The Big Two have officially spoken out against use of AI in comics at New York Comic Con. Following DC president, publisher, and chief creative officer Jim Lee’s keynote speech at the retailer presentation on Wednesday, Marvel editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski spoke strongly against AI usage in comics.
“Yes, we’ve never used AI,” Cebulski said in response to a fan who asked whether Marvel will speak out on the growing encroachment of generative AI in the creative arts. “They’ve really gone 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.”
These are strong words from Cebulski, whose credibility is often called into question by his past yellowface under his “Akira Yoshida” pseudonym. His going on the record against AI—especially after Marvel’s senior VP and executive editor, Tom Brevoort, called it “pretty fun to use” on Substack last month—is a big deal.
Comic Book Club Live host Alex Zalben posted Cebulski’s words on Bluesky during the panel’s Q&A portion. Commenters have already noted the difference between Cebulski’s answer and Brevoort’s post, in which he talked about his experiments with Google’s Gemini and rightfully received backlash for it.
Cebulski is the second major player in the comics industry to speak plainly against the use of AI at this year’s New York Comic Con, following in the footsteps of DC’s Jim Lee.
At Wednesday’s retailer presentation, Lee said plainly, “DC Comics will not support AI-generated storytelling or artwork. Not now. Not ever—as long as Anne DePies and I are in charge. Because what we do—and why we do it—is rooted in our humanity. It’s that fragile, beautiful connection between imagination and emotion that fuels our medium—the thing that makes our universe come alive.
“It’s the imperfect line, the creative risk, the hand-drawn gesture that no algorithm can replicate. When I draw, I make mistakes—lots of them,” he continued. “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. It’s the product of true effort. Of inspiration and perspiration.
“Fans sense that. They can feel when something was made with care—when it cost the artist time, energy, heart, and effort. People have an instinctive reaction to what feels authentic. We recoil from what feels fake.” Lee remarked, “That’s why human creativity matters. AI doesn’t dream. It doesn’t feel. And it doesn’t make art—it aggregates it. Our job—as creators, as storytellers, as publishers—is to make people feel something real. That’s why we create. That’s why we’re still here.”
Stay tuned to The Beat for more coverage from NYCC ’25.
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