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Arizona Summer Wildcat July 22, 1998
Be afraid. Be very afraid
Arizona Summer WildcatThe Scary Guy is after your children.
As the self-proclaimed "America's Only Live Comic Book Hero," he's out to combat the ills of society by starting with its youngest members. The Scary Guy, 44, said his goal is to teach them to focus on the positive, rather than lashing out in anger.
Children are bombarded with negative images on TV and in advertising, said the owner of three tattoo shops.
"What is your percent of information that is published that is about good deeds, versus death, dismemberment, rape?," he said. "We know the reality of it. We've been sold the package. I'm sick of the package."
The Scary Guy, who in a previous life was a computer salesman from Minnesota, legally changed his name from Earl Kenneth Kaufmann in February. The change was motivated in part by a 1996 tattoo shop competitor's ad that said, "Are you tired of dealing with scary guys with war paint facial tattoos?"
The decision to help children, like his persona, was an evolving process. He said he always tried to do good, but didn't have a way to really communicate his intentions. The tattoos became that conduit, he said.
Since the name change, his fame has skyrocketed, and he's traveled the world to spread his message. The Scary Guy's been profiled in countless publications and on dozens of radio and TV shows, both in the United States and abroad.
He trademarked his name with the Library of Congress and created his own Web site, http://www.thescaryguy.com, where children can e-mail him. Eventually, he said, key words in those e-mails - like "hurting" or "pain" - will be identified by the computer. That way, when he's faced with a slew of e-mails, he'll be able focus immediately on the at-risk children.
The Scary Guy recently did a two-week stint in Minnesota, appearing on four TV and 12 radio shows and speaking to 500 kids. Upon returning, he said he found 1,000 e-mails waiting for him. Everywhere he goes, he said, he's stopped by children and adults excited to talk to him.
The results of such fame, however, are not always positive. On May 29, a fire at the oldest of The Scary Guy's three tattoo shops caused about $170,000 in damage. The crime - believed to be arson - is still being investigated, said Sigberto Celaya of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms.
The attack hasn't deterred The Scary Guy, who said he believes it was done by someone who is offended by his message.
He said his public relations director told him, "'You're The Scary Guy. There's wackos out there.'" His response was, "I ain't stoppin'."
As his body's tapestry continued to grow, he had to figure out how to handle it. The tattoos that now cover 85 percent of his body are the pathway by which he can communicate with children, he said. The discrimination he encounters because of his outward appearance is something they can relate to.
The Scary Guy got his first tattoo, a dragon on his arm, when he was still a computer salesman. He said each tattoo stands for something significant in his life.
The 14-year odyssey that has become one big painting of interconnected images is not over. Although he no longer has time to do tattooing for others, his love for the art form means the work on his own body will continue. On his back he said he will have a black and white portrait of his wife, mother, daughter and two dogs, all peering around a brick wall.
His wife, Julie Kaufmann, a professional harpist, said the potential of her husband's work is great.
"I think he'll be able to reach a lot of children," she said. "I love to watch the reactions of the kids."
The Scary Guy said his mission continues to evolve. He said his Scary Guy company plans to build a 20,000- to 30,000-foot studio to create educational training videos and record songs. Yes - he even sings.
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In order to combat "Society's number one social disease - prejudice," and other pressures children face, The Scary Guy said he devised the Seven Pledges Oath for Kids:
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