An Upcoming DC Release Will Continue The Weird Redemption Of A Batman Villain 2 Movies Messed Up

While recent Batman movies are frequently praised for their darker tones and their grounded villains, one character has always been incredibly difficult to get right, but Kite Man: Hell Yeah! could change that. The DCU is set to introduce a new Batman set within their shared universe, but The Dark Knight and his Rogues Gallery have been adapted many times over the years. While there has been a degree of success with various adaptations of most of the villains from the Batman comics, there are a few who have proven more difficult to bring to the big screen.

In Batman & Robin, the film presented an array of villains, with many of them coming across as cartoonish, one-dimensional, and too weird to be scary. These early Batman features were still finding the right tone for the character and the colorful cast of Gotham, but even when Christopher Nolan created a whole new vision of Gotham in The Dark Knight trilogy, some of the villains proved more popular than others. Specifically, Bane, who was played by Jeep Swenson in the former, where the character became a mindless wrestler, while Tom Hardy’s Bane was largely inaudible.

Kite Man’s DC Show Continues Bane’s Surreal Depiction Redemption

The Best Version Of Bane On Screen

Thankfully, DC’s adapted works don’t end with the feature films, because the animated DC shows have been able to provide incredible alternate versions for these villains. Bane in the comics is an incredible rival to Batman thanks to his immense strength, which is enhanced through the use of the liquid Venom, and his sharp intellect. However, Batman & Robin failed to deliver on that character. While things were somewhat improved with Hardy’s incredible performance, creating an intelligent and complex villain, the sound issues put an incredible damper on what could have otherwise been a flawless performance.

In the world of animated DC shows, such as Harley Quinn and the spin-off, Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, the character of Bane has had his most thorough representation on the small screen. Bane has appeared frequently on Harley Quinn, and he is set to be in the main cast for Kite Man, voiced by James Adomian. While this version is designed to be more humorous, it retains both the powerful and intelligent aspects of the character in his best adaptation to date.

Why Harley Quinn & Kite Man’s Bane Is An Underrated Version Of The DC Villain

Brains And Brawn

When briefly looking at the character of Bane in Harley Quinn, it would be easy to dismiss him as a lackey for more intimidating villains like the Joker, but in reality, Bane is a key figure in the story. Bane’s emotional reactions, and his hot-headedness are played up for the show, but the fact remains that he is a powerful and menacing villain. Despite often appearing timid and submissive, Bane is also full of rage and unbridled anger when he gets going.

With relative ease, he manages to overwhelm and defeat other villains. Like the Joker, his unpredictability and his rage make him an even greater threat. He is also incredibly creative and intelligent in ways that allow him to formulate strong plans, serve as a judge in trial, and conduct important business without suspicion. Bane is an impressive character, not just because of his rippling muscles, but also because he is able to be flexible and work with other villains, both in the Legion of Doom and the Injustice League. Now Kite Man: Hell Yeah! will take the character even further.

Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

Kite Man, along with his partner Golden Glider, ventures into the world of business by opening Noonan’s, a dive bar in Gotham’s underworld, shadowed by Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom. The couple balances their criminal exploits with managing the bar, where Gotham’s infamous rogues come to unwind. The series, spinning off from “Harley Quinn,” showcases the humorous and chaotic private lives of these villains, filled with absurd heists and personal drama.

Cast

Kaley Cuoco , Keith David , Jonathan Banks , Natasia Demetriou , Lance Reddick , Michael Imperioli , Stephanie Hsu , Judith Light

Release Date

July 18, 2024

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Justin Halpern , Patrick Schumacker