Behind the Scenes of 'Epic Ink'- 'Friday the 13th'

Photo Courtesy A&E

BY NOWAL MASSARI

A few months ago, Deanna Uutela, creator of Living Dead Magazine, friend and boss, approached me to be a part of a new tattoo reality tv show. "Epic Ink," centers around Area 51 Tattoo, where shop owner/Captain, Chris 51, has made an inked nerd oasis in the small town of Springfield, Oregon. Naturally, she said, that I was the first person that sprang to mind when they requested a paranormal themed piece, as I am the "paranormal expert" for Living Dead Magazine. When Harold Ramis passed away, I wanted to get a memorial tattoo of him as Dr. Egon Spengler, which was perfect.

I went to the Area 51 website to check out their artists, because getting a portrait tattoo requires a seriously talented artist. While browsing through each artists portfolio, my eyes nearly exploded out of their sockets. These guys (and gal, Heather Maranda!) are like the X-Men of tattoo artists: EFFING BAD ASS. They are also part of an elite group of artists worldwide, that are licensed by LucasFilm. However, there was no question in my mind as to who would be tattooing me. None. Chris Jones was my dude. He eeked out the others because he actually had a "Ghostbusters" piece in his portfolio, so I knew what his Egon looked like and I needed it. Unfortunately, we don't always get what we want and my original idea wasn't going to be able to air on the network. Serious case of the sads. After tossing around a few ideas, since I thought it had to be paranormal in theme, I was asked if I had any other ideas for a piece...something I had been wanting for awhile. Why, yes I did!

Rob Zombie To Guest Star on Spike TV's 'Ink Master'

Courtesy Spike TV

Spike TV just issued a press release revealing that horror movie maven, Rob Zombie will be appearing as a special Guest Judge on their reality competition series, “Ink Master." The episode will air next week, Tuesday, April 15 at 10 p.m., ET/PT.

Zombie plays a huge role in this episode where the eight remaining contestants will "show off their abilities by creating the most fearsome demons to impress Zombie’s tantalizing tastes."

The release informs the unfamiliar with what Spike TV’s “Ink Master” entails:

"...it’s a weekly competition series where tattoo artists from around the country battle it out in permanent ink for a $100,000 grand prize, an editorial feature in Inked and, the bragging rights title of ‘Ink Master.’ Each week 'Ink Master' puts artist through a series of tattoo challenges that are not only designed to test the artists’ technical skills, but also their on-the-spot creativity, where they must create and execute an original tattoo by command on a ‘Human Canvas.’ Each episode focuses on a different and distinct style of tattooing including realism, black and gray, geometric, neo-traditional, Asian and cover-up, among others. The masterpieces these artists create will last a lifetime, but so will their mistakes. After every challenge, the contestants face a tough panel made up of series host Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) and world renowned tattoo artists Chris Nunez ('Miami Ink') and Oliver Peck (Elm Street Tattoo) and a roster of guest judges including Rob Zombie next week."