TLDR: DC Comics President and Publisher Jim Lee announced at New York Comic Con that the company will not support generative AI for any storytelling or artwork, stating ‘not now, not ever’ as long as he and SVP, General Manager Anne DePies are in charge. This decision emphasizes the publisher’s commitment to human creativity and authenticity in its comic universe.
At the recent New York Comic Con, DC Comics President and Publisher Jim Lee delivered a definitive statement regarding the company’s future use of generative artificial intelligence. Lee unequivocally declared that DC Comics ‘will not support AI-generated storytelling or artwork,’ a policy he affirmed would stand ‘not now, not ever, as long as [SVP, General Manager] Anne DePies and I are in charge.’ This announcement was met with enthusiastic cheers from the assembled crowd, highlighting a growing sentiment among fans and creators.
Lee elaborated on the rationale behind this firm stance, emphasizing the intrinsic value of human creativity. ‘Because what we do and why we do it is rooted in our humanity. It’s that fragile, beautiful connection between imagination and emotion that fuels our media, the stuff that makes our universe come alive,’ Lee stated. He further articulated the distinction between human artistry and AI’s capabilities, asserting, ‘People have an instinctive reaction to what feels authentic. We recoil from what feels fake. That’s why human creativity matters. AI doesn’t dream. It doesn’t feel. It doesn’t make art. It aggregates it.’
The declaration comes amidst previous controversies where DC Comics faced allegations of using AI in select variant comic book covers. In July 2024, the publisher reportedly pulled variant covers for ‘Superman Vol. 6 #18’ and ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold Vol. 2 #17,’ following accusations from artist Adi Granov that the artwork, provided by Francesco Mattina, was AI-generated. DC Comics had previously reiterated its ‘longstanding policies in place that all artwork must be the artist’s original work’ in response to such incidents. Lee’s recent comments reinforce this commitment, signaling a clear direction for the company’s creative output.
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The decision by DC Comics stands in contrast to some other entities in the entertainment industry that have explored or embraced generative AI. Lee likened current concerns surrounding AI in creative industries to past anxieties like the Millennium bug scare and the hype around NFTs, suggesting a similar trajectory of public disillusionment with purely technological solutions in art. The overwhelmingly positive reception at New York Comic Con underscores a strong desire within the comic community for human-led artistic endeavors.
