Ashcan comic
An ashcan comic is a form of the
Original use
The modern comic book was created in the 1930s, and grew rapidly in popularity.
The purpose of the ashcan editions was to fool the
At the time, garbage cans were commonly called "ash cans" because they were used to hold ashes and soot from wood and coal heating systems.[5] The term was applied to these editions of comics because they had no value and were meant to be thrown away after being accepted by the Trademark Office.[5][8] Some spare copies were given to editors, employees, and visitors to keep as souvenirs.[6][8] Changes to the United States trademark law in 1946 allowed publishers to register a trademark with an intent to use instead of a finished product,[6] and the practice of creating and submitting ashcans was abandoned when publishers began to consider it an unnecessary effort lawyers used to justify a fee.[7] Because of their rarity, ashcans from this era are desired by collectors and often fetch a high price.[5] In April 2021, an ashcan copy of Action Comics #1 sold for US$204,000.[12]
Later use
In 1984,
In 1992, comic creator
Following the collapse of the speculation market in comics in the mid-1990s, the term has been used by publishers to describe booklets promoting upcoming comics.[9] Established publishers such as Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, and DC Comics continue to use ashcan copies as part of their marketing plans for new titles.[15][16][17] Aspiring creators also apply the term to hand-stapled photocopied books they use to demonstrate their abilities to hiring editors at comic book conventions or as part of a submissions package.[18]
Film and television
The term has been appropriated by the film and television industries to refer to low-quality material made specifically to preserve rights to a licensed character, which often expire if unused for a set period of time. One of the earliest examples of this practice is the 1967 animated adaptation of The Hobbit.[19] Other prominent examples include the unreleased Fantastic Four film from 1994,[20] the low-budget sequels Porky's Pimpin' Pee Wee and Hellraiser: Revelations, and a TV pilot adaptation of The Wheel of Time.[19]
See also
- Burning off, the airing of otherwise-abandoned television programs in less desirable time slots or on sister networks, often for contractual or legal reasons
References
- ^ Hembeck, Fred (June 18, 2003). "Johnny Thunder and Shazam!". The Hembeck Files. Retrieved June 22, 2005.
- ^ Ramsey, Taylor (February 5, 2013). "The History of Comics: Decade by decade". The Artifice. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Christensen, William A; Seifert, Mark (February 1994). "Evolution of the Ashcan". Wizard. No. 30. New York City: Wizard Entertainment. p. 89.
- ^ a b c Seifert, Mark (August 1, 2014). "75 Years Ago Today: DC Comics Wins The Race For Flash". Bleeding Cool. Avatar Press. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Malito, Alessandra (October 9, 2017). "As fans throng to New York Comic Con, these comic books sell for millions of dollars". MarketWatch. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Coronado, CA: Gemstone Publishing, Inc. p. 24.
- ^ ISBN 9781893905108.
- ^ a b c d e f Colabuono, Gary (July 1993). "Ashcan Comics". Hero Illustrated. No. 1. Lombard, Illinois: Warrior Publications. p. 56.
- ^ CGC Comics. January 31, 2012. Archived from the originalon June 26, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ "Historic DC Ashcan comic books in Heritage Auctions February 22 New York event". Art Daily. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ Cox, Brian L (August 13, 2011). "Rare 'ashcan' comic books on display at Chicago Comic Con". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Action Comics #1 Ashcan Sells For $204,000 At Auction at Bleeding Cool. April 19, 2021 by Rich Johnston.
- Fictioneer Books. pp. 22–41.
- ^ "Advertisement". Hero Illustrated. No. 2. Lombard, Illinois: Warrior Publications. August 1993. p. 125.
- ^ Dietsch, TJ (April 12, 2012). "C2E2: Bobby Curnow Unleashes "Battle Beasts" at IDW". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (April 20, 2017). "Let's All Read The Dark Matter/Master Class Ashcan From DC Comics". Bleeding Cool. Avatar Press. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (March 12, 2015). "Dark Horse Sends Fight Club 2, Rebels And Archie Vs. Predator". Bleeding Cool. Avatar Press. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ISBN 9780770434861.
- ^ a b Wirestone, Clay (March 13, 2015). "The Weird History of the "Ashcan Copy"". Mental Floss. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ Ito, Robert (March 2005). "Fantastic Faux!". Los Angeles. p. 108. Retrieved January 1, 2012.