The recent allegations against English author Neil Gaiman have rocked his fanbase, leaving many feeling betrayed by the man whose works inspired deeply personal tattoos. The piece in New York Magazine, detailing multiple accusations of rape, assault, and sexual misconduct, has made it difficult for many fans to reconcile their admiration for his literary contributions with the troubling behavior alleged by multiple women.
For some, the betrayal feels even more profound because their admiration for Gaiman was expressed permanently through tattoos. One tattooed fan, whose ink was inspired by Gaiman’s Coraline, wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “The continuous Neil Gaiman news is devastating to me and genuinely makes me want to cut my skin off.” This is a sentiment shared by others, who, upon learning of the allegations, found themselves sickened by the idea of carrying a piece of Gaiman’s work on their skin, especially as survivors of sexual assault. The issue is not merely that Gaiman’s actions are alleged, but that they are in direct conflict with the themes of empowerment and feminism many fans associate with his writing.
Tattoo artists, too, have weighed in, acknowledging the risk inherent in creating tattoos based on public figures or fandoms. One artist commented, “I personally never got into Gaiman’s work, but I have tattooed a LOT of things based on it for clients,” noting that the situation serves as a reminder that “ANY fandom tattoo you get runs the risk of being spoiled by the creators doing heinous things.”
Tattoos inspired by Gaiman’s works, such as The Sandman, have long been popular. Gaiman himself occupies a unique space in tattoo culture, as his presence in his works is notably strong—he is not just an author, but a character, almost like a rock star, in his narratives. As Thomas O’Mahony, co-host of the podcast Beneath the Skin, explains, “He’s so present in them.” This level of parasocial connection makes the fallout from these allegations particularly hard to digest.
O’Mahony also points out that fandom tattoos, especially ones linked to an artist like Gaiman, carry significant emotional weight. “Tattooing has always kind of had a bit of a fandom element,” he says, noting that tattoos can be symbols of personal identity, faith, or self-expression. For many fans, getting a Gaiman tattoo may have been an act of self-actualization, marking a meaningful connection to a beloved author or a symbol of personal growth or overcoming hardship.
The idea of having such a permanent reminder of a betrayal, however, can feel deeply unsettling. As the fallout from Gaiman’s alleged actions continues, it’s likely that many fans who once felt a strong connection to his work may now seek to cover up or remove their tattoos altogether. This is a process some have gone through in the past, particularly when public figures they admired turned out to hold views or engage in actions they could no longer support, as seen with J.K. Rowling’s transphobic remarks.
Ultimately, the question for fans with Neil Gaiman-inspired tattoos becomes: What do you do when the man behind the art becomes someone whose actions contradict the values you once associated with his work? Some may seek to preserve the memory of the art itself while distancing it from the creator. Others may feel the need to remove or alter the tattoos as a way to reclaim their bodies from the association with Gaiman’s controversial behavior. Whatever the decision, the process of grappling with betrayal, especially in such a permanent form as a tattoo, is both emotionally and psychologically complex.
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