Image:Capt-marvel-flash-comics.jpg Originating in the Golden_age of comics publishing, an '''ashcan copy''' is a Publication produced solely for legal purposes such as Copyright and is normally not intended for Distribution. The word "ashcan" is an older synonym for wastebasket, trashcan or other garbage receptacle. The implication being that the printed material will go straight from the printer to the trash, which was often the case. Ashcan editions frequently contained unlettered stories, unfinished art or even just whatever wastepaper had been conveniently available at the time. The goal in making them was to get something out with the wanted title slapped on as quickly as possible so that the publisher could make some claim to having been the first in print if a competitor tried to publish a similar title. One example is the Comic_book, ''Flash Comics'' #1 by Fawcett_Comics which introduced Captain Marvel. Amusingly, this particular example of ashcan pubishing was in vain, as a competitor had already beat Fawcett to publishing a "Flash Comics". Other entertainment industries have equivalents. The most famous Film example is the film, ''Fantastic Four'', produced by Roger_Corman which was produced with a two million dollar budget and was not distributed for the rumored reason of maintaining the license to the property. {{comic-stub}} Category:Copyright_law Category:Publishing