DC Comics withdraws all unpublished Francesco Mattina covers over AI use accusations.
Significant criticism from industry peers, including Adi Granov and Scott Williams.
Titles like Action Comics, Brave and The Bold, and Superman affected by the change.
Cian Tormey warns artists against the use of AI, emphasizing legal concerns.
Last week. Bleeding Cool reported on significant criticism directed at comic book cover artist Francesco Mattina as the likes of super hunk of the decade artistAdi Granov and Scott Williams, inking partner of the Publisher and CCO of DC Comics, accused him of using AI in recently released cover artwork for DC Comics. Well, it seems to have gone right to the top, and DC Comics is making some changes. They have pulled all unpublished cover artwork by Francesco Mattina and are in the process of replacing it. The following cover to Action Comics #1069 has been withdrawn and is currently To Be Announced…
Action Comics #1069 by Mattina, withdrawn
ACTION COMICS #1069 CVR C TBA CARD STOCK VAR
(W) Gail Simone, Rainbow Rowell (A) Eddy Barrows, Danny Miki, Cian Tormey (CA) TBA
IT'S INTERGALACTIC WAR AS THE SUPERMAN SUPERSTARS ERA CONTINUES! THE CHALLENGES CONTINUE as Superman finds himself an UNWILLING GLADIATOR in a war of a thousand worlds! Either he completes the challenges, or we lose the cities of Paris, Chicago, and KANDOR! Join us on a wild tale of adventure and inter-galactic WAR! Plus, is there a way for Lois and Clark to keep working together without compromising their values–and their relationship? Retail: $5.99 In-Store Date: 9/25/2024
Brave And The Bold #15/16 by Mattina, withdrawn
Brave And The Bold #17 by Mattina, withdrawn
Brave And The Bold #15 by Randolph, replacement
Brave And The Bold #15 has seen Francesco Mattina's cover replaced by that of one by Khary Randolph. The same cover was then also solicited for #16 which now had a TBA. Brave And The Bold #17 has also seen his cover replaced by a TBA.
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #15 CVR B KHARY RANDOLPH VAR
(W) Various (A) Various (CA) Khary Randolph
Written by Tim Seeley, Mark Russell, Joshua Hale Fialkov Art by Kelley Jones, Jon Mikel, Lisandro Estherren and Andy MacDonald Nightwing and Deadman's journey down long-forgotten circus paths begins to reveal answers…but they might wish it hadn't! Booster Gold realizes getting everyone to agree on a perfect timeline is easier said than done! Batman and Guy Gardner face the secrets of the universe! And finally, our hard-hitting Question story begins as Renee Montoya finds herself under attack as both the commissioner and the Question! Retail: In-Store Date: 7/24/2024
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #16 CVR B TBA VAR
(W) Tim Seeley, Torunn Gronbekk, Alex Segura (A) Kelley Jones, Fernando Pasarin, Andy MacDonald (CA) TBA
Nightwing and Deadman come face-to-face with the sinister Unfallen in the final chapter of Tim Seeley and Kelley Jones's terrifying team-up! Lois Lane finds herself in the midst of a deadly conspiracy! And the Question desperately searches for answers about the strange villain menacing her life! Retail: $7.99 In-Store Date: 8/28/2024
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #17 CVR B TBA VAR
(W) Various (A) Various (CA) TBA
Written by Michael Conrad, Torunn Gronbekk and Alex Segura Art by Miguel Mendonca, Christopher Mitten, Fernando Pasarin and Andy MacDonald Leap year only comes once every four years, and for most, an extra day on the calendar is a mild novelty. But for Calendar Man, it's a critical error in that which he holds most dear–and now, Batman and the GCPD respond to a deadly hostage situation, but can they work together to stop Calendar Man before it's too late? Then, Lois Lane dives deeper into a massive conspiracy–but will it swallow her up in the process? And lastly, the Question–with the help of a surprise guest star–unmasks the mysterious villain Zero! Retail: $7.99 In-Store Date: 9/25/2024
Superman #17 by by Mattina, withdrawn
Superman #17 has seen Francesco Mattina's cover replaced by a TBA.
SUPERMAN #17 CVR D TBA CARD STOCK VAR (ABSOLUTE POWER)
(W) Joshua Williamson (A) Jamal Campbell (CA) TBA
ABSOLUTE POWER TIE-IN! After the traumatic events of Absolute Power #2, Superman and Zatanna trek into the darkest areas of the DC Universe to find a way to stop Waller and her growing army. Powerless and without magic, are they willing to make a deal with a devil to save the world? Retail: $5.99 In-Store Date: 8/21/2024
Superman #18 by Mattina, withdrawn
Superman #18 has seen Francesco Mattina's cover also replaced by a TBA.
SUPERMAN #18 CVR B TBA CARD STOCK VAR (ABSOLUTE POWER)
(W) Joshua Williamson (A) Jamal Campbell (CA) TBA
ABSOLUTE POWER TIE-IN! Waller has the powerless heroes of the DC Universe on the ropes! Can the powerless Superman and Zatanna find the mystical map to the Dark Roads in time to get some major back-up?! Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Mercy, Jimmy, and Silver Banshee are on the run from the superpowered Amazos but find themselves pulled into a battle for the soul of Metropolis! Don't miss the shocking cliffhanger that impacts the future of the Superman titles! Retail: $5.99 In-Store Date: 9/18/2024
Dark Knights Of Steel: Allwinter #1 by Francesco Mattina, withdran
And Dark Knights Of Steel: Allwinter #1 has seen Francesco Mattina's cover and foil version switched around, replaced with covers by Dan Panosian,Homare and Tirso Cons.
DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL ALLWINTER #1 (OF 6) CVR E INC 1:25 DAN PANOSIAN VIRGIN CARD STOCK VAR
(W) Jay Kristoff, Tom Taylor (A) Tirso Cons, Riccardo Federici (CA) Dan Panosian
The snow falls thick, blood runs black, and color itself is only a distant memory. The legendary assassin Deathstroke stalks a frozen wasteland, killing for coin among a nation of ever-warring jarls. But when our murderer for hire finds himself cast in the role of reluctant guardian, will he fight to end the icy curse destroying his land or be consumed by the sins of his own dark past? The red-hot Dark Knights of Steel epic expands into bone-chilling new territories with new surprises in store! Retail: $5.99 In-Store Date: 7/17/2024
The biggest issue that publishers may have with swiping and AI, rather than annoying other creators, is that it is possible they may not own the final product and that the freelancer may not have the rights to the work that they represent – and are paid for. Cian Tormey issued a warning."Editors hire you to turn in cover art, and right now they're not on the look out for AI art, they trust the work you submit. No conspiracy from DC, no nefarious editorial behaviour- it's so rare, of course, things get missed. It is purely on the artist if they make this choice."
Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from The Union Club on Greek Street, shops at Gosh, Piranha and FP. Father of two daughters. Political cartoonist.
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