Comics culture and comics fandom has become mainstream by transcending “economic class, race, region, educational attainment, and […] gender” (Salkowitz, 2019, p.17). The rise of comics culture is evidenced by the growth and popularity of Comic-Con International, among other phenomenon. Started in 1969, Comic-Con has grown from a single-day event that attracted 145 people to a multi-day, multi-site phenomenon that brings together nearly 150,000 people to celebrate all that is comics, film and television, in the fantasy and science-fiction genres

Similarly, tattoo culture has become more and more mainstream. According to a 2015 Harris Poll, approximately 29% of Americans had a tattoo – an increase of 8% from their previous study in 2011 (Shannon-Missal, 2016). No longer confined to the arms of military service men or hardened criminals, “tattoos are perceived as works of art” (Brugnoni, 2016, p.2). They’re not “random or meaningless, but are rooted in deep historical contexts”(ibid). Adding to the legitimacy of the tattoo industry, contemporary tattoo artists train in graphic design and visual arts, and they go to conferences to hone their skills and learn new techniques. Many also specialize in specific styles – black and white, portrait, tribal, neotraditional, script, and comics art, to name but a few. 

As a heavily tattooed researcher, I examined the intersection of comics fandom culture and tattoo culture in San Diego generally, and at the 50th edition of Comic-Con in particular. Using an ethnographic approach, this paper considers how and why Comic-Con attendees express their fandom through tattoos and how these tattoos are connected with their experience of fandom and their experience at Comic-Con. It also explores the impact of Comic-Con on the local tattoo industry in San Diego.

This presentation touches on the preliminary findings of my research at Comic-Con while emphasizing the importance of experiential learning, field work, and internships at all levels of academic study.

This presentation will be taking place on Monday, October 21st from 4:30PM to 5:30PM in Lamoureux Hall, Room 219 at the University of Ottawa.