Best Anthology nominee Stardust the Super Wizard Anthology has drawn scrutiny because contributor Michael Todasco said an AI-generated story, created under his "Alex Irons" persona, appears in the book.
Zoop backers raised more than $39,000 from 614 supporters for the 2023 project, which otherwise includes 139 pages by human creators such as Mike Allred.
The nomination lands amid wider comics-industry friction over AI use: Valiant posted AI-generated Instagram ads, prompting an angry response from artist Raphael Stephan about publishers replacing working artists.
Ignition Press separately said it has a firm no-AI policy in comics, marketing and contracts after an independent retailer shared an AI-made promotional image and text for its Stan Lee project Airwalker.
As 'Human-Made' labels appear, will comic fans soon have to choose between artist and algorithm?
With AI art ineligible for copyright, what is the future for intellectual property in the comics industry?