AI in comic books adds to the industry’s history of challenges, from declining 1990s sales to 1950s political repression. Its latest challenge is AI technology. Some artists see AI as a tool to boost productivity and spark creativity. While others worry about job losses and intellectual property theft.
AI’s Impact on the Creation of Comic Books
Some industry professionals, such as Jim Starlin, the creator of Marvel’s Thanos, believe that implementing AI can increase productivity. In a similar spirit, websites like WEBTOON are using AI to help artists by automating tasks like painting and 3D modeling.
AI offers independent artists the opportunity to boost production speed and reduce costs. Attorney Gamal Hennessy says AI may help small publishers with tasks like screenplay development and market research.
Fears of Job Losses and Copyright Violations
However, not all creatives are convinced. Artists like Amy Reeder say AI-generated mood boards have replaced human labor, costing them their jobs. Prominent artists like Steve Ellis are concerned that AI would eliminate entry-level jobs that once allowed newcomers to progress in the industry.
Copyright infringement is another significant issue. Artists argue that AI models use protected works without properly crediting the original creators. Ben Caldwell cautions that large corporations may use artificial intelligence (AI) to get around copyright regulations, which would be detrimental to individual artists.
A Path Forward?
While creators like Sarah Silverman and organizations like The New York Times are suing to contest AI copyright concerns, others are proposing a compromise. Similar to how Spotify revolutionized the music industry, licensing AI training data may lead to more fair compensation agreements for visual artists.
Legal panels at conventions like New York Comic Con are increasingly advising artists to add AI protection clauses in their contracts. Such initiatives may provide creators greater control over the usage of their work.
Source: CNN
