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Clayface
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Creation & Design

Clayface was created as a villain for Batman, initially appearing as a monster made of clay. Over the years, his character has evolved, with different incarnations and backstories.

Early Years

Clayface first appeared as a criminal who could transform his body into clay, allowing him to change his appearance and escape capture. His character was initially portrayed as a more straightforward monster.

Character Development

Over the years, Clayface has transitioned from a simple monster to a complex character with deep emotional struggles, often exploring themes of identity, transformation, and redemption.

Cultural Reception

Clayface has been well-received as a villain in the Batman mythos, often praised for his tragic backstory and unique abilities.

Character Details

Real Name:
Matt Hagen
First Appearance:
Detective Comics #40
Aliases:
Clayface, The Mud Monster
Species:
Metahuman
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Injustice League, Secret Society of Super Villains
Abilities:
Shape-shifting, Superhuman strength, Regeneration
Weight:
250lbs
Height:
6' 0"
Eye Color:
green
Hair Color:
brown

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Detective Comics #40
DC ⋅ 1940
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Detective Comics #40
 
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$4.5k
Mid
$13.2k
High
$44.5k

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Clayface, Basil Karlo

1st cover appearance of the Joker in Detective Comics

Detective Comics #49
DC ⋅ 1941
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Detective Comics #49
 
Low
$500
Mid
$1.5k
High
$5k

Key Facts

2nd appearance of Clayface, Basil Karlo

Detective Comics #298
DC ⋅ 1961
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Detective Comics #298
 
Low
$200
Mid
$800
High
$2k

Key Facts

1st appearance of the second Clayface, Matt Hagen, a scuba diver who had come into contact with a clay-like substance that compromised his molecular structure

[March 2023 - Deadline reports: sources are telling us that scripts are constantly changing, and that Clayface is a big addition to Matt Reeves’ The Batman 2 (version of character is unspecified). Deadline continues by writing: let’s wait until the dust settles here and something moves forward. It remains to be seen whether Clayface is a connection between The Batman 2 Elseworlds or Gunn's DC slate]

Detective Comics #477
DC ⋅ 1978
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Detective Comics #477
 
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$3
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$10
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$30

Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of the third Clayface, Preston Payne

Detective Comics #478
DC ⋅ 1978
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Detective Comics #478
 
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$3
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$10
High
$35

Key Facts

1st full appearance of the third Clayface, Preston Payne

Detective Comics #478
Non-Key
Mark Jewelers ⋅ DC ⋅ 1978
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Detective Comics #478
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Non-Key Issue. No additional information is available.

Crisis on Infinite Earths #12
DC ⋅ 1986
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Crisis on Infinite Earths #12
 
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$2
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$5
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$12

Key Facts

"Crisis on Infinite Earths" part 12

Death of Anti-Monitor, Dove, Robin, Green Arrow, Huntress and Clayface

1st appearance of Impala in mainstream DC comics

Outsiders #21
DC ⋅ 1987
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Outsiders #21
 
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$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

1st appearance of the fourth Clayface aka Lady Clay

1st team appearance of Strike Force Kobra: Clayface, Dervish, Elemental Woman, Planet Master, Spectrumonster, Zebra-Man II, Syonide

Batman #550
DC ⋅ 1998
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Batman #550
 
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$1
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$2
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$4

Key Facts

1st appearance of Cameron Chase, a highly-skilled agent for the Department of Extra-Normal Operations

1st appearance of Clayface, Cassius Payne, the son of Preston Payne and Sondra Fuller

1st appearance and death of Claything, Peter Malley

Introduction of the DEO, the Department of Extra-Normal Operations, an organization later revealed to be led by Director Bones

Catwoman #1
DC ⋅ 2002
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Catwoman #1
 
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$1
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$2
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$5

Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of Clayface, Todd Russell

Catwoman #4
DC ⋅ 2002
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Catwoman #4
 
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$1
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$2
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$4

Key Facts

1st full appearance of Clayface, Todd Russell

Detective Comics Annual #1
DC ⋅ 2018
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Detective Comics Annual #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

Origin of Clayface, Basil Karlo

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