Better Late or Never?

So today issue #4 of DC Comics "summer blockbuster" Final Crisis came out after more than a month of delay featuring an extra name on the cover.

Final Crisis, the brain-child of writer Grant Morrison and artist J.G. Jones was met with a thunderous "yay!" when announced and shortly after it was followed by a worried "ehhh".

Both creators are fantastic in the respective artforms. Morrison is easily on his way to becoming one of the greatest writers of our time and Jones' hyper realistic artwork is jaw-droppingly good. So why the worry? Well, comics like all things take time to create, and sometimes good comics take longer.

As soon as the creative team for FC was announced the worries of the title running late started. Dan Didio, Executive Editor at DC Comics, went on record stating that DC was doing everything they could short of chaining Jones to his art table, to make sure this miniseries would come out on time.

Fans still worried. According to interviews Jones knew he was in over his head but was approaching the project with glee and still making his best attempt.

Then in an interview after issue #1 was released Jones noted he had just recieved the script for #3. Now keeping in mind that Jones was pencilling, inking and painting two covers for each book, the fans really began to worry.

But there was a scheduled month break between issues #3 and #4 so hopefully Jones would be able to catch up then? Soon after it was announced that artist Carlos Pacheco would be joining Jones on artwork from issue #4 on.

Fans erupted.

Then on Monday when DC released their Solicitations for January 2009:

FINAL CRISIS #7
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Covers by J.G. Jones and Doug Mahnke
The dramatic finale to the epic, seven-part saga of the DC multiverse concludes with an apocalyptic battle for the soul of humanity that must be seen to be believed! Can the heroes of 52 Earths save the multiverse? And is the only way to save it, to change it forever?

Jones was unable to do the pencils for the final issue. The next day Jones issued a statement over at Comic Book Resources stating:

“Any problems completing the series are my own. I love Doug Mahnke’s art, and he would have probably been a better choice to draw this series in the first place.”

Jones ended his with an apology to his “three or four remaining fans” and thanked them for picking up his work.

But here's the thing, DC realized that they had a problem on their hands and did what they could to correct it, by assigning fill-in artists on the remaining issues to keep it on schedule. Their only other option would have been to leave Jones solo on the project and further delay the release.

Sadly it's a case of "damned if you do..." for DC. Because now fans are clamoring saying they knew this would happen, others complain that they want Jones on the book. How can you please everyone?

DC's trying to do what they can. But unfortunately stuck in the middle of all this is J.G. Jones. It's clear from his statements that he's obviously depressed about the situation, because not only is he letting down fans, but the company he works for.

So what's better, getting the product you want late? Or getting a suitable fill in now?