You know the image. It’s etched into the memory of anyone who spent 2014 zipping through a rain-slicked, neon-soaked Seattle as Delsin Rowe. It isn't just a random squiggle. The infamous second son tattoo is a sprawling, aggressive piece of art that covers Delsin's entire right arm, winding from his shoulder down to his wrist. It’s iconic.
Honestly, it’s one of the few video game tattoos that actually looks like it belongs on a human being. Most game protagonists have ink that feels like a texture slapped on by a dev who’s never stepped foot in a tattoo shop. But Sucker Punch Productions did something different here. They gave Delsin a design that mirrors the game's core binary: the choice between being a savior or a walking nightmare.
The Meaning Behind the Ink
If you look closely at the infamous second son tattoo, you'll notice it’s basically a visual representation of the Karma system. On the upper arm, you’ve got these sharp, jagged bird motifs. They look like crows or ravens. In the world of InFamous, birds are a massive recurring theme. Think back to the first game with Cole MacGrath and those literal "reapers."
The design is heavy on blackwork. It’s tribal-adjacent but moves into a more modern, illustrative style. There's a duality built into the feathers and the flow of the lines. It’s messy. It’s punk rock. It fits a twenty-something street artist who just found out he can turn into smoke. The tattoo represents a bird of prey, but the way it’s framed suggests both freedom and a descent into something darker.
When Sucker Punch was designing Delsin, they wanted him to feel authentic to the Pacific Northwest. Seattle has a specific vibe. Grungy, a bit overcast, and heavily tattooed. The infamous second son tattoo isn't just aesthetic fluff; it's a character study. It tells you Delsin was a rebel long before he got his powers. He was already marking his skin as a middle finger to the D.U.P. (Department of Unified Protection) and the status quo.
Why Everyone Wants This Design
People get this tattoo in real life. Like, a lot of people.
Search Instagram or Reddit, and you’ll find hundreds of fans who have committed the full sleeve to their actual skin. Why? Because it’s a rare design that works even if you don't know the game. It doesn't scream "I LOVE VIDEO GAMES" like a pixelated Mario or a Triforce might. It just looks like a well-composed, aggressive sleeve.
But there’s a trap here.
Most people trying to replicate the infamous second son tattoo realize halfway through that the geometry is a nightmare. The way the wings wrap around the deltoid and transition into the forearm requires a tattoo artist who understands "flow." You can’t just print a flat image and stencil it on. The body isn't flat. If the artist doesn't account for the muscle structure of the arm, the bird's head ends up looking like a squashed grape every time you flex your bicep.
The Breakdown of the Sleeve
The tattoo is composed of several distinct elements that blend together:
- The Crow/Eagle Motif: This sits on the shoulder and upper bicep. It’s the focal point.
- The Negative Space: Notice how much skin shows through. This isn't a "blackout" tattoo. The contrast between the heavy black ink and the natural skin tone gives it that "pop" that looks so good under the game’s neon lighting effects.
- The Forearm Wrap: As the tattoo moves toward the wrist, it becomes more abstract. It’s less about feathers and more about sharp, trailing lines that mimic smoke or embers.
It’s subtle storytelling. As Delsin uses his Smoke powers, his arm is the focal point of the animation. You see that ink every time you fire a shot or drain a chimney. It becomes a constant reminder of his humanity—or his lack of it, depending on your playstyle.
The Technical Challenge of Cosplay
If you’re a cosplayer, the infamous second son tattoo is your biggest hurdle.
You can buy the beanie. You can find the denim vest and the pins. You can even find the exact red hoodie. But the arm? That’s where the amateurs get separated from the pros. I've seen everything from Sharpie jobs that look like a toddler's mural to high-end, custom-printed temporary sleeves that actually look decent.
The real trick is using alcohol-based inks. Pro cosplayers use brands like ProAiir or Endura. These don’t rub off on the inside of your denim vest, which is a lifesaver when you're walking a con floor for ten hours.
Designing Delsin’s Identity
Sucker Punch artist Edward Pun has talked about the iteration process for Delsin. They went through dozens of looks. Early versions of Delsin were much more "generic action hero." The decision to give him the infamous second son tattoo was part of a larger push to make him feel like an individual.
The tattoo is a mirror. In the game, your Karma affects Delsin’s appearance—his vest changes, the color of his powers shifts from blue to red—but the tattoo remains a constant. It’s the "before." It’s who he was before the bus crash and before the powers. It represents his core identity as a member of the Akomish tribe and a kid who refused to follow the rules.
Interestingly, the tattoo features a bird, while his brother Reggie’s jacket often features police insignia. It’s a classic "feathers vs. badges" visual conflict. One represents the sky and the ability to fly away (or burn it all down), and the other represents the ground, the law, and the cage.
Real World Implementation: What You Need to Know
Thinking about getting the infamous second son tattoo for real? Don't just walk into a shop and show them a screenshot from your PS4.
You need a high-resolution render. You need to find a tattooer who specializes in "Illustrative Blackwork." This is not a traditional American or Japanese style. It’s its own beast.
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- Find the right artist. Look for someone who does "Neo-Tribal" or "Dark Art."
- Consider the wrap. Delsin’s arm is quite lean. If you have different proportions, the tattoo needs to be scaled.
- Budget for time. This isn't a two-hour job. You're looking at at least two or three long sessions to get that deep, saturated black that makes the design work.
The cost is another thing. A full sleeve like this, done by a reputable artist, is going to run you anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on your location. It’s a commitment. It’s not just fan service; it’s a piece of art that will be on your body forever.
The Legacy of the Ink
InFamous Second Son came out over a decade ago. It’s wild that we’re still talking about Delsin’s aesthetic, but that’s the power of good character design. Most games from that era have been forgotten, but the infamous second son tattoo remains a staple of the gaming community.
It’s about the vibe. The game captured a specific moment in the mid-2010s—the rise of "street" aesthetics in gaming, the move toward more expressive protagonists, and the obsession with particle effects. Delsin’s ink was the cherry on top.
Whether you're looking at it as a piece of digital art, a cosplay challenge, or a potential real-life tattoo, it’s clear that Sucker Punch hit a home run. It’s aggressive, it’s meaningful, and it looks cool as hell.
Next Steps for Fans
If you're serious about getting or recreating this design, your first move should be hunting down the official Sucker Punch concept art books. These contain the "flat" versions of the textures used in-game. These files are the gold standard for tattoo stencils or temporary transfer sheets. Don't settle for blurry 720p screenshots from an old YouTube let's play.
Also, check out the "InFamous" community on sites like ArtStation. Many technical artists have recreated the infamous second son tattoo in 3D programs like Substance Painter, which allows you to see how the ink moves and stretches over a 3D mesh. This is incredibly helpful for seeing how the design should wrap around the back of the tricep and the inner elbow—areas that are notoriously hard to see during gameplay.
Take your time with it. Like Delsin’s journey in Seattle, the beauty is in the details. Whether you're going for Hero or Infamous, that sleeve is your badge of office. Make sure it's done right.
Actionable Insights for Getting the Tattoo:
- Source High-Res Assets: Download the official 4K photo mode captures or concept art rather than using standard gameplay screenshots.
- Artist Selection: Prioritize artists with a portfolio in "Blackwork" or "Graphic Illustrative" styles to ensure the sharp edges of the crow feathers remain crisp over time.
- Anatomical Planning: Ask your artist to "freehand" the connecting lines between the main bird elements to ensure the tattoo flows with your specific muscle groups.
- Skin Care: Large areas of black ink require significant healing time; prepare for a multi-session process with at least 3-4 weeks of healing between sittings.