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Inked Mag Staff

September 11th, 2020

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X-traordinary X-Men Tattoos for the X-ceptional Comic Series

It doesn't take Angel's superb vision to appreciate these tattoos of Magneto, Professor X, Wolverine, Storm and all the rest of your favorite X-Men.

By Erin O’Donnell

Since their debut in 1963, Marvel’s “X-Men,” created by comic book legends Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, has won fans the world over with the 250+ unique characters littering the series and the intercut storylines tackling themes of oppression and the fight for basic human rights.

It’s surprising to note that “X-Men” was not always a popular household name and, after disappointing comic sales, Marvel canceled the series in 1969. This was perhaps for the best, as writer Chris Claremont revitalized the series in 1975. By introducing more complex characters, Rogue and Mystique to name just a few, and writing some of the most influential storylines in comic book history, “The Dark Phoenix Saga” and “Days of Future Past,” Claremont brought new life to the series.

Not afraid to tackle heavy themes, the X-Men comics center around the fight against oppression in a world that fears those born with superhuman abilities known as mutants. Lee’s and Kirby’s original approach to the series was as an allegory to the rising Civil Rights movement of the ‘60s, with characters Professor X and Magneto representing Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X respectively in their fight against mutant oppression.

Since the 1990s, the X-Men have been one of the best selling comic books series, with the debut issue of artist Jim Lee’s 1991 run of the series,“X-Men #1,” remaining the best-selling comic book issue of all-time according to Guinness World Records. The 1992 debut of the beloved animated series, with an equally iconic theme song, only made their popularity grow stronger among a younger audience introduced to these characters for the first time.

The long-running series really proved to be a multimedia juggernaut to be reckoned with, with the debut of the first live-action X-Men movie in 2000, providing much of the groundwork for the modern superhero genre we know and love today. The film series and its multiple spin-offs, including the Deadpool series, continue to bring in millions to this day.

It’s safe to say that after nearly 60 years in pop culture, the X-Men are here to stay. And much like the staying power of this popular franchise, fans all over the world show their love and appreciation for this groundbreaking series by getting their favorite characters tattooed on their bodies. It might not be as impressive as the ability to grow adamantium claws out of your knuckles or shapeshifting, but these works of art are still pretty interesting nonetheless. 

Professor X

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Charles Xavier on Ben #sakuratattoova #marvel #marvelcomics #proffessorx #xmen #xmentattoo #charlesxavier #solidink

A post shared by Josh Stevens (@josh_ftw_) on Jan 15, 2019 at 10:12am PST

Wolverine

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“YOU PICKED THE WRONG HOUSE, BUB.” – Wolverine –

A post shared by Anime•Gamer•Cartoon•Tattoos• (@caleblynchtattoos) on Jul 22, 2019 at 10:44am PDT

Cyclops

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Cyclops, aka Scott Summers, one of the founding members of the X-Men. One of Stan Lee’s creations, he first appeared in 1963, in the X-Men comics. Thanks Dave! #cyclops #cyclopstattoo #xmen #xmentattoo #scottsummers #scottsummerstattoo #stanlee #stanleetattoo #comic #comicbook #comicart #comicbookart #comictattoo #comicbooktattooo #comicbookarttattoo #mutant #mutanttattoo

A post shared by (@tattoos.by.steve) on Dec 20, 2019 at 2:08pm PST

Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix

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•HEALED• was able to snag some healed photos of this dark pheonix piece I did still a little shiny I’m a few spots but pretty much there! #tattoo #tattoos #tattooing #tattooartist #artist #customtattoo #customartist #fytcartridges #fytsupplies @fytcartridges @fytsupplies #wickedwaysinc #wickedways #milfordnh #nh #nashuanh #marvel #marveltattoo #xmen #xmentattoo #darkpheonix

A post shared by Jack Stapledon (@jackstapledon) on Jun 3, 2020 at 12:44pm PDT

Scarlet Witch 

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Thanks to @gernge for always coming with the good ideas! Scarlet Witch done yesterday. • • • #tattoo #melisehilltattoo #ironcladtattoo #blackclawneedle #ladytattooers #xmen #xmentattoo #scarletwitch #neotraditionaltattoo #neotraditional #neotradsub #tattoosnob

A post shared by Melise Hill (@melisehilltattoo) on Jan 16, 2020 at 6:30am PST

Cable 

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Cable feito no @oficialarenatattooclub pra categoria comics, vaaaleu demais @alexandrecavenag por aguentar firme e forte!!! . . . #frankensteintattoo #easyglow #easyglowpigments #comics #comicstattoo #cablemarvel #cabletattoo #xmen #xmentattoo #marvel #marveltattoo #colortattoo #electricinkpen #electricink #arenatattooclub #florianopolis #tattoo2me #tattoo2us #tattoo_clube

A post shared by Diego Manson (@diegofkttattoo) on Feb 18, 2020 at 7:56am PST

Rogue

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Rogue, Titania o Picara… tremendo personaje de X-Men para la amiga que vino desde Iquique, muchas gracias por la confianza en este tremendo tatuaje ❤. Como siempre soy el más feliz haciendo este tipo de tatuajes full color y animaciones. Como siempre con la mejor squad @insomnio_tattoo . Trabajando con lo mejor para el tatuaje: . @starinkproductos @intenzetattooink @bishoprotary @kwadron @rookwaveswitch . #tattoo #tattoos #tattooart #xmen #rogue #titania #picara #xforce #xmentattoo #tattooxmen #animetattoo #tattooanime #instagramer #instagram #instattoo #instatattoo #insomniotattoostudios #aricatattoo #tattooarica #tattooartist #danmellado #danielmellado #arica #chile #chiletattoo

A post shared by ▲▪︎DAN•MELLADO•TATTOO’S▪︎▲ (@danmellado) on Jan 10, 2020 at 2:23pm PST

Gambit

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Realizado en la @jereztattooconvention #tattooed #tattoo #tatted #tattoist #tatts #tattoos #tat2 #ink #inkedup #inked #inkedgirl #realistic #realismotattoo #portraittattoo #portrait #warriors #xmen #marvel #stanlee #colorsportrait #colors #fullcolortattoo

A post shared by Antonio Navarro (@antonionavarro_ink) on Oct 12, 2019 at 12:31am PDT

Nightcrawler

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So happy with my nightcrawler tattoo! Fucking excellent work from @mattblackarts . . . . . . . . #theblackartshastings #tattoo #nightcrawler #nightcrawlerxmen #xmentattoo #blackartshastings #cartoon #me #xmen #xmencomics #comictattoos #howdidioverlookthepain #mighthavetogetsomemore #hastings #oldschoolxmen #chrisclaremont #davecockrum #bamf #mostexcitingthingtohappeninmonths

A post shared by Spider (@punk_beans) on Aug 14, 2020 at 10:46am PDT

Mystique

Magneto 

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Tatuaje realizado por @maxipain.tattoo // Magneto el amo del magnetismo// #xmen #magneto #masterofmagnetism #xmencomics #tattoo #tattoos #comic #comics #comictattoo #xmentattoo #photooftheday #love #xavierschool #xmenmovies #xmen90s #jimlee #tattoogirl #tattooartist #tattoodesign #tattoostyle #xmenart #tattoohealed #xion

A post shared by Maxi Pain Comic Tattoo Comic (@maxipain.tattoo) on May 21, 2020 at 9:39am PDT

Storm

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Storm #marvel #storm #marveltattoo #marveltattoos #cartoontattoo #newschooltattoo #geeksterink #geek #instageek #instatattoos #instagood #insta #instadaily #leedstattoo #wakefieldtattoo #tattoo #uktattoo #uktta #tattoosnob

A post shared by Craig Wilson (@cdubztattoos) on May 14, 2020 at 10:44am PDT

Deadpool

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Who is your favorite DeadPool character? Been so busy I haven’t seen it yet. Hopefully before I leave to Japan I get a chance. @robliefeld what a great comic character Played by @vancityreynolds honored to Tattoo this on a trial lawyer. We are doing a super hero leg sleeve because he stands up for the little people in court against the corporations. Pretty rad reason to get super hero’s tattooed on you. Half healed half fresh

A post shared by Nikko Hurtado (@nikkohurtado) on May 26, 2018 at 12:14pm PDT

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