Stan Lee to Appear at LA Comic Con as AI Hologram

Stan Lee is at the center of one of the hottest debates in film and comics, as Marvel prepares to bring him back entirely through the power of AI (Artificial Intelligence) at 2025’s L.A. Comic-Con. The move takes the conversation around Artificial Intelligence to a whole new level, leaving fans both intrigued and uneasy.

Stan Lee is a true legend of comics and film, the creative force behind some of pop culture’s most iconic heroes, including Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and more. Fans mourned his passing on November 12, 2018, at age 95, so news of his ‘return’ at this year’s L.A. Comic-Con was shocking.

Even more startling is how Lee is making his comeback: as an AI-powered hologram that can interact with fans in real time. While this reflects the futuristic era we now live in, many are likely to view his AI-powered return as controversial.

Step Into the Stan Lee Experience: Meet the Legendary Creator…In Hologram Form

Fans Can Snap Photos, Chat One-on-One, and Spot Surprise Appearances Across the Convention

According to The Hollywood Reporter, fans will be able to interact with the hologram at the Stan Lee Experience section of the convention. The 1,500-square-foot enclosed booth will cost between $15 and $20 to enter, depending on whether tickets are purchased in advance or at the event itself.

The experience is designed to mimic meeting a real-life celebrity, offering paid opportunities to take photos with the hologram or have a three-minute, one-on-one conversation. Organizers also hinted that the hologram may appear unexpectedly in other parts of the convention.

Hence, even those who skip the Stan Lee Experience section may still encounter the hologram, likely at one of Marvel’s top-tier panels. The Lee hologram was created by Hyperreal, known for realistic avatars, and Proto Hologram, recognized for its interactive mirror based on The Conjuring, installed in 47 malls.

The Ethics of AI: Bringing Stan Lee Back Sparks Controversy

Marvel Aims to Honor Lee’s Legacy While Navigating Consent and Creative Integrity

AI remains one of the hottest topics in Hollywood and across creative fields, with many actors and creators opposing the use of their likeness via AI. In Stan Lee’s case, the controversy focuses on ethics and exploitation, as resurrecting his image raises concerns about consent, since he cannot approve how his likeness is used.

When it came to Marvel’s take, former Marvel executive and now Head of Stan Lee Legacy Programs for Kartoon Studios, Bob Sabouni, stated, “We’ll never put words in his mouth that aren’t in line with things he spoke about in his lifetime. Fortunately, with decades of footage capturing [Stan Lee’s] 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.”