‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Artbook Faces Backlash Over AI-Generated Art Concerns

Marvel Studios has established its “Art of the Movie” book series as a cherished tradition among fans, providing an oversized, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the visual identity of each blockbuster long before filming begins. These books have traditionally celebrated the artistry behind Marvel’s major films, giving concept artists a rare opportunity to showcase work that typically remains within studio archives.

However, this reputation is now under scrutiny following the release of “The Art of Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which became available just weeks after the film’s record-breaking theatrical success. The hardcover collection promised an exclusive look at everything from initial sketches to final character designs, including a chapter dedicated to how the production recreated New York City while filming mainly in Glasgow and at Pinewood Studios.

Unfortunately, the initial excitement has quickly turned to discontent, as the artbook has sparked backlash over allegations that generative AI was utilized in at least one piece of concept art. According to The Direct, the artwork in question, titled “Big City, Little Spider” and attributed to artist Scott McInnes, exhibits clear signs of AI generation, including unusual warping and distorted shapes in several buildings.

The most apparent indicators of AI involvement are visible in the image’s vehicles and architecture. The Direct’s analysis highlighted two taxis moving in opposite directions that seem to warp into one another, along with a fire escape on the left side of the image that displays clear distortion and odd shaping, both classic signs of an AI system struggling to complete missing visual details.

Upon further review of the rest of the artbook, “Big City, Little Spider” appears to be the only artwork exhibiting these noticeable warning signs, suggesting that the issue may be limited to a single image rather than a widespread problem throughout the collection. Nevertheless, this discovery has rapidly circulated across fan forums and social media, prompting increased scrutiny of every page since the concern first emerged.

McInnes, the artist credited with the piece, has a robust background in blockbuster concept work, having previously contributed to Sony’s Spider-Man Universe as a concept artist on “Morbius.” His extensive résumé includes collaborations with Marvel Studios on “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” along with credits on “Bridgerton,” “Gladiator 2,” “Wonka,” “Andor,” “Barbie,” and “Masters of the Universe.”

Reactions within fan communities have been largely critical, with discussions on forums like ResetEra expressing disappointment that a film as commercially successful as “Brand New Day” would seemingly rely on AI tools instead of compensating human artists for each piece of concept work. Commenters specifically noted the irony of a production this profitable cutting corners on a single taxi cab illustration, with some questioning whether anyone reviewed the artbook’s contents prior to printing.

This isn’t the first instance of Marvel Studios facing criticism over AI usage in its productions, and the timing is particularly unfortunate given how the material surfaced. Since the concept art in question wasn’t shown directly to theatrical audiences, its inclusion in a collector’s artbook priced at nearly $50 means the controversy arose after fans had already purchased the product, rather than being flagged beforehand.

As of publication, Marvel Studios has not publicly addressed the AI concerns, leaving fans to wonder whether the studio will acknowledge the artwork’s origins or quietly rectify the issue in future printings. Given how swiftly the discovery has spread across platforms like X and dedicated fan forums, pressure on the studio to clarify its stance is likely to continue mounting.

For a franchise that has heavily relied on its reputation for meticulous, hands-on visual craftsmanship, the emergence of a single piece of suspected AI artwork slipping through quality control threatens to undermine the goodwill built around the film’s otherwise well-received theatrical release.

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