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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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
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
Black and white
Scooby-Doo Super Spectacular #1
DC
•
2011
•
Vol. 1
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Unpublished cover art, reprinted story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'
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Unpublished cover art, reprinted story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'
Ashcan edition
Limited to 100 copies
1st cover appearance of Fox and Crow
Ashcan produced to secure copyright
Interior artwork from Detective Comics #92
First color ashcan produced by DC
1st cover appearance of Fox and Crow
Ashcan produced to secure copyright
Interior artwork from Detective Comics #92
First color ashcan produced by DC
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
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
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
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
Code Name: Ric Flair #1
Independent
•
2022
•
Vol. 1
Ashcan
14-page ashcan preview
Limited to 2,000 copies
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
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
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 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 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 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 edition, published to establish title trademark
8-page reprint of Action Comics #7 including cover art
Two copies known to exist
Ashcan edition, published to establish title trademark
8-page reprint of Action Comics #7 including cover art
Two copies known to exist
28-page mini-comic that reprints New Avengers: Illuminati #1 (2007)
Distributed with Marvel animated DVD release, identified by 'Not For Resale'
28-page mini-comic that reprints New Avengers: Illuminati #1 (2007)
Distributed with Marvel animated DVD release, identified by 'Not For Resale'
Ashcan preview of the first 10 pages of Body Bags #1
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.
Limited to 500 copies
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.
Limited to 500 copies
Limited edition, black and white preview of Prophet #1 (1993)
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 100 copies
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 100 copies
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 500 copies
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 500 copies
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
Limited to 300 copies
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
Limited to 300 copies
Ashcan edition
Limited to 1,000 copies
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
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
Futurama Returns
Bongo
•
2007
•
Vol. 1
20-page mini-comic that measures 5 in. x 7 in.
Promotional giveaway advertising Futurama broadcasting on Comedy Central in 2008
20-page mini-comic that measures 5 in. x 7 in.
Promotional giveaway advertising Futurama broadcasting on Comedy Central in 2008
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)
Limited to 500 copies
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)
Limited to 500 copies
Cherno #1
Independent
•
2017
•
Vol. 1
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
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
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
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
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
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
Preview of Badrock/Wolverine #1, Kid Supreme #1 and Youngblood/X-Force #1
Limited to 500 copies
Preview of Badrock/Wolverine #1, Kid Supreme #1 and Youngblood/X-Force #1
Limited to 500 copies
Black and white ashcan edition
Limited to 500 copies
28-page preview including 10 pages of story plus 18 pages of additional content
Limited to 180 copies
28-page preview including 10 pages of story plus 18 pages of additional content
Limited to 180 copies
Ashcan edition, black and white
Ashcan edition
Wizard holofoil sticker
Preview of Cyberforce, 14-pages black and white with characters sketches
Multiple cover including green, pink, white, yellow, purple
Preview of Cyberforce, 14-pages black and white with characters sketches
Multiple cover including green, pink, white, yellow, purple
Ten-page, black and white ashcan
Mini-comic
Promotional comic given away at the 1993 San Diego Comic Con
Limited to 750 copies
Ten-page, black and white ashcan
Mini-comic
Promotional comic given away at the 1993 San Diego Comic Con
Limited to 750 copies
Star Wars: The Old Republic - Threat of Peace
Dark Horse
•
2009
•
Vol. 1
Ashcan
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
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
'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' 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
16-page black and white preview special with excerpts from Hellboy: Wake The Devil, Star Slammers and The Monstermen
16-page black and white preview special with excerpts from Hellboy: Wake The Devil, Star Slammers and The Monstermen
Ashcan edition distributed at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con
‘Peek’ is misspelled
Limited to 100 copies
Ashcan edition distributed at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con
‘Peek’ is misspelled
Limited to 100 copies
Pre-print creator approval proof
Value reflects one sale, signed
Ashcan edition
Black and white preview of Black Flag #1
Ashcan edition, comic convention giveaway
Pin-up of Gen X, later renamed Gen 13
Ashcan edition
Limited to 3,000 copies
Pin-up of Gen X, later renamed Gen 13
Ashcan edition
Limited to 3,000 copies
Punisher Ashcan #1
Marvel
•
1994
•
Vol. 1
16-page black and white ashcan
Brief recap of the history of The Punisher from his introduction thru 1994
16-page black and white ashcan
Brief recap of the history of The Punisher from his introduction thru 1994
Published by Homage Studios
Sealed copies will have a square white sticker visible on the front cover
Published by Homage Studios
Sealed copies will have a square white sticker visible on the front cover
Savage Dragon / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Mirage
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Ashcan
Ashcan edition
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 50 copies
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 50 copies
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 150 copies
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 150 copies
Ashcan mini-comic
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 1,500 copies
Ashcan mini-comic
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 1,500 copies
Ashcan mini-comic
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 800 copies
Ashcan mini-comic
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 800 copies
Ashcan edition
Limited to 52 copies
Preview Ashcan edition
Less than 10 in CGC census
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