The first version with the blue is nicer than the other one. Just looks better with a different color that doesn't clash.
I don't really like the second tag. Well, I do it's just the right side looks weird to me. And the lighting looks odd because it looks like it cuts off before it reaches all the way down his shoulder.
I like the spartan on more, but the 1st one would win but the blue doesn't seem to fade in well, to me it just ends. But it's a great tag none the less.