AI Hologram Stan Lee, Creator Of Spider-Man, Debuts At LA Comic Con: Between Nostalgia And Controversy

Stan Lee, the legendary figure behind the birth of Marvel's iconic character, is present on the hologram brand (photo: x @cosmic_marvel ·)

JAKARTA Stan Lee, the legendary figure behind the birth of Marvel's iconic characters such as Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor, is back in the midst of his fans. Despite having died in 2018 at the age of 95, Lee appeared in the form of an artificial intelligence-based hologram (AI) at the LA Comic Con event, Friday, September 26.

In a special booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center, fans can interact directly with Lee's hologram that appears wearing a green sweater and cream pants with bright blue screen background. This technology allows visitors to experience as if talking to the Marvel creator.

Chris DeMoulin, CEO of Comikaze Entertainment as the operator of the LA Comic Con, explained that this project aims to extend Stan Lee's legacy. Many of us feel lost when Stan dies. Over the past few years, we have been thinking about ways to keep bringing his spirits up. Finally came the idea of creating an avatar as an entry point for old and new fans into the Marvel world," said DeMoulin.

The hologram project was worked on through the Proto Hologram collaboration, a company with its technology ever used for the promotion of The Conjuring and A Minecraft Movie films, along with Hyperreal, an AI firm known to create realistic human digital replicas.

Stan Lee's holograms are trained from various recordings of his performances, ranging from red carpets, fan conventions, to cameos in every Marvel live-action film he has produced during his lifetime.

This 'Avatar' will never say something Stan never said. It will never have a new view of Marvel other than what he has said," said DeMoulin.

George Johnson of Mammoth Vision added that this technology is equipped with a safety fence' so that Lee's hologram remains in line with the character. We put Stan Lee's original words into the model, then added a limit so he doesn't talk outside the one he once said," he said.

In its first demonstration, the hologram Lee sounded speaking in his distinctive voice, expressing his love for convention events. "The thing I like about being in a comic convention is being able to meet amazing fans and hear their stories about how Marvel affects their lives," said the hologram.

However, the presence of this Stan Lee digital version' reaps mixed reactions. In online forums like Reddit, a number of fans criticized the move. Even after death, they don't let this man rest. It feels very dystopian," wrote a user named RGCBlade.

For some, this hologram is a beautiful form of respect, but for others, it raises ethical debate about exploiting a person's legacy after his death. LA Comic Con is also an event where nostalgia, technology, and controversy meet on one stage.