Creating an" Ashcan" Comic Book

The Ashcan Comic Book by Bill Barry

An ashcan mini comic book that I created for a comic book series titled "Devastator" This was an eight page "ashcan" for the filing of " Devastator" trademark. But the first step was to find if name Devastator was available. Now, you can go to a trademark lawyer and pay them lots of bucks. Or just do it online. I prefer to do my own leg work. I discovered the title had five hits. (paint gun,truck, crossbow, etc ) Now here you have to understand that there can be many areas that have a mark on the name. But there was none for a comic book character by name Devastator. There are more details in my book "How to Draw a Comic Book." The actual filing will take several months to complete. There is a set of forms that you will receive from the Trademark office. Since I'm a graphic designer besides my comic art skills, I created the logo you see on the cover of the comic book. If this is not one your strong skills get someone to help you design your logo. Now with all the new computer software be sold in the market place.computer I'm sure you can do one for yourself. This your banner that you will use for t-shirt art and what ever else that you can use to sell your comic book concept. The fees have gone up like everything else in life. You will need to produce at least three copies of you mini ashcan comic book to file with the trademark office. The cover must a sale price ($1.00) to show that this product is for sale. The fees have changed and think of like going to Vegas but the results can be a lot better if you believe in you creation.

Now one more important feature of mini comic book series. The story must be a self contained and a complete story in your eight page for mat. You can run a longer story, but is best to pack everything in the one comic book story. The trademark office has been know to give some creators a hard time for not giving the complete story in one comic story. Now you have wait for the results. Someone could have filed for the title as your but was two weeks before you filing. There are no refund in this game. Winner takes all. You receive a notice from the trademark office regarding your filing. It's best send it with a tracking number so that you know that arrived. OH yes, only u.s. money orders! Uncle Sam likes postal money orders.

At the end of this process Uncle Sam will send you a nice document to hang on your wall. They also have monthly publication where your Logo artwork will appear. Your trademark is good for five years. Now prices and other details may have been revised so check the U.S. trademark online info.

There are more details in my book "How to Draw a Comic Book"
copyrighted 2010 by Bill Barry