Quote from Tabby at TMMN when it was first announced:
I asked about the delay [at Otacon, with project manager Jim] with the Zero book and they explained to me. They had to treat the RMZ book differently cause Capcom producers had to sign off on EVERYTHING... and it would take them months at a time. They also had printing problems, and have switched printers to a nice one.
They assured us that now that they know they have to go through these channels, it will go quicker, and they will not announce a release date until they're -sure-.
So, safe to say they are not sure yet. And Ash, who did some work for MMZOCW and said he was also going to be working on M20, basically echoed the same thing. Chances are it'll be during the 21st Anniversary, hate to tell ya.
As far as the art you are talking about...the final special illustration spread, you mean? I think it was just a general art piece, but if you want to jump to conclusions that since there are wires in his feet and buster while Light is working on him, that it was an illustration of Light removing his slide and charge shot capabilities, well, it is an interesting suspicion. But I'd still say it was just a general art tribute piece.