An AI-powered hologram of Stan Lee has made its debut at LA Comic Con 2025, allowing fans to have conversations with a digital version of the late Marvel legend. The experience, which costs between $15 and $20 for a brief interaction, has ignited a fierce debate online, with many fans calling the project disrespectful and “ghoulish.”
The Stan Lee Experience
The Stan Lee Experience is a 1,500-square-foot booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Inside, fans can meet a life-sized, interactive avatar of the comic book creator. For a ticket price, attendees get to ask questions and have a conversation with the AI for about three minutes. There are also extra charges for personal photo opportunities.
The technology was created by companies called Proto Hologram and Hyperreal. They built the hologram using decades of Stan Lee’s own words—from convention panels, interviews, and his famous “Stan’s Soapbox” columns—to make the AI’s responses sound like him. The system is designed with guardrails to prevent it from discussing topics like politics or sports, sticking instead to Marvel trivia and his life’s work.
Chris DeMoulin, the head of the company that runs LA Comic Con, said the goal was to create an entry point for people to learn about the Marvel universe. He emphasized that the team worked with people who knew Lee to make the experience feel genuine.
“We’ll never put words in his mouth that aren’t in line with things he spoke about in his lifetime,” said Bob Sabouni, who manages the Stan Lee Legacy brand. “Fortunately, with decades of footage capturing his thoughts on so many subjects, we can build a voice that stays true, not always word for word, but always faithful in spirit, context, and intent.”
Fan Backlash on Social Media
The announcement of the AI Stan Lee was met with immediate and strong criticism from fans, particularly on platforms like Reddit. Many people expressed that the idea feels like a betrayal of the authentic connection Stan Lee was known for with his fans.
On a popular Reddit thread, users did not hold back their disapproval. One user called the project “Immoral, anti-ethical, and if it isn’t a crime, it should be.” Another simply stated it was “pretty ghoulish tbh,” a sentiment echoed by many who found the concept disturbing. The decision to charge money for the interaction was a key point of contention, with fans arguing it turns a tribute into a commercial product.
“Absolutely awful, literally puppeting the dead to make money off of them. Just disgusting,” wrote one Redditor.
Another fan commented on the strange nature of the technology, saying, “I wonder at what point do we realize we’re living in a dystopian black mirror episode.” Many fans felt that the digital resurrection prevents the iconic creator from resting in peace and crosses an ethical line.
Defending the Digital Tribute
Despite the backlash, the organizers of LA Comic Con defend the project as a tribute meant to honor Stan Lee’s legacy. They insist the focus is on celebration, not exploitation.
Chris DeMoulin has asked critics to experience the hologram before judging it. He acknowledged that new technology can feel wrong to people but believes the team has worked responsibly on the project.
“We’re not trying to bring Stan back from the dead,” DeMoulin explained. “We’re not trying to say that this is Stan, and we’re not trying to put words in his mouth. This avatar is not gonna start doing commercials to advertise other people’s products.”
The technical team behind the avatar stressed that it is not a simple web crawler like ChatGPT. It is a custom model built exclusively from Stan Lee’s verified archive. George Johnson from Hyperreal stated, “It’s specifically Stan’s words… but with guardrails.” The companies involved have partnered exclusively with the authorized rights holders to Lee’s likeness to ensure the project is officially sanctioned.
A Larger Debate on Digital Immortality
The Stan Lee hologram is part of a growing trend of using AI to recreate deceased celebrities, raising complex questions about memory, consent, and how we honor public figures after they are gone.
Fans critical of the project have suggested that a simple documentary or video memorial would have been a more respectful way to pay tribute. The debate highlights a cultural divide between the possibilities of new technology and the desire to preserve the dignity of the dead.
The technology itself has applications beyond entertainment; Proto Inc. has stated its devices can be used in education, healthcare, and museums. However, its use to recreate a beloved figure like Stan Lee has made it a focal point for ethical concerns. As this technology becomes more advanced, the conversation around its appropriate use will likely continue.
The future of the Stan Lee hologram may depend on public reception. DeMoulin has said that if thousands of fans interact with it and don’t like it, they will stop doing it. For now, the digital Stan Lee is at the convention, ready to answer questions, while the debate over his digital presence continues among the fans he loved so much.
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