Walking the Halls of Fandom at LA Comic Con 2025

An inside look at my time at Los Angeles Comic Con 2025—from cosplay spectacles and creative connections to the headline-grabbing Stan Lee hologram. Featuring my wife Lindsay, Heard and Sun Hero Magazine.

Alex in the lobby of the main exhibit hall at the LA Convention Center.

A Weekend of (Geeky) Hearts Beating as One

From Friday, September 26 through Sunday, September 28, 2025, Los Angeles Comic Con returned to the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown LA. Along with my wife Lindsay, I had a blast exploring all of the talent and energy on display from artists, writers and creators alike. It was an honor to represent Sun Hero Magazine and share more about my upcoming thriller adventure comic series Heard alongside Sun Hero.

Alex and his wife Lindsay posing with leaflets and flyers in the lobby at LA Comic Con.

Lindsay and I wandered together into an explosion of fandom, color, noise and inspiration. From the moment we stepped into the exhibit halls, it felt like walking into a living, breathing storyboard full of possibility.

We grabbed lunch, paused to rest our legs and then dove back in. I wore my Heard shirt, carried leaflets to build buzz for the series (coming soon) and handed out flyers for Sun Hero Magazine—a publication that I copy edit—which brings in-depth news, interviews and features on Black nerd pop culture, founded by my friend Dané Raphael Shobe. Lindsay was my co-pilot in distributing materials and connecting with like-minded writers, artists, filmmakers and other creatives.

By late-afternoon, we joked it felt like a day at Disneyland with the kids—no rides, but plenty of steps!

Sun Hero flyers and Heard leaflets on display.

Costumes, Cosplay and Creative Spectacle

One of the highlights was, as always, the cosplay. A massive Thing from Fantastic Four with an animatronic-looking mouth movement turned heads all day. Entire squads of Avengers, X-Men and Justice League members patrolled the aisles in cinematic detail. It’s always inspiring to see the craftsmanship and passion that fans pour into these costumes—a true celebration of creativity.

Every booth felt like a mini-gallery of comics, collectibles, sketches and stories waiting to be discovered.

Various exhibits, scenery and cosplayers from LA Comic Con.

The Stan Lee Experience

No recap of LA Comic Con 2025 would be complete without mentioning the AI-powered Stan Lee hologram, officially called The Stan Lee Experience.

This interactive booth allowed fans to “speak” with a digital version of the late Spider-Man creator for about $15–$20, complete with recorded voice synthesis and gesture mapping. Organizers said it was a way to “extend Lee’s legacy through immersive storytelling.”

But not everyone saw it that way. Many attendees expressed discomfort, calling the display a step too far. One viral post put it bluntly:

“Turning Stan Lee into an AI hologram feels less like honoring his legacy and more like monetizing his ghost.” — via Indy100

The moment sparked a broader conversation about ethics and the boundaries of posthumous representation—especially poignant in a space that thrives on nostalgia and human connection.

Whether fans loved or loathed it, the hologram certainly achieved one thing: it made people talk.

The Stan Lee Experience. Photo credit: LA Comic Con.

Panels, Stars and Fandom in Full Force

This year’s guest lineup was packed with star power: Elizabeth Olsen, Charlie Cox, Paul Bettany, Bryce Dallas Howard and Vincent D’Onofrio, among others.

Fans were treated to everything from nostalgic reunions—like the Starship Troopers cast swapping behind-the-scenes stories—to lively panels for Scream, Daredevil: Born Again and VisionQuest. Each room was filled with energy, laughter and the kind of shared enthusiasm that makes comic conventions such a unique blend of art and community.

Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, the main cast of WandaVision / VisionQuest, taking the stage at LA Comic Con. Source: https://thecosmiccircus.com.

Finding Meaning in the Marvelous Madness

Strolling those halls with Lindsay, handing out swag and flyers, connecting with creators—it felt like doing more than just “attending.” It felt like participating.

Each conversation, each handshake, each curious glance at the Heard logo reminded me how powerful creative spaces are. They’re where stories start: not just on paper, but between people.

By the end of the day, my legs were sore, my voice was fading and my stack of flyers was lighter, but I left inspired. There’s a magic in those halls, and I can’t wait to bring a little of that back into Heard, Sun Hero and everything yet to come.

Learn more at https://www.comicconla.com.

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