The British comic book industry, a sector known for its explosive creativity and the occasional exploding robot, is facing a new nemesis: Artificial Intelligence. Forget supervillains with doomsday devices; this threat comes in the form of algorithms capable of mimicking artistic styles and potentially infringing on copyright.
Leading publishers, including DC Thomson (home to icons like The Beano and The Dandy) and Rebellion Entertainment (purveyors of Judge Dredd’s brand of futuristic justice), have banded together to form Comic Book UK. This isn’t just a social club for ink-stained fingers; it’s a trade association with teeth – or at least, a well-sharpened pencil – dedicated to protecting their intellectual property from the AI onslaught.
Other notable members include Avery Hill, B7 Media, and the creators of The Phoenix Comic’s ‘Bunny vs Monkey,’ proving that even cartoon animal antics are valuable assets worth defending. Comic Book UK has set some ambitious goals; they want to turn UK comics into a £500 million sector, aiming to boost domestic revenues and attract international investment.
Their immediate concern, however, is generative AI. The UK government’s proposal to allow AI companies to train their algorithms on copyright-protected work without explicit permission has sparked outrage across the creative industries. Kate Bush, Damon Albarn, Elton John, and Andrew Lloyd Webber have all voiced their concerns, a diverse coalition if ever there was one. The argument is simple: this policy would disproportionately harm emerging artists and undermine the value of original work.
Comic Book UK argues that British comic writers have consistently produced some of the world’s most valuable IP, characters that frequently make the leap to film, video games, and television. Allowing AI to freely pilfer these creations would be akin to handing a loaded blaster to a cybernetic thief.
Mark Fuller, chief executive of Comic Book UK, paints a picture of a potential “global comics superpower,” fueled by British talent and strategic investment. To achieve this, Comic Book UK is lobbying for several key changes. Firstly, they want the government to extend creative industry tax reliefs to the comic book sector. Secondly, they are seeking more export support for comic publishers, including representation on trade delegations. Finally, they propose a public funding mechanism – a “start-up and scale-up fund” – specifically for comic book creators.
Sir Chris Bryant, creative industries minister, offered words of support, acknowledging the “edgy history” and “undeniable influence” of British comics. He affirmed the government’s commitment to working with Comic Book UK to further boost the sector.
Whether Comic Book UK can successfully navigate the complex landscape of AI regulation remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: they’re ready to fight for their right to create, to innovate, and to ensure that the future of comics isn’t written by a robot.
Leave a Reply