‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Artbook Sparks Backlash Over Suspected AI-Generated Concept Art

Marvel Studios has built its “Art of the Movie” book series into a genuine tradition for fans, offering an oversized, behind-the-scenes look at how each blockbuster’s visual identity comes together long before cameras start rolling. These books have typically been treated as celebrations of the human craftsmanship behind Marvel’s biggest films, giving concept artists a rare spotlight for work usually confined to internal studio archives.

That reputation is now facing a serious challenge following the release of “The Art of Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which hit shelves just weeks after the film’s record-breaking theatrical run. The hardcover collection promised an exclusive look at everything from early sketches to final character designs, including an entire chapter dedicated to how the production recreated New York City while filming primarily in Glasgow and on Pinewood Studios sets.

That celebratory reception has quickly soured, though, as the artbook has ignited backlash over concerns that generative AI was used in at least one piece of concept art. According to The Direct, the piece in question, titled “Big City, Little Spider” and credited to artist Scott McInnes, shows telltale signs of AI generation, including strange warping and distorted shapes across several buildings.

The most obvious giveaways appear in the image’s vehicles and architecture. The Direct’s analysis pointed to two taxis driving in different directions that appear to be warping into each other, along with a fire escape stairway on the left side of the frame showing clear distortion and strange shaping, both classic signs of an AI system struggling to fill in missing visual details.

Upon closer examination of the rest of the artbook, “Big City, Little Spider” appears to be the only piece showing these obvious warning signs, suggesting the issue may be isolated to a single image rather than a pattern spread throughout the collection. Still, that hasn’t stopped the discovery from spreading rapidly across fan forums and social media, where scrutiny of every page has intensified since the concern first surfaced.

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

Reaction within fan communities has leaned heavily critical, with discussion threads on forums like ResetEra expressing frustration that a film as commercially successful as “Brand New Day” would apparently rely on AI tools rather than paying human artists for every 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 before it went to print.

This isn’t the first time Marvel Studios has faced scrutiny over AI usage in its productions, and the timing here is particularly awkward 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 essentially emerged after fans had already paid for the product, rather than being flagged before purchase.

Marvel Studios has not issued any public response addressing the AI concerns as of publication, leaving fans to speculate about whether the studio will acknowledge the artwork’s origins or quietly address it in future printings. Given how quickly the discovery spread across platforms like X and dedicated fan forums, pressure on the studio to clarify its position is likely to keep mounting.

For a franchise that’s leaned heavily on its reputation for meticulous, hands-on visual craftsmanship, having a single piece of suspected AI artwork slip through quality control threatens to undercut months of goodwill built around the film’s otherwise well-received theatrical run.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!