Detective Comics #606 (October, 1989)
"The Mud Pack, Part Three: Killer Clay!"
Writer - Alan Grant
Penciller - Norm Breyfogle
Inker - Steve Mitchell
Letterer - Todd Klein
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Associate Editor - Dan Raspler
Editor - Denny O'Neil
Cover Price: $1.00
I keep hearing that this is Shark Week... I guess, here at the humble blog with all these Batman books I'm having my very own Shark-Repellent Week... yeah, that's kind of a reach. Anyhoo, another day... another dip in the mud!
If you need/want to catch-up, please check out the coverage on #604 and #605.
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Fresh off last issue's cliffhanger... we get to see what shook Batman so badly. If the cover wasn't enough of a clue, it looks like Jason Todd's back! Holy Hush! Could Clayface be impersonating Jason Todd? Batman and... Robin enter into a battle both physical and psychological. Batman admits that he knows this is a ruse... yet is still shaken to his very core.
He knocks the Boy Wonder out... and seeing him laying prone triggers a flashback to the scenes of A Death in the Family. During the distraction, Clayface III stirs back into consciousness and kayos the Dark Knight. Before he can "infect" his victim with the "clay curse", Lady Clayface stops him... they have a strict plan that they must follow.
We pop in on Basil Karlo getting his prescriptions filled at the local pharmacy. When the pharmacist refuses to play ball... he gets the blade. Karlo pilfers some pills and hypodermics from the joint and heads on his way.
Lady Clayface gets all Wonder Twin and takes the "form of a bird" before carrying the prone bodies of Batman and Payne away... right past the Gotham City Police Department, where we see a brooding Jim Gordon wondering if this may be the one threat the Bat can't beat.
Batman is delivered to the La Scala, and is propped in front of the movie screen... almost A Clockwork Orange style. Lady Clay retakes the form of Looker and uncovers (and stimulates) all of Batman's fears. Karlo talks a bit of smack before leaving Batman to watch Today's Feature Presentation... The Terror (starring Basil Karlo). Batman is instantly affected, and appears to go into something of a state of shock.
We shift scenes to check in on Looker (the real Looker)... she stops in on Commissioner Gordon, who initially mistakes her for Lady Clayface. She pleads her case, and Jim quickly comes around. They trade what little intel they have, and Looker (in a slightly modified costume) heads out to follow the scent.
We return to Batman... more specifically, Batman's psyche. The next several pages are a glorious and disturbing look at some of the things that torment Batman. First, we relive that night... the one in Crime Alley. He relives the murder of his parents... only he's imagining himself (as Batman) actually being there (though helpless) for the event.
Next, we visit that controversial story that may or may not have ever happened, depending on how hard you squint... A Killing Joke. Batman watches as Barbara Gordon is shot by the Joker... he watches her writhe on the ground as blood gushes out of her midsection.
Finally, we get another look at Batman kneeling over the body of Jason Todd.
The remaining Mud Pack decides to celebrate their victory, and shares a champagne toast. Following the drink, Lady Clayface falls unconscious. Before leaving the theater, Karlo proceeds to take a blood sample from both she and Payne... with the designs of ultimately becoming the one true Clayface.
We catch up with Looker as she follows her nose (and a rogue chunk of clay) to the La Scala. All the while, Batman is still being tormented by his fears and memories.
In a touching scene, the third and forth Clayfaces wake up. Payne is not a happy camper, and goes in for the kill. Lady Clayface starts to cry, and Payne hesitates... They apologize to one another for what had occurred, and realize they've been taken for a ride by Karlo. They embrace, and kiss... perhaps knowing that they're all each other has left.
The chapter winds down with Looker's arrival at the La Scala. She finds Batman propped in front of the movie screen... and sees that the damage may have already been done.
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I think this is the cover I most associate with this story-arc. It just demands your attention... how I missed this one as a kid, I'll never know! Grant and Breyfogle continue this amazing story... and boy, it gets kinda dark, don't it?
We get to see Batman being tormented A Clockwork Orange style... such an amazing tactic. An awesomely creative way to get into the mind of the bat... and it provides Breyfogle the opportunity to craft some of the most disturbing pages of this vintage. Batman is haunted by loss... his parents, Jason Todd, and even Barbara Gordon. One would have to imagine that he holds himself somewhat responsible for so much of the pain, suffering, and loss around him.
It was touching seeing the secondary Clayfaces embrace... knowing that they'd been "had"... used as tools, and nothing more. Only valuable as a means to an end... not for anything more intrinsic. All they have left is one another... and, somehow... they wind up getting something of a happy ending. At least for now.
The cliffhanger, as in previous chapters... was great! We wind up with a Batman who appears to have snapped. Because of something... Clayface did??? How many of Batman's rogues gallery can say they've actually broken the mind of the bat? Amazing!
This story is still going strong, and is still highly recommended. For the last few days I've lamented the fact that this has never been collected in trade format... well, I'm happy to say I was wrong! This bugger has been collected in the over 500 page Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle hardcover. Not only will you get the Mud Pack story... you'll get a ton more! I wanna thank fellow Bat-fans and pals Jules Boyle and Walt for cluing me in! They both actually took a look at this story themselves last year... click their names and check out their takes!
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Interesting Ads:
Detective Comics #605 (September, 1989)
"The Mud Pack, Part Two: Heart of Steel; Feet of Clay?"
Writer - Alan Grant
Penciller - Norm Breyfogle
Inker - Steve Mitchell
Letterer - Todd Klein
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Associate Editor - Dan Raspler
Editor - Denny O'Neil
Cover Price: $1.00
Today's post is a special one... not only for it being about the second chapter of a great late-80's Batman story... but also for it being my 150th consecutive day of blogging. I never thought I'd go 7 days straight, much less this!
For all y'all who keep checking in, you have my sincere thanks and appreciation. Now, let's get muddy!
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Of course, if you need to catch up, check out my coverage of Part One from issue #604.
We open in the middle of a nightmare of former Outsider member, (and object of clay-personation) Looker. She dreams of being swallowed by a puddle of mud. She is awakened by her ringing phone... on the other end? Batman... who, I gotta admit looks pretty silly holding a phone up to his ear. He accuses her of being at Arkham visiting Preston Payne the day prior. She denies it, and suggests that it might just have been the fourth Clayface that was behind it.
Batman is quick to believe her, after hearing of a run-in the Outsiders had with Kobra which resulted in Looker being impersonated by Lady Clayface in the recent past. They disconnect, and Batman goes about his normal crime-fighting routine.
At the La Scala Theater, Lady Clayface discusses the events of her last few years with Basil Karlo. She speaks of impersonating the rich and famous... being treated like royalty... and it still not being enough to make her feel accepted and normal.
She continues, recounting her initial meeting with Karlo... but the stroll down memory lane is interrupted by a stirring Payne. As Lady Clayface transforms back into Looker, Payne lunges at her... blaming her for what he had done to his mannequin life-partner in the previous chapter. She is able to reapply the trance before he does too much damage.
Later, in the Batcave... Batman is reading up on Clayface IV. We get a bit of a history lesson on the rest of the Mud Pack... including the news that Matt Hagin (Clayface II) apparently perished in the Crisis. I can't explain it, but I just love it when characters refer to the Crisis by name! He learns that Basil Karlo's release from prison is imminent, and decides to follow up with the Gotham Penitentiary's Warden.
The next day, at the First Gotham Bank... Payne attacks an armored car. The guards are unsuccessful at rallying a defense, and all appears to be lost... until, Batman arrives. Much to the surprise of everybody, Batman attacks the guards and officers in the vicinity! Now, that doesn't sound right...
Meanwhile, at the Gotham City Police Department, Batman (hmmm...) is meeting with Commissioner Gordon. He offers up his intel on Clayface IV... but Jim's a bit reluctant to buy it. An officer barges in, and is surprised to see Batman standing before him... as, to his knowledge, Batman is currently holding up a bank across town. After hearing this, Gordon has a bit of a change of heart... and believes Batman's Clay-story. Batman asks that the dupe issue isn't released to the public just yet.
Back at the La Scala, the Mud Pack reconnoiter. We face another near-miss with Payne's hypnotic suggestion momentarily slipping. Lady Clayface-as-Looker is able to put him back under not a moment too soon.
We learn that tonight is Casino Night at the Gotham Plaza. Batman bets that this will be the next Mud Pack hit site...
... and wouldn'tcha know it, he's right! Payne and Lady Clayface-as-Batman launch a physical assault on the officers present... and barge their way inside, as the real-deal-Batman watches from a distance.
Inside real-Bats knocks Clay-Bats out of commission... and turns his attention toward Payne... and makes quick work of the beast. He, however, has no time to celebrate his victory... as he hears a familiar (and unexpected voice) call out to him. I wonder who that can be... (don't look at the cover of the next issue!)
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Another great chapter of the Mud Pack. Had a lot of fun revisiting this one. I usually dislike stories where mistaken identity is the crutch... however, in this story... you almost get the feeling as though Lady Clayface really isn't sure what her true identity is. She comes across as disturbingly broken... and in dire need of guidance and acceptance.
I wondered why in the first chapter, Lady Clayface chose to impersonate Looker of all people, surely there are others with mind-control powers she could have chosen... after the open to this chapter, we get the feeling that there may just be more to this than previously thought.
Payne continues to be the most sympathetic of the Mud Pack. He's just being used as a tool... the fact that they fight to keep him under mind-control really puts him in his place as it pertains to clay-team/family. It will be interesting to see whether or not they are able to keep him "under" as we move forward.
The cliffhanger... would have been amazing if I was reading this as it hit the stands. Knowing what I know now (about this story... and since), it kinda stinks that I know who/what the reveal is going to be. That having been said, I'm still very excited to revisit Chapter Three... it's gonna get dark... and serve as a reminder of what a lousy time the late 1980's were for Bat-family-members/sidekicks.
The Mud Pack storyline still comes highly recommended... so, definitely give it a look. It's truly a breath of fresh air from what feels like an endless loop of Batman v Joker stories. This gem may not be collected (yet... fingers crossed), EDIT: This story was in fact collected as part of the 500+ Page Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle, Volume 1 (many thanks to fellow Bat-Fans Jules Boyle and Walt!) but remember, it is [also] available (in its entirety) digitally.
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Letters Page:
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Interesting Ads:
Detective Comics #604 (September, 1989)
"The Mud Pack, Part One: Men of Clay"
Writer - Alan Grant
Penciller - Norm Breyfogle
Inker - Steve Mitchell
Letterer - Todd Klein
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Associate Editor - Dan Raspler
Editor - Denny O'Neil
Cover Price: $1.00
Here's one I've wanted to cover for a little while now. I happened upon about a 50 issue run of Detective Comics of this vintage in a Half-Price Books quarter-bin back in 2010. It was one of those situations where I must've looked like I was stealing something... because I was figeting like all get out until I got my receipt. It was pretty early into my cheap-o bin diving "career", and I thought the store must've made a mistake... turns out, they just don't know or care about comics!
In our current post-Rebirth landscape, Detective Comics (back at it's legacy numbering!) is from all appearances a team book. One of those team members just happens to be Clayface (I) who is the star of the issue we'll be discussing today... which may or may not have influenced my pick (yeah, it did).
What's more, in addition to Basil Karlo, we're also going to check in on several other Clayfaces... other Clayfaces? Yeah, this threw me off when I was initially acquainting myself with the Bat-books of this vintage. I remember always seeing the Roman numerals after "Clayface" whenever they were mentioned online... and was surprised to learn that several individuals went by the name!
Let's get muddy...
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We open with a clay figurine of Batman being gently placed on a table... we'll come back to that later. The story proper begins at Arkham Asylum... more specifically, the quarters of Preston Payne AKA Clayface III. He's in the middle of an argument with his "wife", who is in actuality just a mannequin. Apparently "she" is the only thing keeping him in check. Some guards on monitor duty get their giggles watching the quarrel... which tragically ends in mannequin decapitation!
Payne realizes what he's done... mannequin uxoricide... and completely loses it! A crew of orderlies head toward the quarters to sedate him... yet before they can he takes them out. One orderly manages to fire off two tranqs into Payne's chest before having his own head smashed into a wall. With the "threat" neutralized, Payne kneels down, and passes his clay-curse on to one of the orderlies.
We shift to the streets of Gotham where Batman is taking out a crew of generic purse-snatchers. In the distance, the Bat-Signal illuminates the night sky. He makes quick work of the geeks, and is already on his way before the police arrive. One street over, the Batmobile passes an odd man in a hat and trench coat...
Our focus shifts to the odd man. He walks the streets carrying a burlap sack over his shoulder. He reminisces of past accolades and accomplishments... including a stint in the clink for murder. His thoughts are directed toward a "Matthew".
He stalks his way over to the abandoned La Scala Theater, where he encounters a pair of street thugs. They try and steal the sack, and are surprised to see that it's full of what appears to be dirt. Then they get a look at the man... shocked by his grotesque face, they are easy (and surprisingly bloody) kills for our man.
We join Batman on his trip Arkham-bound. He's talking over the recent event with Jim Gordon. Here we get a recounting of Preston Payne's origin... he had severe deformities, and sought to change that by injecting himself with a sampling of the second Clayface's blood. Instead of being cured, Payne became the third... and potentially the most dangerous, Clayface. A beast who hungers to pass his curse onto others...
Back at Arkham, the guards are walking the grounds in search of Payne. Knowing he'd been at least somewhat tranqued, they don't expect him to get all that far. They manage to happen across him... only to find that they aren't the only ones looking for him. A woman, who appears to be Looker from the Outsiders also has "dibs".
Rather than talk it out, Looker uses her mental powers and forces them to tranquilize one another. She then employs her telekinetic powers to carry Payne off.
Back at the La Scala, our trench-coated friend is trying to use his bag of clay to bring life back to Matthew Hagen... the second Clayface. He messes about, shaping the clay into the form of a man... however, is unsuccessful in his attempt.
Meanwhile, Batman arrives at Arkham. He follows the trail taken by whoever abducted Payne, and is surprised to see that the most likely suspect would be a woman. Inside, he watches a video feed captured earlier in the day. Payne received a visit from... Looker. The pair did not speak... they only stared at each other.
We wrap up this chapter at the La Scala, as Looker and the unconscious Preston Payne arrive. Once inside "Looker" reveals herself to be, in actuality... Sondra Fuller, Clayface IV, or Lady Clayface if you prefer.
What follows is a meeting of the Mud Pack... led by the original Clayface himself... Basil Karlo!
The first order of business is fame and fortune... the second, killing the Batman. We conclude with Karlo plunging his blade into the clay figurine from the open.
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This was a great start to the Mud Pack storyline. I gotta admit, I wasn't expecting all that much... most of my experience with Clayface comes from the animated series... when I learned that there was more than one in the comics, it kinda made the concept feel cheap to me. Wish I read this story way back then!
I really appreciated the opening pages where we watched Clayface III losing his cool and "killing" his "wife"... the way it was presented, it made him a completely sympathetic character. He's not really so much a bad dude here, more a victim of circumstance... and a testimony for curiosity killing... or further disfiguring, the cat.
I really can't say enough how much I enjoyed this issue. Story was awesome, the art was awesome... just a great table-setting issue. Our villains are introduced, and their mission statement is clear... kill Batman. Can't go wrong with that concept! If I'm recalling correctly, this story gets really dark... and I can't wait.
The entire four-part story is available digitally via DC Digital. They're priced at $1.99 a piece... so for eight bucks you can get the whole shebang. This is definitely recommended, and is on my personal wish-list for a collected edition.
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Letters Page:
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Bonus Pin-Up:
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