According to the Book of Genesis, Adam was the first man created by Yahweh. Adam and Eve were used by early Renaissance artists to represent nudes. Later, modesty was preserved using fig leaves. Here’s an amazing painting: “Adam and Eve” (1964) by Enrico Baj.
This French professional wrestler and actor has a posse. Billed at 7′ 4″ and 520 pounds, he was born on this day in 1946 and died in 1993. Artist Shepard Fairey raised the Obey Giant image of André to iconic status.
Reigned as pope of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City for over 26 years. He was born on this day in 1920. His beatification ceremony took place just 17 days ago.
German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity and revolutionized physics. He’s a popular model for depictions of mad scientists and absent-minded professors.
Born in Kentucky as Cassius Clay, this cultural icon was one of the greatest heavyweight championship boxers of all time. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
Ol’ Blue Eyes died on this day in 1998. The American singer was also a founding member of a group of actors known as the Rat Pack.
A comic book superhero who appears in DC Comics. He can breathe underwater and communicate with sea creatures. He was humorously appropriated by South Park as Seaman. This 8-bit sprite completes the Super Best Friends religious group.
Founder of the Latter Day Saint movement and publisher of the English translation of the golden plates known as the Book of Mormon.
A central figure of Hinduism. He is the eighth incarnation of Vishnu and the protector of sacred utterances and cows. In some monotheistic traditions, he is considered the Supreme Being.
The author of the Torah, according to Hebrew biblical manuscripts. A prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt and across the Red Sea and acquired stone tablets at Mount Sinai. In South Park, he was drawn to look like the Master Control Program from the film Tron.
A mystic philosopher of ancient China and author of the Tao Te Ching. Considered the founder of Taoism. Also an important member of South Park‘s Super Best Friends group.
P.S. “If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.” – Wang Fou, Huahujing (but often attributed to Laozi)
Happy Mother’s Day, featuring a beloved mother who provided humanitarian care to thousands. A Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, she founded the Missionaries of Charity in India in 1950. She was made an Honorary Citizen of the United States in 1996. She died in 1997 and was beatified in 2003.
I’ve been working on creating 8-bit versions of all major religious figures (including every character depicted in South Park‘s Super Best Friends group) and want to be inclusive without potentially upsetting radical Islamist organizations. Thus, here is a censored (think of it as extremely backlit) visual depiction of a certain prophet from Mecca.
If yesterday was Cinco de Mario, then today is Seis de Luigi. Here is more Nintendo-based childhood nostalgia in the form of Mario’s twin brother.
I’m taking a break from political leaders and revolutionaries for a couple of video game characters. Childhood nostalgia runs deep with this Italian-American plumber who first appeared over 25 years ago.
I briefly considered posting an 8-bit Mexican luchador today instead (as a weak tie-in to Cinco de Mayo), but the force of Nintendo was too strong.
Political leader of India during the Indian independence movement whose philosophy was founded on nonviolence. He inspired campaigns for civil rights and freedom across the world.
Argentine Marxist revolutionary and major figure of the Cuban Revolution. His iconic caricature is a hipster emblem of radical chic.
Eccentric Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He has a fear of flying and always travels by private armored train.
Elusive leader of al-Qaeda and disowned member of the billionaire Saudi bin Laden family. On the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since 1999.
Update: Frankly, I am stunned by the coincidence that Osama bin Laden was announced as dead this evening. Perhaps I should have posted an 8-bit version of him years ago? Does publishing primitive pixel art stop terrorism? What.
Michael Jordan – No. 80
Air Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and holds the NBA record for highest career scoring average (among many statistical feats).
In my childhood bedroom, Jordan’s “Soaring” poster is still on the wall.