Frequently Asked Questions

How do I subscribe to a comic series at MK1?

Get in touch with Mk1 via email shop@mk1.co.nz or Facebook messenger @Mark1Comics and let us know what titles you would like.

How does MK1's mail order system work for comic subscriptions: 

For Single Titles: We will send an email notification when the latest issue of your requested series is available to order from the MK1 website.
For Multiple Titles: Set up a notification alert with MK1 - a notification alert could be a date or dates each month (we do ask that all items are paid for each month) or when a certain qty of preordered titles have accumulated. We will  prepare your shipment and send you a payment link for the comics on hand.  Get in touch with Mk1 via email shop@mk1.co.nz or Facebook messenger @Mark1Comics and let us know your preferred Notification Alert (and let us know what titles you would like as well).  Follow this link to view some examples of MK1's comic subscription service in action.
  

How do I choose a comic title to subscribe to?

So many ways: Choose a title from our recent comic inventory and request future issues.  Read our weekly FINAL ORDER CUT OFF blog posts, Check out our Monthly Preorder catalogue page, subscribe to our weekly newsletter in the footer below this page and check out the comic distributor pages like : Previews World https://www.previewsworld.com/ , Lunar https://www.lunardistribution.com/ or Penguin Random House Comics https://prhcomics.com/   or the individual publisher sites like Marvel https://www.marvel.com/comics , DC comics https://www.dccomics.com/ , Image Comics https://imagecomics.com/ or Dark Horse https://www.darkhorse.com/ 

How do I find out when a title arrives at MK1?

We keep the MK1 Cover Gallery   updated with a preview of the next expected shipment along with the shipping status - delays etc.  We send an email newsletter out each week when we have finished unpacking the last comic shipment for the week - sign up in the website footer below.  

MK1 usually receives the comics in the same week as the USA publication date advertised on Previews World https://www.previewsworld.com/ , Lunar https://www.lunardistribution.com/ or Penguin Random House Comics https://prhcomics.com/  - or the individual publisher sites like Marvel https://www.marvel.com/comics , DC comics https://www.dccomics.com/ , Image Comics https://imagecomics.com/ or Dark Horse https://www.darkhorse.com/   . 

 

What is the shipping option: Hold instore to ship with a future order (will automatically ship with the next order you place that includes a delivery fee)."  

The HOLD INSTORE TO SHIP WITH A FUTURE ORDER option is useful for customers who wish to secure an item now but have it ship at a later date. Comic shipments arrive throughout the week from the different distributors that handle each publisher. Many customers have multiple comic orders from different publishers and will use this option to combine orders across a period of time.  We store customers orders under their names at the counter - we will automatically combine and dispatch any paid orders once an order is placed that includes a delivery instruction.

Can I ask MK1 to put an item aside to be purchased at a later date?

No - but you can  use the site to make the purchase and elect to have your purchase held aside at the shop to be combined with a future order and delivery. WHY NOT? This keeps the shop healthy and functioning. New comics are being released all the time and this policy allows us to keep those comics shipping in every week.  

How long will MK1 hold preorders aside?

Pre Ordered items are kept separate from regular store/website inventory so your orders will be available even if the MK1 site indicates an item has sold out. We don't ask for a deposit or prepayment but due to the extra costs for international air freight and the high costs of sourcing comics at the moment we do look for a payment to be made as soon as possible once your preorder has arrived. We ask that all items aside for you at the counter are paid for at least once a month.  

We appreciate your help in keeping order admin to a minimum - our aim is a done-in-one transaction where we only have to notify customers once. If you are waiting for other preorders to arrive to combine shipping the MK1 site has the "hold aside option" mentioned above.  At the checkout under SHIPPING select the Hold in store to ship with a future order (and we will automatically ship with the next order you place that includes a delivery fee). 

Are items listed on the MK1 site actually instock at the shop?

The stock information on the MK1 website reports our own Hamilton shop’s current inventory and not an offsite location or supplier's warehouse stock.   

Our webshop reports the stock information taken from our own live inventory. We do not list items for sale that are not physically on hand in our Hamilton shop. As items sell in store our point of sale system updates our webstock records in real time - any items sold out will be recorded as SOLD OUT till we receive more stock (we reorder daily). Great care is taken to make sure this information is kept up to date but from time to time mistakes and errors do happen. In the rare instance that this occurs we will offer an immediate refund. Please feel free to call or email the shop if you wish to confirm availability before placing an order.

How long will my order take to arrive?

We pack and dispatch orders straight away. Our official policy can be found on our Terms & Conditions page. In practice we pack up any orders received during the day straight away… and orders received overnight are packed before the MK1 doors open at 9am. As long as orders are received before the final courier pick up for the day (3pm) most urban areas in NZ will receive delivery overnight  or within two working days. 

Our busiest delivery days are on New Comics Day and the day after new Comics Day (Thursdays and Fridays).. Please allow extra time for orders placed on these days.

When will I be notified when my Preorder arrives at MK1?

Preordered items are kept separate from regular store/website inventory so your preorders are safe even if the website says they have sold out. We have lots of preorders every shipment to fill. Once the full shipment is processed and online we start contacting customers that have one off preorders.  It can take us a couple of days to notify everybody.

Comic shipments arrive throughout the week from the different distributors that handle each publisher. Many customers have multiple comic orders from different publishers so we start contacting these customers on Friday continuing through the weekend. (Some multi title subscribers have set days each month where we organise a shipment - others get a shipment whenever a certain amount of comics have accumulated - see above).

How do I redeem a Mk1 gift voucher online?

Contact the shop and we will provide a website usable gift code. 

What does Final Order Cut Off mean?

Every Monday we finalise our comic orders from a selection of soon to be published titles announced on the Previews World site  https://www.previewsworld.com/FinalOrdersDue (Marvel and Indie) and on https://www.lunardistribution.com/ (DC Comics).  We invite customers to view these lists and let us know if there are any specific single issues, volumes or variant covers they wish to preorder.

How to place an Order from the Final Order Cut Off page:

  • Visit the Final Order Cut Off Page on https://www.previewsworld.com/FinalOrdersDue (Marvel and Indie) and on https://www.lunardistribution.com (DC Comics)
  • View, Preview and explore the lists - use the filters to look for your favourites etc. (look for the PREVIEWS PREVUE badge to view sample pages etc). Prices listed on the sites are in USD$ - check with Mk1 if you need a firm quote.
  • Contact Mk1 with your specific preorder (We can take a preorder for a specific individual comic issue or cover).

What does Mk1 mean by - This week's PICK LIST has been closed?

Sometimes we will reply to customer requests for comics that are about to ship that this week's pick list is closed".  This means that we have closed preorders off for titles where the number remaining  in the incoming shipment is very low - often within the margin of error for packing errors/damages etc.  If this happens we will attempt to place the customers request on reorder to ship at a later date. Our reply will indicate the likly chance of success of this reorder.  

There is every chance that your request may show as available on the MK1 website on new release day even though your reorder won't be fulfilled till that specific reordered issue arrives at the later date (we use a reorder number admin system to match requests with incoming orders). The latest monthly preorder catalogues are the best  time to place preorders - followed by the weekly FINAL ORDER CUT OFF selection.  

 

Why Does Mk1 not take preorders for Limited, Incentive or Rare Variants?

We don't take preorders for incentive variants as they usually require us to order extra issues or increase our spend above a certain target to qualify to order (or some other hoop jumping exercise).  Because the incentive covers ship in such small numbers (if they ship at all) they are prone to damage and packing errors.  Any we do qualify for that are in saleable condition go on the MK1 website on NEW COMIC DAY - we use them as a bit of excitement and a reason to visit the MK1 site on that day.  

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MK1 Comic Subscriptions in action

Here are  some examples of how our subscription system works.  The names  are for illustration purposes only - any similarity to existing customers is purely accidental.
Single Titles
Example 1: 

Peter wants all issues of the Batman series - MK1 sets aside a copy of the latest issue once released.  Once the shipment is unpacked we send Peter a payment link from the MK1 website letting him know his request has arrived.  Single title orders are expected to be paid for straight away.  Peter can choose to pick the issue up instore or have it sent straight away or he can select the Hold in store to ship with a future order option.  Peter chooses to get it sent straight away selecting a delivery option at the MK1 checkout.  

 
Example 2: 

Otto wants the same series and receives the payment link from MK1 but he is in no rush to receive this issue so selects the Hold instore to ship with a future order (will automatically ship with the next order you place that includes a delivery fee) option at the website checkout.   When he receives a payment link for the next issue Otto selects a delivery option and MK1 bundles both issues together and dispatches his way.  

Mary-Jane has a standing order for Batman as well as Amazing Spider-Man and Spawn.  With two or more titles on order MK1 handles her orders a little differently.


For Multiple Titles: 

Example 3:

Mary-Jane elects to receive a monthly shipment and selects the first of the month as her notification alert.  Throughout the month MK1 sets aside each new issue of Batman, Amazing Spider-Man and Spawn on release. On the weekend closest to the 1st of each month MK1 sends a payment link for the accumulated titles and Mary-Jane pays for the items and shipping.     

Example 4:

Harry subscribes to Amazing Spider-Man, Black Cat, Saga, Monstress, Justice League, Action Comics  and Wolverine.  Harry likes receiving regular deliveries throughout the month so he  chooses to receive a weekly payment link.  Every Saturday MK1 sends a payment link for all items that have arrived in the week prior.  

Example 5:

Gwen subscribes to Amazing Spider-Man, Black Cat, Saga, Monstress, Justice League, Action Comics  and Wolverine.  Gwen has a PULLBOX account and receives automatic notifications whenever her preordered titles arrive at MK1. She uses these notifications to decide when to request a shipment from MK1 but has also nominated the 1st of each month as her back up monthly shipment date.   

 

Other Variations and extra options:

  • Some customers choose the arrival of the monthly pre order catalogue "MARVEL PREVIEWS" or 'DC CONNECT" instead of a set date each month.  These customers receive a payment link when the catalogues are ready to send - giving them a monthly batch of comics plus plus plenty of time to peruse and preorder their next comic releases. 
  • Subscribers can use the website to put other items aside with their current preorders.  Purchase the  item or items and select the  Hold in store to ship with a future order shipping option and we will hold your item aside to ship with your next scheduled shipment.  Subscribers can also select a shipping option if they want the item sent straight away - we will automatically send a payment link for other preorders on hand in case that customer wants all orders combined and sent.