Why LA Comic Con thought making an AI-powered Stan Lee hologram was a good idea

Last week, excitement and skepticism surrounded the announcement of an AI-powered hologram of the legendary Marvel Comics creator, Stan Lee, set to appear at LA Comic Con. Nearly seven years after Lee's passing at 95, attendees could pay $15 to $20 to interact with a life-sized virtual representation of the icon in a designated booth at the event. Reactions from fans and critics alike were overwhelmingly negative. A writer from The Gamer described the concept as 'demonic,' urging for it to be 'destroyed before it's too late.' Meanwhile, the AV Club warned its audience against engaging with what they termed 'the anguished digital ghost' of Lee, characterizing it as a scheme targeting unsuspecting fans. Discussions on Reddit reflected a similar disapproval, with comments labeling the project 'incredibly disrespectful' and 'ghoulish.' Many users expressed their outrage, echoing sentiments that the initiative was in poor taste. In defense of the project, Chris DeMoulin, CEO of the company behind LA Comic Con, encouraged critics to experience the hologram before forming opinions. He stated, 'We’re not afraid of people seeing it and we’re not afraid of criticism.' DeMoulin emphasized the importance of informed feedback, noting that much of the criticism had been made without firsthand experience of the hologram. 'It’s not perfect, and perhaps nothing like this can ever achieve perfection,' he admitted. 'However, we strive to provide enough information and testing to ensure that the experience feels genuine for the fans.'