"Ink," the origin and meaning of his tattoos...

[EpiEpee]

At his wrist (and on his pinky finger) are what looks like molecular symbols of a Benzine Ring. More specifically, those found in Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. This specific one looks similar to Chrysene and Benzo(a)pyrene, both of which are known carcinogens. More specifically, the diagram on his wrist, if you flip it over, bears a striking resemblance to Benzo(a)pyrene's interaction with DNA. My guess is that it is another AH/PAH that is interacting with DNA in a way far more complex than cancer.

A great deal of these hydrocarbons are found in coal tar, oil, fossil fuel, ect., the stuff found underground. Did Ink know something about zombie causing chemicals underground and tattoo their symbols on his body?

Hi Red Shirt and everybody,

After looking at the chapter art, I see what you are referring to as benzene rings or a hyrdrocarbon chain. I think there might be a double meaning here though-

the most emphasized portion of the illustration also resembles the figure that is commonly used as a representation of a virus in science classes, etc. Specifically, the hexagon connected by a short line to 2 other short lines. Viruses are commonly thought of as being composed of 2 parts: 1) a protein coat and 2) genetic material, either DNA or RNA.

Interestingly, viruses are often taught as being controversial to classify, because it is difficult to say whether they are truly alive, and in the animal kingdom, or not. I thought this was a neat parallel to some of the zombie discussions here as to whether the zombies are alive or undead, human or not, etc.

I do not view this as confirmation of a virus theory of origin-I feel the outbreak spread far too fast for most epidemics.

Also, with regards to the illustration that looks like a bacteria, it looks like a paramecium, due to the cilia. I think it came up in the most recent We're Not Dead podcast as a question, and ciliates, such as paramecia, are commonly multinucleated. Another potential parallel to the zombies is that ciliates practice avoidance behavior-they will attempt to escape in response to a negative stimulus.

Anyway, sorry for such a long first post-just my addition to the conspiracy theories of the board! :-)