Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

Kite Man: Hell Yeah!
Genre
Based on
Developed by
Showrunners
Voices of
Music by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
ProducerJoann Estoesta
Editors
  • Dave Courter
  • Annie De Brock
Running time23–24 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkMax
ReleaseJuly 18, 2024 (2024-07-18) –
present (present)
Related
Harley Quinn

Kite Man: Hell Yeah! is an American adult animated black comedy superhero television series based on the DC Comics character Kite Man created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang. The series stars Matt Oberg, Stephanie Hsu and James Adomian, and follows the adventures of Kite Man and his current girlfriend Golden Glider who have supported the purchase of a local bar named Noonan's.

The series serves as a spin-off of Harley Quinn, where Kite Man was featured as a supporting character and ex-fiancé to Poison Ivy.[1][2] The first season consists of ten episodes, with Matt Oberg returning to voice Kite Man. Much of the voice cast were revealed in September 2023.

Kite Man: Hell Yeah! premiered on July 18, 2024.

Premise

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The series follows the saucy adventures of Kite Man and his girlfriend Golden Glider who live together in Noonan's, Gotham's seediest dive bar. They take their relationship to the next level by opening a bar in the shadow of Lex Luthor's Legion of Doom.

Voice cast

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Main

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Supporting

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Guest

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [4]
1"Pilot, Hell Yeah!"Yoriaki Mochizuki
July 18, 2024 (2024-07-18)
With the Anti-Life Equation in his possession, Lex Luthor reluctantly hires Kite Man as an aerial spy to guard the Legion of Doom against the Justice League due to the Legion's flying villains being unavailable. Kite Man fails at his task, so Luthor takes revenge by attempting to buy Kite Man's hangout, Noonan's bar for $10 million. Kite Man and his girlfriend Golden Glider strive to raise the money first, but are unable to borrow it from anyone. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy advise the two to rob from villains worse than them. With help from former Legion member Bane, the group attack the mansion of Kite Man's father Darryl, who willingly surrenders his money as a reward for Kite Man finally standing up to him. Luthor's "revenge" is later revealed to be a deception so that he can hide the equation behind Noonan's, unaware that Darkseid is also on a hunt for it.
2"Grand Reopening, Hell Yeah!"Jeff WamesterConner ShinJuly 18, 2024 (2024-07-18)
While preparing for Noonan's grand reopening, Kite Man hires Darkseid's entitled goddaughter, Malice, as a server despite Glider wanting to hire Bane for the job. Meanwhile, Kite Man grows desperate for Darryl to respond to his invite to the event. Displeased with Malice's attitude, Glider invites Luthor, among other notable Legion members, to the party, unaware that Luthor is throwing his own party to ensure Noonan's stays irrelevant. The latter event is subsequently ruined by Malice's cat Chessure, who escapes and temporarily becomes kaiju-sized after eating several civilians, unintentionally drawing attention to Noonan's. After realizing that he should focus more on impressing people who actually like him, Kite Man fires Malice, but Glider promotes her to social media manager to make Darkseid happy while Bane takes a job as bouncer. Elsewhere, a goon named Gus takes the Queen of Fables' head in as his kindergarten class pet, where she is forced to entertain his students before stealing the body of one boy's mother after being taken home.
3"Villigan's, Hell Yeah!"Ben JonesChris MarrsJuly 25, 2024 (2024-07-25)
Villigan's, a villain-themed chain restaurant, opens across the street, threatening Noonan's business. Meanwhile, Kite Man feels that he is not moving fast enough in his relationship with Glider and asks if they can move in together, though she avoids the subject upon noticing that he found her secret relationship spreadsheet. Kite Man tries to reignite their bond by discovering Villigan's intentions, but proves reluctant to kill the manager as he has never killed before. Meanwhile, Glider accepts Villigan's offer for a free spa day with the Queen, Malice, and Chessure. During this, she confesses that she loves Kite Man and has been ready to move in with him, but is afraid that she might kill him due to her unstable powers. The group later learn they stumbled onto a death trap owned by Villigan's founder, Baby-Doll, who reveals her intent to kill Kite Man and destroy Noonan's with a rigged gift basket. However, Kite Man throws the basket at the last second, destroying Villigan's. Kite Man and Glider later reconcile and agree to move in together.
4"Portal Potty, Hell Yeah!"Joonki ParkVidhya IyerAugust 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
While moving in above Noonan's, Kite Man notices the lack of photos from Glider's youth, but she refuses to discuss her background with him. Meanwhile, Bane accidentally travels back to 1986 after defecating in the apartment's toilet, where he falls in love with Glider's mother Rebecca Chen. Through her brother Captain Cold, Kite Man learns their alcoholic, bickering parents frequented Noonan's in 1986, which is where Glider accidentally killed them upon using her powers for the first time. After falling out with Glider, Kite Man travels back in time to prevent her parents' deaths, with Glider following soon after. Despite saving Rebecca, Glider's father, Lawrence Snart, is killed in an explosion. Glider ultimately decides to focus on the present instead of the past, only to discover that Rebecca is still not around in the present. Unbeknownst to Glider, Rebecca ran away following Lawrence's death before being trapped in a jail cell and gassed by an unknown figure.
5"Prison Break, Hell Yeah!"Rick MoralesKatie RichAugust 8, 2024 (2024-08-08)
After returning to the present, Bane learns Rebecca was imprisoned in his old home, the Pit. He, Kite Man, and Glider head there, where they discover Villigan's owner Helen Villigan purchased the Pit from the League of Shadows and is using brainwashed prisoners as slave labor. Braving the workers and various death traps, the trio rescue Rebecca and bring her back safely. When she awakens later however, Rebecca is not enthused to see Glider. Meanwhile, Malice closes Noonan's early to prepare for the arrival of her immortal boyfriend despite the presence of a health inspector. She asks everyone present to pretend she does not work there, but the boyfriend kills several patrons, leading to her telling the truth and him dumping her. These cause her to feel emotions for the first time. Through her actions, Noonan's receives a "D-" from the inspector, narrowly saving it from being closed down.
6"Mother/Daughter Day, Hell Yeah!"Jeff WamesterLeslie SchapiraAugust 15, 2024 (2024-08-15)
Glider attempts to reconcile with Rebecca via a mother-daughter day, with Malice tagging along at Rebecca's insistence. Before leaving, Rebecca tells Kite Man that he is not right for her daughter given his lack of prospects and powers, which gets to him. Rebecca later abandons Glider, confessing that she never wanted a child and left because she did not want to be killed by Glider's powers like Lawrence. Angered, Glider tricks her into using the portal potty to travel back to 1986. Meanwhile, despite his crush on Rebecca, Bane reunites with Betty, an old fling from Valentine's Day,[h] who convinces him to give their relationship another chance. Concurrently, at Noonan's owner, Sean Noonan's suggestion, Kite Man separately meets with Etrigan and Helen to get superpowers, but is told by her that he must give up his kite in exchange. He agrees and becomes Beast Mode, gaining the ability to telekinetically bully others, which costs him his relationship with Glider. Satisfied that her plan is working, Helen burns his old kite.
7"Sexiest Villain Alive, Hell Yeah!"Joonki ParkDean LoreyAugust 22, 2024 (2024-08-22)
With Bane, Luthor, and Beast Mode in the running for "Sexist Villain Alive," Malice upgrades Bane's wardrobe to increase his chances, completing his look with the briefcase containing the Anti-Life Equation, which she thinks is an accessory. Meanwhile, Glider deduces that Helen can change Beast Mode back into Kite Man, so she nabs Helen's power controller with the help of Clayface, but only the real Helen's eyes can bypass the security. At the award ceremony, the Queen and Moe bring Toyman and Insect Queen as dates, with the latter luring Moe back to her hive to kill him. The Queen and Toyman follow to warn him, only to stumble across the Queen's old body preserved in honey. Helen has the contest rigged in Beast Mode's favor, ordering him to distract Luthor with his insulting victory speech while her hummingbird drones hunt down the equation, which Luthor has also located. The briefcase eventually lands in the possession of Glider, who merges with the equation and finally gains control of her powers. She forces Helen to let her access the power controller, restoring Kite Man, and the two mend their relationship.
8"Just Right, Hell Yeah!"Diana HuhChris MarrsAugust 29, 2024 (2024-08-29)

Kite Man and Glider are on the run after obtaining the Anti-Life Equation and are allowed to hide out for one night at a resort owned by Frank the Plant. Given his recent experience with a superpower, Kite Man is concerned that the Equation is corrupting his girlfriend and wants to get rid of it, especially after she attacks random civilians out of paranoia and insecurity. Glider is faced with visions of Rebecca, who suggests that they can rule the world together now that she has control over her powers. Meanwhile, Bane is tasked with babysitting an escaped Goldilocks while the Queen is out enjoying her old body, though her personality gets on everyone's nerves. He has to take her along after being invited to chat with Lex Luthor and Helen Villigan, who have temporarily joined forces to track down the Equation. Though Goldilocks ruins their talk, Bane decides that he should learn from her high standards and leaves, though the Equation's location is outed thanks to a call from Frank. Helen sends an army of robots to get the Equation back, though at Kite Man's insistence, Glider tosses it into a nearby nuclear plant, destroying the robots as well as the resort, and restoring Glider's personality. Ultimately, the Equation remains intact even after the explosion.

Note: The episode was dedicated to Lance Reddick, who died in March 2023 during production.
9"To Get to the Other Side, Hell Yeah!"Jeff WamesterJess Lieberman & Lexi SlaterSeptember 5, 2024 (2024-09-05)
To keep the Anti-Life Equation away from Glider, Luthor, and Villigan, Kite Man steals a chicken delivery truck and keeps the briefcase in the back, which mutates one of the chickens into a kaiju-sized carnivore. Meanwhile, Malice is visited by Darkseid, who offers to let her serve him on Apokolips for her dedication at Noonan's, though she is conflicted about the proposal. When Six-Pack lets it slip that Kite Man and Glider have the Equation, she tells him that Luthor actually has it, which adds to her guilt. Darkseid learns that he was misled and sets out to find the Equation himself, unaware that Luthor plans to recapture it by holding Noonan at gunpoint to lure Kite Man back home. His attempt is thwarted by the rest of the bar gang, including Bane, who unknowingly sends Goldilocks to the Portal Potty to shield her from the violence. After Chessure fails to subdue it, Glider and Kite Man defeat the chicken by making it cough up the briefcase, vowing to keep holding onto it. Back on Apokolips, Darkseid, determined to complete his search for the Equation, decides to confront Malice about the truth, using a tracking app that came with Chessure.
10"Hero Stuff, Hell Yeah!"[i]Joonki ParkDean LoreySeptember 12, 2024 (2024-09-12)
Helen captures Kite Man and Glider, and informs the couple that according to her algorithm, the world population would be fully destroyed no matter who handles the Anti-Life Equation, except for Kite Man. They are then spared, since Helen wants their help to keep her existing business. The couple hold a meeting with those in Noonan's, and decide that Kite Man should commit suicide after absorbing the Equation like The Exorcist, and Glider would be the mercy killer. As they are ready at the balcony of Noonan's, Lex Luthor tracks down the couple and arrives with the Legion of Doom. Their friends defend them from the attack, until Darkseid shows up after learning Kite Man's plan from Malice. Darkseid almost takes the Equation, but Helen's robots and Glider delay him until Rebecca, who travelled back to the present upon hearing the stories from Goldilocks, grabs the Equation and jumps inside the Queen's Fairy Tales. The book is then taken far away by Martian Manhunter (who has been disguised as Gus since the group meeting). Lex retreats, sadly, while Darkseid and Helen make peace with the Noonan's group. As Kite Man and Glider enjoy the blue skies ahead, Rebecca had killed off the current Evil Fairy Godmother and becomes the new Evil Fairy Godmother with the Anti-Life Equation. As she prepares for a future invasion with the demonized storybook characters, Brainiac's Skull Ship approaches Earth from outer space.

Production

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Serving as one of his final roles before he died in 2023, Lance Reddick voices Lex Luthor in the series up until the eighth episode, "Just Right, Hell Yeah!". The aforementioned episode was dedicated to his memory.

Development

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Harley Quinn showrunner Patrick Schumacker revealed at South by Southwest in March 2022, during the "Not Kidding Around: Warner Bros. Animation and the Reimagining of Iconic Characters for an Adult Audience" panel that development was underway for a spin-off featuring the character of Kite Man in the lead role.[1]

In April 2022, HBO Max announced that it had given a series order, which would be titled Noonan's.[2] That July, it was reported that Harley Quinn co-developer Dean Lorey and Katie Rich would serve as showrunners.[5]

In June 2023, at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, it was announced that the series would be re-titled as Kite Man: Hell Yeah!.[6]

Casting

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After the show was announced with a series order, Matt Oberg was announced to be reprising the role of Kite Man.[2] In September 2023, alongside the release of the teaser trailer, James Adomian and Rory Scovel were confirmed to reprise their roles as Bane and Gus the Goon, alongside with Stephanie Hsu, Jonathan Banks, Lance Reddick, Michael Imperioli, Natasia Demetriou, Judith Light, Janelle James, and Keith David joining the series, as well with Kaley Cuoco and Lake Bell guest starring as Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.[7]

Marketing

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The official teaser for the series was released on September 14, 2023, the same day as the release of the season 4 finale of Harley Quinn. The teaser shows scenes of Kite Man saying the words, the Queen of Fables, all the Legion of Doom characters during the quote "Take to Wing it", and finally a few clips of the first episode that was seen that ends with the title card saying the show's title.[8] Kite Man: Hell Yeah! premiered on Max on July 18, 2024.[9]

Critical reception

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Kite Man: Hell Yeah! received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor and lighthearted tone. IndieWire described the show as an "outstanding new sitcom" that works as both a comedy and a superhero spinoff,[10] while Decider recommended the series, calling it a "goofy-bloody" addition to the DC universe with a focus on lesser-known villains.[11] Screen Rant highlighted the humor in the show’s setting, managing a bar, and noted it stands out among DC's animated offerings for its comedic approach.[12] In terms of character performances, IGN Movies and Paste specifically commend Bane, noting that he steals the show with his engaging presence.[13][14] This sentiment is echoed by AV Club, which awarded the series a B+ and described it as a "delightful treat" for fans. Meanwhile, New York Times emphasizes the series' fun and irreverent tone, aligning it with the offbeat energy of the Harley Quinn series.[15][16]

However, Collider offered a more critical view, acknowledging Kite Man: Hell Yeah! as a "worthy spin-off" but pointing out some flaws that may hinder its overall effectiveness. Despite these criticisms, the show remains largely celebrated for its irreverent tone and comedic charm.[17]

Notes

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  1. ^ Hsu replaces Cathy Ang who previously voiced her in the Harley Quinn series.
  2. ^ Adomian replaces John Stamos who voiced the character in the Harley Quinn Valentine's day special.
  3. ^ James replaces Wanda Sykes who previously voiced her in the Harley Quinn series.
  4. ^ Chao replaces Ben Levin who voiced the character in the Harley Quinn series.
  5. ^ Daly replaces Tom Hollander who previously voiced him in the Harley Quinn series.
  6. ^ David replaces Michael Ironside who previously voiced him in the Harley Quinn series.
  7. ^ Reddick originally replaced Giancarlo Esposito who previously voiced him in the Harley Quinn series.
  8. ^ As depicted in "Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special".
  9. ^ Originally titled "Impossible Schemes, Hell Yeah!" when the episode first aired.

References

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  1. ^ a b Motamayor, Rafael (March 14, 2022). "Harley Quinn Spin-Off Series in the Works at HBO Max [SXSW]". slashfilm.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Flook, Ray (April 27, 2022). "Harley Quinn: Kite Man Spinoff "Noonan's" Gets HBO Max Green Light". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  3. ^ Nelson, Samantha (July 11, 2024). "Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Season 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  4. ^ "Shows A-Z – Kite Man: Hell Yeah! on Mac". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  5. ^ Acuna, Kirsten. "'Harley Quinn' creators say the Kite Man spin-off will feature Bane and tease that the current show title, 'Noonan's,' may change". Business Insider. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  6. ^ "Max Reveals Preview of Its Original Adult Animation Slate at Annecy International Animation Film Festival". Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc Press (Press release). June 15, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (September 15, 2023). "'Kite Man: Hell Yeah' Teaser: First Look At Max's 'Harley Quinn' Spinoff Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (September 14, 2023). "'Harley Quinn' Spin-Off 'Kite Man: Hell Yeah!' Ready to Soar with New Teaser". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  9. ^ Flook, Ray (June 21, 2024). "Kite Man: Hell Yeah!: Harley Quinn Spinoff Series Hits Max This July". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  10. ^ Travers, Ben (July 31, 2024). "'Kite Man'? Hell Yeah! — An Outstanding New Sitcom Is Also a Superhero Spinoff". IndieWire. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  11. ^ "'Kite Man: Hell Yeah!' HBO Max Review: Stream It Or Skip It?". Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Rangel, Felipe (July 20, 2024). "Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Review - Managing A Bar Has Never Been As Hilarious As It Is In DC Animated Series". ScreenRant. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  13. ^ Nelson, Samantha (July 11, 2024). "Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Season 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  14. ^ "Bane Steals the Show in Harley Quinn Spinoff Kite Man: Hell Yeah!".
  15. ^ "Kite Man: Hell Yeah! is a delightful treat for DC fans". AV Club. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  16. ^ "'Kite Man' Is a Fun, Irreverent 'Harley Quinn' Spinoff".
  17. ^ Blaney, Garrett (July 11, 2024). "'Kite Man: Hell Yeah!' Review: A Worthy Spin-off to 'Harley Quinn' (With Some Stumbles)". Collider. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
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