artSaturday, July 25, 2026

Del Toro's AI promise, DC's Comic-Con day

Guillermo Del Toro's emphatic anti-AI stance for the Pan's Labyrinth re-release sets a tone for the day, while DC dominates Comic-Con with new announcements. Elsewhere, SoundCloud's acquisition of Nina Protocol signals consolidation in independent music, and a Japanese art trend turns school blackboards into canvases.

Sources

AI and art

Del Toro's Comic-Con promise is the day's loudest statement on art and technology.

#01deadline.comJul 25

Guillermo Del Toro Assures “No Godd*mn AI” Used In ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ 3D Re-Release — Comic-Con

Del Toro explicitly promised no AI was used in the 3D restoration of Pan's Labyrinth, calling it more expensive but worth protecting 'the beauty and redeeming power of art.' It's a pointed stance as Hollywood debates AI's role.

by Glenn Garner3 min readRead original

Comic-Con momentum

DC's day 2 announcements keep the convention buzz going, while a cult horror host gets its due.

#02comicsxf.comJul 25

DC owns Comic-Con Day 2 with Batman, Vixen announcements

DC stacked its Comic-Con day 2 with new Batman and Vixen series, plus multiple minis and one-shots. It's a clear bid to own the convention's narrative after Marvel's quieter presence.

#03www.indiewire.comJul 25

Never Forget Cryptina: Horror's Most Awkward Host — After Dark

IndieWire's deep dive on Cryptina, an obscure horror host from Fantasia Film Festival, argues that forgotten genre creations can leave lasting cult impressions. It's a nice counterpoint to the blockbuster Comic-Con noise.

Music and media

SoundCloud's acquisition and a vinyl reissue show the independent music ecosystem shifting.

#04culturedailynews.comJul 25

SoundCloud Acquires What’s Left of Nina Protocol

SoundCloud acquires what's left of Nina Protocol, the independent music platform that shut down earlier this year. The deal preserves Nina's catalog but raises questions about consolidation in indie music distribution.

#05retrofuturista.comJul 25

Dazzling Killmen Press Face of Collapse on Colored Vinyl for Skin Graft Records

Skin Graft Records reissues Dazzling Killmen's 1994 noise-rock album 'Face of Collapse' on colored vinyl, restoring it to single-disc format. A niche but welcome archival move for experimental music fans.