Benjamen-Hannibal Collins, affectionately known to family and friends as Hannibal and to podcast listeners as B.-Hannibal, was born on February 19, 1988, in Watertown, New York. He passed away on September 7, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 37, having lived fully and vibrantly while managing sickle cell anemia,  a hereditary blood disorder.

Hannibal was the devoted son of I. Robin "Bobbi" Booker and Keith Collins, both of Philadelphia. He was named in honor of both his maternal grandfather and the legendary Carthaginian warrior, Hannibal Barca. A resident of Philadelphia's Nicetown community, he was known for his humor, creativity, and boundless compassion for children and animals.

Most of Hannibal's childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, managing the intense pain crises caused by sickle cell anemia. During these stays, he mastered a wide variety of games and became skilled at connecting with people from all walks of life—whether they were fellow patients or rotating teams of nurses and doctors. As a child, Hannibal would stand tall, arms stretched wide, and proclaim with delight, "It is I, Hannibal, The King of Games!" This early self-coronation revealed a spirit of curiosity, imagination, and resilience that would go on to shape his entire life.

Education and Early Passions

Hannibal graduated from Philadelphia Academy Charter High School in 2007 and went on to study Graphic Arts at the Community College of Philadelphia, where he was an enthusiastic member of the Anime Club and served as treasurer of the Latin American Student Organization. Recognized for his leadership, he earned a CORE Philly Scholarship and the Outstanding Volunteer Award. In 2008, he was selected for the Monster Diversity Leadership Program at Villanova University and later pursued Game & Simulation Programming at DeVry University, further nurturing his passion for design and creativity.

Career and Creative Work

Hannibal's working life showcased his ability to blend artistry with professionalism. He interned with Fred Sutton Management Company and later served as Marketing & Communications Assistant at the Brandywine Workshop, collaborating with founder Allen Edmunds on professional campaigns. He worked as an art assistant at the renowned Sande Webster Gallery, where he greeted guests and served wine at exhibition events, and also served as a social media advisor at The Book Report in both Philadelphia and New York.

Beginning in 2010, Hannibal pursued independent work as a game designer and consultant—driven by a belief in play as a way to inspire learning and growth. In his own words, Hannibal once wrote: "I am a Game Designer, and as someone that is looking to craft experiences for the youth of tomorrow, I truly and honestly think that the only way to understand what you are in the future is by doing something today to help in that process." He believed deeply in the power of games to shape young minds and open pathways to learning.

In 2018, he launched his podcast persona as B.-Hannibal, guiding listeners through nearly 30 episodes and two seasons of The Super Novice Adventure—a series inviting others into his imaginative pursuit of learning new skills. As he explained: "I don't see myself as a jack of all trades as much as a Super Novice, with a fair amount of skills in very different things. I want to share some of the basics I learned along the way and help others become Super Novices as well."

Hannibal's enthusiasm extended to anime and manga, model crafting, photography, yoga, running, travel, food culture, cigars, and music. He loved exploring new genres and amassed thousands of digital files before embracing vinyl, collecting 75 albums. His eclectic tastes reflected a playful, thoughtful spirit, equally at home by a wood-burning stove, cigar in hand, savoring quiet moments.

Resilience and Community

Despite living with dyslexia and sickle cell anemia, Hannibal was determined to overcome challenges, reading voraciously and maintaining a daily workout routine. Standing at 6'4", he combined strength with a gentle presence, often folding himself down to meet children at their level, sharing patience and joy.

He embraced civic duty and voted in every election, seeing each opportunity as an expression of community care and responsibility.

Hannibal found camaraderie and purpose in Roxborough working at Mason's Grocery alongside his close friend, TJ. Over the years, he became a trusted manager, greeting everyone with jokes and warmth. Mason's was more than a corner store—it was a place where Hannibal's humor and care transformed daily errands into moments of real connection. As Kevin, whose father owns the store, remembered, "He wasn't a worker for us—he was family. He cared about people more than he let on."

Remembered by Loved Ones

Loved ones recall Hannibal for both his playfulness and depth. His cousin Natasha Kendrick shared, "He had a unique style that made you say, 'Watch Hans - he's about to say or do something that'll make you laugh.' Even when playful, he was very intelligent on a level many of us didn't know."

Rev. Irene Robinson called him "a loving bright light that brought joy, fun and laughter to those in his presence… a safe and fun space especially for children and animals."

Chris Wink, CEO of Technical.ly, wrote: "Hannibal was a smile with a soul in tow. In a sea of Philadelphia's brilliant, beautiful nerds, there I'd see Hannibal, with teeth from cheek to cheek. We are worse off without him."

Family and Legacy

Hannibal is survived by his parents; siblings Dominik Frühauf, Keith Semaj Anthony Collins, and Nia Nijah Collins Davenport; his niece, Eileen Frühauf; his bonus mom, Kwanza Davenport; his godmother, Rev. Irene Robinson; his best friend, Thomas "TJ" Pearo; and his beloved cats, Tora and Cleopatra—along with a wide circle of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Melvina Collins; maternal grandmother, Delores Kendrick; and his maternal grandfather and namesake, Bennie Booker.

Celebration of Life

As family and friends now echo his youthful proclamation, "It is I, Hannibal, The King of Games!" they do so with love and reverence: Rest, Your Majesty. Long live the King of Games.