Stan Lee is returning to L.A. Comic Con, but not in the way fans remember him. A holographic version of the Marvel legend is set to appear at this year’s convention, and the reactions range from excitement to discomfort.
Fans divided over hologram tribute
For $15–20, attendees can line up and speak one-on-one with the holographic Stan Lee or take a photo with him. Some fans online praised the idea as brilliant, even suggesting Marvel use the technology to bring back other figures from its universe.
But many others strongly disagreed, with some going as far as to call it “disgusting.” Some critics also questioned whether the hologram had the proper permissions, fearing “they abuse him even in the afterlife.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project is being produced in partnership with Proto Hologram and Kartoon Studios, which now oversees Lee’s legacy content. Bob Sabouni, the head of Stan Lee Legacy Programs for Kartoon Studios, said they would never put words in Lee’s mouth that he hadn’t already spoken while alive.
“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,” he said.
Concerns about exploitation
Fans have speculated whether Lee was being exploited during his last few years of life. In 2018, The Hollywood Reporter published a deep-dive investigation titled “Stan Lee’s Final Year Marked by Chaos and Betrayal,” which detailed how Lee’s life changed dramatically after the death of his wife, Joanie, in 2017. She had previously managed much of his business, from finances to public appearances.
By 2020, AARP also raised questions about whether Lee’s final year was defined by proper caregiving or elder abuse. One clip that surfaced online showed Lee even struggling to sign his name for fans while someone repeatedly spelled it out for him.
A documentary adds to the debate
Earlier this year, Lee’s former assistant Jon Bolerjack, who traveled with him for years, launched a Kickstarter campaign for a documentary called “The Final Chapter.” Bolerjack said the film would shed light on Lee’s final years and help seek justice for him.
However, the campaign almost immediately drew criticism. Some fans raised concerns about the project’s tone, while others accused Bolerjack of deleting negative comments from the Kickstarter page. By April, the crowdfunding effort was canceled and Bolerjack said the documentary would instead be financed independently.
Despite the backlash, L.A. Comic Con will host the holographic Stan Lee from Sept. 26-28. Organizers also say fans might even catch the hologram popping up to introduce a panel or two.
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