The threat of AI looms over all art and creative endeavors these days. Especially every kind of commercial art, from film to television, and so on. But comic books are especially under threat, as corporations look to use AI as a way to create “content” and not pay actual artists. Well, we know at least one of the “Big Two” comic book companies isn’t having any of that. Via Comic Book Club, we learned that DC Comics’ President, Publisher, and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee has taken a firm stance that the company will never use AI to create their comics. A position he shared when speaking at the pre-NYCC Retailers’ Summit. Here’s part of what he had to say:
That’s the point – the smudge, the rough line, the hesitation – that’s what makes my work come alive. AI doesn’t dream, feel or make art, it aggregates it.
Aside from being the person in charge of DC, Jim Lee is one of the comic book industry’s most famous artists. This goes back to his Marvel X-Men days in the ’90s. To hear this from someone who is also an artist and not just a suit means that much more. And according to folks in the room during his speech, the place erupted in cheers. Of course, Lee’s opinions may not extend to everyone at DC Comics’ parent company, Warner Bros. But it’s at least a positive sign in the right direction.
This was EXTREMELY well received in the room. Cheering!
— David Harper@NYCC (@davidharper.bsky.social) 2025-10-08T17:44:21.469Z
Now, we can only hope Marvel and the other major comic publishers like Dark Horse and Image take the same stance. Hopefully, they use the NYCC event to take a similar stand. Because art and creativity are certainly under threat in a way they never have before. And we know Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman wouldn’t stand for it if they were real people. So neither should the architects of their stories.
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