Man Breaks World Record for Most Marvel-Themed Tattoos, Says It Cost Him About $25,000

"I’ve endured pain in places very few will understand for tattoos no one will ever see, all for the sake of this record,” Tom Radford said

NEED TO KNOW

• A man has earned a Guinness World Records title after covering his body with 63 tattoos of Marvel characters
• Tom Radford said his Marvel obsession dates back years and has cost him more than $25,000 and roughly 350 hours in the tattoo chair
• The 40-year-old superfan said he plans to eventually break his own record, joking that future tattoos will need to go “in the worst places possible” because he’s running out of room

A Marvel superfan has officially earned a Guinness World Record after covering his body with dozens of tattoos honoring iconic comic book characters.

According to Guinness World Records, Tom Radford of the U.K. now holds the record for the most Marvel comic book characters tattooed on the body, with a total of 63 tattoos.

Radford, 40, said his obsession with the franchise dates back years, and even inspired the name of his dog, Stanlee, named after Marvel creator Stan Lee.

“Technically my first Marvel tattoo was the words ‘With great power comes great responsibility' which I got in 2007 across my chest,” Radford said while speaking to Guinness World Records.

However, he said things escalated in 2016 after he got a tattoo of the Marvel villain Thanos on his thigh.

“It was never meant to be what it turned into, and I honestly never thought I would cover my entire body with tattoos,” Radford said. “I think I might be addicted.”

Radford explained that he became more serious about collecting Marvel tattoos after advances in tattoo artistry allowed for more detailed comic-inspired designs.

“I'm somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to Marvel,” he said, adding that he wanted the tattoos to look “perfect.”

Radford estimates he has spent around 350 hours getting tattooed and about $25,000 on his Marvel body art.

The fan said he first learned about the Guinness record when he was about halfway through completing a Marvel-themed leg sleeve. At the time, he had 15 Marvel tattoos while the standing record was 31.

“I'm a very determined individual when I set my sights on something and I believe anything is possible,” Radford said. “I guess I can thank Marvel for that.”

To secure the record, Radford said he ultimately got tattoos in places he originally never intended.

“I've endured pain in places very few will understand for tattoos no one will ever see, all for the sake of this record,” he said.

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Radford also said that his 40th birthday served as an additional motivator to seek out the title.

“I planned to beat it around my 40th birthday, I loved the sound of turning 40 and being a world record holder, which I did,” he explained.

“I don't plan on having the record forever. Records are meant to be broken. I know it will get beaten one day, but I also plan on beating it myself next year as I still have room for more characters,” he continued, adding that the new tattoos will ultimately need to be “in the worst places possible,” in order to fit on his body.

Radford also revealed that his favorite Marvel character is Thor, though he described Spider-Man as his ultimate hero.

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The Marvel fanatic additionally shared that he frequently watches Marvel movies multiple times in theaters during opening weekends and estimated he has seen Avengers: Infinity War more than 250 times.

Before Radford claimed the title, the record was jointly held by Ryan Logsdon of the U.S. and Rick Scolamiero of Canada, who each had 34 Marvel-themed tattoos.

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