Roman general who played a critical role in building the Roman Empire. He had a long-term relationship with Cleopatra but could not marry her under Roman law. He was assassinated by a group of senators, led by Brutus, on the Ides of March. Et tu, Brute?
The main protagonist in Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda series of video games. Created by Japanese game designer Shigeru Miyamot, this magical swordsman has been traveling through Hyrule, attempting to save Princess Zelda and her kingdom, since 1986. I love the music from the original Zelda game. A lot.
A giant ape, created by Japanese game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, who stars in a series of Nintendo games. In the original 1981 video game, Jumpman (now known as Mario) had to rescue Lady (now known as Pauline) from this barrel-throwing ape.
The 35th President of the United States. JFK was born on this day in 1917. He was assassinated in 1963 as he traveled in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. I remain fascinated by the many conspiracy theories.
I loved this floating, sharpshooting robot from the 1979 Disney film The Black Hole when I was a kid. In the year 2130, V.I.N.CENT. is aboard an exploratory spaceship, the USS Palomino, when the crew discovers a black hole with a lost ship just outside its event horizon.
This is my third and last day at WebVisions 2011 in Portland, Oregon.
The Dark Knight is a DC Comics superhero who first appeared in 1939. By day he is billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne; by night he is a caped crime-fighter with no actual superpowers. He successfully defeats Gotham City villains by being an excellent detective and martial artist who’s unbelievably rich.
I almost had to draw a bearded Conan, but Will Ferrell helped him out with his facial hair three weeks ago. In May of last year, Conan performed on The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour after his settlement with NBC. I am a fan of Team Coco.
I am attending WebVisions 2011 in Portland, Oregon this week.
In the Back to the Future motion picture trilogy, Doc Brown invents the first time machine, which he builds with a DeLorean DMC-12 sports car. The car could travel back in time via a “flux capacitor” when it reached 88 MPH—which seems appropriate for my 88th character.
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.
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.
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.
Benjamin Franklin – No. 100
One of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America and inventor of the lightning rod and bifocals. Now he is on the $100 bill, so I’m making him my 100th 8-bit character. It’s all about the benjamins.
In mostly unrelated news, I launched my first website exactly 14 years ago today.