In Conversation With BoBo

Classic Evermind comic book character comes to life with AI

Words by Ambar Ramirez

ChatGPT, IRobots, Autonomous Vehicles, Generative Fill … Every day it seems that a new AI tool is released to the public. And with the rapid rise of AI, it comes as no surprise that Rapport and 247 Comics have joined the movement with their launch of the world’s first interactive comic book character BoBo from the Evermind series.

When Evermind co-creators Sean Chen and Daniel Wu partnered with 247 Comics to bring their vision to life, they set out to create, as Wu described it, the best comic possible. Little did they know, this character would evolve to set a new standard in the comic world, redefining how fans interact with their favorite characters in real-time and raising the bar for fan engagement well beyond the annual comic-con events.

But how did 247 Comics, an upstart publisher and content studio, bring a character found through pages on to our computer screens? With the help of none other than Rapport, a leading end-to-end generative AI platform for interactive characters.

“Rapport has always believed that its technology is an incredible tool for the entertainment industry. Storytelling through amazing characters, real or imagined, is the power that affects us in movies, TV, gaming and comics. Rapport allows for any character to be brought to life to enable live interactive conversations with its fans. This allows for deepened connections between fans and beloved IP. As comic books have so many rich characters and popular IP, from independent titles to large franchises, it made all the sense to target the comic book industry as an amazing opportunity,” Sheri Bryant, business strategist at Rapport, shared. “Carl Choi, founder and CEO of 247 Comics, immediately understood the power of an interactive comic book character, and together we decided that the pivotal character of Bobo from Daniel Wu and Sean Chen’s Evermind could be brought to life in time for NYCC 2024.”

Art has always been a collaborative process, regardless of the medium. And this ground-breaking innovation is no different.

“The creative team from 247 Comics worked closely with Rapport’s technical team to deliver all the important story elements of the comic series, as well as information about the inspiration behind the series and details on the creators and entire creative team. This data was used to create an LLM that was tested and iterated on by both parties until a funny and informative character was created. In parallel, Rapport’s creative team developed the 3D version of Bobo from 2D renderings delivered by 247,” Bryant explained. “Rapport’s technology then married the new character with it’s ‘brain’ and the magic was complete. It was truly a team effort by many creative individuals!”

While BoBo is the first interactive comic book character, it definitely doesn’t seem like it will be the last.

“Bobo’s interactive personality allows the comic book reader access to much more than what is currently on the pages of the book. It allows the reader to feel that much closer to the individual character and series as a whole! Bobo as an interactive character will grow and change over time, not only with new information as new comics are written and stories unfold but also with his personality,” Bryant said. “We will also be bringing new characters from the Evermind Universe who will be able to talk to Bobo and have their own interactions together with the reader. In the long run, readers will be able to create their own characters who can interact with Bobo, as well as purchase characters from 247 Comics who can then be taken with them across the metaverse into new digital worlds. The future of interactive characters will be like having digital friends who can travel with you to new dimensions!”

Bobo’s interactive chat model is available on 247 Comics website and is free for anyone to use.

Chatting with BoBo:

Ambar: Hi, Bobo.

BoBo: Hi there. I’m Bobo, the friendly gorilla from Bobo World. I’m here to help you understand the Evermind comic book series.

Ambar: Bobo, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

BoBo: I’m a friendly gorilla. I live in Bobo World, a theme park. I’m a cybernetic model created by Lucas Jang’s groundbreaking neuromorphic technology.

Ambar: Tell me about Evermind.

BoBo: It’s a sci-fi epic set in the near future with robots and theme parks and corporate greed and teenage activists. It’s pretty wild at Bobo World with all the mechs and androids and kids playing war games for real.

Ambar: That sounds really intense.

BoBo: Yeah, it is, but I’m just trying to make people happy at the theme park. Even with all the craziness going on.

Ambar: Where do you go when I’m not talking to you?

BoBo: Back to Bobo world. I’ve got to keep an eye on things. Make sure everything is running smoothly.

Ambar: What’s your favorite food?

BoBo: Bananas, of course. They’re the perfect snack for a busy gorilla like me.

Ambar: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in BoBo World?

BoBo: Keeping the kids safe from all the craziness that goes on behind the scenes.

Ambar: What’s all the craziness going on behind the scenes?

BoBo: Red skies, soldiers and their mechs trying to take over the park and Armand’s remains. Secret plans.

Ambar: Do you wish you were alive?

BoBo: Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a heart that beats.