What Is a Pull List? How to Start One at a South Austin Comic Shop

A pull list is the list of all the comics you want your local shop to order for you. The Bat City Games & Comics staff boards, bags and discounts your comics every single week. No more searching through the wall of new releases, hoping issue 3 isn't already sold out.

Bat City Games & Comics offers pull lists to anyone in South Austin and the surrounding areas. Here is what you need to know about getting one, why shops require you to place a list, and what to put on your first list if it's been a while since you picked up a comic.

What does "pull list" actually mean?

When new comics come in each week, we pull your list of issues from the shipment and set them aside for you.

Preorders and subscriptions can sometimes get confused with pull lists.

• Pull list. A standing request. We hold every new issue of the series you choose.
  Good for: Series you read month after month.
• Preorder. A one-time reservation for a specific book or cover before it's released.
  Good for: Variant covers, big graphic novels, anything you can't bear to miss.
• Walk-in. Browsing the new-arrival shelf and taking what you like.
  Good for: Trying something new, or reading on a whim.

How does a pull list work, week to week?

• Select what series you want to subscribe to. You can add titles to your subscription list here.
• Shops place orders 3-4 weeks before a book is due at your local shop. Each book has a final order date, called FOC.
• Books are released. Usually Wednesday for most new comic books.
• We pull your list. We will set your comics aside for you.
• Pick up your books. Whenever you have time.
• Modify your list at any time. Want to add a series or remove one? Maybe you want more of one title or that variant you saw online. Let us know.

Why do comic shops want to know ahead of time?

Shops can only order so many. Once your local shop orders a book, only a limited number of copies will be available to you. If we don't order enough copies for everyone who wants a book on release day, you might not get your favorite issue.

When you place a pull list, you help ensure you get your book and support the publishers as well. By placing a pull list, you are telling the shop how many to order and the publishers that there is demand for the title.

If you want a first issue, let us know before the final order date. Don't go bat crazy trying to track down a sold-out issue.

Do you have to buy everything on your list?

It's also a commitment on your part. We will have those books ready for you. So it's best to start with a few series that you think you will enjoy. People grow out of titles, and budgets can change. Just let us know if you no longer want to pull something, or sign in to your account. The title may still come in if it's already been ordered for you.

What should go on your first pull list?

Try placing 2-4 series on your pull list. You can have:

• A title you already read. Maybe your local shop has DC or Marvel comics that you enjoy. Or Image or BOOM! Studios.
• A title with a finish. Many series have an end. Limited series have a set number of issues and will end. So you know when you're done reading it.
• A series that you have never heard of. Ask our counter staff what series they keep buying.

Maybe you like to read a whole storyline at once? Check out trade paperbacks. These are books that collect several issues of a comic. If you want to catch up on a series, a trade that has a full storyline is a great place to start. Check out our graphic novels.

What if you haven't bought a comic in years?

Come in and visit us. Everyone who reads comics started somewhere, and most have a box of comics that's been sitting around for years. Tell us what you used to read, and we can point you in the right direction.

We have many back issues, and our selection keeps growing. If you want to catch up on a series, check out our used comics or ask us to find one for you.

How do you start a pull list at Bat City?

• Place a short list of what you would like to read. Even if it's just titles or the last comic you enjoyed.
• Create your subscription list. Here is a great place to start.
• Looking for that one book or variant? Check out our preorders page or submit a product request.
• Stop by on Wednesday. New comics come in on Wednesday. Ask us about any series you may have missed.

Frequently asked questions

What is a pull list at a comic book store?

A pull list is a request to have comics pulled for you at your local comic shop. When the comics come in, your local shop will pull your list and have them ready for you.

How do I start a pull list in Austin?

Let your local comic shop know what series you would like. At Bat City Games & Comics, you can create your pull list here or ask us when you stop by.

What day do new comics come out?

Wednesday. Most comic books are released on Wednesday, which is why it's called New Comic Book Day. Some titles may come in on different days, so ask us if you're looking for something specific.

What does FOC mean at a comic shop?

Final Order Cutoff, or FOC, is when your local shop can no longer modify their order. For most single issues, this is 3-4 weeks before they are released. So if you want to make sure you get a copy of a book, order it by the FOC.

Can a beginner start a pull list?

Absolutely. Start with a few series and ask us what else you may enjoy. You can always remove a series from your list or swap it for something else.

Is there a comic book store in South Austin?

Bat City Games & Comics is located at 5001 Highway 290 in Sunset Valley. We are open daily from 10 to 10.

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