Last week, popular comic book artist Adi Granov claimed that Francesco Mattina, an artist who regularly works on various covers for DC titles (with three commissioned covers set to be released in September 2024), used generative artificial intelligence (AI) for at least some of his covers. Now, DC has pulled all of Mattina’s upcoming covers, including those that were previously commissioned.
Rich Johnston was the first to notice the changes to the solicitations, stating that while most covers are now “to be announced,” for one book, DC has brought forward a cover that was set to appear in a future issue by several months, replacing it with a Matina cover that will soon be released.
Related
Manga artist criticizes AI art for “solving a problem that doesn’t exist”
Cartoonist Daniel Kibblesmith has caused a stir on social media with a series of posts explaining how AI art solves “non-existent problems.”
What were the charges against Matina?
Last week, star artist Adi Granov, best known for his work on Iron Man (who would eventually go on to be heavily involved in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a designer and concept artist), posted the following message on his Facebook page:
When the image generator first garnered attention, the first person who came to mind was habitual plagiarist Francesco Mattina, because I figured he’d think Christmas came all at once. In case you don’t remember, he’s made a career out of photo-bashing other people’s art (including mine) and refashioning it into whatever he wants to call his own “work.” I don’t post about artists I dislike, but I don’t consider him an artist, and I can’t hide my disgust at the blatant plagiarism that continues. Anyway, here’s his new cover. Not only is he bad, he can’t even hide his obvious mistake on one of pop culture’s most iconic symbols.
Here’s a closer look at Superman’s S symbol. The bottom part looks like it’s been duplicated many times…
Granoff’s claims (which he elaborated further in the comments of the post, mentioning other questionable aspects of the artwork) spread quickly, and other fans and artists began criticizing other covers Mattina had commissioned in September, including the covers for Superman #18 and Batman: The Brave and the Bold #17…
Related
Manga artist explains why Adobe Photoshop is “dead” for him
In a viral social media post responding to Adobe’s use of AI, popular cartoonist Yannick Paquette explained why Photoshop is “dead” for him.
What do the new DC solicitations look like?
DC recently changed their solicitation so that books originally credited to Mattina are now listed as “TBA”…
Action Comics #1069 CVR C TBA Card Stock VAR
Retail Price: $5.99 Discount: 53% Price: $2.8153 Trim: COMIC 6 5/8″ x 10 3/16″
0724DC145
| JUL247145 | DCC24070145 | DC Comics(W) Gail Simone, Rainbow Rowell (A) Eddie Burrows, Danny Miki, Kian Tolmay (CA) TBA
As the Superman Age of Superstar continues, intergalactic war breaks out! The challenges continue as Superman becomes an unwilling warrior in the War of a Thousand Worlds! If he doesn’t succeed, he will lose the cities of Paris, Chicago and Kandor! Join us for a wild tale of adventure and intergalactic war! Plus, how can Lois and Clark continue to work together without sacrificing their values - and their relationship?
Matina’s Batman: The Brave and the Bold The cover for issue #15 has already been replaced with a cover by Khary Randolph (the Randolph cover was scheduled to appear in a future issue; of course, that future Randolph cover is also currently “TBD”).
CBR reached out to DC for comment but did not receive a response from the publication.
Source: DC Solicitations (by Rich Johnston)
