09/08/2026
To AI or NOT To AI: Part 1
At this weekend’s Comic Con, I had yet another conversation with someone about AI. This person proudly explained how they were using AI to create merchandise to sell at similar events. They explained, “I’m only using images of ghosts, Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy, so I don’t need to worry about copyrights.”
They genuinely believed the Universal monsters were public domain and completely free for anyone to use. After a little more conversation, it became pretty obvious that no amount of explaining how or why they were wrong was going to get through.
Then came the question that really made me shake my head.
“I think designing my own characters would sell better since they are original, but I can’t draw. So, what would you charge to design the characters for me to use exclusively, and to own all the rights ?
I told them my rates, which in this case included my “moron AI user tax.”
When they heard the number, they tried very hard to play it cool. I’m pretty sure they were hoping I’d say $5 an image.
Instead, they said, “Oh, uh, that’s cool. Well, I’ll take your business card and I’ll get in touch with you.”
Translation: “Geezus effing Christ! I’m not paying that.”
I’m pretty confident I won’t be hearing from them but I’ll keep you posted.
