HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

'Harley Quinn' oral sex scandal: DC slammed for removing Batman, Catwoman scene

'Harley Quinn' co-creator Justin Halpern said that DC eliminated a sex act starring Batman and Catwoman

Twitter had a field day on Monday, June 15, at the news of DC Comics reportedly asking the team of 'Harley Quinn' to remove a specific scene from Season 3 of the animated series.

HBO Max's (formerly DC Universe’s) Harley Quinn series stands out for the way it pushes the boundaries in terms of adult material, notably in the arena of sexuality. During the creation of the adult animation series' impending third season, Harley Quinn co-creator and executive producer Justin Halpern said that DC eliminated a sex act starring Batman and Catwoman.

READ MORE

DJ Khaled trolled as 'Batman' after DC says Batman can't go down on Catwoman

'Harley Quinn' Episode 2: 'A High Bar' explores the villainous social dynamics of a Gotham City break-up

The Clown Princess of Crime has even been nominated for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series for its depiction of the relationship between Harley and Poison Ivy, another sultry Batman adversary, but there are still some things that are too adult for Harley Quinn to show.

Why is Batman not allowed to go down on Catwoman?

In an interview with Variety surrounding how new superhero shows like 'WandaVision' and 'The Umbrella Academy' “subvert” the genre’s usual tropes, Harley Quinn co-creator Justin Halpern said that while they have some leeway in terms of what they can portray on the adult animated series, DC Comics has forbidden at least one subject: the intimate details of Batman and Catwoman's sex lives. “It’s incredibly gratifying and free to be using characters that are considered villains because you just have so much more leeway,” said Halpern.

“A perfect example of that is in this third season of Harley (when) we had a moment where Batman was going down on Catwoman. And DC was like, ‘You can’t do that. You absolutely cannot do that.’ They’re like, ‘Heroes don’t do that.’ So, we said, ‘Are you saying heroes are just selfish lovers?’ They were like, ‘No, it’s that we sell consumer toys for heroes. It’s hard to sell a toy if Batman is also going down on someone.’”

DC "has been remarkably supportive of their series and has allowed them to push the envelope numerous times," according to Halpern and fellow co-creator and executive producer Patrick Schumacker.

'Robert Pattinson's Batman would'

"Batman and by this admission, the entire pantheon of DC superheroes canonically not eating pussy is the funniest shit cape comics has ever given us," said a Twitter user. "Robert Pattinson's Batman would," quipped another. "You cannot tell me Batman’s mask wasn’t made specifically for cunnilingus," a third said. "I’m just glad Batman’s parents aren’t alive to see this discussion," a fourth chipped in. 

'What Batman won’t do, Nightwing will'

Fans left no stone unturned to fight for Batman. "Green Arrow eats out, why not Batman. dc are cowards," said one. "What Batman won’t do, Nightwing will," referring to Batman's sidekick Robin who becomes Nightwing after leaving Batman's side as vigilante partner. "Joker: “And where is the Batman?!” Catwoman: “I can tell you where he’s not." another said. "Can you imagine how embarrassed Batman is right now?" a fan wondered.