At this year’s New York Comic Con, the two biggest publishers in comics took the stage and drew a clear line in the sand when it comes to artificial intelligence. Both DC and Marvel, whose creative legacies have shaped generations of storytelling, made it known that AI has no place in their artistic process.
DC Comics’ Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee delivered one of the convention’s most impassioned speeches during Retailer Day. “DC Comics will not support AI-generated storytelling or artwork — not now, not ever, as long as Anne DePies and I are in charge,” he declared to a cheering crowd. Lee spoke about the human element that fuels creativity, describing art as an inherently imperfect and emotional act. “What we do and why we do it is rooted in our humanity — that fragile, beautiful connection between imagination and emotion that fuels our media,” he said. “When I draw, I make mistakes. A lot of them. But that’s the point. The smudge, the rough line, the hesitation — that’s me in the work. That’s my journey. That’s what makes it come alive.” Lee went on to emphasize that fans can sense when something is genuine, created with “time, energy, heart, and effort,” and that “people recoil from what feels fake.” His statement ended on a powerful note: “AI doesn’t dream. It doesn’t feel. It doesn’t make art. It aggregates it.”
Just a day later, Marvel echoed that sentiment. C.B. Cebulski, Editor-in-Chief at Marvel Comics, confirmed the company’s official position, saying, “Yes, we’ve never used AI. We go to great lengths to detect AI. We never used it, we will not be using it, and we don’t condone it in the Marvel Comics division.” The remark underscored Marvel’s commitment to preserving the integrity of its creators’ work — from the legendary artists who built the House of Ideas to the new generation carrying it forward.
Together, Lee and Cebulski’s statements represent a rare moment of unity between the two rival publishers. In an era when AI tools are becoming increasingly common across creative industries, the message from both Marvel and DC is unmistakable: comic books are, and should remain, the product of human imagination.
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