Rodney Barnes Talks Boondocks Evolution and Horror Comic Killadelphia at Fan Expo Philly

At this year’s Fan Expo in Philadelphia, AllHipHop’s Chuck Creekmur set aside time to meet with Rodney Barnes. Barnes is a trailblazer in television, comics and pop culture who travels from his Los Angeles base to key East Coast conventions each year. He makes stops in Baltimore and D.C. on his annual swing.

His credits span a range of genres and formats. He co-wrote episodes of The Boondocks, created storylines for Everybody Hates Chris and My Wife and Kids, and launched the horror comic Killadelphia. He also serves as writer and producer on Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, giving viewers a fresh take on a legendary run.

Barnes often blends social commentary with satirical humor and genre thrills. His work has appeared in graphic novels, network series and streaming programs. He says that keeping a story grounded in genuine human experience is what draws audiences in.

At the Expo, Barnes spoke about his Maryland upbringing, the origins of The Boondocks, adapting comics into scripts and his ongoing fascination with Swamp Thing. He shared a candid perspective on authenticity, creative partnerships and the way social media can shape what makes it to air.

Creekmur opened the session with a nod to Barnes’ diverse portfolio. The writer discussed how comic books remain a passion, even as he focuses on television more than ever.

Barnes recalled childhood field trips to Philadelphia in the Boy Scouts, where visits to the Liberty Bell planted the seeds for Killadelphia. He said that linking ideas of freedom to modern struggles made the city an ideal backdrop.

On turning Killadelphia into a screen project, Barnes confirmed that Levantine Films has optioned the property. The team is now pitching the series to networks and platforms, with hopes of preserving the comic’s dark tone and social edge.

The conversation turned to The Boondocks and its place in Barnes’ career. He pointed out that the era when that show launched saw far less scrutiny over edgy themes. Today, instant feedback on platforms like Twitter—or “X”—means tighter oversight from studios.

Looking back, Barnes said he balanced work on My Wife and Kids and Everybody Hates Chris by day and devoted nights to The Boondocks. That mix helped him hone his writing voice.

Authentic relationships came up next. He noted that friendships formed growing up in a small town feel different from alliances in Hollywood. He aims to keep trustworthy collaborators close as he develops future projects.

AllHipHop: "Chuck Creekmur here with AllHipHop and Certified Squad. We’re here with Rodney Barnes—the legend, the writer, the storyteller. What else are you nowadays?"
Rodney Barnes: "Just writer / producer primarily. I mean, TV more than anything else, but I got this love for comic books that I just can’t let go."

AllHipHop: "Much respect. A lot of people don’t know The Boondocks is on your résumé."
Rodney Barnes: "We don’t do résumés anymore. [Laughs] Just LinkedIn now."

AllHipHop: "How you doing, man?"
Rodney Barnes: "I’m good, just busy here in Philly. I try to hit the East Coast towns once a year since I live in L.A.—Baltimore, Philly, D.C. I love coming to these cities."

AllHipHop: "What about New York?"
Rodney Barnes: "We do New York every year. It’s always wild—kind of like San Diego [Comic-Con]."

AllHipHop: "How’s Fan Expo going for you?"
Rodney Barnes: "It’s not as busy on Sunday, but Friday and Saturday were great. Those are always the hot days for business."

AllHipHop: "Let’s talk about your work. You’ve got several titles out. Have any been converted into shows yet?"
Rodney Barnes: "Killadelphia has been optioned. That’s the one people ask about most. Levantine Films optioned it. We’re doing our best to get it set up, just shopping it around."

AllHipHop: "Killadelphia is such a dope concept. Why Philly?"
Rodney Barnes: "I loved the name. When I was a kid in the Boy Scouts, we’d come to Philly for field trips—see the Liberty Bell, all that history. Juxtaposing the idea of democracy with the social ills of today—it felt like the perfect setting."

AllHipHop: "Delaware wasn’t hard enough for you? [Laughs] We used to call Wilmington “Kilmington.” [For the record, I never did that.]"
Rodney Barnes: "[Laughs] Philly sounds a lot harder. But I actually have an idea for something set in Delaware. Can’t say it on camera yet, though."

AllHipHop: "Now about The Boondocks. Any chance it comes back?"
Rodney Barnes: "Never say never. But it’s a different time now. Back then, social media wasn’t like it is today. Now you can offend someone and they’ll jump on Twitter—or “X”—immediately. Corporations don’t like that. We had way less oversight back in the day."

AllHipHop: "It’s a whole new world. How do you feel about The Boondocks being a part of your legacy?"
Rodney Barnes: "Very proud. I was doing My Wife and Kids and Everybody Hates Chris during the day, then working on The Boondocks at night. It was a great mix that helped me find my voice as a writer."

AllHipHop: "What are you most proud of overall?"
Rodney Barnes: "Just being able to do it this long. Making a living through creativity. If you’d told 8-year-old me that I’d be doing comics, TV, and film, I’d have called you crazy. But I did it—coming from Maryland to L.A., and actually making it work."

AllHipHop: "I see you with everybody—Xzibit was one recently."
Rodney Barnes: "[Laughs] When you grow up in a small town, friendships just happen. But in Hollywood, it’s different. I value real relationships, People who love their families, who you can relate to. If we can build together and make money? Even better."

AllHipHop: "Final question—favorite superhero growing up?"
Rodney Barnes: "Swamp Thing. Then Batman. I liked the darker stuff, especially when it leaned into horror. Bernie Wrightson and Len Wein’s Swamp Thing from the ’70s, then Alan Moore’s run—that was my favorite. I’ve written Batman, but one day I will write Swamp Thing."

AllHipHop: "That’s dope. Rodney, thank you, brother."
Rodney Barnes: "Thank you, man. Appreciate you."