Disintegration 1

Disintegration is Afterlife Press’s ongoing exploration of tattooing’s past, present, and future. An editorial series dedicated to documenting the stories, lineages, and artistic voices that shape the craft. At a time when digital media moves fast and disappears even faster, Disintegration brings back the weight and permanence of printed tattoo journalism. Each issue is designed with the same care, aesthetic sensibility, and premium production standards that define our Afterlife Volumes, but in a format that allows us to publish more frequently and remain engaged with tattooing as it continues to evolve.

At its core, Disintegration seeks to revive the spirit of the tattoo magazines and books that once defined how tattooers learned, connected, and understood their history. Before the era of social media, these publications created a sense of mystery and discovery, an invitation into a world that was difficult to access and even harder to fully understand. By returning to print, we aim to recreate that experience for a new generation. Each issue features in-depth interviews with influential artists, conversations that reveal the philosophies behind their work, and original essays from historians and practitioners dedicated to preserving tattoo culture’s lineage.

Across the first three issues, Disintegration has showcased artists from across continents and generations, weaving together technical insight, personal history, and cultural context. Issue 1 introduced readers to Water Street Phantom, Gakkin, Victor J. Webster, and Tamara Santibañez, alongside Michael McCabe’s historical exploration of the last living Thom DeVita tattoos in New York. Issue 2 continued the momentum with interviews featuring Oliver Macintosh, Anderson Luna, Greg Whitehead, Marina Inoue, and Kahlil Rintye, anchored by McCabe’s deep dive into the legacy of Tony Polito. Issue 3 expanded even further—featuring Marie Sena, Daniele Scafati, Acetates, and historical reporting on Yushi Ichinohe and Scratch Addiction Tattoo in Tokyo—while offering powerful conversations between artists like Luciano Calderon and Claudia De Sabe.

With each release, Disintegration builds a growing archive of tattoo voices, ideas, and histories—creating a space that is both brand new and deeply rooted in tradition. Whether you’re a tattooer, collector, or enthusiast, the series invites you to slow down, hold a physical book in your hands, and explore the stories behind the work that shapes our craft. As Issue 4 approaches, Disintegration continues its mission: to document tattooing thoughtfully, respectfully, and with the level of detail the community deserves.