Jun 1, 1940 CE
First Appearance in Detective Comics #40
Basil Karlo, a former horror movie actor, debuts as a serial killer in Detective Comics #40. He uses masks to commit crimes, inspired by his film roles. #DCComics #Clayface #Villain
Chronological Storyline (40 Milestones)
1940 CE
Death in Detective Comics #49
Basil Karlo is killed by Batman in Detective Comics #49. This marks the end of the original Clayface's initial run. #DCComics #Clayface
1961 CE
Revived as a Clay Monster in Justice League of America #18
Basil Karlo returns transformed by a radioactive Rektar compound into a shapeshifting clay monster. He gains the ability to absorb power from others. #DCComics #Clayface )
1965 CE
Appears in The Brave and the Bold #64
Clayface battles Batman and Robin in a team-up with Hawkman and Hawkgirl. #DCComics #Clayface
1978 CE
Joins the Secret Society of Super Villains
Basil Karlo becomes a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains, appearing in DC Comics Presents #17. #DCComics #Clayface
1987 CE
Killed by Batman in Batman #400
Clayface is defeated and seemingly killed when Batman uses a special cure. #DCComics #Clayface )
1992 CE
Retconned as Basil Karlo in Shadow of the Bat #1
In the Post-Crisis continuity, Basil Karlo is reintroduced as a failed actor who becomes Clayface via Rektar. #DCComics #Clayface
1993 CE
Forms Composite Clayface in Batman #500
Basil Karlo merges with other Clayfaces to become Composite Clayface, a powerful gestalt entity. #DCComics #Clayface
1999 CE
Killed by Batman in Detective Comics #732
Basil Karlo is seemingly killed again, but his essence survives. #DCComics #Clayface
2002 CE
Revived in Batman: Gotham Knights #18
Clayface returns due to his regenerative abilities, appearing in a storyline involving the Mad Hatter. #DCComics #Clayface
2003 CE
Appears in the Hush Storyline
Clayface is manipulated by the Riddler and Hush, impersonating Jason Todd's corpse. #DCComics #Clayface #Hush
2005 CE
Part of the Society in Infinite Crisis #1
Clayface joins Alexander Luthor Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains during Infinite Crisis. #DCComics #Clayface #InfiniteCrisis
2006 CE
Killed by Ladytron in Outsiders #41
Clayface is killed by Ladytron, a robotic villain, during the Outsiders' battle. #DCComics #Clayface )
2007 CE
Appears in 52 Week 37
Clayface is captured by Intergang during the 52 weekly series. #DCComics #Clayface #52 )
2007 CE
Revived in Salvation Run #1
Clayface is resurrected and exiled to the planet Cygnus 4019 along with other villains. #DCComics #Clayface #SalvationRun
2008 CE
Killed in Final Crisis #1
Clayface is among the villains killed by the Justifiers, but later revived. #DCComics #Clayface #FinalCrisis
2009 CE
Rises as a Black Lantern in Blackest Night #1
Clayface is resurrected as a Black Lantern during the Blackest Night event. #DCComics #Clayface #BlackestNight
2010 CE
Restored in Brightest Day #9
Clayface is restored to life fully after the Black Lantern ring is removed. #DCComics #Clayface #BrightestDay
Sep 1, 2011 CE
New 52 Debut in Detective Comics (2011) #1
Basil Karlo is reintroduced in the New 52 continuity as a former actor turned monster. #DCComics #Clayface #New52
2012 CE
Origin Retold in Batman: The Dark Knight #4
The origin of Clayface as Basil Karlo is explored in the New 52. #DCComics #Clayface )
2013 CE
Killed in Trinity of Sin: Pandora #1
Clayface is killed by Pandora during the Trinity of Sin storyline. #DCComics #Clayface
2014 CE
Revived in Batman Eternal #33
Clayface returns under the control of the villainous Deacon Blackfire. #DCComics #Clayface #BatmanEternal
2015 CE
Appears in Batman and Robin Eternal #26
Clayface is manipulated by the villain Mother to attack the Bat-family. #DCComics #Clayface #BatmanAndRobinEternal
Aug 1, 2016 CE
DC Rebirth in Detective Comics #934
Basil Karlo becomes a reluctant ally of the Bat-team in the Rebirth era, seeking redemption. #DCComics #Clayface #Rebirth )
2017 CE
Fights Bane in Batman #20 (I Am Bane)
Clayface assists Batman against the villain Bane during the I Am Bane storyline. #DCComics #Clayface #IAmBane )
2018 CE
Appears in Justice League: No Justice #1
Clayface is among the villains recruited to fight a cosmic threat. #DCComics #Clayface #NoJustice
2018 CE
Redemption Arc in Detective Comics #974
Basil Karlo sacrifices himself to save others and is presumed dead, but later returns. #DCComics #Clayface #Redemption
Mar 1, 2019 CE
Detective Comics #1000 Appearance
Clayface appears in the milestone Detective Comics #1000 in a short story. #DCComics #Clayface #DetectiveComics1000
2019 CE
In City of Bane Storyline
Clayface battles the Bat-family in the City of Bane arc, controlled by Bane. #DCComics #Clayface #CityOfBane )
2020 CE
Killed in Dark Nights: Death Metal #1
Clayface dies during the Death Metal event but is later resurrected. #DCComics #Clayface #DeathMetal
2021 CE
Basil Karlo in The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #1
Clayface is a supporting character in the Joker-centric series. #DCComics #Clayface
2021 CE
Appears in Joker #1 (2021 series)
Basil Karlo appears in the Joker solo series as a former ally of the Joker. #DCComics #Clayface #Joker )
Mar 1, 2022 CE
Early Life Explored in Batman: The Knight #1
A young Basil Karlo's backstory is explored in the miniseries Batman: The Knight. #DCComics #Clayface #BatmanTheKnight )
Jul 1, 2022 CE
Failsafe Arc in Batman #130
Clayface appears during the Failsafe storyline as one of the threats Batman faces. #DCComics #Clayface #Failsafe )
2022 CE
Batman: Fortress #1 Appearance
Clayface is a member of the Secret Society in the alternate timeline of Batman: Fortress. #DCComics #Clayface #BatmanFortress
2023 CE
Appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2023) #6
Clayface teams up with the Batman and the Demon in a modern retelling. #DCComics #Clayface #BraveAndBold
2023 CE
Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #1
Clayface is a key adversary in the Gargoyle of Gotham limited series. #DCComics #Clayface #GargoyleOfGotham
2023 CE
Batman: City of Madness #1
Basil Karlo appears in the horror-tinged City of Madness mini-series. #DCComics #Clayface #CityOfMadness
2024 CE
Appears in Batman #144
Clayface features in the ongoing Batman series storyline 'Gotham War'. #DCComics #Clayface #GothamWar )
2024 CE
Clayface in Batman: Gotham City - Year One #1
Basil Karlo appears in the prequel series Gotham City - Year One. #DCComics #Clayface #GothamCityYearOne