Image from SyFy
For better or for worse, comic book movies are more popular than they’ve ever been before. Everyone from the hardcore geek to the common filmgoer now packs theaters to see movies like Avengers: Endgame and Joker.
This has lead to more and more people getting character tattoos. It makes a lot of sense: these characters make for great small tattoos, and it’s fun to turn your body into a kind of living comic.
However, the trick is to stand out from the crowd. How can you rock your comic-inspired cute tattoos and not look like a poser? Keep reading to discover our guide to the best and worst character tattoos!
Worst: Joker
Image from Instaphotosave
Look, the Joker is a really great character. And there have been some truly unforgettable portrayals of this character, including the best one by the late, great Heath Ledger.
However, Joker makes for a lousy character tat. For small tattoos, he may be a bit confusing: your friends might just end up wondering why you have a creepy clown on your body!
And Joker’s iconic colors are likely to clash with much of your wardrobe. And if you try to rock the right clothes for his white, purple, and green appearance, you’ll seem like the real clown.
Best: X-Men Logo
Image from PicLuck
For our money, the iconic X-Men logo remains one of the coolest tattoos. As small tattoos go, it’s nice and simple: very easy to turn it into a shoulder tattoo or a modest wrist tattoo.
The logo also walks the fine line between subtlety and fandom. Comic geeks will instantly recognize the logo while you’ll simply look cool and mysterious to everyone else.
Finally, the X-Men have historically represented oppressed groups around the world. Rocking their logo marks you as an ally of equality…one who just happens to have awesome taste in comics!
Worst: Deadpool
Image from TattooMarmaris
If you ask yourself, “what are some cute tattoos of comic characters I could get,” chances are that Deadpool will be one of the first characters that pops into your mind.
We’re here to ask—nay, beg—you: please resist that impulse!
The reason is that Deadpool has reached a kind of pop culture saturation point. If you decide to rock this character as one of your small tattoos, you won’t really be standing out. Instead, you’ll look like just another member of the fanboy crowd.
Don’t fret, True Believer: you can still enjoy Ryan Reynolds and chimichangas without putting Deadpool on your body.
Best: Batman
Image from Tattoos for You
Our final character recommendation for small tattoos is Batman. As a tattoo, he has a lot going for him.
Unlike Deadpool, Batman has been around long enough to become a long-term cultural icon. That’s why a good Batman tattoo is just as likely to impress your dad as it is to impress your little brother.
There are also a lot of great Batman tattoo options. The character in silhouette is great for a minimalist tattoo, while the character symbol is a great way of adding an iconic splash of color to your body.
Finally, Batman is a great tattoo conversation starter. You may just inspire your friends to modify the old Jack Nicholson Joker question and say “where does he get all these wonderful tattoos?”
Characters and Small Tattoos: Final Thoughts
Now you know which character tattoos are hot and which are not. But do you have a game plan to stay on top of tattoo culture?
Keep coming back to Tattooing 101 for all the latest and greatest news about the world of ink!
