Jim Lee, the president and publisher of DC Comics, affirmed the company’s stance against the use of artificial intelligence in creating narratives and artwork during a panel at New York Comic Con. Lee stated, “We will not support AI-generated storytelling or artwork,” emphasizing a commitment to human creativity in the company’s future. He noted that his resolve, along with that of SVP and general manager Anne DePies, would remain unchanged.
Drawing a parallel between the current fears surrounding AI in creative fields and the Millennium bug panic, Lee expressed a belief in the intrinsic value of authentic human creativity. “People have an instinctive reaction to what feels authentic. We recoil from what feels fake. That’s why human creativity matters,” he stated. He argued that AI lacks the qualities essential for art, claiming, “AI doesn’t dream. It doesn’t feel. It doesn’t make art. It aggregates it.”
Historically, DC Comics has upheld a policy mandating that all artwork must originate from human artists. Yet, the company has navigated multiple controversies relating to allegations of generative AI being used for variant comic book covers. The backlash from critics who feared AI could displace traditional artists and writers prompted DC to withdraw and substitute some of these covers, which likely influenced their strong statement against generative AI’s use moving forward.
Lee further elaborated on the essence of original storytelling, noting, “Anyone can draw a cape. Anyone can write a hero. That’s been around as long as comics have been. It’s called fanfiction, and there’s nothing wrong with fanfiction. But Superman only feels right when he’s in the DC universe. Our universe, our mythos. That’s what endures. That’s what will carry us into the next century.”
