One of the biggest complaints about the recently completed Infinite Crisis mini from detractors as well as fans of the series was that the artwork progressively worsened as the issues rolled out. Well, according to this week’s All The Rage, DC is well aware of this and when fans inquire as to the availablity of original art from agent/art dealer Spencer Beck, they’re treated to the folowing reply:

As you may have seen, DC recently solicited a Hardcover Collection of the 7 Infinite Crisis Issues. Due to turnarounds associated with getting the individual issues out close to their original schedules, certain artistic choices were made in the interest of expediency that they are now choosing to fix as part of the Hardcover collection. Until the decisions are made as to which pages will be modified and how those modifications are to be done, DC editorial has chosen to not release the pages back from Issues 2-7 until this process is complete. Until the decisions are made as to which pages will be modified and how those modifications are to be done, DC editorial has chosen to not release the pages back from Issues 2-7 until this process is complete.

As my friend Tae put it, DC’s biggest event in 20 years, and they couldn’t get their shit together? This is really, really sad. I don’t want to get the damned hardcover collection, but I really feel burned knowing that DC wasn’t organized enough on this thing for me to get what they consider acceptable art into the issues that I paid for. I can’t even blame the artists, either. Much like the heinous Kordey issues of New X-Men, these guys were called in at the last minute because editorial screwed up their scheduling and needed shit turned around ASAP. Judging by the almost total meltdown in quality in the final issue, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the artists were given a day or less to turn around some of the pages.

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