He has dedicated several limbs to celebrate the stories of his hero, comic book artist Jack Kirby. "All of my tattoos are things I’ve been obsessed with since I was a kid: dinosaurs, Star Wars, and comic books (mostly comic books.)"
While Vincent may be running out of space, he's not planning to slow down anytime soon: "I have to fly to New York in September for my sister’s wedding. I’m literally getting off the plane and going straight to Three Kings Tattoo to finish up my Fantastic Four sleeve with Myles. I’m really not looking forward to wearing a tux with a swollen arm."
Vincent offers some advice for those thinking of getting some ink. Just remember: "Inner lip tattoos don't count."
How many tattoos do you have and how'd you decide on them?
At this point I’d say I have 8 tattoos, which doesn’t sound like a whole lot, but a few of them cover an entire limb so I’m quickly running out of space. All of my tattoos are things I’ve been obsessed with since I was a kid: dinosaurs, Star Wars, and comic books (mostly comic books).
1. Right Rib Cage: Stegosaurus Skeleton
2. Right Inner Arm: Rorschach & Night Owl Watchmen Panel
3. Left Rib Cage: Imperial AT-AT Walker
4. Left Inner Arm: Doctor Manhattan Watchmen Panel
5. Right Arm: BPRD sleeve
6. Left Thigh: Jack Kirby’s New Gods
7. Right Leg: Batman Family / Justice League Sleeve
8. Left Arm: Fantastic Four Sleeve
Fantastic Four Sleeve
I love everything Jack Kirby, the King of Comics, has ever created but the Fantastic Four are easily my favorite. I collect a lot of silver-age comic books and one of my goals is to collect the original run, issues 1 through 102, so I thought it would only be fitting to sleeve my arm with my favorite superhero family.
Who's the tattoo artist to whom you entrust the task? Do you give a lot of direction?
I’ve only ever been tattooed by Myles Karr. I met him my freshmen year of college and we’ve been friends ever since. He’s my favorite artist, and I’m incredibly grateful to have his work on me. I completely trust him and know whatever he’s going to create will be incredible so I don’t really give him any direction other than the characters I want.
What does your mom think? Or are we outing you on the internet right now?
My mom, of course, cried the first time I came home with my ribs all bandaged up. The next day when she actually got a look at it she said “Oh that looks really great” and hasn’t complained much since. I’m lucky to have her because, at the end of the day, she couldn’t care less about how many tattoos I have as long as I’m happy, and I’ve got health insurance.
B.P.R.D. Sleeve
Mike Mignola is another one of my favorite comic book creators and the B.P.R.D. is one of my favorite creations of his. I think at some point in everyone’s lives they feel like a monster that no one understands so I ended up sleeving 3/4 of my arm with some of my favorite ones.
What was the process like? Painful? Any funny anecdotes of the process?
I kind of like how it feels, which is going to make me sound like a bit of a masochist. I originally thought it would be a lot worse, but at this point I’m used to it. It’s that good kind of pain that you know will all be worth it once it’s over.
So far my kneecap and inner thigh have been the most painful. The kneecap doesn’t have much padding so you can imagine it’s not a lot of fun. The inner thigh is just a bit too close to my junk, so I’m glad I know my tattoo artist really well.
Do you have any new ones planned or in the works?
I have to fly to New York in September for my sister’s wedding. I’m literally getting off the plane and going straight to Three Kings Tattoo to finish up my Fantastic Four sleeve with Myles. I’m really not looking forward to wearing a tux with a swollen arm.
A presidential portrait of Zaphod Beeblebrox is hopefully in my near future.
Batman Family / Justice League Sleeve
I had an appointment to get some sort of Batman tattoo. Myles drew me Batman as a dragon owl on the spot which was the coolest thing I had ever seen and we just kept adding DC characters as mythological beasts until it sleeved my entire right leg.
Any advice for those considering getting a tattoo?
1. Do some research, it’s even easier these days since there are a ton of tattoo artists on Instagram.
2. Don’t be cheap! If you’re going to be cheap about something you’re going to have for the rest of your life, then you’re an idiot and probably shouldn’t be getting tattooed.
3. Go big or go home.
4. Inner lip tattoos don’t count.
Bonus Round!
What did you want to be when you grow up?
A dinosaur, then an Archeologist, then an astronaut. I’m really not sure how I ended up as a Product Designer.
Last things you googled?
Dog Backpacks, Mothman, Fantastic Four #45
Top pop culture influences growing up?
Dr. Alan Grant, Han Solo, and Peter Parker.
What’s in your backpack right now?
My laptop, some pens and a D20.
Best social networking site?
Tumblr. It’s where I met my girlfriend.