Meet Tom Radford: The Man With the Most Marvel Tattoos in the World

Tom Radford, a 40-year-old from Hull, England, is the new Guinness World Record holder for the most Marvel comic book characters tattooed on a male body.

According to Guinness World Records, the record was officially verified on 13 December 2025, with 63 confirmed characters across his body.

Who Is Tom Radford?

Radford is a lifelong Marvel fan who turned a childhood passion into something measurable and permanent.

The previous record stood at 31 characters. He did not merely beat it, he doubled it, drawing attention from fans and the Marvel community worldwide.

How Did a Single Thanos Tattoo Start It All?

The journey began in 2016 with a Thanos tattoo on his thigh, complete with actor Josh Brolin's autograph, inked just days before his wedding.

When Radford later discovered a world record existed, he committed to breaking it. As per the BBC, he said: "I thought I'm just going to blast this out the water."

How Much Time and Money Did This Take?

Radford has spent over £18,000 across more than 350 hours of sessions spanning nearly a decade.

He frames it simply: "It's just a couple grand a year", according to News-Graphic. The work has taken him through some of the body's most painful areas, including his ribs, armpits and lower back.

Who Is the Artist Behind Every Character?

Every tattoo has been done by Andy Walker of Creative Vandals, a Hull-based studio. The two have grown close over years of marathon sessions.

Where Has the Record Taken Him?

Radford met actors Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen at New York Comic Con and is now preparing for San Diego Comic-Con in 2026.

He has publicly expressed hope of landing a Marvel Studios set visit or a UK premiere invitation, according to the Guinness World Record.

How Far Does Radford Plan to Go?

He has already added Deadpool and Moon Knight since the official count and has set a new target of 80 characters.

His hands, neck and face remain off-limits, reportedly at his mother's insistence. The record is his, but the canvas is far from full.

(With inputs from yMedia)