1 Wolverine #131 (1998). In this issue, the script referred to Wolverine’s enemy Sabretooth as “the assassin Sabretooth.” Someone, presumably the editor, crossed out the word “assassin” and wrote (in pen) the word “killer” instead. When the letterer went to letter the issue, he reportedly could not make out what the editor had written, so he just lettered what he thought it said. Which was the word “kike.” So Marvel published an issue of Wolverine where someone refers to a character as “the kike Sabretooth.” Marvel quickly recalled the issue, for obvious reasons.
2 Elseworlds 80-Page Giant (1999). In this issue, there is a story about Clark Kent’s babysitter, who naturally has trouble with the little superpowered tyke. He gets into all sorts of mischief, including microwaving himself. The president of DC objected to the depiction of baby Clark being put into harm’s way, so nearly all copies of the one-shot were pulped. (Some made their way to England, however, and the story later won its writer-artist, Kyle Baker, an Eisner Award for Best Short Story.)
3 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen #5 (2000). At the back of this issue, which is set in the Victorian era, creators Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill reprinted an actual ad from the early 1900s for a brand of douche called Marvel. DC felt that this might lead to a lawsuit from Marvel Comics, so the issue was pulped right away. Only one hundred or so were ever made.
4 Universe X: Spidey #1 (2001). In this issue, one of the inkers snuck an insult to the recently fired editor in chief of Marvel Comics, Bob Harras. On the spines of books in the background of a panel, he wrote: “Harras, ha ha, he’s gone, good riddance to bad rubbish he was a Nasty s.o.b.” The issue was recalled and pulped.
5 All Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder #10 (2008). In this issue, the black bars that DC used to cover up profanity in the comic book did not quite cover up what guest-star Batgirl said, leaving a few readable curse words. The issue was recalled and pulped.
6 Action Comics #869 (2008). On the cover of this issue, Clark Kent (with his Superman costume just barely noticeable under his shirt) and his father, Jonathan Kent, are relaxing and drinking what appears to be beer. DC recalled the issue and asked retailers to destroy any copies with the original cover. They reprinted the issue the next week with a new cover with the bottles clearly marked “soda pop.”