Batman’s 10 Best Clayface Adaptations, Ranked

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Batman is known for his memorable villains – characters like Two-Face, The Riddler, and especially The Joker have appeared in multiple films, each time with a different director’s take. Despite the many villains already featured in Batman movies, there are still plenty who haven’t had their chance to shine. Luckily, DC Studios is planning to greatly expand the Batman universe with both the DCU and the Elseworlds stories overseen by Matt Reeves. While we don’t yet know which villains will appear in The Batman — Part II and The Brave and the Bold, DC Studios is developing a film focusing on , within the DCU. Rumors have also circulated for years about a realistic take on Clayface potentially appearing in The Batman — Part II.

Okay, so Clayface is a Batman villain who’s been around since the 1940s in the comics – a lot of different people have played the role over the years. But get this – the new movie is going to be his first time appearing in a live-action film! It’s a pretty unexpected addition to the DCU lineup, honestly, and they’re going for a really cool body-horror vibe with it, which I’m totally here for. They brought in Tom Watkins to direct a script by Matt Flanagan, and this actor Tom Rhys Harries is going to play Clayface. I’ve been following the news and it just wrapped filming, so it’s coming out next September! Even though this is Clayface’s big screen debut, there’s still tons of great stuff to check out in other forms of media while we wait. I’ve been digging around for the best, and I’m excited to share what I’ve found!

Birds of Prey Marked the First Live-Action Appearance of Clayface

Though the recent Birds of Prey movie brought the team to the big screen, the superheroines first appeared in a TV series on The WB back in 2002. That Birds of Prey show only lasted one season, but it was important because, along with Smallville, it helped create a path for later successful DC TV shows like those in the Arrowverse.

The TV series Birds of Prey introduced the first live-action Clayface, played by Kirk Baltz as Cassius Payne. In the episode “Feat of Clay,” Payne, a shape-shifting inmate from Arkham Asylum, tries to kill Catwoman. The episode also features Payne’s son, who eventually takes the formula that transforms his father into the Clayface monster. While Birds of Prey was a short-lived series, the episode is remembered for finally bringing this iconic villain to life on screen.

Clayface Teamed Up With Deathstroke in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

The DC Animated Movie Universe includes many of the franchise’s best films, and Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox is often considered a highlight. The movie is based on a famous storyline by Geoff Johns, which originally led to a major reboot of the DC comics after the Flash, Barry Allen, altered the timeline. In this new reality, the DC Universe is thrown into disarray when Barry successfully saves his mother.

In the alternate reality depicted in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, Aquaman and Wonder Woman were enemies, and Thomas Wayne was Batman. A Clayface character made a quick appearance as one of Deathstroke’s pirates, fighting against Aquaman’s forces. Ocean Master eventually killed him. Though Clayface’s part was small, it was a memorable moment that deserves recognition.

A New Clayface Played a Role in Pennyworth

The show before The Batman focused on the beginnings of Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth. Even without Batman himself appearing, the series included familiar characters and elements from the Batman universe, including some of his enemies.

The TV series Pennyworth introduced a female version of Clayface in its third season. This Clayface, often going by the name Virginia Devereaux, had the power to change her appearance and impersonate other people. This ability fit well with the show’s spy themes, as she pretended to be characters like Mary Pennyworth and Martha Wayne.

Gotham Put Its Own Spin on Clayface’s Origin

Similar to Pennyworth, the show Gotham told stories within the Batman universe without Batman himself being a central character. Instead, Gotham was a prequel that showed how Batman’s famous enemies first came to be. The show is remembered for both reinventing classic Batman villains and introducing new ones, such as the Court of Owls, to television audiences.

The TV series Gotham introduced Basil Karlo as Clayface, portrayed by Brian McManamon. A unique take on the character’s origins, the show revealed Karlo was a dead actor brought back to life by Hugo Strange and Ethel Peabody using octopus DNA. This process transformed him into the shape-shifting villain who would eventually become one of Batman’s foes.

Clayface’s DCU Debut in Creature Commandos

DC Studios’ first project, Creature Commandos, launched late last year and did a lot to establish the foundation for their new shared universe. The first season introduced many memorable characters, with Clayface being a standout. His role became even more important when DC Studios announced plans for a solo movie focused on him.

Alan Tudyk voiced the character of Clayface in the animated series. Although Clayface doesn’t have a large part, this appearance gives viewers a first look at his potential within the DC Universe, as his backstory will be further explored in future films. Clayface was also involved in a significant plot twist that could reappear throughout the series. A standout moment featured Clayface in an exciting confrontation with Rick Flag Sr. and Eric Frankenstein, making it one of his most compelling portrayals yet.

Harley Quinn Turned Clayface Into a Comedic Sidekick

The Harley Quinn animated series focuses on the Joker’s former partner, putting her in the spotlight. It’s become a fan favorite thanks to its adult humor and the complex relationship between Harley and Poison Ivy. The show also includes characters and elements from the Batman universe, featuring both Batman himself and many of his enemies. Clayface, a well-known Batman villain, was a significant character throughout the series.

Okay, so I have to say, the Clayface in Harley Quinn is just different. It’s way funnier than any other version I’ve seen – Alan Tudyk really knocks it out of the park with a totally unique performance. It’s wild because at first, he shows up as this southern bartender, and then BAM, it’s Basil Karlo! He quickly became a huge part of Harley’s crew, showing up in a ton of episodes – 41, to be exact! Honestly, this version of Clayface is my favorite because it’s not just a joke. They really developed him, making him surprisingly complex and relatable, while still being hilarious. It’s the best of both worlds, and that’s why so many fans, like me, love this take on the character.

The BatmanFeatured Two Clayface Versions

Fans have increasingly recognized the quality of the early 2000s animated series, The Batman. While it features many classic Batman villains, the show really focused on exploring their origins and motivations. The first version of Clayface introduced in the series was Ethan Bennett, a police officer and Bruce Wayne’s close friend. He transformed into the villain after being exposed to a mutating substance created by the Joker.

I always loved how The Batman handled Clayface. They really tapped into the sadness that’s always been a part of the character, and it was awesome to see him become an actual ally to Batman and Robin! What made it even better was that they used Basil Karlo, the original Clayface from the comics, as the basis for this new version. It felt really respectful to the source material, and they nailed the classic portrayal while still doing something fresh.

Batman: Caped CrusaderBlended Two Versions of Clayface

Following a long history of animated Batman series, Batman: Caped Crusader offered a fresh take on the character. It distinguished itself by revisiting the original vision for the iconic 1990s series, setting the story in the 1920s – the era when Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27. The series proved to be a remarkably inventive reimagining of the Batman legend, with the episode focusing on Clayface, titled “…And Be a Villain,” being a particular highlight of the first season.

The Caped Crusader series offered a fresh take on the Clayface character by combining elements from both his earliest and more recent versions. The show focused on Basil Karlo as Clayface, maintaining his original look, but also gave him the advanced shape-shifting powers that were popularized by the Matt Hagen version. Though Clayface has been depicted in various animated series, Caped Crusader was the first to successfully blend his classic design with the more recognizable abilities developed in later iterations.

Batman: Arkham City Used Clayface for a Shocking Twist

Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham games didn’t just adapt the character well for video games, they truly resonated with a whole generation of players. Many still consider Batman: Arkham City the standout title in the series, and it’s easy to see why. The game cleverly built upon the original by moving the action to a larger section of Gotham City.

The game introduced a variety of new villains, including Mr. Freeze and Catwoman. Beyond its impressive gameplay, Batman: Arkham City delivered a captivating story – arguably one of the best ever told for the Dark Knight, across all forms of media – and Clayface played a crucial role. A particularly shocking twist saw Clayface disguise himself as the Joker while the real Joker was dying. This reveal was cleverly foreshadowed with subtle clues throughout the game, culminating in a memorable final boss fight between Batman and Clayface at the Monarch Theater.

Batman: The Animated Series Remains the Definitive Take On Clayface

When people talk about the best Batman adaptations in any form of media, the ’90s animated series often comes out on top. Batman: The Animated Series is considered by many to be the most complete and impactful portrayal of the character, and that extends to his villains. The series’ take on Clayface, voiced by Ron Perlman, was particularly memorable. Similar to the upcoming Batman: Caped Crusader, the ’90s series drew inspiration from different comic book versions, reimagining Matt Hagen as a struggling actor, much like Basil Karlo.

The two-part episode “Feat of Clay” is widely considered the best Clayface story in Batman: The Animated Series, and a key reason why the series remains so beloved. It powerfully tells the character’s tragic backstory. The episode was also a major influence on writer Matt Flanagan, so it’s highly recommended viewing before his new take on the character is released next fall.

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2025-11-17 07:16