The term ashcan, coined during the Golden Age referred to the practice of creating a physical comic book for purposes of registering the trademark for titles and logos to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It is rare for early ashcans to have survived. Ashcans are now used as a marketing device by publishers and are the equivalent of a preview. Modern ashcans will be included in this list if their resale value exceeds the amount of their initial selling cost.

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Ashcan ⋅ DC ⋅ 1937
Low
$3.5k
Mid
$11.3k
High
$35k

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, printed for purposes of copyrighting the title 'Action Comics' and a way to prevent competitors from stealing a similarly named title

Interior pages are from Detective Comics #10

The cover art was later used for Action Comics #3

Harry Donenfeld, the publisher of DC at the time also created ashcans with the title Double Action Comics and Triple Action Comics

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There are three copies of the Action Funnies ashcan known to exist:

One is said to be locked in a DC Comics vault

One graded 8.5 sold in 2021 for $57,600

One ungraded sold in 2012 for $10,157.50

Ashcan ⋅ DC ⋅ 1937
Low
$11.5k
Mid
$38k
High
$115k

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, printed for purposes of copyrighting the title

Interior pages are from Detective Comics #1

Cover is the rejected artwork of Detective Comics #1

There are three copies known to exist:

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One is said to be locked in a DC Comics vault

One graded 9.0 sold in 2010 for $50,000

One graded 9.2 sold in 2021 for $204,000

Ashcan ⋅ Independent ⋅ 2022
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

14-page ashcan preview, limited to 2,000 copies

Ashcan ⋅ DC ⋅ 1944
Low
$2.8k
Mid
$880
High
$28.8k

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, published to establish title trademark

Reprinted cover from Boy Commandos #1 with interior pages from Action Comics #80

One copy known to exist, ungraded

Existence of this ashcan did not surface until 1987

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Supergirl character introduced in 1959 and Supergirl title not used until 1972

Ashcan ⋅ DC ⋅ 1942
Low
$4.8k
Mid
$12.8k
High
$48k

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, published to establish title trademark

Submitted to secure the 'Superboy' title three years prior to the introduction of the character and seven years before a Superboy title was launched

Reprinted cover from Detective Comics #57 with interior pages from Action Comics #38

Ashcan ⋅ DC ⋅ 1942
Low
$4.5k
Mid
$12k
High
$45k

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, published to establish title trademark

Reprinted cover from More Fun Comics #73 with interior pages from Action Comics #38

First Superwoman title launched in 2016

One copy known to exist graded 7.0

Ashcan ⋅ DC ⋅ 1939
Low
$28k
Mid
$90k
High
$280k

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, published to establish title trademark

8-page reprint of Action Comics #7 including cover art

Two copies known to exist

Reprint ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2007
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

28-page mini-comic that reprints New Avengers: Illuminati #1 (2007)

Distributed with Marvel animated DVD release, identified by 'Not For Resale'

Ashcan ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 1996
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Ashcan preview of the first 10 pages of Body Bags #1

Ashcan ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1993
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

68-page one-shot, limited to 500 copies - signed and numbered

Reprints New Warriors #39 and #40 plus Night Thrasher #5

Preview of Nova #1 (1994)

Measures 6.5 in. x 8.5 in.

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$75

Key Facts

Limited edition, black and white preview of Prophet #1 (1993)

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$80
Mid
$230
High
$875

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, limited to 100 copies

Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$35
Mid
$95
High
$350

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, limited to 500 copies

Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth

Ashcan ⋅ Aardvark-Vanaheim ⋅ 2020
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$75

Key Facts

Reprint of Spawn #10 (1993) guest-starring Dave Sim's Cerebus

Limited to 300 copies, signed and numbered by Dave Sim

24-page, black and white comic, sized 5.5' x 8.5'

Included two trading cards

Ashcan ⋅ Coffin Comics ⋅ 2001
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, limited to 1,000 copies

Ashcan ⋅ Fantagraphics ⋅ 2014
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$55

Key Facts

Limited edition comic book packaged with the Hip Hop Family Tree boxed set, released by Fantagraphics in 2014

Embossed with gold foil

Cover tribute to late 80s/early 90s comics with a character similar to Rob Liefeld's Cable

Ashcan ⋅ Scout ⋅ 2021
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

Ashcan edition

Bongo ⋅ 2007
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

20-page mini-comic that measures 5 in. x 7 in.

Promotional giveaway advertising Futurama broadcasting on Comedy Central in 2008

Ashcan ⋅ Scout ⋅ 2019
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

Ashcan preview edition, limited to 600 copies

2018 NYCC exclusive

Ashcan ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1996
Low
$0
Mid
$0
High
$0

Key Facts

Black and white sketches by Rob Liefeld, limited to 500 copies

First available at the 1996 San Diego Comic Con along with the convention exclusive preview of Captain America #1 (1996)

Value unknown

Independent ⋅ 2017
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$80

Key Facts

12-page independently produced ashcan by Daniel Warren Johnson distributed exclusively at New York Comic Con 2017

'Fan-fiction' inspired by the movie/book Pacific Rim, specifically the pilots of the Cherno Alpha Russian Jaeger

Tap cover and swipe left to view an interior page

Ashcan ⋅ Independent ⋅ 2015
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35

Key Facts

11-page self-published "fan fiction" comic book by Daniel Warren Johnson and distributed at NYCC 2015

The textless story provides a glimpse into the backstory of Arvel Crynyd, a commander of the Green Squadron from Return of the Jedi whose A-Wing crashed into Vader's Executor causing its destruction

Johnson also created Ashcans Old Man Skywalker and Martok from Star Trek Deep Space Nine

Ashcan ⋅ Independent ⋅ 2016
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

8-page "fan" comic, independently published by Daniel Warren Johnson

Limited edition print run sold at NYCC 2016 featuring Martok from Star Trek: Deep Space 9

Johnson similarly produced two Star Wars ashcans: Old Man Skywalker and Green Leader

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1996
Low
$25
Mid
$65
High
$280

Key Facts

Preview of Badrock/Wolverine #1, Kid Supreme #1 and Youngblood/X-Force #1

Limited to 500 numbered copies

Ashcan ⋅ Event ⋅ 1996
Low
$9
Mid
$25
High
$90

Key Facts

Black and white ashcan edition, limited to 500 copies

Ashcan ⋅ Scout ⋅ 2020
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$80

Key Facts

5-page prequel story

Ashcan edition

Ashcan ⋅ All Caps ⋅ 2020
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$225

Key Facts

28-page preview including 10 pages of story plus 18 pages of additional content

Limited to 180 copies

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, black and white

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8

Key Facts

Ashcan edition

Wizard holofoil sticker

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1992
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

Preview of Cyberforce, 14-pages black and white with characters sketches

Multiple cover including green, pink, white, yellow, purple

Low
$80
Mid
$200
High
$800

Key Facts

Ten-page, black and white ashcan

Mini-comic limited to 750 numbered copies

Promotional comic given away at the 1993 San Diego Comic Con

Ashcan ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2009
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

2009 San Diego Comic Con exclusive, chromium cover

Promotional Ashcan edition tie-in to the Star Wars: The Old Republic video game

Preview appearance of characters that appear in The Old Republic #1

Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$60

Key Facts

'Ashcan' preview edition

Oversized 11.5 inches x 7.5 inches

The Last Ronin's release was delayed by a few months due to feedback by retailers who received this preview and felt the artwork would hurt demand for the book

The creators decided to reschedule the book series and make improvements to the art

Ashcan ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 1996
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

16-page black and white preview special with excerpts from Hellboy: Wake The Devil, Star Slammers and The Monstermen

Preview ⋅ Valiant ⋅ 2007
Low
$18
Mid
$60
High
$190

Key Facts

Ashcan edition distributed at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con

Limited to 100 copies

‘Peek’ is misspelled

Preview ⋅ All Caps ⋅ 2019
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400

Key Facts

Pre-print creator approval proof

Value reflects one sale, signed

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1994
Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12

Key Facts

Ashcan edition

Black and white preview of Black Flag #1

Ashcan ⋅ Mirage ⋅ 1993
Low
$30
Mid
$80
High
$300

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, comic convention giveaway

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$70

Key Facts

Pin-up of Gen X, later renamed Gen 13

Ashcan edition, limited to 3,000 copies

Marvel ⋅ 1994
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

16-page black and white ashcan

Brief recap of the history of The Punisher from his introduction thru 1994

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$75

Key Facts

Published by Homage Studios

Sealed copies will have a square white sticker visible on the front cover

Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$310

Key Facts

Ashcan edition

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$300
Mid
$1.2k
High
$3k

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, limited to 50 copies

Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$40
Mid
$450
High
$1.4k

Key Facts

Ashcan edition, limited to 150 copies

Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$25
Mid
$85
High
$275

Key Facts

Ashcan mini-comic, limited to 1500 copies

Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$300

Key Facts

Ashcan mini-comic, limited to 800 copies

Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth

Ashcan ⋅ Image ⋅ 1993
Low
$215
Mid
$875
High
$2.2k

Key Facts

Ashcan edition limited to 52 signed and numbered copies

Preview ⋅ Harris ⋅ 1997
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

Preview Ashcan edition

Less than 10 in CGC census

Ashcan ⋅ Calliope Comics ⋅ 1994
Low
$9
Mid
$25
High
$90

Key Facts

1995 San Diego Comic Con limited edition ashcan

Low
$90
Mid
$300
High
$950

Key Facts

Variant silver-foil Ashcan edition, limited to 1,000

Distributed selectively at comic conventions in a protective sleeve with a gold stamp labeled Official Hero Original Seal of Authenticity

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