Tag Archives: globalcomix

GlobalComix Updates its AI Content Policy Removing Fully AI Generated Works

Posted on by Leave a comment
GlobalComix

Last week, GlobalComix announced it closed a $13 million round of funding by AI friendly investors and acquired INKR, a digital manga/comics platform with AI tools focused on translation. That news put a new spotlight on GlobalComix and its policy towards AI and comics.

At the time their policy stated:

We allow AI comics to be uploaded at this time, although that may change in the future. We also reserve the right to remove AI content at our discretion.

There are a few key things to be aware of regarding AI content, and by uploading to GlobalComix, you agree to these:

You must disclose the use of AI, whether visual(Art) or written(Story), as part of the release upload process
AI content is not eligible for monetization at this time, including but not limited to GlobalComix Gold revenue and PDF sales
The donation button is disabled in releases utilizing AI Art
We take violations of this policy very seriously. Repeat infractions, particularly around disclosure, may result in actions taken against your creator profile and GlobalComix account.

As you can imagine, the renewed highlighting of GlobalComix’s acceptance of AI and the investment and acquisition within that space raised concerns by creators whose comics are available on the digital comics platform.

GlobalComix has updated their policy this week with what feels like a 180 turn from the previous one. While it doesn’t prevent the use of AI within the creation process, it does prevent “fully AI generated works” from the platform.

TLDR;

  • GlobalComix changes policy to remove fully AI generated works
  • These works have been hidden today from the platform
  • Our content team is working through finding mislabeled/undisclosed AI contents
  • We support using AI tools supporting creator workflows, but not as fully generated

GlobalComix is, first and foremost, a home for human creativity.

We recognize that emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), can be used as creative tools, but also that their use raises valid concerns about originality, respect for artists’ rights and quality.

In this policy, we wanted to:

  • Prioritize and protect human artistry
  • Protect our creators and their work
  • Enable creativity and expression across skills and use cases
  • Create forward-looking guidelines and create a stable environment for creators as tools and technologies continue to evolve
  • Set clear expectations for when and how AI-generated or AI-assisted materials can appear and be monetized on GlobalComix.

Our Principles

GlobalComix celebrates human storytelling, art, and originality.

We want creators to be able to thrive from their art and artistry.

AI tools may be used to assist creative work, but they should never fully remove the human from the workflow.

When AI Use Is Acceptable in Comics

  • The uploader has full rights and licenses to use the AI tools and any resulting outputs.
  • AI is used for supporting or enhancing a creator’s original work (for example, coloring assistance, idea exploration, background generation, effects, animation).
  • When AI tools are used as a part in the broader creative workflow in concert with human artistry.
  • The creator discloses AI involvement clearly when it forms a meaningful part of the artwork or writing (e.g., in the release description or credits).

GlobalComix may provide exceptions to our policy on the use of AI with regards to content creation when considering the guidelines above.

If GlobalComix requests material documenting licenses to characters, likenesses, intellectual property, or copyrights, it is the burden of the uploader to provide said material. When evidence is not provided in a timely manner, we will assume that these criteria have not been met.

Anyone considering uploading content utilizing generative AI should email content-violation@globalcomix.com and a member of our team will review the submission.

When AI Use Is Not Acceptable

Content that violates any of the following will not be allowed:

  • Generated AI graphics that imitate or copy another creator’s intellectual property, style, likeness, or characters without permission.
  • Works that misrepresent AI outputs as entirely human-made.
  • AI-generated content that violates GlobalComix’s broader obscenity or hate-speech rules, including depictions of sexualized minors or sexual violence.
  • Works where visuals are made fully via Gen AI prompts, instead of using AI as just one tool among many in a broader creative workflow.

If there is doubt about the origin of a work, GlobalComix may ask for supporting information (such as which AI tools were used, or documentation of rights).

Anyone considering uploading content utilizing generative AI should email content-violation@globalcomix.com and a member of our team will review the submission.

Protecting Creator Rights

  • GlobalComix will not use creator-uploaded content to train Generative Visual AI models without the creator’s explicit opt-in consent if such systems are ever developed.
  • Uploading content to GlobalComix does not grant third parties permission to train AI on that work unless the creator explicitly grants permission.

Monetization of AI-Generated Work

Content that is created with human artistry, but uses AI assisted tools (examples listed in section 7) can be monetized.

GlobalComix reserves the right to decide what qualifies as acceptable content and may remove monetization from any work it determines lacks sufficient original artistry from the creator.

Review and Updates

As laws, technologies, and community standards evolve, this policy may be updated.

GlobalComix will publish updates explaining how new policies affect both human and AI-assisted creators.

Questions or concerns about AI use can be sent to content-violation@globalcomix.com.

Examples of acceptable use of AI

Clip Studio Colorize & Smooth, Tone Remove features

https://help.clip-studio.com/en-us/manual_en/390_filters/AI_Tools.htm

Reasoning: These features empower creators and work as a small part of the creative process. Subjectivity, taste and creative decision-making is used extensively while creating the end product.

Adobe Illustrator AI features

https://www.adobe.com/learn/illustrator/web/illustrator-generative-ai-introduction

Reasoning: These features empower creators and work as a small part of the creative process. Subjectivity, taste and creative decision-making is used extensively while creating the end product.

Adobe Photoshop AI features (including generative fill)

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/ai.html

Reasoning: These features empower creators and work as a small part of the creative process. Subjectivity, taste and creative decision-making is used extensively while creating the end product.

Custom Trained Visual Generation Models

Reasoning: It’s acceptable to use Generative AI to create visuals based on original and owned artwork. Original character design and world building is required to train the model, and the output needs to be composed to a final comic product with artistry and creative decision-making.

Retouching AI features

Reasoning: Using software and tools that edit original artwork (e.g. changing colors, up-scaling, smoothing, changing select details) is allowed as they work as a single step in a larger workflow that requires subjectivity and creative decision-making.

GlobalComix Closes a $13 million round and Acquires INKR raising Questions about its future and AI

Posted on by
GlobalComix

On Thursday, GlobalComix in an interview with Rob Salkowitz at Forbes announced that it had received $13 million in new capital in a round led by SBI US Gateway Fund and Point72 Ventures. It had previously raised $6.5 million in 2023. They also announced the acquisition of digital manga platform INKR adding over 200,000 volumes of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean comics as well new technology the company brings, including AI translation lettering. Finally, Henrik Rydberg has been named CEO after having joined the company as a board member in January 2025.

We’ve been digging into the venture funding in the comic industry, a rather difficult task with just glimpses of information from various sources. Thankfully a release like this makes things a bit easier to dive in to examine a rather large investment in the industry.

The reality is, today’s venture capital and investment is quite different than a decade ago. AI funding has sucked up investments and focus with over 61% of global venture capital investment going towards it in 2025 (though some put the number at 50% or more). That’s up from an estimated 27.5% of funding in 2023. In other words, unless there’s some AI hook in your tech company, it’s much more difficult to get funding resulting in fewer investments and smaller amounts in non-AI related tech. It’s an issue that has been raised regularly in 2025 and 2026 by tech firms both in and out of the comic industry.

In total GlobalComix has received $19.7 million in total funding with $13 million of that coming this March. Point72 ventures was part of the Series A funding for the platform in 2023 along with another investor not listed by Crunchbase, a platform that tracks this information. That funding round involved $6.5 million. What’s intriguing is Crunchbase has its “Heat Score” and “Growth Score” both trending down for the digital comics platform.

Sensor Tower estimates GlobalComix with an install range on Android between 500,000 and 1 million, ranked #17 in “comics downloads” in the US. Apple’s install range isn’t listed but it’s estimated to be 30,000 downloads last month, ranked #19 in “Magazines & Newspapers – Downloads” and between the two Sensor Tower estimates a revenue of about $90,000 in the previous month. Add in a reported 2.2 million monthly web visits by Crunchbase and we get an idea of where the platform stands, though the data is questionable and flimsy. Marvel Unlimited, VIZ Manga, Tapas, K Manga, Crunchyroll, Shonen Jump, MANGA Plus, and Webtoon are examples of apps that rank higher for Google Play. Trends are really what matters here, not the snapshot.

But, when it comes to venture investment, one thing is always clear, they’re looking for return on their investment.

In the interview, Rydberg states that “growth continues to accelerate.”

GlobalComix, the company has seen month-over-month increases of 20% after adding top publishers DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Kodansha and Seven Seas to its lineup, and augmenting its subscription-based pricing model with a la carte sales.

The AI Question

When it comes to AI on the platform where does GlobalComix stand? Directly from their Support FAQ:

We allow AI comics to be uploaded at this time, although that may change in the future. We also reserve the right to remove AI content at our discretion.

There are a few key things to be aware of regarding AI content, and by uploading to GlobalComix, you agree to these:

You must disclose the use of AI, whether visual(Art) or written(Story), as part of the release upload process
AI content is not eligible for monetization at this time, including but not limited to GlobalComix Gold revenue and PDF sales
The donation button is disabled in releases utilizing AI Art
We take violations of this policy very seriously. Repeat infractions, particularly around disclosure, may result in actions taken against your creator profile and GlobalComix account.

GlobalComix already was friendly towards the use of AI in the creation of the comics on its platform, but with the acquisition of INKR, the company is diving further into the controversial technology:

Rydberg says the addition of INKR enables GlobalComix to implement a suite of technologies that he characterized as “Figma for comics”: collaborative, AI-assisted tools for translating, formatting and distributing IP globally, overcoming some of the cost and timing issues related to localization.

“AI as a technology gets a lot of attention,” said Rydberg. “We see creators as the very heart of storytelling. But the same way we use computers and software to paint, we want to extend tools to creators and translators to amplify what they’re doing, to make their lives easier and more efficient. We are not in the business of creating foundational models.”

Figma is a “collaborative interface design tool” described as a “web-based graphics editor software” and has dived into app development.

In the article, Rydberg leans into INKR as a “tool” to enable translators to replace text on the “page directly in the balloons and captions, without needing the artist involved.”

There’s been a lot of discussion of the use of AI for translation services, often rejected by fans and readers, receiving a very negative response. Like many industries, the implementation of AI in translation services is costing jobs and driving down salaries. Netflix has said it would use AI for subtitles resulting in boycotts. While this doesn’t sound like a complete replacement for manual labor, any mention of AI brings caution and skepticism in the creative field.

With the acquisition of INKR it’s clear that GlobalComix is focused on that global part not only expanding its offerings but leaning into AI to allow “simpler” translations of the comics hosted on its platform.

SBI US Gateway Fund and Point72 Ventures

Point72 Ventures isn’t new when it comes to investing in GlobalComix having previously done so. Point72 Ventures invests in artificial intelligence, enterprise software, financial services, and FinTech. Crunchbase reports 249 investments with a wide range of values in investment. AI music platforms, technology for the Department of War, video games, and more. Their investments have recently been AI heavy, but diverse in industries and technology focus.

SBI US Gateway Fund is described as a “venture fund that provides funding through investment to early-stage start-ups in US.” Their history is far shorting with just 6 investments beginning in 2023. Their $13 million in GlobalComix is in range with previous investment which range from $3.8 million to a high of $18 million. Their focus is all over with their earliest in Kite AI but from there expanding into IT consulting and healthcare.

While Point72 Ventures has history with GlobalComix, the addition of SBI is interesting as a recent newcomer.

Henrik Rydberg, the new CEO

In the announcement, Rydberg is named the new CEO with co-founder Christopher Carter remaining with the company leading innovation and technology development.

Rydberg has served on the board since January 2025 coming from a the world of startups such as Date Like Goblins, a spin on the dating app, as well as venture investment like Mach49. But, he does have experience in “user experience” as part of Shapeways that can help GlobalComix. A platform whose two top priorities are content and the user experience to consume it and post it, that experience and background could be handy.

Conclusion

GlobalComix has been invested in AI for quite some time now, and at least one major funder, Point72 Ventures, isn’t new. This announcement is an interesting infusion into the company that shows signs of a focus on growth and its investors see potential for it. There’s nothing really new in the vision or goal, they’ve just doubled/tripled down on it. But, with that investment comes a reminder that they are invested in and embrace AI, a technology which has numerous detractors within the comic industry and seen rejection by consumers. It’s easy to see this investment turn sour with such a high profile clear lean into AI.

GlobalComix adds Seven Seas Entertainment

Posted on by
Seven Seas Global Comix

GlobalComix has announced a new partnership with Seven Seas Entertainment. The partnership brings an unparalleled volume of world-class manga, manhwa, and manhua to the platform, featuring more than 50 titles available immediately to GlobalComix Gold members and a total of over 1,000 titles available for digital purchase.

Massive Scale and Exclusive Member Value

This partnership significantly increases the value of the GlobalComix Gold membership. Members now have unlimited access to a curated library of more than 50 Seven Seas titles. Additionally, for the hundreds of titles available via the collectible comic storefront, GlobalComix Gold members will receive an exclusive discount on all Seven Seas purchases, making it easier than ever to build a digital collection.

Day and Date: Stay Current with Ongoing Hits

In a move to serve the most dedicated fans, GlobalComix will offer Day and Date digital releases for new Seven Seas volumes. This ensures that readers can access the newest chapters of active, ongoing series the same day they hit digital shelves.

Ongoing Series Spotlight:

  • Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi: Follow the latest volumes of the global xianxia phenomenon.
  • I’m in Love with the Villainess: Dive into the fan-favorite series that has redefined the “Villainess” and Yuri genres.
  • Skeleton Knight in Another World: Keep up with the high-stakes action of this premier fantasy isekai.

GlobalComix Announces Marvel Mondays

Posted on by
GlobalComix Marvel Mondays

GlobalComix has announced “Marvel Mondays,” a year-long program that will bring ten new Marvel Comics titles to GlobalComix Gold subscribers every Monday throughout 2026.

Starting in January, GlobalComix Gold members will receive new Marvel stories delivered weekly at no additional cost. With a library of more than 100,000 comics available for $6.99 per month or $69 per year, Marvel Mondays underscores GlobalComix Gold’s position as a leading subscription service for readers who want breadth, depth, and ongoing new releases in one place.

Marvel Mondays is designed as a thank you to the GlobalComix Gold community. Announced just before Christmas Eve, the program reflects the company’s gratitude to its members and its commitment to giving back with more content, more consistency, and more reasons to return week after week.

The first Marvel Monday on January 5, 2026 will feature the inclusion of the following comics on GlobalComix Gold:

  • Jeff the Land Shark (2025-) #1-3
  • Magik (2025) #1-5
  • Marvel Rivals (2025) #1
  • Marvel Rivals: Hellfire Gala (2025) #1

Each Monday throughout 2026, ten new Marvel books will be added directly to the GlobalComix Gold library as part of the subscription. The January slate of releases will be revealed alongside the first content drop on January 5, 2026. 

GlobalComix has Launched a Limited Holiday Bundle: New Annual Subscribers Receive 10 Premium Comics to Keep Forever

Posted on by
GlobalComix Holiday Bundle

GlobalComix has announced the Limited Holiday Bundle, a seasonal promotion that gives new Gold annual subscribers 10 premium collectible comics at no additional charge. The bundle is available for a limited time and adds even more value to the Unlimited Gold plan, which already includes access to more than 100,000 comics, manga, and graphic novels.

The Holiday Bundle features titles from Dark Horse, DC, Kodansha, and Marvel. Each selection is a collectible title that becomes a permanent part of the reader’s library the moment it is claimed, which stays with the reader forever, even if they choose not to renew their subscription in the future.

Comics included in the Holiday Bundle

  • Amazing Spider-Man (2025-) #1
  • Amazing Spider-Man (2025-) #2
  • Batman (2025-) #1
  • Blue Lock 1
  • Blue Lock 2
  • Captain America (2025-) #1
  • DC K.O. (2025-) #1
  • DC K.O. (2025-) #2
  • Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 15: Brothers of the Grass
  • Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 16: Gateway into Winter

The Holiday Bundle is available exclusively to first time purchasers of the GlobalComix Gold annual plan, priced at $69 per year. Readers can explore the full selection and sign up.

GlobalComix Continues its Expansion with Magma Comix, Marvel, Chispa Comics, and DC

Posted on by
GlobalComix

GlobalComix has spent 2025 focusing on growth and expanding the publishers available on the digital comic platform.

Earlier this year, IDW Publishing, Kodansha, and Archie Comics joined the platform, and expanded its offerings when it comes to manga. In the past month, GlobalComix has announced the addition of DC Comics, Chispa Comics, Marvel, and now Magma Comix.

In September, DC Comics went day-and-date as well as adding back catalog releases, more than 30,000 individual issues, volumes, and collected editions.

Chispa Comics followed in late September, bringing six series to the platform with more to come including GlobalComix-first exclusives.

On October 15, Marvel comics to the digital platform as part of the GlobalComix Gold membership which is available for $6.99/month or $69/year. eekly new releases will also be offered for individual purchase, with exclusive discounts for Gold members. Hundreds of Marvel comics will be available for Gold members with day-and-date releases starting on the 15th available for individual purchases with exclusive members-only discounts.

Today, Magma Comix and GlobalComix have announced an exclusive vertical scroll edition of The Pedestrian.

The Pedestrian has quickly established itself as one of the standout titles of 2025. Recognized by peers and fans alike, earlier this year, the series was nominated for “Best New Series” at the Eisner Awards, and has also been nominated for the prestigious Ringo Award for “Best Series”, with the Ringo Awards ceremony taking place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Baltimore Comic-Con in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Pedestrian is the first vertical scroll original that GlobalComix is producing in partnership with Magma Comix. This collaboration represents a new chapter for both companies, combining Magma’s bold, creator-driven storytelling with GlobalComix’s innovative publishing formats to deliver a reading experience tailored for modern audiences.

Global Comix and Comix Wellspring Partner for Print-on-Demand

Posted on by
GlobalComix

GlobalComix and Comix Wellspring have joined forces to launch a creator-first, print-on-demand solution that bridges the gap between digital reach and physical publishing, one copy at a time.

Starting in the U.S. and expanding globally, GlobalComix Print gives comic creators and publishers the unprecedented ability to sell professionally printed copies of their books directly to fans, without managing inventory, logistics, or costly minimum print runs. With the service, creators can sell their printed comics without upfront investment on GlobalComix, via personal storefronts and direct social media links. International publishers can sell their books to US consumers without fighting for shelf space or dealing with tariffs.

This solution is built by and for the comic book community. Comix Wellspring prints in-house, ensuring fast, consistent, high-quality results that meet the unique needs of comic creators. GlobalComix and Comix Wellspring are building an infrastructure that can scale globally, while keeping control and profits in the hands of the artists.

What Makes This Different:

  • Fast turnaround, high quality, no inventory
  • Set your own margins, control your brand
  • Sell via GlobalComix or social media
  • Print quality built specifically for comics

The program launches with select group of creators and publishers in August, followed by a broader rollout in Q4 2025.

Bulk print options are also available for creators who want inventory for conventions, retail, or fulfillment, and a full range of merchandise, posters, and apparel will be added in upcoming phases.

To mark this exciting collaboration, Comix Wellspring is offering a 10% discount on all book print orders until the end of August 2025. This limited-time promotion is designed to help creators bring their projects to life while enjoying significant savings. Just use the code GlobalC10 on your order to receive the discount!

SDCC 2025: Oni Press and The Nacelle Company rev up the CBLDF Welcome Party with Biker Mice From Mars

Posted on by

In partnership with the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), Oni Press and The Nacelle Company announce the return of the CBLDF’s annual San Diego Comic-Con Welcome Party at The Westgate Hotel on Thursday, July 24th from 8 PM to 12 MIDNIGHT PT.

Joining Oni Press and The Nacelle Company – now in their second year as flagship co-sponsors for San Diego’s premier comic industry party and fundraiser – are an impressive array of co-sponsors from the worlds of comic books, graphic novels, toys, games, collectibles, and more, including Mad Cave Studios, Kickstarter, Global Comix, and Raremarq. 

Together, this year’s impressive roster of sponsors will reach be generously donating an array of limited-edition SDCC collectibles and promotional giveaways for CBLDF Welcome Party gift bags – free to the first 50 attendees who make a donation of $25 or more to benefit the CBLDF at the door – with items, including randomly inserted, highly sought-after Biker Mice From Mars #1 variant covers by artists Simon Bisley, Kano, Karl Kerschl, and Dustin Weaver from Oni Press; a limited-edition Speed Racer bandana and a signed copy of Speed Racer #0 from Mad Cave Studios; a brand new zine from Kickstarter, featuring expert crowdfunding tips from creators like Charlie Stickney, Kat Calamia, Spike Trotman, Mira Ong Chua, and more; as well as more graphic novel and collectibles yet-to-be revealed.

The evening’s festivities will also feature the return of the CBLDF’s annual San Diego Comic-Con Silent Auction, featuring comic art and other collectibles donated by a wide array of supporting contributors from across the worlds of comics and entertainment, including Heroic Signatures, Mad Cave Studios, The Nacelle Company, Oni Press, and more. 

Admission to the event is free for CBLDF members and a $25 donation for the general public at the door to support the CBLDF’s ongoing work in protecting free speech and creative expression. Click here for tickets and more details. (A SDCC badge is NOT required to attend.) You can find the CBLDF at booth #1629, Oni Press at Booth #1829, Nacelle at Booth 2547, and Mad Cave at Booth #2806.

Oni Press is currently raising funds for the CBLDF and other anti-censorship organizations with its ongoing “Fight Censorship, Read Comics!” advocacy campaign, which is currently offering a slate of exclusive pre-order merchandise designed by Kobabe through August 20th.

BIKER MICE FROM MARS ART BY SIMON BISLEY

GlobalComix Drops Gold Membership Price to $6.99/Month as IDW Day-and-Date Launches

Posted on by
GlobalComix

IDW Publishing’s day-and-date releases are officially live on GlobalComix, launching alongside a major update to the platform’s pricing.

The GlobalComix Gold membership now features unified pricing across web and app, making it easier than ever to access top-tier comics from any device.

The new pricing is:

  • $6.99/month (previously $7.99 on web and $9.99 in-app)
  • $69/year (previously $89.99 on web and $109.99 in-app)

To mark the occasion, GlobalComix has released 176 IDW titles – including single issues, volumes, and trades – on Gold, instantly accessible to all members. This includes fan-favorite series such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sonic the Hedgehog, Star Trek, Godzilla, My Little Pony, and more.

All day-and-date IDW titles are also available for single-book purchases, including 12 titles from IDW’s Top Shelf Productions imprint.

Stranger Comics Joins GlobalComix as the Publisher Celebrates 15 Years

Posted on by
Stranger Comics on GlobalComix

GlobalComix has announced that Stranger Comics is debuting its popular library of afro-fantasy titles on the digital comics platform including the Asunda Universe essentials Niobe: She is Life & She is Death, Tales of Asunda, and more. In addition to bringing Stranger Comics’ graphic fiction catalog to the platform, GlobalComix is working to reimagine its series as vertical scroll episodes, helping introduce the series to today’s generation of mobile-first readers. The first will be the critically acclaimed series Niobe: She is Life & The Untamed, followed by more stories from Tales of Asunda.

Tales of Asunda is an ongoing series in the expanding, interconnected world of Asunda, which is rich in culture and tradition with years of development. It celebrates many of its lead characters and backdrops in afro-fantasy-inspired settings with emotional themes that resonate globally on a deeply human level. The latest installment, NIOBE: She Tribe is written by President of Stranger Sebastian A. Jones, with co-writer Emmy-nominated actress Thuso Mbedu. NIOBE: She Tribe tackles the pros and cons of “tradition,” asking both character and reader if all traditions are good, to be followed as law, binding in mind, body, and spirit. If they are disputed, what are the motives? If they are flawed, how can they be resolved? And if traditions are changed, how can people accept and evolve? When Niobe learns of a tradition that a tribal chief is decided in a fight to the death she must choose between challenging and changing an ancient custom or remaining hidden from the world and her destiny.

Incredible titles from Stranger Comics and many more are available in the GlobalComix App for iOS and Google Play and on the web. 

« Older Entries