The controversy surrounding AI is not an uncommon source of discussion. Its innovative technology has impacted the creation of mass media significantly, including the comic book industry. This technology has raised the question of what is ethical when used in practice, the traditional process of American comics is changing because of this. Jim Starlin, a major creator of the Marvel films and comics, revealed in an interview with Popverse that he would be using AI in his future creations. This approach has been met with controversy since it follows a different method of comic development. 

Jim Starlin isn’t the only artist who has begun this approach.  The comic book platform WEBTOON has started to use AI in their comic productions.  As outlined in their SEC filing, the company promotes AI to their artists to “[reduce] the workload for creators to produce high-quality content through artificial intelligence.” On the other hand, this goes against the traditional process of original comics. The AI use outlined in the filing is used to model and color panels. Although WEBTOON predicted this process to reduce the workload of its employees it takes away from this authentic comic book practice. As these technologies continue to develop, they may begin to replace the artists altogether. 

Typically comic books took months to create. In the 1950’s, comic book production began on cheap newsprint paper. Production was tedious, as different inking techniques were required for mass production. As the years progressed, the comic book industry began developing more tools to assist in the production process. From 2007 to 2011, most big company comic book industries began to use digital technology.  With new technology, this allowed for more shortcuts within the industry, for example, easing the printing process along with the transportation methods to its publishers. Although this process benefited the company, it was met with much disdain from the public. 

With the increased advancements in technology, the digitalization of comics was inevitable. Hence, the public began to lean into this new comic form. According to Scoop Market, the comic book industry is predicted to produce “27.2 billion dollars by 2022, demonstrating a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% throughout the forecast period.” Rather than the industry suffering, it has profited from the change of going digital.

The backlash of AI in comic books stems from the same issue, authenticity. Developing AI can mimic certain personalization within a comic, like writing or style. This can influence the authenticity as a material can be copied and pirated without consequence, eventually hurting the original author. Although illegal, it is not difficult because of the strict guidelines surrounding AI. AI parodies take away from the original work and its original ideas, hurting the revenue surrounding that specific piece of media. 

Is the use of AI in comic books unavoidable considering the quickly advancing technology? People dislike the use of AI because of the shortcuts that it produces. The traditional creation of comics required hard work and dedication, something that originally popularized the media. Editing positions were essential for this process, where they polished the work significantly. These positions boosted the economy and allowed for more job opportunities, but now AI is threatening to take these positions. To increase revenue and avoid wasteful spending, some companies are beginning to turn to AI to avoid hiring these positions. 

Is the opinion on AI use in the comic book industry running parallel to that of comic book digitalization? The advancing technologies normalized what once seemed opaque in the public eye, and this might be the road AI is headed down. AI is being integrated into the daily lives of society more than ever, but those who use it mustn’t become dependent on the technology.  It has already become a helpful tool for personnel in the workforce, but that is all it is — the tasks people request AI to accomplish should realistically still be learned. Despite its worldwide usage, this technology is still in development. This newfound technology produces as many false responses as it does correct. Generally, AI isn’t something to be avoided, but something to avoid the exploitation of. Despite public opinion, companies will still use AI for profit. As it develops, the employment rate of artists will recede, and eventually replace them entirely. The line drawn for this dilemma will reside in the hands of the consumer, who will eventually decide the value of effort in this form of media. AI can replicate media, but it cannot replicate originality.