Should I get this
Wonder Woman symbol
tattooed on my arm?
—
Somehow I’ve managed to make it to 38 without my body being permanently inked, which is weird because at one point I actually had a pierced tongue, so it’s clear I’m not above these sort of shenanigans. (The tongue piercing is gone, but the eyebrow one still remains, because I have to cling desperately to my 20s SOMEHOW.)
I do actually think that–properly executed–tattoos can be very cool and I like the sometimes subtle/sometimes overt clues they give us into the psyche of those who possess them. And I have a pretty high pain tolerance and am not the sort to run screaming from needles, so my only excuse for not having one is my inability to think of something I would want on my body for that long.
And I assumed that this would stay this way until I was out to dinner with a friend and he smiled as I pulled out my wallet to pay for the meal. “Is that a Wonder Woman wallet?” he asked as I pulled out my debit card.
It was.
Now my friend’s smile was informed by the clear I-don’t-give-a-crap-what-you-think-of-me-osity it takes to be a 38 year-old man who carries a Wonder Woman wallet, and I had to admit that it is a token that some folks out there would judge me negatively for–be it because of their disdain for comic book icons, geek culture in general or the idea that a man would willingly bear the aegis of the world’s most famous Amazonian princess.
And like that it hit me–this was something I would never get tired of. I’ve loved Wonder Woman since I first saw Lynda Carter in her satin tights on TV. That’s more than three decades of commitment–surely I could handle three to five more?
The more I think about it, the more I want to do it. It’s exactly the kind of tattoo I’ve always wanted–simple, yet immediately recognizable. One that speaks volumes about who I am as a person, yet will still spur those who see to ask to learn more.
Do you think this is a good idea? Or do you see it as a one-way trip to Regretsville? And are you saying that as someone who ISN’T kneejerk anti-body art in all circumstances? Do you have a better suggestion?
And is there a tattoo you’ve been thinking of getting, but need a little online encouragement?
I rarely respond to articles and usually stick to stalker-status type behavior. However after reading Rachel’s comment I really felt the need to voice my opinion (’cause they’re like assholes, right? We all have them. I always hated that phrase) Aaaanyhoo. Also, keep in mind I am a woman myself. The whole “girl-thing, boy-thing” really bugs me. On the one hand I can see it from a feminist point of view, and “we need to have our own things” yada yada. HOWEVER, being a woman who grew up with constant comments like “why do you like that? That’s a boy… Read more »
I’d say go for it; I think the best tattoos are the ones that have personal meaning before your skin ever enters the equation. I understand where Rachel is coming from but don’t agree with her interpretation. Getting tattoo instead defeats the purpose, since that’s not the character you have a connection to in the first place. I’m a little surprised to see someone strictly feminine iconography for girls and masculine for boys, but everyone has their line in the sand. Personally, if I see woman with a Wolverine tattoo, my first though isn’t going to be “so gender-inappropriate!” …… Read more »
I, too, am thinking of getting a Wonder Woman ratio. Been thinking about it for years. There is no shame in liking her and paying her some kind of homage! I say go for it!
I think it’s a cool idea. Everyone gets gets these standard tattoos like Batman, Superman or the rest. A Wonderwoman one would be a nice change of pace I figure.
I personally am considering getting an Yggdrasil tattooed on my back as it signifies nature and I am a sucker for germanic mythology. Not sure if I’ll do it though.
I think a man getting a Wonder Woman tattoo is a classic case of appropriation. Women only have so many cartoon icons of their own gender. Pick one that is not female,let us have this one.
For clarification,I have 7 tattoos (large and small) and will be getting more,so I’m not anti-tattoo.
But couldn’t you say that expecting him to go against his feelings about Wonder Woman on the grounds that she’s a woman and he’s a guy just reinforces the idea that boys can only have certain characters to look up to and girls can only have certain characters to look up to? If anything I think a man getting a WW tattoo is a case of a guy getting the point that hero doesn’t always have to be a guy (and isn’t that a lesson that we want to impart on ALL kids?). And besides would you say that a… Read more »
Rachel, you would have loved the 5 year-old version of me, who cried when his mother bought him a WW poster, because it was “for girls” and I was terrified I would be mocked and judged for it. At this point, I’m afraid I’m too old to take such “this is for boys and this is for girls” nonsense seriously, even when it’s wrapped up in the dreaded “a” word.