Republished with full copyright permissions from The San Francisco Press.

The recent trial of alleged billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried has raised eyebrows, not only due to the serious allegations against him but also because of a curious alter ego that seems to have emerged in the courthouse illustrations.

The first glimpse of Bankman-Fried’s alter ego, Tyler Durden, coincidentally appeared in a courtroom sketch from his trial. As they say, the first rule of Fight Club might be to keep quiet about using client funds to bail out Alameda Capital, but this unexpected portrayal soon had everyone talking. While it’s not uncommon for defendants to aim for more flattering sketches, there’s a fine line between enhancing one’s public image and transforming oneself into an anime hero.

Interestingly, winning the courtroom sketch battle seems to have become somewhat of a trend. Donald Trump, himself no stranger to trials, proudly shared an image that depicted him quite differently than most courtroom sketches do. However, the questionable origins of that particular portrait may raise cautionary flags. Created by Peter Gerard Scully, a convicted criminal involved in despicable acts, the association might not be the best PR move for Trump.

Turning back to Bankman-Fried, it’s evident that the new artwork quite diverges from the official courtroom iconography. The courtroom sketch artist seemingly possessed insider information, depicting a much more favorable and polished version of the defendant. Such discrepancies undoubtedly raise questions about potential bias or influence.

In contrast, the usual work of artist Jane Rosenberg, known for her distinctive grim expressionist style, paints a somber and introspective picture of former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison. Rosenberg’s ability to capture the emotional climate surpasses mere physical representation, previously made evident by her portrayals of Tom Brady and even Trump himself. Her courtroom scenes are a testament to the power of mood over mere appearance.

With this in mind, Bankman-Fried seemingly grew tired of his rather unflattering trial coverage and sought to correct the narrative with a sketch resembling a character straight out of the Phoenix Wright video game series. This departure from reality, however, highlights the delicate balance between attempting to shape public perception and unwittingly drawing attention to underlying faults.