Side Quest Season 1 Episode 2, “Pull List,” is a solid episode. I enjoyed it more than the series premiere. There’s more of a Mythic Quest feel to it, with its zany, heartwarming characters and pop culture references. And who doesn’t love a good bottle episode? (I’m looking at you, Abed.) I also adore the comic book flourishes and elements in its presentation.
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Side Quest, “Pull List”
We open with Cherry (Bria Henderson) and Dominic (Ramon Reed) arguing over who’s stronger: Superman or Goku. They’re standing in Comics Galore!, a comic book store owned by Janae (Shalita Grant). Jared (Leonard Robinson) waltzes into the establishment, asking for assistance finding a comic book for his stepson. Cherry and Dom ignore him until Janae returns, putting the two in their place for trying to scare away her customers.
Meanwhile, Earl (William Stanford Davis) sits on the sidelines, awaiting the arrival of his archnemesis Melvin so they can play cards. Another man, Duncan (Gary Kraus), heads to the back for the hentai Janae set aside for him. Then, Mike (Rome Flynn) enters the store, catching Cherry’s eye. He’s a newcomer — well, new to her. Jenae gives Mike his pull list, so we know he’s a regular.
Lawrence le Noir
Mike inquires about the Mythic Quest comic, which was supposed to be part of his pull list. Jared realizes his stepson loves Mythic Quest. That’s the series he needs. Janae reveals that the shipment of the latest issue should be arriving soon. Cherry and Dom are also waiting for said issue.
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Janae scolds the group for occasionally popping behind the counter, especially if they put anything on the glass display case. It already has a crack in it. At the same time, she sets up the display for the new Mythic Quest mystery boxes. We learn more about the MQ comic everyone’s waiting on. For starters, it’s character Lawrence le Noir’s first solo issue. He’s the first Black character in the series.
Dom adds that this particular issue is supposed to have a big reveal. Perhaps he finds an Elder stone. Dom gives Jared a breakdown re: all things MQ, but Cherry and Mike urge him to keep spoilers under lock and key. Melvin (Anthony Carr Jr.) barges into the store, ready to put Earl in his place. We see Melvin is a kid. Yes, Earl’s beefing with a kid. They sit down to play cards.
Lack of Representation in Comics
Cherry asks Mike about his interest in comics. What’s his comic book origin story? He claims he conceals his love of comics from his friends. Listen, there’s no shame in being a hot nerd. The overarching conversation in the store pivots to cosplay when Dom learns that Janae, the love of his life, cosplays as Nira X. Jared remarks that Nira X is a white comic book character.
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The others school Jared on the lack of Black characters in the comic book space. They provide examples of non-Black characters they accept as part of the community. Cherry insists that Teletubbies is essentially Living Single. Tinky-Winky is Queen Latifah.
Next, the arrival of Janae’s shipment interrupts the conversation. Unfortunately, FedEx only delivers one Mythic Quest issue. Well, that complicates things. Janae calls her supplier and rightfully chews them out. She has multiple customers waiting for this particular MQ issue. She points out that white-owned comic book stores receive preferential treatment. Meanwhile, establishments run by BIPOC — like hers — get the short end of the stick.
Only One Issue
After this, Janae informs the group that more copies are on the way. In the meantime, one of them can take this issue home. Mike reminds her of his pull list, which included this comic. Cherry insists she’s Janae’s most loyal customer. Jared reveals he’ll give Janae $100 for it. Sold!
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Well, almost. Cherry, Mike and Dom protest this, so Janae allows the group to figure it out among themselves. Cherry believes they should compare pull lists to see who has the most nerd cred. Realizing he doesn’t have a pull list, Jared calls his stepson to learn what comics the latter likes. Cherry locks the door and displays the “Closed” sign.
Then, she orders Dom and Mike to fork over their phones. Mike produces two phones, prompting questions. He explains that one phone is for the white women he dates. Earl remarks that he has two families instead of two phones. I’d like to think he’s actually Mr. Johnson from Abbott Elementary, and this is all part of his intricate lore.
Comparisons and Trivia
Next, Dom shows his pull list, which includes issues of Invincible and Assassin’s Creed. Cherry compliments it. Then, Cherry reveals hers. Dom and Mike question what Vigor Mortis is. Cherry orders Mike to hand over his undoubtedly “basic” list. Jared reveals he couldn’t get hold of his stepson because he’s too busy playing the PS5 he got from his biological father. He’s desperate to prevail over his stepson’s real dad, who’s playing hardball.
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Speaking of prevailing, Earl wins the game, beating out Melvin. Cherry suggests that Jared play cards with Earl to win the MQ comic book. That’s how they settle things around here — nerd code. While Jared takes on Earl, Mike proposes that he, Cherry and Dom settle who gets the MQ issue with some good old-fashioned trivia: Mythic Quest-style.
During trivia, Cherry reveals that the next solo issue will go to Tritzia Leung. It plays into Janae’s franchise theory. Janae explains that when a franchise becomes stale, they add Black people. If it keeps going, they bring in Asians (usually as villains, unfortunately). Cherry and Dom rattle off different comic series that implement this theory.
A Sword or a Dick?
Their vast comic book knowledge impresses Mike. Cherry and Dom joke that Mike should call them when he’s ready to play in the big leagues with the adults. Mike remarks that Cherry hangs out with a 14-year-old and a Vietnam vet all day. The comment cuts Cherry to the quick. Mike claims he was just teasing her. Cherry insists she has friends outside the store.
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Later, Duncan notes that the sword design in the MQ mystery box display Janae is assembling looks like a penis. This is a reference to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 3 Episode 3, “Dennis and Dee’s Mom Is Dead,” in which Mac makes a flyer advertising the guys’ need for new friends. He claims it’s the shape of a bicep, but it looks awfully like a dick. Anyway, Janae insists it’s a sword until she steps away for a different perspective. Yeah, it’s a peen.
Suddenly, Earl falls to the ground. Dom heads behind the counter to retrieve Earl’s medication. Janae urges Cherry to call 9-1-1. However, Earl’s faking it. He reveals that Jared beat him at cards. Jared explains that his whole job is data analysis. He clocked Earl’s gameplay style pretty early on. Earl accuses him of being a nerd. Well, Jared’s in the right place to be one.
Missing in Action
Janae grabs the MQ comic for Jared, who won it fair and square. Cherry and Mike bicker. Janae vows to throw one free trade into everyone’s next pulls. Unfortunately, the issue is MIA. Cherry and Mike’s bickering escalates into argument territory, with Dom joining in. She pokes fun at Mike’s “basic” pull list, which he eventually shows her and Dom. Cherry orders Mike to leave the store. Then, she pivots, demanding Mike hand over the MQ comic before he departs. Mike strips off his shirt to prove he didn’t steal it.
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After Mike leaves, Cherry and Janae get into it. Janae reminds Cherry that this store is her livelihood. It’s her business. Jared prepares to leave, claiming he’s gonna buy his stepson a snake instead. This place is too chaotic for him. Suddenly, Mike bursts through the entrance in his Lawrence le Noir cosplay. He’s on a self-balancing scooter. He looks pretty hot. Mike reveals he had this costume in the trunk of his car. He’s a nerd, baby.
Duncan emerges from the bathroom with the MQ comic. He points at Mike, claiming he’s the “guy who dies.” Yes, Lawrence le Noir dies in his first solo issue. Cherry screams out about spoilers. She pushes Mike aside while making a beeline for Duncan. Cherry and Dom try to wrestle the comic from Duncan as Mike attempts to regain his balance and fails. He topples into Janae’s display of the MQ mystery boxes, sending them flying across the store.
Come Together
Then, Janae orders everyone to leave. She slams her hands on the glass display case on the counter, which, if you recall, already has a crack. This completely shatters it. She storms into her office and slams the door, but not before grabbing her flask. Poor Janae.
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Everyone continues arguing while Janae is in her office. Earl cuts through the noise and urges the group to get introspective. They haven’t made Janae’s job any easier. This is how she makes a living. Later, Cherry knocks on Janae’s office door to reveal they decided to give the Mythic Quest comic to Jared’s stepson. You gotta support the next generation of nerds.
Then, she encourages Janae to come out into the store proper. Duncan is reading the Lawrence le Noir issue to the group before Jared takes it home. They also fixed the glass display by placing all the MQ mystery boxes in it. Janae smiles.
Cherry sits beside Mike. Mike asks Cherry if they can hang out sometime. The gang learns that Lawrence didn’t actually die, which is good. Janae joins the crew as Duncan finishes his reading.
Side Quest Season 1 is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: RACHEL
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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