Paul Pope, renowned for his comics like "Batman: Year 100" and "Battling Boy," is experiencing a career resurgence with a gallery show, an expanded art book, and the upcoming release of his sci-fi epic "THB."
Pope acknowledges the challenges of creating graphic novels, describing the process as lengthy and often frustrating due to the lack of public visibility during production. He views his current activities as strategic moves to reintroduce and rebrand himself in the comics world.
Despite his preference for traditional analog techniques using brushes and ink, Pope isn't averse to using AI for research and acknowledges its potential as a tool. However, he expresses concerns about AI's implications, particularly regarding copyright and the potential displacement of artists. He worries more about the development of killer robots and surveillance technologies than AI plagiarism.
Pope discusses his career arc, his analog working style, and his views on the increasing digitalization of comics. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the human element in art and creativity, which he believes machines cannot replicate. He is also working on "Battling Boy 2", which will be released after "THB".