Quoted from NJGecko:New definitely looks good! My own opinion is that it may look nicer than original, but it can't be better ...original is original, and you can't top that If they came out with high-def mona lisa, it would be nicer, but in a different way....
Comparing the Mona Lisa to rushed out, poor quality printing that took halftone prints and well... is ridiculous at best. Mona Lisa is a painting, done by brush and hand that is how the artist wanted it to be produced (or so we assume). When you see halftone done properly (think of the Roy Liechtenstein paintings for an exploded view) it does look crisp and clean. Williams wasn't necessarily doing great reproductions of the artists intent at all stages. Imagine an original Ford Pinto with its increased likelihood of fire and explosion from gas tank problems, then think of a redone/aftermarket fix that meant that you and your family could drive safely. Yes, original is original, circular thinking. Putting myself in the artist's place, I would want the improved reproduction with quality halftone.
Unfortunately, it seems as though original artwork and drawings aren't all available and to compare resolutions is silly since the originals were hand drawn, not digitized jobs. (At least not on the early stuff, though I guess it's possible some shops were using Photoshop, I was in high school back in 1990 I think, Corel Draw back then as well.)