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.
Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
1995 San Diego Comic Con limited edition ashcan
Aliens / Predator: The Deadliest of the Species #1
Dark Horse
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Silver
Variant silver-foil Ashcan edition
Distributed selectively at comic conventions in a protective sleeve with a gold stamp labeled Official Hero Original Seal of Authenticity
Limited to 1,000 copies
Variant silver-foil Ashcan edition
Distributed selectively at comic conventions in a protective sleeve with a gold stamp labeled Official Hero Original Seal of Authenticity
Limited to 1,000 copies
Moebius Ashcan Comics #3
Starwatcher
•
1997
•
Vol. 1
16-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Value unknown
Limited to 100 copies
16-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Value unknown
Limited to 100 copies
Moebius Ashcan Comics #5
Starwatcher
•
1999
•
Vol. 1
16-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Limited to 100 copies
16-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Limited to 100 copies
Moebius Ashcan Comics #4
Starwatcher
•
1998
•
Vol. 1
16-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Limited to 100 copies
16-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Limited to 100 copies
Moebius Ashcan Comics #2
Starwatcher
•
1996
•
Vol. 1
14-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Limited to 250 copies
14-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Limited to 250 copies
Moebius Ashcan Comics #1
Starwatcher
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
16-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Limited to 250 copies
16-page black and white sketches by French illustrator Jean Giraud aka Moebius
Limited to 250 copies
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
Limited to 25 copies
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
Limited to 25 copies
16-page Ashcan edition
Ashcan edition
New York Comic Con 2014 exclusive
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
Limited to 200 copies
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
Limited to 200 copies
Black and white
San Diego Comic Con 1996 exclusive
Limited to 2,000 copies
Black and white
San Diego Comic Con 1996 exclusive
Limited to 2,000 copies
Ashcan, preview edition sent to retailers, two per store
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
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
Ashcan edition
Black and white issue with partial story pages from issue #1 and #2
Limited to 1,800 copies
Ashcan edition
Black and white issue with partial story pages from issue #1 and #2
Limited to 1,800 copies
Silver Surfer Ashcan
Marvel
•
1995
•
Vol. 1
Origin of the Silver Surfer, a compilation of panels from previous stories
Wraparound cover art by Jim Lee (pencils) and Sean Tiffany (paints)
Origin of the Silver Surfer, a compilation of panels from previous stories
Wraparound cover art by Jim Lee (pencils) and Sean Tiffany (paints)
'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
Limited to 66 copies
'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
Limited to 66 copies
Ashcan edition, New York Comic Con 2019 exclusive
Glow-in-the-dark cover
Ashcan edition, New York Comic Con 2019 exclusive
Glow-in-the-dark cover
2009 San Diego Comic Con giveaway
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
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
First meeting of The Transformers and Ghostbusters
1st appearance of Ecto-1 (Ecto-tron), the Ghostbusters' car as a Transformer
Promotional Ashcan edition
First meeting of The Transformers and Ghostbusters
1st appearance of Ecto-1 (Ecto-tron), the Ghostbusters' car as a Transformer
Promotional Ashcan edition
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
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
Lady Death II: Between Heaven and Hell #1
Chaos! Comics
•
1995
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Ashcan
Blue Foil
Limited to 2,000 copies
Oversized ashcan (11.5 x 8.5) numbered and
Limited to 400 copies
Promotional ashcan edition, limited to one per store
16-page ashcan edition previewed at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2018
16-page ashcan edition previewed at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2018
Ashcan edition available at San Diego Comic Con 2019
16-page black and white preview of Youngblood #1
Limited to 1,000 copies
16-page black and white preview of Youngblood #1
Limited to 1,000 copies
16-page black and white preview of Youngblood #1
Limited to 500 copies
16-page black and white preview of Youngblood #1
Limited to 500 copies
Ashcan preview
Ashcan preview of the 2001 one-shot
Scarce, Ashcan edition
Cates said about this issue "it's the first ashcan I ever produced. Maybe the rarest book with my name on it."
Value unknown
Scarce, Ashcan edition
Cates said about this issue "it's the first ashcan I ever produced. Maybe the rarest book with my name on it."
Value unknown
12-page ashcan preview
San Diego Comic Con 2004 exclusive
Ashcan edition, 12-pages black & white
San Diego Comic Con 2004 exclusive
Ashcan edition, 12-pages black & white
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 350 copies
Ashcan edition
Signed and numbered by Sam Kieth
Limited to 350 copies
16-page ashcan retailer incentive
Adapted from the video game of the same name
16-page ashcan retailer incentive
Adapted from the video game of the same name
Ashcan edition preceded the first official issue
ComicsPro Ashcan given away to industry attendees of the February 2019 annual meeting
ComicsPro Ashcan given away to industry attendees of the February 2019 annual meeting
Ashcan Edition
Limited to 500 copies
Variant purple Ashcan Edition with cover art by J. Scott Campbell
Salamandroid: Limited Ashcan #1
Harris
•
1997
•
Vol. 1
Ashcan edition
Limited to 1,500 copies
Ashcan edition
Limited to 4,000 copies
Ashcan edition
Signed by artist and creator, Dale Keown and writer, Brian Hotton
Limited to 5,500 copies
Ashcan edition
Signed by artist and creator, Dale Keown and writer, Brian Hotton
Limited to 5,500 copies
Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!
By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.
Adjust the "Variants" search filter above for additional content:
- Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!