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Fans are eagerly awaiting any word on The Batman Part II. While nothing official has been announced, it has been reported that Clayface will be one of the main villains. This excites fans, as they have wanted to see the classic villain on the big screen for quite some time. The character is able to take the form of anybody, and his main form is a giant monster. He makes a formidable foe for the Batman, and here are ten Clayface comics that prove that.
10. Nowhere Man
Nowhere Man is a story arc from Scott Snyder’s Batman Volume 2 and spans issues #19 and 20. The story takes place after the death of Damian Wayne and shows Bruce dealing with that loss. Clayface takes the form of Bruce Wayne to perform several heists, making things difficult for the Caped Crusader in and out of costume. The story is one of loss and redemption, and it shows how Clayface can not only put Bruce to the test physically but mentally.
9. Detective Comics #40
This comic from 1940 is the first of many Clayface comics. The Dynamic Duo investigates a series of murders on a film set. They discover the man behind the murders is named Basil Karlo, an ex-actor. Karlo now works as a makeup man on the set but moonlights as a killer named Clayface. Basil is able to take the shape of anybody and is killing the crew working on a remake of his film. The story is basic, as are many of the golden age, but it is a great starting point for a classic villain.
8. Mortal Clay
What makes Clayface so interesting is there are several people who used the moniker in the comics. In this 1987 story, a man named Preston Payne uses the name. Written by comic legend Alan Moore, the story sees Preston fall madly in love with a store mannequin. He steals money, is willing to kill for his love, and views the Dark Knight as competition. The story is a cautionary tale of twisted love and shows Bruce capable of talking with and understanding his opponents.
7. Mudnight Madness
The Joker’s Asylum series follows the Clown Prince of Crime as he tells his own warped stories surrounding the Rouge’s Gallery of Batman. This Clayface tale sees the villain invading a film festival playing one of Basil Karlo’s films. Due to the tale being told by Joker, Clayface is shown as grotesque and disturbing as he has ever been. Joker is famous for being an unreliable narrator, so the canon of this story is questionable. Still, if the character were to appear in Matt Reeves’ sequel, the more disturbing take would fit well.
6. Shadow of the Bat #75
By Fire…or by Ice? is a story found in the pages of Shadow of the Bat #75. The story sees Gotham in the aftermath of a massive earthquake that leads to the No Man’s Land event. This particular story sees the Caped Crusader tracking down Mr. Freeze, unaware that Clayface has returned stronger than ever. He has acquired new fire-based abilities, and he is dead set on revenge. Seeing Bats take on Freeze and a fire-based Clayface makes this one of the more intense Clayface comics.
5. Fall of the Batmen
Clayface has proven to be one of the more tragic villains in DC lore. Fall of the Batmen sees Bruce assembling a group of allies to help him in his fight. One of these allies is, strangely enough, Clayface. Basil Karlo is at constant war with himself, and he seems to be losing. Seeing Karlo desperately trying to do good while his inner urges tell him otherwise makes for an incredible story that dives deep into the mind of a fascinating character.
4. A Piece of You
One of the best comics featuring Clayface isn’t even a Batman comic. The Wonder Woman comics explain that Diana was made from clay by Queen Hippolyta. With this knowledge, it makes perfect sense that Clayface wants to absorb her to gain her powers. This two-part story sees Clayface attempt to take on Wonder Woman in a fun battle in New York. Seeing Clayface outside of the confines of Gotham makes for an entertaining tale, even if the outcome is obvious.
3. The Dark Knight Vol 4: Clay
One of the more intriguing and somber Clayface comics actually retells his origin story. The Dark Knight and James Gordon are investing a string of gruesome murders seemingly caused by a shapeshifter. This story shows how a once goofy character can be as dark as any other villain. The mystery takes fans’ knowledge of Clayface and twists it into something new. Should the character make it to the big screen, this is a perfect story to take inspiration from.
2. Fruit of the Earth
Clayface has been shown on multiple occasions he isn’t to be trusted. Poison Ivy learns this the hard way in the Fruit of the Earth arc. Once again, taking place in the No Man’s Land story, Clayface goes to Ivy with a proposition. He captures Ivy along with some kids she is helping and heads a fruit distribution ring with sinister motives. An interesting aspect about Clayface is he can be sympathetic or downright evil. This story is a great example of the latter.
1. The Dark Knight #23.3: Clayface
This issue features Clayface front and center. After the Justice League has supposedly died, Clayface decides he can do anything he wants. This version of the character is far, far removed from the sympathetic version. He is bloodthirsty and will not hesitate to kill anyone in his way. Basil Karlo has a deadly temper, and he doesn’t seem too phased about it. Clayface is at his most dastardly here, and many fans seem to prefer him that way. Batman isn’t even in this comic, meaning there are few who stand in Karlo’s way. Seeing an unhinged Clayface enjoying being a villain could make for an entertaining big-screen adaptation, but the version with a bit of sympathy will likely fit a bit better for Matt Reeves’ film.
