DC Comics says “no thanks” to AI, they prefer their superpowers organic.

Jim Lee Takes a Stand for Artists in Passionate NYCC Speech

You know what’s more powerful than Superman? The human hand that draws him. At least, that’s the message DC Comics President Jim Lee delivered at New York Comic Con 2025, and honestly, it’s about time someone in charge said it out loud.

Standing before a room full of retailers, fans, and industry insiders at the convention’s Retailer Day on October 8, Lee didn’t mince words. “DC Comics will not support AI generated storytelling or artwork. Not now, not ever as long as I am in charge,” he declared. The room erupted in cheers. Because let’s face it in an era where AI threatens to turn art into algorithmic slop, hearing a major publisher take this stance feels like a breath of fresh air.

The Smudge, The Line, The Human Touch

Here’s where Lee got poetic, and rightfully so. As both an executive and one of the comic industry’s most iconic artists, he knows what he’s talking about. “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 explained.

Think about that for a second. The imperfections aren’t bugs they’re features. They’re what make art human. AI doesn’t have bad days or good days. It doesn’t get inspired by a sunset or frustrated by a deadline. It just aggregates, remixes, and regurgitates. “AI doesn’t dream. It doesn’t feel. It doesn’t make art. It aggregates it,” Lee said, cutting right to the heart of the matter.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

DC isn’t just making a moral stand here they’re making a business decision rooted in authenticity. Lee pointed out something crucial: fans can tell the difference. “People have an instinctive reaction to what feels authentic. We recoil from what feels fake. That’s why human creativity matters,” he noted.

And he’s right. You can feel it when something’s been made with care, when it cost the artist time, energy, heart, and effort. That connection between creator and reader? That’s the magic. That’s what keeps people coming back to Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman decade after decade. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re crafted by humans who pour their souls into every panel.

The Killer Bees That Never Came

Lee put the AI panic into perspective with a clever analogy. Remember killer bees? Y2K? NFTs? “Every era has its killer bees,” he said, referencing the 1970s scare about African bees invading North America. Then came fears about Japan’s economy crushing everyone, the millennium bug, NFTs, and now AI.

History has a way of humbling predictions, Lee argued. The future rarely turns out the way headlines warn us. But here’s his prediction: DC will stick with human creators. Period. As long as he and DC Senior Vice President Anne DePies are running things, that’s the policy.

DC’s Rocky Road With AI

A tense, editorial-style image showing a digital screen displaying AI-generated comic art being stamped with a bright red “REJECTED” mark. In the background, frustrated fans scroll through social media posts while a DC editor reviews artwork with a magnifying glass. The composition highlights controversy, integrity, and DC’s stand for authenticity over convenience.

To be fair, DC hasn’t been completely immune to AI controversies. In July 2024, the publisher had to pull variant covers by artist Francesco Mattina for Superman Vol. 6 #18 and Batman: The Brave and the Bold Vol. 2 #17 after Marvel artist Adi Granov accused them of being AI-generated. The backlash was swift and fierce.

But here’s the thing DC responded. They pulled the covers. They listened to their community. And now they’re making an even stronger commitment. That’s not just damage control; that’s evolution. It shows they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is.

More Than Just Capes and Cowls

Lee’s speech wasn’t just about AI. He tackled another looming challenge: characters entering the public domain. Superman and Lois Lane hit public domain in 2034. Batman follows in 2035. The Joker in 2036. Wonder Woman in 2037. That’s a lot of iconic characters potentially up for grabs.

But Lee wasn’t sweating it. “The character isn’t the magic. The storytelling is. The world-building is,” he said. Anyone can draw a cape. Anyone can write a hero. That’s called fanfiction, and there’s nothing wrong with it. But Superman only feels right in the DC universe their universe, their mythos.

It’s a bold stance, but it makes sense. Look at Mickey Mouse. He entered public domain, and sure, there are some weird knockoffs floating around. But Disney’s version? Still the one that matters. Because they understand the character. They know how he moves, speaks, and what he stands for.

The Direct Market Gets Some Love

Lee also took time to celebrate comic book retailers the real MVPs of the industry. “You are the beating heart of this industry,” he told them. When DC talks about core fans, they’re talking about the people who walk into shops every Wednesday. The ones who have pull lists and recommendations and midnight release parties.

Digital comics and vertical scrolling formats aren’t meant to replace retailers, Lee emphasized. They’re meant to grow the next generation of fans. “When someone reads their first comic on a tablet, we want their second one to be in your stores,” he said. Digital brings discovery, but shops bring belonging.

That’s a crucial distinction. Apps and platforms can’t replicate the experience of walking into a comic shop, smelling that distinct paper smell, and talking to someone who actually knows their stuff. Those shops are the real-world Batcaves, the Fortresses of Solitude where fans discover who they are.

Looking Ahead to DC’s 100th Birthday

Lee opened his speech by noting that 2035 marks DC’s 100th anniversary. He joked that he fully intends to be there, hopefully still drawing, hopefully still not working on Hush 2 (a reference to his notoriously delayed Batman project). The crowd laughed, but the message was clear: DC is playing the long game.

“90 years isn’t just a milestone. It’s a reminder that survival in this business is earned,” Lee said. Every decade of DC’s history shows their ability to pivot and create compelling stories that reflect their times. The Golden Age captured hope during war. The Silver Age reflected atomic optimism. The Bronze Age brought social awareness. The 80s and 90s gave us reinvention.

And the 2020s? We’re still writing that story. But Lee believes they’re on the right track, thanks to creative geniuses like Scott Snyder and Josh Williamson.

What This Means for the Industry

DC’s stance could set a precedent. They’re one of the “Big Two” comic publishers, and when someone like Jim Lee who’s not just a suit but a legendary artist takes this position, it carries weight. According to Comic Book Club, the speech was “EXTREMELY well received in the room. Cheering!”

Comic artist Evan Dorkin offered a measured take: “Jim Lee openly disparaging AI in no way guarantees anything, no one knows what the future of AI is and no one knows who will be in charge at DC Comics down the line,” he wrote. But he added that it’s important for a popular artist to publicly shoot AI down. Fans and artists need to hear this.

He’s got a point. Lee’s opinions might not extend to everyone at Warner Bros., DC’s parent company. But it’s a positive sign. It shows that at least one major publisher understands what’s at stake.

The Contrast With Marvel

The difference between DC’s approach and Marvel’s is stark. Just weeks before Lee’s speech, Marvel editor Tom Brevoort came under fire for playing around with AI to generate logos for his blog. The backlash was intense enough that Brevoort put his newsletter on hiatus, though he claimed it was due to time constraints and never addressed the AI controversy directly.

As Adam Reck noted, “The STARK difference between what Jim is saying here and what we got from The Man in the Hat playing around with Gemini a few weeks ago is stunning.” It’s refreshing to hear the most famous artist in comics speak out publicly against AI.

Why Authenticity Wins

At the end of the day, Lee’s message boils down to this: authenticity matters. Comics aren’t just about perfect lines and flawless coloring. They’re about connection, the artist’s journey showing up on the page, they’re about making readers feel something real.

“Our job as creators, as storytellers, and as publishers is to make people feel something real. That’s why we create, and that’s why we’re still here,” Lee said. And that’s something no algorithm can replicate, no matter how sophisticated it gets.

The Bottom Line

A hopeful, cinematic illustration of an artist’s hand sketching Superman in pencil, with sunlight streaming across the page. On the desk, AI-generated art fades into digital static, symbolizing the triumph of human creativity. The mood is emotional and inspiring — celebrating art, passion, and the enduring human spark behind every superhero story.

DC Comics has drawn a line in the sand. No AI-generated storytelling. No AI-generated artwork. Not now, not ever at least not while Jim Lee and Anne DePies are in charge. It’s a commitment to human creativity, to the imperfect beauty of hand-drawn art, to the connection between creator and reader that makes comics special.

In a world increasingly dominated by algorithms and automation, DC is betting on humanity. They’re betting that fans will always value the real thing over the fake. They’re betting that Superman only feels right when he’s crafted by human hands and human hearts.

And you know what? That’s a bet worth making. Because at the end of the day, comics aren’t just about superheroes saving the world. They’re about artists and writers pouring their souls onto the page, creating something that resonates with readers on a deeply human level. That’s the real superpower. And no AI can touch it.