Clayface reading order
The characters who have worn the Clayface name, from Basil Karlo's 1940 debut to his own 2026 miniseries. New readers should start with James Tynion IV's Detective Comics run from 2016.
The Original Clayface1940–1941
Basil Karlo, a faded horror actor, puts on a mask and starts killing the cast of a remake of his old film. Here Clayface is a costumed murderer, not yet a shapeshifter.
Read this stretch in 1 book
- DC Finest: Batman: The Case of the Chemical Syndicate (2026)Covers Detective Comics #40, 49Find on Amazon
Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.
- Detective Comics (1937)Detective Comics (1937) #40June 1940, optional
Karlo's first appearance, in the Batman lead story; worth reading as history.
- Detective Comics (1937) #49March 1941, optional
Karlo escapes and goes after the studio again, continuing from issue 40.
Matt Hagen, the Shapeshifter1961
A treasure hunter finds a pool of strange protoplasm and gains the power to reshape his body. This is the version that set up the clay-monster image.
Read this stretch in 1 book
- DC Finest: Aquaman: King of Atlantis (2025)Covers Detective Comics #298Find on Amazon
Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.
- Detective Comics (1937)Detective Comics (1937) #298December 1961, optional
Hagen's debut in the Batman lead story; Silver Age background.
Preston Payne, Clayface III1978
A scientist with a disease uses Hagen's blood to try to cure himself and becomes a tragic figure whose touch melts flesh.
Read this stretch in 1 book
- Batman Arkham: Clayface (2017)Covers Detective Comics #478–479Find on Amazon
Not in these books: Detective Comics #477. Look for the single issues on eBay.
Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.
- Detective Comics (1937)Detective Comics (1937) #477May 1978, optional
Payne makes only a cameo in this issue.
Payne's origin and his first clash with Batman.
The Mud Pack1989
Basil Karlo returns and brings the later Clayfaces together for a plan against Batman. This is the story that links all the versions.
Read this stretch in 1 book
- Batman: The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 4 (2021)Covers Detective Comics #604–607Find on Amazon
Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.
Detective Comics (1937)Detective Comics (1937) #604–6074 issues
- #604
- #605
- #606
- #607
A four-part story by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle.
Clay in Legends of the Dark Knight1996–1997
A two-part story that gives Clayface a new origin, told on its own terms.
Read this stretch in 1 book
- Batman: Monsters (2009)Covers Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #89–90Find on Amazon
Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1992)Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1992) #89–902 issues, optional
- #89
- #90
A standalone retelling of the origin that you can skip.
Start here
Tynion's Detective Comics2016–2018
Batman and Batwoman train a team of young Gotham vigilantes, and Basil Karlo joins them to try to redeem himself. This run gives Clayface his fullest character arc.
Read this stretch in 4 books
- Batman: Detective Comics - Rebirth Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 (2018)Covers Detective Comics #934–949Find on Amazon
- Batman: Detective Comics - Rebirth Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 (2018)Covers Detective Comics #950–962Find on Amazon
- Batman: Detective Comics - Rebirth Deluxe Edition Vol. 3 (2018)Covers Detective Comics #963–973Find on Amazon
- Batman: Detective Comics - Rebirth Deluxe Edition Vol. 4 (2019)Covers Detective Comics #974–981Find on Amazon
Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.
Detective Comics (2011)Detective Comics (2011) #934–9407 issues
- #934
- #935
- #936
- #937
- #938
- #939
- #940
Rise of the Batmen: the team forms and Karlo is recruited.
Parts 3 and 6 of the Night of the Monster Men crossover, which alternates with Batman and Nightwing.
The Victim Syndicate.
Batwoman's backstory, which sets up her solo series.
Detective Comics (2011) #950–96819 issues, optional
- #950
- #951
- #952
- #953
- #954
- #955
- #956
- #957
- #958
- #959
- #960
- #961
- #962
- #963
- #964
- #965
- #966
- #967
- #968
Team stories in which Clayface has a supporting role; read them for the full run.
Fall of the Batmen and its epilogue put Clayface's struggle at the centre.
The Trial of Batwoman, then Batmen Eternal, which ends Tynion's run.
One Bad Day: Clayface2023
Clayface heads to Los Angeles and takes on the identity of a young actor trying to break into the business. It is a self-contained character study.
Read this stretch in 1 book
- Batman - One Bad Day: Clayface (2023)Covers Batman - One Bad Day: Clayface #1Find on Amazon
Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.
- Batman - One Bad Day: Clayface (2023)Batman - One Bad Day: Clayface (2023) #1April 2023
A standalone one-shot.
Clayface: Celebrity Dirt2026
Clayface's own six-issue miniseries by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Fran Galán. Basil Karlo escapes Arkham to reclaim his Hollywood career and finds that someone else has taken his name and face.
Clayface: Celebrity Dirt (2026)Clayface: Celebrity Dirt (2026) #1–44 issues
- #1
- #2
- #3
- #4
The newest Clayface story, still being published.
Links to buy comics are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Comic Compass earns from qualifying purchases. More in our terms.