Wow! Fan-designed Elric of Melniboné Tattoo Sleeve!

I love when fans create cosplay based on my artwork — and even better? When they’re tattooing themselves with my art! 🙂

Of course, what’s on this guy’s arm is not exactly my art. It’s an adaptation of it, interpreted by a tattoo artist. You can also see a tribute to Michael Whelan‘s legendary Stormbringer cover art, in this passionate sleeve design.

Hats off to the tattoo owner, who very kindly requested to remain anonymous, but had no problem sharing these photos. And BIG shoutout to the tattoo artist who did the design work — way to go!!!

I’m honored — it’s a real labor of love.

So much good genre TV happening right now. Couple that with the wave of social change that’s happening, and it just feels like the time is right for Michael Moorcock’s Elric of Melniboné to become a pop culture phenomenon. He’ll always be an icon of counterculture for me — and to truly be Elric, he always has to be — but I think the mainstream may finally be ready for him and his sword’s soul-sucking glory. Who’s with me on this?

Here are the artworks that inspired these tattoos:

Cover art by Michael Whelan for Michael Moorcock’s STORMBRINGER.

Cover art by John Picacio for Michael Moorcock’s ELRIC: SWORDS AND ROSES.

Cover art by John Picacio for Michael Moorcock’s ELRIC: THE SLEEPING SORCERESS.

Elric art by John Picacio, created for MicroVisions 2012. 5″ x 7″ on illustration board. Original owned by The Sean Lackey Collection.