Whether it's DC's animated comic “Harley Quinn” or its spinoff “Kiteman: Hell Yeah!”, foul language and bloody violence are the focus of every episode. Katie Rich, writer and executive producer on both shows, enjoys that the show's villainous protagonists allow her and her team to take the “naughtiness” to new heights.
“Because they’re bad people…the filth and fun is natural,” Rich said. “We don’t force them to be adult comedians, that’s what these people are really like.”
Joining Rich are writers and executive producers of “Harley Quinn” and “Kate Man” Patrick Schumacher and Justin Halpern, as well as series stars Lake Bell and James Adomian in diverse Google TV will host a new studio at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 to discuss the success of its two bold animated series.
“Harley Quinn” follows the villainous Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) and her sidekick and romantic partner Poison Ivy (Bell) as they commit rampant crime on the streets of Gotham. “Kite Man: Hell Yeah!”, a spinoff series that premiered in 2024, follows lesser villain Kite Man (Matt Oberg) and his girlfriend Golden Glider (Cathy Ang), who turn villainous to fund their bar operation at Gotham City Dive.
Despite the sometimes gritty nature of Kite Man, the core of the show is a love story, according to Bell. A love story not just between Kite Man and Golden Glider, but also between all of Gotham's outcast villains.
“I think it’s a love story,” says Bill. “It starts with a love story. I mean, [it has] “Blood, body parts, guts, murder, and all that genital stuff. But he's really serious about his love.”
“It’s a classic story about saving the farm,” added Adomian, who voices Ben in “Kate Man” and “Harley Quinn.” “A community comes in and saves a beloved institution from crime and bloodshed.”
With five successful seasons of “Harley Quinn” and the warm reception the first season of “Kite Man” received, Schumacher says it's possible DC's animated universe could expand with more spinoffs.
“I think we can only talk in hypothetical terms, right? But I think the sky’s the limit,” Schumacher said. “I think after doing six ensemble seasons of ‘Kite Man’ and ‘Harley,’ I would be confident in doing a solo show for multiple characters. Let’s just say we’ve talked about it.”
