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Batman Arkham Collections #8
Batman Arkham: Clayface
BATMAN ARKHAM: CLAYFACE collects some of the villain's greatest stories by some of the industry's greatest creators, including Ed Brubaker (Captain America), Len Wein (SWAMP THING), Mike W. Barr (BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS), Darwyn Cooke (DC: THE NEW FRONTIER), J.H. Williams III (BATWOMAN), Mike Mignola (Hellboy) and many more!
Washed-up actor Basil Karlo. Matt Hagen, a common crook. Preston Payne, tragic scientist. These are just a few of the many people who have claimed the name Clayface! Some of them have incredible shape-changing abilities, while others have a deadly touch that can melt a person into a puddle of protoplasm. All of them have tormented the citizens of Gotham City and been defeated by the Dark Knight and his allies. Now witness the origins of their transformations and learn their ultimate fate!
Collects DETECTIVE COMICS #40, #298, #478-479, OUTSIDERS #21, SECRET ORIGINS #44, BATMAN #550, CATWOMAN #4, BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #69, 70, 71, and BATMAN SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS VILLAIN #1.
Washed-up actor Basil Karlo. Matt Hagen, a common crook. Preston Payne, tragic scientist. These are just a few of the many people who have claimed the name Clayface! Some of them have incredible shape-changing abilities, while others have a deadly touch that can melt a person into a puddle of protoplasm. All of them have tormented the citizens of Gotham City and been defeated by the Dark Knight and his allies. Now witness the origins of their transformations and learn their ultimate fate!
Collects DETECTIVE COMICS #40, #298, #478-479, OUTSIDERS #21, SECRET ORIGINS #44, BATMAN #550, CATWOMAN #4, BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #69, 70, 71, and BATMAN SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS VILLAIN #1.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2017
About the author
Bill Finger
659 books112 followersWilliam "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development. In later years, Kane acknowledged Finger as "a contributing force" in the character's creation. Comics historian Ron Goulart, in Comic Book Encyclopedia, refers to Batman as the "creation of artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger", and a DC Comics press release in 2007 about colleague Jerry Robinson states that in 1939, "Kane, along with writer Bill Finger, had just created Batman for [DC predecessor] National Comics".
Film and television credits include scripting The Green Slime (1969), Track of the Moon Beast (1976), and three episodes of 77 Sunset Strip.
-Wikipedia
Film and television credits include scripting The Green Slime (1969), Track of the Moon Beast (1976), and three episodes of 77 Sunset Strip.
-Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 20, 2019
I am familiar with Clayface mostly via Batman the Animated Series, where his episodes are some of my favorites. So, when I saw this compilation, I got very excited; I know other Batman villains were variations that are unique to BTAS, and I wanted to get to know more about the comics version of Clayface knowing that it would be new and different to me. That being said, I am very disappointed in this compilation, and - if this compilation is representative of Clayface stories - probably in the comics version of Clayface in general.
In this compilation, there are origins included for every version of Clayface - all five of them - and three of the Clayfaces have their origin stories included twice. Yes, you read that right: their origins are included multiple times, apparently to show the difference in artwork and the minor differences in actual story from the 40s/50s to the 80s/90s, because I did not see any major difference in the character's origins besides those inconsequential details. Also, as other reviewers have noted, stories that are not origins have the nasty habit of being part of larger arcs of the comics, and I can tell that because I read them and was very confused as to what the hell was going on. To make things worse, there is absolutely no context for the character(s) of the time frames in which they fit. It is a literally just a bunch of origin stories over and over again interspersed with the occasional confusing fight scene.
What would have made this compilation better was if the Clayfaces were sorted by character - one section for Basil Karlo that was a couple comics long, one section for Matt Hagan that was a couple comics long, and so on - similar to how the Celebration series of compilations are set up. (The Celebration of 75 Years compilation for Robin has sections for Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, and a final section for Other Robins. Batgirl's Celebration of 50 Years has something similar for the various individuals who have worn the Batgirl mantle.) That would have let readers get a better sense of the Clayfaces as multiple characters, and would have made it easy to avoid the mistake - at least, I assume and hope it was a mistake - of reprints of comics that were essentially the same with the exception of their artwork and publish dates. Another thing that would have improved this compilation is editor's notes on particular versions of Clayface, again similar to the set up of the Celebration series.
Overall, this book was a severe disappointment. It was a trial to get through and the only reason I pushed myself to do it is because I wanted to leave this review with full knowledge of the contents of the book. I can only hope that the other books in the Arkham series aren't this terrible. This is not a book that I would recommend or gift to someone.
In this compilation, there are origins included for every version of Clayface - all five of them - and three of the Clayfaces have their origin stories included twice. Yes, you read that right: their origins are included multiple times, apparently to show the difference in artwork and the minor differences in actual story from the 40s/50s to the 80s/90s, because I did not see any major difference in the character's origins besides those inconsequential details. Also, as other reviewers have noted, stories that are not origins have the nasty habit of being part of larger arcs of the comics, and I can tell that because I read them and was very confused as to what the hell was going on. To make things worse, there is absolutely no context for the character(s) of the time frames in which they fit. It is a literally just a bunch of origin stories over and over again interspersed with the occasional confusing fight scene.
What would have made this compilation better was if the Clayfaces were sorted by character - one section for Basil Karlo that was a couple comics long, one section for Matt Hagan that was a couple comics long, and so on - similar to how the Celebration series of compilations are set up. (The Celebration of 75 Years compilation for Robin has sections for Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, and a final section for Other Robins. Batgirl's Celebration of 50 Years has something similar for the various individuals who have worn the Batgirl mantle.) That would have let readers get a better sense of the Clayfaces as multiple characters, and would have made it easy to avoid the mistake - at least, I assume and hope it was a mistake - of reprints of comics that were essentially the same with the exception of their artwork and publish dates. Another thing that would have improved this compilation is editor's notes on particular versions of Clayface, again similar to the set up of the Celebration series.
Overall, this book was a severe disappointment. It was a trial to get through and the only reason I pushed myself to do it is because I wanted to leave this review with full knowledge of the contents of the book. I can only hope that the other books in the Arkham series aren't this terrible. This is not a book that I would recommend or gift to someone.
October 29, 2026
I didn’t enjoy this much honestly.
Some stories in this weren’t bad, but it only made me realize I do not care at all for Clayface as a villain and hope not to see him much in other runs
Some stories in this weren’t bad, but it only made me realize I do not care at all for Clayface as a villain and hope not to see him much in other runs
July 11, 2021
this book is an excellent one for the various clayfaces of the dc world.
May 20, 2021
Up and down look at the Batman's encounters with various incarnations of Clayface - from a disgruntled Lon Chaney-esc. actor to the 'son' of two other versions of the character.
This collection reprints is pretty much a haphazard thing with stories that are sometimes left hanging . The Batman and the Outsiders story leaves us hanging, as one example.
The quality of the reprints varies wildly (the 1940 The Murders of Clayface is clearly a restoration that doesn't quite look sharp enough; The comic of Clayface - featuring the art of Marshall Rogers and Dick Giordano - seems murkier than I remembered it).
Fun, but not as good as I expected.
This collection reprints is pretty much a haphazard thing with stories that are sometimes left hanging . The Batman and the Outsiders story leaves us hanging, as one example.
The quality of the reprints varies wildly (the 1940 The Murders of Clayface is clearly a restoration that doesn't quite look sharp enough; The comic of Clayface - featuring the art of Marshall Rogers and Dick Giordano - seems murkier than I remembered it).
Fun, but not as good as I expected.
September 22, 2018
Batman Arkham: Clayface is a compilation of some of the best representative of Clayface stories over the years centering one of the more metamorphic foes in the Batman Rouges. This collection features Clayface in all his many incarnations throughout the years.
This trade paperback collects Detective Comics #40, #298, #478–479, Outsiders #21, Secret Origins #44, Batman #550, Catwoman #4, Batman: Gotham Knights #69–71, and Batman Secret Files and Origins: Villains #1.
Clayface is an alias used by several fictional super villains, which this trade paperback introduced. Most incarnations of the character possess clay-like bodies and shape-shifting abilities and all of them have been depicted as adversaries to Batman.
The alter egos shown in this trade paperback are Basil Karlo (actor), Matt Hagen (treasure hunter), Preston Payne (scientist), Sondra Fuller (super-villain), Cassius Payne (son of Preston Payne and Sondra Fuller), Peter Malley (scientist), Todd Russell (veteran test-subject), and Johnny Williams (fire-fighter).
As a whole, Batman Arkham: Clayface is a somewhat well collected anthology of Clayface stories –actually, it just felt like eight origin stories to those who took up the mantle of Clayface, which is quite repetitive as some of them have similar origin stories. It is not necessarily a bad thing – all the alter egos to the Clayface mantle should be covered in a book about Clayface, but to explore all of them in one trade paperback is rather problematic as it is just filled with origin stories with very little growth that one would expect throughout the years.
Regardless, I think the editors picked a somewhat nice selection, given the numerous characters and the length restrictions that were probably placed on them. Overall, I was happy of which stories were presented and served the purpose of introducing the reader to Clayface – just wished it was more exhaustive, but that would added perhaps several hundred more pages or so.
All in all, I think Batman Arkham: Clayface is a somewhat adequate selection of stories that gives a nice glimpse into the psyche of the Clayface legacy, one of the most metamorphic villains in Batman's Rouge Gallery. It is an adequate anthology for both the avid and subdued fan alike. However, for the newly initiated I would recommend a collection that is more substantial and cohesive.
This trade paperback collects Detective Comics #40, #298, #478–479, Outsiders #21, Secret Origins #44, Batman #550, Catwoman #4, Batman: Gotham Knights #69–71, and Batman Secret Files and Origins: Villains #1.
Clayface is an alias used by several fictional super villains, which this trade paperback introduced. Most incarnations of the character possess clay-like bodies and shape-shifting abilities and all of them have been depicted as adversaries to Batman.
The alter egos shown in this trade paperback are Basil Karlo (actor), Matt Hagen (treasure hunter), Preston Payne (scientist), Sondra Fuller (super-villain), Cassius Payne (son of Preston Payne and Sondra Fuller), Peter Malley (scientist), Todd Russell (veteran test-subject), and Johnny Williams (fire-fighter).
As a whole, Batman Arkham: Clayface is a somewhat well collected anthology of Clayface stories –actually, it just felt like eight origin stories to those who took up the mantle of Clayface, which is quite repetitive as some of them have similar origin stories. It is not necessarily a bad thing – all the alter egos to the Clayface mantle should be covered in a book about Clayface, but to explore all of them in one trade paperback is rather problematic as it is just filled with origin stories with very little growth that one would expect throughout the years.
Regardless, I think the editors picked a somewhat nice selection, given the numerous characters and the length restrictions that were probably placed on them. Overall, I was happy of which stories were presented and served the purpose of introducing the reader to Clayface – just wished it was more exhaustive, but that would added perhaps several hundred more pages or so.
All in all, I think Batman Arkham: Clayface is a somewhat adequate selection of stories that gives a nice glimpse into the psyche of the Clayface legacy, one of the most metamorphic villains in Batman's Rouge Gallery. It is an adequate anthology for both the avid and subdued fan alike. However, for the newly initiated I would recommend a collection that is more substantial and cohesive.
December 28, 2022
As a rule of thumb, if a character has to go through multiple origins and has to have those origins retold and slightly tweaked *almost every time he appears* then that’s not a great character. To have a whole book that almost pedantically goes over those origins almost every issue is even worse. I mean most great Batman villains have a hook that’s very simple to explain and thusly doesn’t need to be repeated every single time, which doesn’t say much for poor old Clayface - irrespective of which one you’re talking about. That he’s only interesting in the Hush story says more about how inherently rubbish Hush is (he was Batman’s friend! He now hates him! He wears bandages which for some reason the artist here decides to have dangling in EVERY frame which is really fucking annoying!) than how good Clayface is
There’s a sort of fascinating sense of seeing what decades of mostly mediocre Batman storytelling looks like, and some of the art is beautiful (while others look like someone trying really hard to ape better artists and failing) but really the only enjoyable strips in this whole thing are the Catwoman one (which is the final part of a story and makes no sense, but is still interesting and well written/ drawn) and the last one (which seems to contradict the origins we’ve had pedantically repeated again and again and again and again but manages to pacy and well drawn). Otherwise this is tough, tough going
There’s a sort of fascinating sense of seeing what decades of mostly mediocre Batman storytelling looks like, and some of the art is beautiful (while others look like someone trying really hard to ape better artists and failing) but really the only enjoyable strips in this whole thing are the Catwoman one (which is the final part of a story and makes no sense, but is still interesting and well written/ drawn) and the last one (which seems to contradict the origins we’ve had pedantically repeated again and again and again and again but manages to pacy and well drawn). Otherwise this is tough, tough going
June 14, 2019
A really interesting collection--as I realized that I didn't know much about the villain Clayface. I had no idea that multiple people had been Clayface and that their back stories were all so different. This was definitely a comic lesson for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning it. However, I did find that most of the Clayface stories in this collection... weren't the most thrilling. The older ones, obviously, were fun for nostalgia's sake, but the newer ones seemed to just repeat the stories I'd already read. I didn't need another origin story of these Clayfaces; I've just read them (in their original form, no less). Give me how each Clayface has then evolved and changed. That said, the final story, which featured Alfred being infected with a new Clayface virus and Hush manipulating Bruce Wayne and Batman's lives to utterly destroy him... now THAT was a good story. It wasn't just a repeat of what I'd already read, and it was exciting and interesting. This collection should have had more stories like that, rather than "trips down memory lane." Still, as a collection, it was fine enough, even if it wasn't the best of these Batman Arkhams that I've read.
November 1, 2023
This is a collection of stories about Clayface...all 6+ of them. Yes, there are multiple rogues with the name Clayface. There is Basil Karlo, an actor; Matt Hagen, who was diving when he found a mysterious grotto; Preston Payne, who is in love with a mannequin named Helena; Sondra Fuller/Lady Clay, a member of Strike Force Kobra; Cassius, the son of Preston and Sondra; Dr. Peter Malley/Clay-Thing, who accidently merged with a sample of Cassius' clay; and Johnny Williams, a firefighter. Most of these stories are repeats or republished years later. For example, "Secret Origins #44" (1989) has the same stories as "The Murders of Clayface" (Detective Comics #40; 1940) and "The Coming of...Clayface III!" (Detective Comics #478; 1978), only pages 90-103 are framed as Karlo telling Sondra what happened and pages 117-128 are framed as a documentary Preston and Helena are "watching". Also, "The Challenge of Clay-Face" (Detective Comics #298; 1961) and "If a Man be Clay!" (Batman Villains Secret Files and Origins #1; 2005) are the same.
I did enjoy the 4-part story of "The Shape of Things to Come" (Batman: Gotham Knights #68-71) and how Hush played into the story.
I did enjoy the 4-part story of "The Shape of Things to Come" (Batman: Gotham Knights #68-71) and how Hush played into the story.
October 18, 2026
This is a serviceable collection. There’s some decent stories here and it helped me with my sole purpose of getting familiar with Clayface before the film.
I wasn’t a fan of some of the selections however. A large amount of the book is retellings of old Clayface stories that also feature in the book that make it a boring, padded slog to get through. Some of the choices felt weird as well, like the Catwoman one that was the final issue of an arc just being shoehorned in.
I think this is good overall, but it left me with a sour taste in my mouth with the silly inclusions. Adding the Mud Pack story from detective comics would have been better than numerous issues in here, I had a good time reading that story alongside this book. Glad I read this digitally instead of spending any money on it.
I wasn’t a fan of some of the selections however. A large amount of the book is retellings of old Clayface stories that also feature in the book that make it a boring, padded slog to get through. Some of the choices felt weird as well, like the Catwoman one that was the final issue of an arc just being shoehorned in.
I think this is good overall, but it left me with a sour taste in my mouth with the silly inclusions. Adding the Mud Pack story from detective comics would have been better than numerous issues in here, I had a good time reading that story alongside this book. Glad I read this digitally instead of spending any money on it.
April 2, 2026
all the clayfaces are interesting but are not quite 'right'. thank you B:TAS for perfecting so many characters, including Clayface.
as the iterations reach the 2000s and beyond, the course correction to a similar Clayface to animated series is evident, although the comics are using Basil Karlo as their main which doesbt really add up with his initial appearances but retcons kind of work.
clayface iii, with the melting touch and exosuit similar to what animated Mr freeze will get, I found the most compelling.
and just by happenstance im reading chase who has their first appearance in here issue 550 which is a clayface story. wild!
as the iterations reach the 2000s and beyond, the course correction to a similar Clayface to animated series is evident, although the comics are using Basil Karlo as their main which doesbt really add up with his initial appearances but retcons kind of work.
clayface iii, with the melting touch and exosuit similar to what animated Mr freeze will get, I found the most compelling.
and just by happenstance im reading chase who has their first appearance in here issue 550 which is a clayface story. wild!
Read
August 18, 2026I now know that there are six Clayfaces. Unfortunately, this repeats origin stories multiple times, which is boring. I'd rather swapped a couple of those issues with Clayface stories, though, as someone who had never done a deep dive into Clayface, maybe this is the best they had to offer?
I feel Clayface is second tier at best, maybe third. To be fair, Batman has the best villains, so for another hero, Clayface could be top tier.
I read this basically in one sitting, which I don't recommend, as that makes it feel more repetitive. A good intro to the million Clayfaces, but not the most fun read.
I feel Clayface is second tier at best, maybe third. To be fair, Batman has the best villains, so for another hero, Clayface could be top tier.
I read this basically in one sitting, which I don't recommend, as that makes it feel more repetitive. A good intro to the million Clayfaces, but not the most fun read.
April 19, 2024
Great book and series.
I am having a lot of fun with this whole series. Clayface hardly makes appearances lately but he shines here. All 5-7 of them. My favorite is Matt Hagen. He is the most funny of the bunch. But Clayface 3 is the most tragic and psychopathic of the bunch. Such a good job they did by covering several characters in one book. Very unique to the series. Read it. Its very fun.
I am having a lot of fun with this whole series. Clayface hardly makes appearances lately but he shines here. All 5-7 of them. My favorite is Matt Hagen. He is the most funny of the bunch. But Clayface 3 is the most tragic and psychopathic of the bunch. Such a good job they did by covering several characters in one book. Very unique to the series. Read it. Its very fun.
October 2, 2026
I picked this up at a comic shop in Millburn, NJ. I knew that there was a Clayface movie coming out soon. Didn't know much about the character, except for a vague memory of a Mullet Man YouTube video I'd fallen asleep to a couple months ago.
This was an eclectic collection of origin stories told and re-told: in the 1940s, a jealous actor donning makeup; in the 1960s, a fantastical shapeshifter with cartoonish intentions; in the late 1970s, a tragic psychopath that accidentally curses himself with terrible powers. Such a fun way to see a power-set (goo, I guess?) evolve with the culture from villain-of-the-week to colorful rogue to dark & twisted monsterman. Then, the compilation starts to stray into the overgrowth of comics from the turn of the century: too many characters, retellings of the same origins. The most disappointing entries are the panel-for-panel retellings of earlier origin stories; there's no enough artistic or storytelling changes to feel like a genuine update, but there's some to latch onto. Then, we get some modern stories with even more versions of Clayface and much more creative artistic choices. Overall, a great hodgepodge that has me excited to see which direction the film chooses.
This was an eclectic collection of origin stories told and re-told: in the 1940s, a jealous actor donning makeup; in the 1960s, a fantastical shapeshifter with cartoonish intentions; in the late 1970s, a tragic psychopath that accidentally curses himself with terrible powers. Such a fun way to see a power-set (goo, I guess?) evolve with the culture from villain-of-the-week to colorful rogue to dark & twisted monsterman. Then, the compilation starts to stray into the overgrowth of comics from the turn of the century: too many characters, retellings of the same origins. The most disappointing entries are the panel-for-panel retellings of earlier origin stories; there's no enough artistic or storytelling changes to feel like a genuine update, but there's some to latch onto. Then, we get some modern stories with even more versions of Clayface and much more creative artistic choices. Overall, a great hodgepodge that has me excited to see which direction the film chooses.
May 31, 2026
The stories obviously rang in quality, but regardless, none of them are great. You get the origin story of each Clayface...and then a retelling...and a retelling. And then 4 issues that feel more like stories -- you know, that bad guy that never reached his full potential and is just annoying. And, also, if you haven't guessed, ISN'T CLAYFACE.
February 16, 2019
Picked this up to try to understand Clayface better - a villain I don't know as well as I could. The story selection was odd and I would have liked a better outline of the evolution of the character.
So so as an experience.
So so as an experience.
October 10, 2019
I'm a big fan of Clayface. And I really liked most of the stories here.
However, I cannot understand repeating almost the exact same origin stories for more than one character. There are certainly better Clayface stories out there that could have taken the place of these tales.
However, I cannot understand repeating almost the exact same origin stories for more than one character. There are certainly better Clayface stories out there that could have taken the place of these tales.
October 2, 2026
Trying to read comics for all the new DCU projects so I figured I’d start here. Was a solid read and I would’ve honestly been interested in more of the newer stuff but I did appreciate the old school origins.
August 29, 2017
Poor choice of stories. Way too many origin rehashes and too many issues that are part of larger stories.
October 15, 2017
Public library copy.
September 3, 2018
Too much repetition. How many times can they repeat the origin stories for each Clayface?
September 12, 2018
So many clayfaces!
February 16, 2021
Disappointing despite some good stories, but too man origin recaps and just uneven.
August 13, 2022
Mud Pack is the best storyline but also enjoyed the golden and silver age tales.
February 19, 2025
Kinda confusing at times but very sick either way. Didn't know there were so many Clayfaces
August 24, 2026
A great introduction to the character's legacy. I paticularly enjoyed Clayface 3's stories.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews