Over the last couple of years, Disney has managed to capture the imagination of fans in an unexpected way: through a trading card game. Disney Lorcana burst onto the scene with the support of Ravensburger, offering a collectible experience that rivals even the most established titles.
The game takes place in a rich, original setting called the Inklands, where players become Illumineers and use magical ink to summon Glimmers—reflections of beloved Disney characters.
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The cards themselves became instant hits, selling out almost as quickly as they were stocked. Rare cards are now reselling for eye-watering prices, sometimes in the tens of thousands, and quests tied to the game have even popped up at Disney California Adventure Park.
With so much excitement surrounding the property, it’s no wonder that the artists who bring Lorcana to life have gained their own followings and reputations within the fan community.
That’s what made the recent controversy so shocking. One of Lorcana’s best-known artists suddenly found himself facing troubling accusations that have shaken fans’ trust. The allegations included the use of artificial intelligence in his Disney work, scamming fans at conventions, and even tracing artwork created by another Disney artist.
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The story first emerged on social media, where X (formerly Twitter) user @Toon-Emu accused artist James C. Mulligan of using AI to produce portions of his Lorcana art.
According to their post, Mulligan then sold the pieces as originals, charging customers hundreds of dollars. The claim quickly gained traction online, with fans demanding answers about the integrity of the artwork and whether Disney or Ravensburger would take action.
In the flurry of responses that followed, a person commenting on behalf of Disney Lorcana emphasized that the company enforces a strict policy against AI-generated art. The company has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to AI-generated images. They added that the matter would be escalated directly to the creative directors. Within days, media outlets were reporting that Mulligan had been fired.
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Mulligan, however, denied these claims. In a lengthy Facebook post, he insisted he never used AI to produce his designs and that he was not terminated. Mr. Mulligan said that he would like to share more information, but he could not do so without express written consent. His response did little to settle the issue, and instead fueled more speculation about what really happened behind the scenes.
Mr. Mulligan contributed to three cards in the series: Flounder: Collector’s Companion, White Rabbit: Royal Herald, and Transformed Chef: Castle Stove.
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Despite only producing a few cards, Mulligan’s social media presence allowed him to become one of the more recognizable figures associated with the game.
Internet research further revealed that Mulligan was involved in far more serious issues than AI use. It has been claimed that Mr. Mulligan traced artwork by Disney artist Jeff Merghart, claimed it as his own, and sold the traced versions to fans across the United States.
If accurate, these revelations suggest that the controversy extends beyond questions of digital enhancement into outright theft of creative work.
Fans of Lorcana expressed disappointment and frustration as the story continued to unfold. Some pointed out that Mulligan was a skilled artist and had no need to turn to shortcuts like tracing or AI. Others voiced outrage at the idea that collectors may have unknowingly purchased artwork that wasn’t original.
At the same time, Disney and Ravensburger have not issued official comments on the allegations. This lack of clarity has left fans speculating about whether Mulligan’s cards will continue to be printed, whether new art will replace them, and if further consequences are still to come.
Currently, the cards credited to Mulligan remain part of Lorcana’s catalog, but that could change depending on how the companies address the issue.
What do you think about the ongoing controversy surrounding this Disney Lorcana artist? Do you think artists should never be allowed to use AI to enhance their images, or do you think it is something that was bound to happen? How do you think Disney should handle artists who use AI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Hey. The artist here. These claims are entirely false. I’ve not been let go from anything. I finished working my contract with Lorcana over a year ago and nothing has changed in terms of my working contracts today. The claims of copied work were from model sheets which is common practice. If you’d like an actual comment from the person involved instead of bad journalism then feel free to reach out.