The Stan Lee AI Mess

In this episode of Sketching Up, Chris Schnabel and Matt Tornetta discuss one of the biggest stories currently impacting the comic book industry: the decision to license the voice and likeness of legendary Marvel creator Stan Lee for AI-generated content.

Before diving into the controversy, Chris recaps his experience hosting a panel and conducting interviews at Comicpalooza, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the convention floor, upcoming Mad Props content, and what it was like creating a temporary podcast studio at one of Houston's largest pop culture events.

The conversation also covers Matt's latest update on potentially appearing in a Tubi commercial, the growth of free streaming platforms, and the unexpected opportunities that can come from being passionate about niche interests.

The second half of the episode focuses on the growing role of artificial intelligence in entertainment, examining the ethics of recreating voices and likenesses of deceased creators. Chris and Matt discuss Stan Lee's legacy, concerns surrounding AI-generated performances, the treatment of creators' estates, and whether technology is moving faster than the safeguards designed to protect artists and their work.

The episode concludes with reflections on Stan Lee's impact on comics, thoughts on creator ownership, and a tribute to influential figures who helped shape the worlds of comics, animation, and pop culture.

If you enjoy conversations about comic books, Marvel, Stan Lee, artificial intelligence, pop culture, conventions, streaming services, and entertainment news, this episode is for you.

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Video edited by Chris SchnabelEpisode Produced by Chris Schnabel and Matt TornettaMusic by Kyle ScottSketching Up is a Schnabel Studios Production.

Chapters:

00:08 - Introduction03:36 - Building the Sketching Up & Mad Props Community05:05 - Comicpalooza Recap & Behind-the-Scenes Stories16:02 - Tubi Commercial Update20:17 - Stan Lee AI Voice & Likeness Controversy36:08 - Stan Lee's Legacy & Creator Ownership Discussion51:50 - Remembering Claude Lemieux & Tom Kane54:20 - Final Thoughts