DC’s Clayface Is Getting a New Comic Just in Time for His Hollywood Movie Debut
DC’s Clayface is about to be thrown (literally) into a whole new spotlight, with the release of an upcoming solo movie later this year. The Clayface film, which is set in the DC Universe, will dive into the origin story of the beloved Batman villain in a whole new context. Every new update surrounding the film has left some curious about what comics to turn to: and now, DC is about to add a new one to that roster very soon.
On Thursday, DC announced Clayface: Celebrity Dirt, a six-issue miniseries that will debut its first issue on Wednesday, July 8th. The series is written by Jude Ellison S. Doyle (Dead Teenagers, Trainwreck: The Women We Love to Hate, Mock, and Fear… and Why) with art by Fran Galán (Absolute Power, Dune: House Harkonnen), colors by Patricio Delpeche (Action Comics, Void Rivals), and lettering by Tom Napolitano (Absolute Flash, Batgirl). Described as a “twisted comeback story” that “blends body horror with Hollywood obsession”, Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 will feature a main cover by Galán, with variants by Mike Del Mundo and Dave Johnson.
According to DC’s official description of the miniseries, the setup is simple: Basil Karlo escapes Arkham Towers, ready to reclaim his place in the spotlight, only to find someone else has already taken it. This mysterious double has his face, his name, and the fame he has been chasing for years.
The series digs into the contrast at the heart of Clayface. Karlo still craves the fame he once had, but he cannot escape what he has become. That tension plays out visually and thematically, shifting between glossy celebrity and something far more grotesque. As the story unfolds, Karlo’s return is complicated by a strange outbreak that is turning people into clay-like versions of himself. At the same time, his double is thriving in the spotlight, forcing Karlo to confront what he lost and whether he ever truly had it.
What Is the Clayface Movie About?
Clayface will seemingly center around one of Karlo’s comic-accurate successors to the Clayface mantle, Matt Hagen, played by White Lies and Doctor Who alum Tom Rhys-Harries. It has been described as a body horror story about an up-and-coming actor whose face is disfigured by a gangster. As a last resort, he turns to a scientist who transforms his body into clay.
Directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil, Eden Lake) off of a script written by Mike Flanagan (Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher), Clayface will also star Naomi Ackie (Mickey 17, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) as Dr. Caitlin Bates, and Max Minghella (Babylon, The Handmaid’s Tale) as a Gotham City police detective. Eddie Marsan (Atomic Blonde, Hobbs & Shaw) and David Dencik (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) have also been cast in currently-unknown roles.
As mentioned above, Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 will be released wherever comics are sold on Wednesday, July 8th. The Clayface movie will be released exclusively in theaters on Friday, October 23rd.
(featured image: DC)
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