Is Clayface A Good Guy Now?

Introducing Clayface

Clayface is a shapeshifting supervillain and enemy of Batman who first appeared in Detective Comics #40 in June 1940 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clayface). His real name is Basil Karlo, and he was originally an actor who went insane after hearing that a classic horror film he had starred in would be remade. He adopted the Clayface persona and began killing the cast and crew involved in the remake.

Clayface’s body is made up of clay, allowing him to shapeshift and transform his body into any form he desires. This gives him a wide array of powers including shapeshifting, size alteration, density and elasticity control, and regenerative healing. He can reshape his limbs into weapons like hammers and blades, or even melt into a liquid state to slip through cracks. This makes him an unpredictable and dangerous foe for Batman.

Over the years, various people have taken on the Clayface mantle, but the original Basil Karlo remains the most notorious. His clay-based powers and theatrical background make him one of Batman’s most dramatic and recurring villains.

Clayface’s Turn Towards Good

Clayface, whose real name is Basil Karlo, has long been portrayed as a supervillain in DC Comics. However, in recent years there have been some key storylines where he has shown a desire to reform and become a hero.

One of the first instances of Clayface’s turn towards good came in the 2009-2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold animated series. In the episode “Clayfaces” it is revealed that Basil Karlo had been experimenting with a compound to try to cure his condition, wanting to become human again. Though he relapses into villainy, this shows Karlo’s internal conflict and desire for redemption.

Later, during Scott Snyder’s Batman run in the New 52 era, Clayface joins Batwoman’s covert team called the Unknowns (https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/206-comics-and-graphic-novels/75759143). Though not completely reformed, this partnership with Batwoman against greater evils starts Clayface down the path towards becoming a hero.

Clayface’s full turn to the side of good came about in the 2016 Detective Comics Rebirth series. Basil Karlo joins Batman’s team in Gotham, using his clay powers to fight crime and earn redemption. This marked Clayface’s primary transition into a hero character, though he still faced some relapses.

Working with Batman

Clayface began working with Batman after the events of DC Rebirth (https://screenrant.com/batman-rebirth-clayface-detective-comics/). Batman recognized that despite his criminal past, Clayface seemed to want to reform. So Batman invited Clayface to join his new team dedicated to training the next generation of Gotham heroes. Clayface agreed, seeing it as a chance for redemption.

As part of the team, Clayface helped train the likes of Batwoman, Orphan, Spoiler, and Red Robin (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Basil_Karlo_(Prime_Earth)). His shape-shifting abilities made him an unpredictable foe during training exercises. But he also used his powers for good, like enlarging himself to evacuate citizens during a hurricane.

Clayface proved himself while fighting alongside Batman against threats like the Victim Syndicate. His loyalty was tested when old villain friends like Two-Face tried to sway him. But Clayface remained committed to upholding justice with Batman, showing how far he had come from his criminal past.

Joining the Justice League

In a surprising turn of events, Batman nominated Clayface to join the Justice League, hoping that fighting alongside heroes would help reform him. Many other Leaguers were skeptical at first, but agreed to give Clayface a chance [1].

During his time with the League, Clayface assisted on several high-profile missions, including helping to stop Starro’s mind control plot. He used his shapeshifting abilities to great effect in undercover work and infiltration. While some heroes like Superman remained wary, others like Wonder Woman were more welcoming and tried to help Clayface adjust [2].

Public reaction was mixed, with many people uneasy about a known villain joining the League. But Clayface’s persistence gradually won over some of his critics. Though he stumbled at times, Clayface proved himself a hero during his Justice League tenure.

Helping the Titans

After joining the Justice League and regaining some trust, Clayface had opportunities to aid the Teen Titans on missions. In one instance, Clayface teamed up with the Titans to stop Plasmus from rampaging through Jump City (https://teentitansfanon.fandom.com/wiki/Clayface/Matthew_Hagen). With his malleable clay body, Clayface was able to absorb Plasmus’ slime blasts and prevent further destruction. Though initially hesitant to work with their former foe, the Titans grew to appreciate Clayface’s help in stopping Plasmus.

Clayface also assisted the Titans when the Brotherhood of Evil captured and froze the team. After freeing himself, Clayface rallied with Beast Boy and a few other heroes to launch a rescue operation. They successfully unfroze the Titans and defeated the Brotherhood, with Clayface playing a key role in the victory. His powers allowed him to sneak through the Brotherhood’s lair undetected. This built further goodwill between Clayface and the Titans.

Battles Against Villains

Although Clayface has struggled with his own inner demons and villainous tendencies in the past, he has also shown a willingness to fight against dangerous criminals to protect the innocent. According to Villains Wiki, Clayface brought together other reformed villains to take on the Joker’s forces during the war for Gotham City. By leading this team into battle, Clayface helped Batman and his allies defeat the Joker and restore order. There are also reports that Clayface joined forces with the Swamp Thing to take down a group of criminals on Halloween night, once again showing his desire to stop wrongdoers.

When dangerous supervillains like Killer Croc or Poison Ivy threaten the citizens of Gotham, Clayface is often on the frontlines battling to protect the defenseless. Although he still struggles with his monstrous appearance and abilities, Clayface chooses to use his powers to fight evil rather than spread chaos himself. His strength and morphing abilities make him a formidable foe to any villain looking to terrorize Gotham City. By actively confronting the bad guys, Clayface continues on his complex path to redemption.

Regaining Public Trust

After years of villainy, Clayface faced an uphill battle to regain the public’s trust. He started small by doing good deeds around Gotham without seeking credit (https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/6vjukr/i_know_some_folks_complain_about_redeeming_too/). Batman encouraged him to keep helping innocents, reminding Clayface it was the right thing to do. Though wary at first, citizens began to appreciate Clayface’s anonymous acts of heroism.

His big chance came when Gotham was attacked by Killer Croc. Clayface jumped into the fray and used his shapeshifting powers to distract Croc long enough for Batman to take him down. Videos of his bravery against Croc went viral online, casting Clayface in a new heroic light (https://www.quora.com/Do-Batman-writers-dislike-Clayface-it-seems-he-makes-pretty-few-appearances-in-comics-and-none-in-movies-and-if-thats-the-case-then-why). While still not fully trusted, public perception shifted as Clayface slowly proved he was now on the side of good.

Relapses Into Villainy

Clayface has struggled with relapsing into criminal behavior throughout his attempts at reforming. Even when working with Batman and trying to use his powers for good, the temptation to return to a life of crime has often proved too strong for him.

One notable relapse came in Detective Comics #974, during the “Fall of the Batmen” story arc. After joining Batman’s team in Gotham, Clayface suddenly turned on his allies, murdering several of them before Batman could stop him. This violent relapse stunned Batman, who had trusted Clayface was firmly on the path of redemption.

Fans on Reddit have also expressed disappointment with Clayface’s relapses, as he occasionally tries to reform and get “cured” of his powers, but inevitably fails and returns to a life of crime. His slippery clay powers make it easy for him to slip back into old villainous habits.

These relapses show how difficult the road to redemption can be for long-time supervillains like Clayface. The temptation to use their powers for evil proves too strong, so even with the best of intentions, they can backslide into destructive behavior.

Mental Health Struggles

Clayface has struggled with mental illness throughout his villainous career. According to psychiatrists, Clayface likely suffers from dissociative identity disorder, as he seems to have distinct persona states when in his clay form compared to his original human identity.

The trauma of his bodily transformation into Clayface appears to have fractured his psyche, causing pronounced dissociation and unpredictable shifts in personality. At times, Clayface seems unable to control his clay matter shifting abilities, hinting at a lack of integration between his mind and transformed body.

Recovery has been an ongoing challenge. With Batman’s encouragement, Clayface has undergone psychotherapy and medication to treat his illness, with mixed results. Though he has made progress, he still struggles with dissociative episodes and relapses into criminal behavior.

Mental illness does not excuse Clayface’s misdeeds. However, increased awareness and support for his condition may help Clayface gain stability and further redeem himself. His journey shows that with proper care, even villains bearing deep psychological scars can change for the better.

Clayface Today

Despite his past struggles with reforming, Clayface seems to currently be on a more positive path. He is no longer committing crimes or battling the heroes as a villain. According to discussions on Reddit, Clayface was last seen after the events of Arkham City, where an explosion caused him to fall into a Lazarus Pit, which likely revived him^[1]. His current whereabouts and activities are unclear, but there are indications he may be keeping a low profile and avoiding trouble. Some speculate Clayface may be trying to reform again and struggling with his mental health and powers. However, his status as friend or foe is uncertain. For now, Clayface appears to be laying low and not engaging in active battles with Batman and the other heroes.