Comic writer Donny Cates has been helping out comic stores in his home town of Austin, Texas by paying off the pull box balances of their customers, another great example of comic creators supporting the stores that sell their products.  Retailers with pull boxes that haven’t been picked up are sitting on cash they need while they’re closed during the coronavirus lockdown orders

Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy owner Angie Blackmon posted her thanks on Facebook.  “We’re so incredibly happy to announce that Austin comic book writer, Donny Cates, has purchased your comic holds (what’s currently in your file) for you during this challenging time,” she wrote. “We can’t begin to thank him enough for taking care of us and all of you. He’s a true inspiration and a beautiful soul. We love you, Donny! Thank you for fighting for us!”

Cates explained some of his motivation in a Twitter post, where he wrote, “Way back, when I was between Comic Writing gigs, I needed $ and @Dragons_Lair game me a part-time job so I could make rent. So, this one was a no-brainer for me.”

Austin Books & Comics also posted their thanks on Facebook. “We have some great news, they wrote. “Most, if not all, of you know of the comic writer Donny Cates. In an amazing show of support for not only the store but for you as well, has decided to pay for your pull lists! If you still had a pull list in the store as of yesterday, it's now paid up. He has requested only one thing in return: The money that you set aside for your pull list now be spent at The Center of Austin Fandom for more things you wanted but couldn't get because of budgetary concerns. Try some new series, get a board game, buy a statue for a friend in need. Donny has shown once again that we are a community; that we help each other out. That is exactly what the world needs right now.”

And Hops + Heroes Comics posted, “Since most of you have heard the news about Donny Cates and Megan Hutchison doing big things to help the comics industry, we just wanted to take a minute to ask that if you have been impacted by their generosity, or the kindness of another during this time, remember the best thing you can do is *pay it forward*! Donate money to food banks or masks to frontline workers, read books to kids online, make signs for your front yard reminding people they are loved and not alone. Even if all you do is pick up the phone and call someone you know is alone to give them a few minutes of your support, you too are changing the world for the better. We are all in this together so let kindness be your super power, today and every day!”

Cates is most associated with Absolute Carnage, Venom, Thanos, and Guardians of the Galaxy from Marvel, and God Country from Skybound/Image, among others.

A wide range of comic creators are currently auctioning off collectibles to support comic stores under the #creators4comics hashtag on Twitter (see “Creators4comics Organizing Massive Fundraiser”).