Background

Los Angeles Comic Con has a history of experimenting with immersive holographic experiences. In 2019 the convention introduced Boffo the Bear, a seven‑foot‑tall animated character that served as master of ceremonies for a live talent show. Unlike a static CGI figure, Boffo was powered by real‑time motion capture performed by actor Mark DeCarlo, allowing for spontaneous interaction with the audience.

From Boffo to Stan Lee

According to the convention’s technology lead, the team behind Boffo continued to refine the holographic platform over the years. The improvements made it possible to consider an artificial‑intelligence‑enhanced version that could draw on “all of the actual comments that people made during their life” to generate responses. The goal is not to quote Stan Lee verbatim, but to ensure that every answer reflects language he actually used.

Concept Pitch and Approval

The idea was presented to Bob Sabouni, who manages the Stan Lee Legacy brand. Sabouni agreed to move forward, noting that the execution would need to be “really good” to avoid rejection. With conditional approval secured, the project moved to the development phase.

Industry Partnerships

Proto Hologram, the company that originally built the Boffo experience, was enlisted to handle the holographic hardware. Proto then partnered with Hyperreal, a firm that describes itself as “powering ownership, control, performance, and monetization of identity across digital ecosystems.” Hyperreal is responsible for creating the AI model that will drive the Stan Lee avatar, ensuring the digital personality aligns with the creator’s historical speech patterns.

Future Outlook

Organizers envision the AI‑powered Stan Lee hologram as an entry point for fans to ask questions about the Marvel universe, its stories, and the characters Lee created. By leveraging both advanced holographic display technology and sophisticated language modeling, the project aims to deliver an interactive experience that feels authentic while respecting the legacy of the iconic creator.

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