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| “ | The will to take power that is not yours.We know this well. We've all been there lived outside the system and yet taken power from it. And there too people looked upon us with fear. We were the villains of their story. You all came to me because you felt the need to be change. to be Different . Well, This is our time. Now is our chance to Atone. | „ |
| ~ Clayface |
Basil Karlo, better known as Clayface, is a supporting character in the DC Universe.
He was a criminal in Gotham City with the power to change his clay-body to become anyone or anything. Although he is known to be an adversary of the superhero vigilante Batman, he worked alongside him for a period as one of his allies to atone for his past crimes, until he eventually reverted back to villainy while attempting to rebuild his acting career.
History[]
Origin[]
Basil Karlo was the son of Vincent Karlo, who made cosmetics and masks for movies. Vincent told Basil that the secret to his success was a strange putty known as Renu, when applied to a surface Renu would allow the sculptor to mold that material into any look they wanted. Vincent was eventually fired by his production company because they discovered that Renu was toxic to human flesh and could potentially cause illnesses.
Basil grew up and became an actor twenty years later. He quickly became incredibly successful due to his talent and good looks. On the set of his film Metamorphosis, he met Glory Griffin who would be his P.A. for the film. When the film was complete, Basil received huge critical acclaim and planned to move onto a film called Second Skin, as it reminded him of his father's old job. After Metamorphosis, Glory became Basil's personal assistant for all his films. He soon had an interview with the casting director of a Second Skin, and received the main part.
When he was driving back to his apartment, Basil received a phone call informing him that his father had been found dead. The shock of this news caused Basil to crash his car, disfiguring him. In a desperate bid to salvage his career, he began abusing Renu to preserve his handsome appearance. When his supply began to run low, Karlo intended to steal a bulk supply of the chemical from the manufacturing plant in Gotham City, only to be apprehended by Batman. Brought to the hospital to recover, Karlo's grotesque appearance was subsequently revealed to the world in news reports of the incident. His career was ruined, and his girlfriend Glory dumped him. While in the hospital, Karlo was visited by Batman, who told him he had a choice to make in who he wanted to be.
Karlo chose poorly and attempted to break into the warehouse where the police were holding his stolen stash of Renu. When police opened fire on the vials, Karlo was doused in the chemical, changing his entire body and turning him into the monstrous Clayface. He then attacked the set of the film he was fired from but was stopped by Batman.
DC Rebirth[]
Tired of his life as a criminal, Clayface finally decided to turn over a new leaf and made an effort to work as a hero in Gotham. Batman, respecting Karlo's choice to make himself better, recruited Clayface to train under him along with some other budding vigilantes and presents Karlo as more of a sympathetic character than seen in the past.
Karlo accepts the offer to join Batman's new team, the Gotham Knights, in which Clayface formed a friendship with Cassandra Cain, a.k.a. Orphan, learn basic hand-to-hand combat, and aided his teammates in training and battle. Unfortunately, he was eventually brainwashed by villains and sent on a destructive rampage.
In Detective Comics issue #973, Clayface was apparently killed by Batwoman in order to prevent a building full of people from being destroyed. However, it's revealed a couple of issues later that Basil is alive and has decided to leave the city, but not before leaving a note for Cassandra to find.
Infinite Frontier[]
In Catwoman issue 33, Basil Karlo, bringing Killer Croc, Firefly, Cheshir and the New God Knockout as potential allies seeking a second chance. Then Karlo assures Selina that her Alleytown stronghold will inevitably come to a head with the Magistrate, which can be better served with formidable allies by her side.
Basil, Waylon, and Selena arrive at Gotham city Docks when will goes as plan but suddenly they caught bomb blast. Clayface and Killer Croc attack Valley, giving Selina a chance to escape into the water, as the Magistrate Croc Tell Basil to retreat and before that Valley blows Clayface up with a grenade. Eventually they have successfully and begin to repair the damage.
In The Joker comics, Clayface was hired by the Joker to round up various "loyal" villains to recruit into the clown's war against a Joker imposter in Gotham. However, instead of receiving payment for his services, Clayface was forced by Joker to join his side in the conflict or get killed. As the two sides clashed, Joker demanded that every man, woman, and even child be eliminated, but Clayface had enough, saying he rather die then cross that line as he leaves.
Dawn of DC[]
Clayface would revert back to villainy in the One Bad Day series of Batman comics. However, he seems to have retained some of his moral standards from his time as a hero. After Joker hired him to participate in a war against a Joker imposter (something he did only for the money), Basil was disgusted when the clown demanded the slaughter every man, woman, and child during the battle and dropped out of the conflict. Joker attempted to threaten his life if he did not remain on his side, but Clayface retorted that he would rather get killed then cross that line.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Malleable Clay-Like Body: Clayface's body is made of of thick, mud-like material. He can change shape at will into a variety of forms. He can even take the shape of animals.
- Size Alteration: Clayface can change his size to fill any need. He's expanded large enough to engulf rooms or thin enough to slip into sewers.
- Elasticity
- Density Control: Clayface can make his body as hard as rock in order to smash through cars or doors, but can also maintain a liquid form to suffocate opponents.
- Superhuman Strength: When Clayface's mass is increased so is his strength. The bigger he gets, the more dangerous he becomes.
- Superhuman Durability: When shifting the density of his body Clayface can withstand bullets and heavy impacts.
- Power Replication: Clayface can mimic someone's body right down to their DNA, copying their abilities.
- Corrosive Touch: Aside from mimicking someone, Clayface's touch can kill and absorb people the moment he gets them in his grip.
Abilities[]
- Acting
- Deception
- Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat: As part of his training with the Gotham Knights, Clayface has learned how to fight instead of just relying on his powers.
- Kung Fu
External Links[]
- Clayface on the Villains Wiki
- Clayface on the DC Wiki
