Starting a Pull List: How to Work With Your Local Comic Shop

Starting a Pull List: How to Work With Your Local Comic Shop

Starting a pull list is a foundational step for any serious comic or manga reader, offering a guaranteed way to secure new releases and often discounts. This guide is for anyone looking to streamline their collecting, ensuring they never miss a crucial issue or a new volume of their favorite series while building a strong relationship with their local comic shop.

The Framework: Your Essential Connection to New Releases

A pull list, sometimes called a standing order or subscription, is essentially a reservation system with your local comic shop (LCS). You tell your shop which ongoing series, limited series, or collected editions (like tankōbon or trade paperbacks) you want, and they set them aside for you as they arrive. The value is twofold: for you, it means guaranteed copies of new releases, often with a small discount, and the convenience of picking up multiple items at once. For your LCS, it provides predictable sales data, helping them manage inventory and order quantities more efficiently. It's a symbiotic relationship that supports the health of the comics ecosystem.

The Path: Setting Up Your Pull List

1. Find Your Local Comic Shop (LCS)

Look for a shop that feels welcoming and knowledgeable. A good LCS should have a diverse selection of both Western comics (single issues, TPBs, HCs, omnibuses) and manga (tankōbon, deluxe editions, box sets), and staff who can offer recommendations without being pushy. Proximity is a factor for regular pickups, but excellent service can make a slightly longer trip worthwhile.

2. Initiate the Conversation

Approach the counter and simply state you're interested in starting a pull list. The staff will explain their specific system, which often involves providing your name, contact information, and a list of titles.

3. Understand the Ordering Cycle

• New Comics Day (NCD): Most Western single issues release on Wednesdays. Manga tankōbon and collected editions often have less rigid release schedules but are consistently solicited.
• Final Order Cutoff (FOC): This is a critical deadline, typically a few weeks before a Western comic's release, where retailers must finalize their orders with distributors. Placing an item on your pull list before FOC significantly increases the chance your shop can secure it for you. Manga and collected editions have similar, though often longer, lead times.
• Solicitations: Publishers release monthly catalogs (like Previews for Western comics or Diamond Previews for manga from certain publishers) detailing upcoming releases. Your LCS might have these available, or you can check online.

4. Populate Your List

• Ongoing Series: The most common use. If you're following My Hero Academia, Saga, or The Amazing Spider-Man, add the next issue/volume.
• Limited Series / Mini-Series: Specify you want the entire run (e.g., "all 5 issues of X-Men: Red").
• Collected Editions: Don't forget trade paperbacks, hardcovers, omnibuses, or manga tankōbon volumes. If you're reading Chainsaw Man and want each new tankōbon as it releases, add it to your list.
• One-Shots & Annuals: These often need to be specifically requested as they aren't part of an ongoing numbered series.
• Variant Covers: If your shop offers them, clarify if you're interested in specific variant covers (e.g., "Artist A's variant for Batman #130") or if you want the standard cover. Be aware variants can have higher cover prices or limited availability.

5. Communication is Key

• Adding/Dropping Titles: Life happens. If you want to add a new series or drop one you're no longer enjoying, inform your shop as soon as possible, ideally before FOC for Western comics.
• Holds: Clarify how long your shop holds items. Some might have a weekly pickup expectation, others monthly. Be respectful of their space and pick up your books regularly.
• Special Requests: Looking for a specific back issue, a rare manga volume, or an out-of-print hardcover? Your LCS might be able to order it or keep an eye out.

6. Pickup and Payment

Establish a regular pickup schedule. Many shops offer a discount (e.g., 10-20%) on pull list items. When you pick up, quickly check your items for any damage before leaving the store.

What to Skip: Common Pitfalls

Avoid setting up a pull list if you're unsure about committing to a series or if your pickup schedule is highly erratic. While shops are generally understanding, consistently leaving books on the shelf for extended periods or frequently dropping titles after they've been ordered can strain the relationship. Similarly, don't use a pull list solely to secure variant covers you intend to immediately flip; this practice can sour the experience for genuine readers and the shop. A pull list is about building a consistent reading habit and a reliable relationship, not speculative investing.

Buying Advice

• Be Proactive: Check solicitations yourself (e.g., on publisher websites or industry news sites) and update your list before FOC, especially for highly anticipated #1s or key issues.
• Ask About Discounts: Many shops offer a percentage off new comics for pull list subscribers.
• Consider Collected Editions: For some series, especially manga or self-contained Western graphic novels, waiting for the tankōbon or trade paperback can be a more cost-effective and convenient way to read the story, and these can also be added to a pull list.
• Build Rapport: A good relationship with your LCS staff can lead to personalized recommendations, heads-ups on rare finds, and a generally more enjoyable collecting experience. They are often passionate collectors themselves.

:::issue-card title: The Cosmic Wanderer #1 creators: Jane Doe (Writer), John Smith (Artist) publisher: Stellar Comics format: single-issue collects: #1 year: 2024 page_count: 32 trim_size: 6.6in x 10.1in price: $4.99 :::

FAQ

How do I know what to add to my pull list?

Start with series you're already reading or new #1 issues that catch your eye. Check publisher solicitations online (often released months in advance) or ask your LCS staff for recommendations based on your interests. Don't forget manga tankōbon volumes if you're following an ongoing series like Jujutsu Kaisen or Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

What is "FOC" and why is it important?

FOC stands for Final Order Cutoff. It's the last date a retailer can adjust their order for an upcoming release without penalty.

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Where to buy

Ready to try one of the picks above? Beckett Media, Abracadabra NYC, GraphicAudio, and GameFly carry a wide selection of products we cover, and prices change often enough that it is worth a quick look before you decide.

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