Tattoo
A tattoo is a form of body art where images and/or words are inked on an individual's skin. This practice is reasonably commonplace amongst both humans and Transformers.
Fiction
Marvel Generation 2 comic
Perhaps because it was the '90s, Grimlock had the words "BIG GRIM" tattooed on his shoulder. Total War!
Dreamwave Generation One continuity
At The Burn Outs, Mudslinger was seen getting a tattoo of the Blentron insignia from Road Hugger. The Gray Race
2005 IDW continuity
Believers in Primalism would often sport a Matrix tattoo on their cheek to show their devotion. Examples include Springarm, Chaos Theory #1 and Skids, An Intimate Beheading although Skids later had his tattoo removed after he lost his faith. Hangers On
Verity Carlo got a tattoo of a green alien head in memory of her friend Hunter O'Nion. Last Stand of the Wreckers #1 Similarly, when he learned that Dai Atlas had been killed, Drift began sporting facial tattoos in honour of the deceased. Your Fierce Tears
The "Firstborn", Scorponok's experiment in creating organic Transformers, had a Decepticon insignia tattooed across its face. Kill All 'Cons
Rescue Bots cartoon
Mayor Luskey has a tattoo reading "Rosebud". Double Villainy
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
After G.I. Joe allied with the Autobots, Gung-Ho got an Autobot tattoo from Cutter. Everybody Hates Metroplex
2015 Robots in Disguise books
Denny Clay attempted to convince Joey, Johnny, and Steve that Grimlock was a movie prop, but his ruse was rumbled when the Dinobot freaked out at Steve's tattoo of a cat in a spacesuit. Sideswipe Versus Thunderhoof
Merchandise
Comics
Over the years a number of Transformers comics have offered temporary tattoos as free gifts, because marketing real tattoos to children is problematic.
- Marvel UK #233 — torn flesh with robot details beneath
- Marvel UK #234 — Autobot and Decepticon insignia
- Micro-Comic Fun Pack: Grimlock — cropped version of Rage of the Dinobots #1 cover RIA
- Micro-Comic Fun Pack: Drift — cropped version of Drift #1's standard cover
- Animated Comic #2
Real life
A number of contributors to the Transformers franchise have Transformers-related tattoos:
- Bill Forster famously had a tattoo of Victory Leo (with full licensing from Hasbro) on the TV show LA Ink.
- Tyrese Gibson has an Autobot insignia on his arm.
- Conversely, Mark Maher has a Decepticon insignia over his heart.
Notes
- Many Transformers sport markings, such as Hot Rod's flames on his chest, which may or may not be interpreted as being equivalent to human tattoos. In More than Meets the Eye, Rodimus's holomatter avatar has a flame tattoo covering most of his right arm, which lends credence to the idea.
- Bug Bite has purple markings evoking "tribal" tattoos, designed by Lanny Lathem.
