Ashcans

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.

New England Comics Press Feb 1988

The Tick #1

Ashcan Black & White
The Tick #1
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$0
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$0
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$0
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Value unknown
This edition is an ashcan that precedes the first comic book appearance of the Tick and is a preview of The Tick #1
Due to its printing method, it is relatively easy to counterfeit
DC Dec 1993

Batman: Dark Joker - The Wild #1

Ashcan Platinum
Batman: Dark Joker - The Wild #1
View Series
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$80
View on eBay
Platinum foil edition
Distributed with Hero Premiere Magazine #8
It is unknown how many copies of this version exist but it is scarcer than the purple and green foil editions
DC Apr 2011

Scooby-Doo Super Spectacular #1

Scooby-Doo Super Spectacular #1
View Series
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400
View on eBay
One of two ashcans distributed at a 2011 meeting between DC and mass market retail buyers
Unpublished cover art, reprinted story
UPC codes are zeros - indicia reads '11/10'
DC Mar 1945

Real Screen Funnies #1

Ashcan
Real Screen Funnies #1
View Series
Low
$100
Mid
$300
High
$1K
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1st cover appearance of Fox and Crow
Ashcan produced to secure copyright
Interior artwork from Detective Comics #92
First color ashcan produced by DC
DC Jan 1937

Action Funnies #1

Ashcan
Action Funnies #1
View Series
Low
$3.5K
Mid
$11.3K
High
$35K
View on eBay
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
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
DC Dec 1937

Action Comics #1

Ashcan
Action Comics #1
View Series
Low
$11.5K
Mid
$38K
High
$115K
View on eBay
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:
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
DC Feb 1944

Supergirl Ashcan

Ashcan
Supergirl
View Series
Low
$2.8K
Mid
$880
High
$28.8K
View on eBay
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
Supergirl character introduced in 1959 and Supergirl title not used until 1972
DC Jan 1942

Superboy Ashcan

Ashcan
Superboy
View Series
Low
$4.8K
Mid
$12.8K
High
$48K
View on eBay
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
DC Jan 1942

Superwoman Ashcan

Ashcan
Superwoman
View Series
Low
$4.5K
Mid
$12K
High
$45K
View on eBay
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
DC Mar 1939

Superman Comics Ashcan

Ashcan
Superman Comics
View Series
Low
$28K
Mid
$90K
High
$280K
View on eBay
Ashcan edition, published to establish title trademark
8-page reprint of Action Comics #7 including cover art
Two copies known to exist
Marvel Jun 2007 Vol 2

New Avengers: Illuminati #1

Reprint
New Avengers: Illuminati #1
View Series
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25
View on eBay
28-page mini-comic that reprints New Avengers: Illuminati #1 (2007)
Distributed with Marvel animated DVD release, identified by 'Not For Resale'
Marvel Nov 1993

New Warriors

Ashcan Limited: 500
New Warriors
View Series
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40
View on eBay
68-page one-shot
Reprints New Warriors #39 and #40 plus Night Thrasher #5
Preview of Nova #1 (1994)
Measures 6.5 in. x 8.5 in.
Aardvark-Vanaheim Jun 2020

Spawn: Ten - Remastered #10

Ashcan Limited: 300
Spawn: Ten - Remastered #10
View Series
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$75
View on eBay
Reprint of Spawn #10 (1993) guest-starring Dave Sim's Cerebus
24-page, black and white comic, sized 5.5' x 8.5'
Included two trading cards
Fantagraphics Nov 2014

Hip Hop Family Tree #300

Ashcan
Hip Hop Family Tree #300
View Series
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$55
View on eBay
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
Bongo Mar 2007

Futurama Returns

Futurama Returns
View Series
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25
View on eBay
20-page mini-comic that measures 5 in. x 7 in.
Promotional giveaway advertising Futurama broadcasting on Comedy Central in 2008
Marvel Jul 1996 Vol 2

Captain America

Ashcan Limited: 500
Captain America
View Series
Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$125
View on eBay
Black and white sketches by Rob Liefeld
First available at the 1996 San Diego Comic Con along with the convention exclusive preview of Captain America #1 (1996)
Independent Oct 2017

Cherno #1

Cherno #1
View Series
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$80
View on eBay
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
Independent Jun 2015

Green Leader

Ashcan
Green Leader
View Series
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35
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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
Independent Aug 2016

Martok

Ashcan
Martok
View Series
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50
View on eBay
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
Image Aug 1992

Cyberforce

Ashcan
Cyberforce
View Series
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20
View on eBay
Preview of Cyberforce, 14-pages black and white with characters sketches
Multiple cover including green, pink, white, yellow, purple
IDW Jul 2020

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin

Preview
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin
View Series
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$60
View on eBay
'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
Dark Horse Jun 1996

Legend Ashcan #1

Ashcan
Legend #1
View Series
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25
View on eBay
16-page black and white preview special with excerpts from Hellboy: Wake The Devil, Star Slammers and The Monstermen
Image Mar 1993

Darker Image #1

Ashcan
Darker Image #1
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$8
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$20
High
$75
View on eBay
Published by Homage Studios
Sealed copies will have a square white sticker visible on the front cover
DC Jan 1993

Batman / Grendel #1

Platinum Limited: 25
Batman / Grendel #1
View Series
Low
$45
Mid
$120
High
$450
View on eBay
Variant cover art by Matt Wagner, creator of Grendel
'Silver Moon' Platinum Foil Edition
Obtained by winning a contest facilitated by Hero Illustrated Magazine
The gold stamp is part of the proprietary Hero Illustrated protective slipcase and not on the actual comic
This much anticipated publisher crossover was written in 1991 but was delayed due to Comico going through bankruptcy proceedings. DC eventually published the story in 1993
Warren Sep 1965

Eerie Magazine #1

Ashcan Limited: 200
Eerie Magazine #1
View Series Variants (1)
Low
$390
Mid
$950
High
$3.2K
View on eBay
Ashcan edition
The publisher of this magazine quickly printed this first issue of their magazine to beat rival publisher Eerie Publications from using the title
DC Lion Nov 2019

Batman (Italy) #81

Ashcan
Batman (Italy) #81
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$0
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$0
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$0
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Ashcan edition
Features a double-page spread of the Dark Multiverse Batmen alongside heavy metal band, Lacuna Coil
Includes art and interviews from the creators and members of the band
Value unknown
Image Jun 1993

Pitt #2

Ashcan Limited: 1,800
Pitt #2
View Series
Low
$2
Mid
$8
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$25
View on eBay
Ashcan edition
Black and white issue with partial story pages from issue #1 and #2
Marvel May 1995

Silver Surfer Ashcan

Silver Surfer Ashcan
View Series
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10
View on eBay
Origin of the Silver Surfer, a compilation of panels from previous stories
Wraparound cover art by Jim Lee (pencils) and Sean Tiffany (paints)
Chaos! Comics Oct 2000

Untold Tales of Halloween #1

Ashcan Limited: 66
Untold Tales of Halloween #1
View Series
Low
$65
Mid
$230
High
$700
View on eBay
'Ashcan' edition
'Ashcan' previously was a term used when publishers would create a prototype copy in order to secure legal intellectual rights to their property, but now its more of an unfinished preview of a book
DC Oct 2017

Doomsday Clock #1

Ashcan
Doomsday Clock #1
View Series
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$70
View on eBay
Ashcan edition given away at New York Comic Con 2017 to attendees of the Doomsday Clock panel
12-page, non-standard size, black and white preview of the first issue
Character preview of the second Rorschach
IDW Apr 2019

Transformers / Ghostbusters

Ashcan
Transformers / Ghostbusters
View Series
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5
View on eBay
First meeting of The Transformers and Ghostbusters
1st appearance of Ecto-1 (Ecto-tron), the Ghostbusters' car as a Transformer
Promotional Ashcan edition
Ultimate Creations May 1996

Warrior #1

Ashcan
Warrior #1
View Series
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40
View on eBay
Written by James Hellwig aka the Ultimate Warrior
Ashcan edition with wraparound cover
Cover appearances include: Captain America, The Flash, Wolverine, Bone, Milk and others

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