Ethan Bennett is probably my favorite version of Clayface. There's just something VERY real about how he wants to do good but gives into the temptation of using his powers and wanting the quickest way to getting an easier life. "Being Ethan Bennett is hard, REALLY hard. Being Clayface… is cake."
It's almost as if the different portrayals of the Clayface are different "roles", played by the same actor. Clayface, the brutish thief. Clayface, the vain closeted man. Clayface, the post-human. Clayface, the talentless hack. Clayface, the fabulous thespian. And last, but not least, Clayface the monster. With looks to match his rotten soul.
I really liked Ethan Bennett, but because of how he was characterized _as Ethan._ His relationship to Bruce Wayne, being a not-totally-crooked-cop in Gotham that still went bad, redemption arc, etc. He didn't have to be Clayface to have that story, you could have given him any powers and villain name and it'd still be compelling He's Ethan. BTAS Matt Hagan is _Clayface._ BCC Basil Karlo is _Clayface._ They're very different portrayals but their stories only work in the context of what being Clayface means.
That final bit makes me wonder... what if we got a Clayface who chose different? Who traded selfish and awful for selfless and awesome? A Clayface with the power to become anyone, and chooses to become somebody better.
Would be nice to see an unfortunate little girl become Clayface because Batman didn't save her... only for said little girl to stay positive and become a far more likable and good person complete with superpowers that she uses well without fail and nary a selfish motive like impersonating to create false assumptions. 'Course, she may feel like one of those usually optimistic magical girls as a result, but overall...
Like most of The Batman WB cartoon, I have a soft spot for Ethan and see him as part of the more mature sides of the show that went underlooked by people. He also seemed like a neat replacement for Harvey Dent to work around the copyright limitations of the Nolan films. Nowadays I appreciate shows that can provide a fresh new angle to a long running series like Batman.
Ethan Bennett's version is really a backup replacement of Harvey Dent/Two Face due to the legalities of being unable to use villains attributed to the Nolanverse at the time (with Joker as the exception).
@@Zekrel No doubt; it was nice to know that Bruce had more than just Gordon (yet to debut) to rely on in the GCPD as all there was were Angel Rojas (an amalgamation of Harvey Bullock's physic, ineptness, and duty as an honest cop and Lyle Bolton's depraved Zero Tolerance Ideals) and eventually Ellen Yin (originally Zero Tolerance as her Dark Knight Returns origins to a more Hopeful version somewhat similar to Renee Montoya).
What I loved in Batman The Caped Crusader is it's a reference not only to universal horror movies, but also hommage to horror actors and artists (Basil Karlo's human form reminds me of Boris Karloff and Vincent Pryce, his clayface form reminds me of Lon Chaney's Fantome of the Opera and the vilain of 1930's House of Wax, the makeup artist has the appearance of Jack Pierce, one of THE legendary makeup artists of Golden Age cinema).
The way I saw it as a kid, before I understood the copyright restrictions put by the Nolan movies, he was that show's Two Face; being an old friend of Bruce who would have an accident that put him over the edge into villainy. My kid mind also thought Cluemaster was that show's version of Riddler, before the actual Riddler would appear.
When I was 3, Clayface was the first Batman villain I know before Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman. I still don't know why they couldn't use him in any movies. Hell, Tim Burton would love to use him in his movies instead of the Penguin due to his love of classic horror movies, especially the ones with Vincent Price.
I forgot to mention that the Caped Crusader Clayface reminds me of the Ghost of Mr Hyde from Scooby Doo, glad that you mentioned the 2 Clayfaces in the 2004 series and when you get Two Face you should mention about Ethan Bennet as the stand in for Harvey Dent and William Shatner version as they could never do him back then especially that rumour about Clint Eastwood playing in the Adam West show.
One thing to note about Bennett is that, due to the stupid ass rule of not allowing different Batman properties to use the same character, he served as the Two-Face/Harvey Dent replacement, hence why he has such a close friendship with Bruce. While I would've adored to see what a Two-Face could've looked like, I cannot imagine the show without Bennett and his story; 10/10.
It's ironic how malleable the many versions of Clayface have been throughout their history. Although admittedly, even with the reimagining of Clayface in the DCAU (which was masterful) that was later incorporated into his comic counterpart, I still consider him more of a B-list Batman villain, which I guess goes to show how interesting the more central Batman villains are.
Harley series Clayface seems fun. I really like the idea of a Clayface that's basically always putting on some act, even when it isn't needed, even when it causes issues even.
Powerful and brilliant once again. Would definitely be interested on those other two adaptations of Clayface you referenced even if it's just a small postscript video. Last thing, I don't believe I mentioned it before, but it's worth bringing up: LOVE the background music you have playing throughout your videos. Whatever that song is, it suits the tone and subject matter so well. It's a little thing that makes a big impact.
It’s a cover of the song I Never Even Told You (from the end credits of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm) by my pal Katt Strike. You can listen to the whole track, without me talking over the top of it, here: th-cam.com/video/rkWCA_Yrv38/w-d-xo.htmlsi=hBJq9WpX5WyzTDZu
For me, the C.C. version of Clayface is a reminder of the simpler times, when he was just a maniac in a clay mask. Honestly his origin story in the comics has become kinda confusing over the years. First it was Basil Karlo, who looked like the C.C. version, then there was Matt Hagen, a diver who found a pool of magic clay and became Clayface 2. After him, Preston Pain, a deformed doctor who stole a DNA sample from Matt and accidentally became Clayface 3 with the ability to suck the life from people. Later, there was Lady Clay, an agent of Cobra who turned into Clay and fell in love with Preston. They both had a Clay kid who was stolen by a mad scientist and he also became a Clayface....
Great vid amigo! BTAS' Clayface is definitely my fav, though I do have a rather large soft spot for the theatrical fool we've been bessed with in the Harley Quinn TV series. What's been on my mind as of late however, ever since The Penguin wrapped, is how they would potentially handle the character in a universe as grounded as Matt Reeve's The Batman. I don't believe there's any evidence from the cast or crew of the character appearing but it's a fascinating thought. I'd be dissapointed if they went with fantastical (would likely feel at odds with what we've experienced of the world and characters thus far) and relying on deformities feels like too obvious a route (and a rather rude slap in the face to those born with deformities - something that was noted when RAGE 2 released iirc). One potential thought I did have, given Clayfaces' acting background, is whether there's a potential hook in what we're seeing currently in real-life Hollywood; the rise of AI. It still may be too farfetched for the world Matt Reeve's is crafting but I can't help but shake the feeling it's a relevant topic worth exploring. Jim Gordon could perish or be significantly injured through an indirect action from Batman which results in us being introduced to a version of Barbara/Oracle seeking "vengeance" by haunting Bruce with new footage of his parents, news segments and celebrity campaigns that frame him in a negative light etc etc. Anyway, food for thought and ramble over! Onto the next vid!
One thing that I realised far too late about The Penguin is the fact that his girlfriend was named Eve Karlo. That had to be a deliberate reference to Basil Karlo! I’d like Matt Reeves to cast Ron Perlman as the elderly actor who dons the mask of Clayface and goes around stabbing people. That’d be absolutely perfect!
Ah, RAGE 2... what a disappointment of a sequel that even ruined the first game. V.I.s, you mean. True A.I.s should be the kind we see in Mass Effect, Red vs. Blue, and Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song. Either way, I think you're also referring to deepfakes, which was also done well in Superman: TAS' "Ghost in the Machine".
4:54 I find the chemical compound Renuyu interesting because it come across as Rejuvenate you or renew you as an allegory where make up/condition commercials promote how their product rejuvenates your youth and that's the internal struggles clayface or any actor has to deal with. In the Batman (2004) i really liked Ethan bennet's portrayal of clayface because not only he was an original character but he's a tragic character and i was kind of rooting for him for the most part going after joker and maybe the A hole in charge of the GPD, i was happy that he was able to be treated and even helping Batman regardless being told to stay. He's honestly my favorite version of clayface and it sucked he faded out of the show along with Ellen Yin because they were the most interesting part of the series
3:31 Which is basically the motivation for Matt Hagan at that time in the comics. All that potential power, and the most he could think to do with it was stealing things. The comic "The Great Clayface/Joker feud" was typical for him in the Silver Age. Like Mr. Freeze, he didn't get interesting until BTAS.
I just found the Bennett storyline to be very parallel to BTAS Two-face character. It's a good storyline, but if you had watched both series then the Bennett version just seemed like a slightly new version of the same story.
They really need to adapt Preston Payne in something. He has such a unique design and origin that would really stand out. A shame Young Justice Clayface doesn't qualify for this, since selfishness (and desperation) is what leads to his origin. Also stands out because besides his origin is closer to Matt Hagen's original backstory rather than just making him an actor again.
I really enjoyed the new take of clayface we got in caper crusader and I remember he was the rumored villain for The Batman part 2 and I didn’t know how that would work out. Then I found out about his OG verison of the character which is basically what we got in caped crusader which was so different I liked it. It would make for such scary moments and not knowing who is clayface.
i feel like after caped crusader its possible to do a live action clayface if its kept just with changing the face, but maybe it could be something more like wearing fake disguises like in those old spy movies
Clayface has always been a delight in animated shows, mainly because I have a shoft spot for shapeshifter/shapeshifter adjacent characters. While I did enjoy both versions from The Batman, I did find one episode of Ethan Bennete's criminal tenure to feel...a bit out of place? The halloween episode where he spends most of it in the form of 'Solomon Grundy', using the myth of his eventual return and revenge to rob from the families who were 'cursed' without having any of the blame placed on him...however, this video might have made it 'click' for me. Ethan Bennete's Clayface wants all the joy, none of the sorrow of his situation. As Ethan, he'd always be the detective who couldn't catch The Bat, got himself kidnapped and went crazy for a bit. As Clayface...hey, he can be anyone. And anyone is better than being Ethan. He does eventually rejoin the force, as hinted in the episode 'Artifacts' where the much more of a bastard Mr Freeze has his last fight with an aging Bruce, Ethan was referenced as being back on the force but isn't really seen....speaking of, cannot wait to hear your thoughts on the-imo delightfully repugnant version of Mr Freeezel Maybe 'Mr Freeze is always cold-hearted'?
Ethan really had a rollercoaster when it came to his development as clayface, from seeing it as a tragedy and seeing himself losing his sanity, to finding himself in the identity crisis, starting to enjoy the abilities of it to finally gotten the cure he wanted for so long in attempt to save his friend and prove that he still was a hero. I wish that they would have done more or even brought him in the comics at this point
I do like the BTAS the best for the reaosns ypu laid out. But I really do like the Harley version as well. Especially the Animaniacs or even classic WB quick, or sometimes not so quick, cameos he morphs into. I need more Caped Crusader before I can move that version up, but I do enjoy him as well.
I love this new villain comparison series! Very nice to think about these villains over time in animation, examining their continuities but also differences. Keep it up :)
Anime Clayface was wild, they gave him new abilities abd everything but for an isekai series I thought it was fine but id like to see this take on him explored some more
It’s worth noting that Ethan Bennet Clayface was also playing double duty as that show’s equivalent to Harvey Dent. Two-Face couldn’t be used on the show due to his forthcoming appearance in The Dark Knight, so there’s something to be said for the writer’s efforts to make lemonade and create a hybrid character of their own. I actually really like Bennet and Yin and wish they’d been used longer instead of being swept aside for Jim Gordon, who quite frankly wasn’t all that interesting on The Batman.
Caped crusader Clayface is my personal favorite, He is different and mostly more in line with the Classic 40s Clayface and instead of him being tragic the idea of the serum altering even his own mind Twisted him into being a true monster who while The Amount of Shapeshifting we are used to seeing with Modern Clayface, Its the idea that an Actor Turned Serial Killer like karlo hiding in plan sight that makes him a Truly Terrifying Monster.
The BtAS version was my first exposure to the character so every other has the misfortune of being compared to the guy who really showed me what a Bat-villain could be capable of. I heard somewhere that part of the reason that we got the Ethan Bennet Clayface as a friend of Bruce who went dodgy was so that the writers could use some of the ideas that they had for TwoFace once they were told they couldn't use him. Not sure how accurate that is but it certainly makes sense. I quite liked the Young Justice version. His redemption made sense to me as it seemed like both a smart career move and a progression of how he was acting.
Well with your opening statement I would stay bane since unlike most of Batman’s foes who more so challenge him morally, Bane is biggest threat to Batman man in every way possible.
Hey, if you ever decide to do a video on Clock king I hope you include France Gray from the Batman whether or not he is meant to be can be debated, but I think he’s probably one of the best tragic characters in that show unlike the one from Batman, the animated series Francis doesn’t seem to have any mental disorders and Francis makes a point that he believes that his sentence was over blown because his only real crime was minor. Everything else was legitimately an accident, but he had no control over and he even admits when he talks about his powers that he wanted to go back in time to before his life went down the drain, but it could only go back up a certain amount of time and then the end when is power’s actually due, give him what he wanted he does make a different choice and see that his life is better for it
Clayface is one of my top 5 favorite Batman Rogues for me. He is pitiful and while he is repugnant I kind of pity how he lived through narcissism. Also love shapeshifter characters so yeah. I feel Clayface is the ugliness of who we are deep down. How we lose who we are due to ego so we shed our selves to become better. But Clayface never loves himself. He is just a man stuck through an ugly cycle of self hatred and self despicability. But hey at least the Harley Quinn Calyface and the SS anime (while it's not good by any means) had fun Clayfaces.
I think the Btas version is my fave because he combines all the things that worked about the original comic versions. Basil Karlo has the iconic origin of a disgraced actor who's embraced his role as a real movie monster...but he's so vile and figuratively inhuman it becomes impossible to sympathize with him. Matt Hagen has the cool morphing powers that Clayface is known for, but he's a generic thug with little personality. Preston payne is a tragic creature who longs to be human and didn't ask to be this way, but he's not as versatile and doesn't have that shape shifter element. Animated Hagen is a narcissistic asshole, but one you still pity because at the end of the day, he hates what he's become.
i don't really know what i would do with shapeshifting abilities but i know me well enough to know that i shouldn't be trusted with shapeshifting abilities, mostly because power doesn't corrupts; it simply reveals and i am not a particularly pleasant individual so i am scared of what power could reveal about me.
The thing is, I think that it wasn't just vanity that made the BTAS version take Dagget's offer. The man started as an actor, and that was how he made his living. In our modern day, we think of actors as multi-millionaires, if not billionaires, but it wasn't until the debacle caused by Connery refusing to play the role of Bond in Her Majesty's Secret Service and the new actor causing it to flop that actors began getting six figures and more for starring roles. Without his face, Clayface was out of a job.
Which can also be ironic, considering that said "new actor", George Lazenby, did end up playing King of the Royal Flush Gang in Batman Beyond. In other words, he lost some prestige being a recast of such a notable movie character, but that didn't mean he completely lost his way when it comes to acting gigs.
@@michaelandreipalon359 True, and in one episode, George Lazenby does go on a rant about the constant comparisons and whatnot. The point I was going towards, though, was that prior to Her Majesty's Secret Service, actors were considered a dime a dozen and weren't paid anything near what they were. Acting was a job, and an actor couldn't make seven figure salaries off a single film in the quasi-time period BTAS takes place in. So, the BTAS Clayface wasn't just disfigured, he was out of a job and likely to become broke very quickly. He didn't do it just out of vanity, but to keep from becoming broke and homeless, on top of being horribly disfigured.
Now I wonder, what if a regular person would gain clayface's powers. Would they grow rotten and selfish? Or would their innate Talents drown the limitations one places over oneself?
If you do do your book about BTAS clay face I hope you put my idea that Roland when he showed up in the story, may be a metaphor for the corruption reconstructive surgery, which as I point out, clay face could have at first could’ve legitimate needed it. You know for stuff like breathing sure, he uses it to save his career. But we don’t know how the accident affected his nose ability to work and then it decides to do what most people think of when they think of reconstructive surgery give it to the vein to make themselves look more attractive. I mean, if Bruce had that chemical, he would not only remove the addictive stuff, but probably use it to help people who suffer from extreme Rynophyma or to remove massive tumors imagine the good could do for those people, but Roland just looked at the people who would pay most for it, which in this case would be the vain
I like Ethan Bennet's take since I think it worked as a means of getting a dynamic similar to Two-Face, who wasn't in the 2004 series. And also works for a light use of police corruption, showing even those who go into the system attempting to do good can still turn out worse in the long run. But hey, he sorta got his redemption in the end. And like others have said, his idea of WANTING to do good, but giving in to his worst impulses makes him a captivating character in that way as well.
Just wait till we have a Clayface story where they just stir shit by impersonating people and getting them to say stuff to get actors they think are unworthy canceled / booted from rolls because "As an ESTEEMED acTOR these posers are not fit to be called actors" ;p Wonder if there already is one?
He was a decent addition to the Secret Society/Legion of Doom, it’s just a shame they didn’t do much with him. I wonder if Grodd really could’ve cured him…
@@frankd4581I can say this, that guy's hints of redemption if not rehabilitation in the Season 4 ep "No Man's an Island" sure got wasted in the series finale "Power Outage".
Hot take but I think 2004 animated series The Batman had the best Killer Croc adaptation he wasn’t just a dumb goon he was a government experiment like deathstroke and I think that makes more sense to why he’s reptilian like than he has a skin condition and in his first episode he floods Gotham
@ when Batman asked one of the thugs who croc was he said “He’s ex military I think” “some think he’s a cross breed soldier“ if that’s not failed government experiment then he’s still a experiment
@@The_Phantasm I don’t know if my comment was deleted but a goon batman interrogated said he’s an ex soldier who’s either an lab experiment or cursed so he’s basically croc deathstroke
@@ineedit1772 I went back to rewatch the episode and you totally confused what happened. When Batman interrogated the thug, he was just talking about what the others were speculating about him because Croc never revealed his past. He said that they thought he was either an experiment or he messed with voodoo. At the end he said that his personal guess was that Croc was a circus freak which is Croc's comic origin. You just misunderstood what happened.
With the rumors I've been hearing about clayface being the main villain in the Batman part 2 as you want to see a different take on the character like Matt Reeves can find a different take on how he can do clayface detective story because Bruce Wayne can figure out and the best part about it clayface is a shapeshifter he could be anyone he wants that could be a great challenge for Batman
Sorry but you do not give The Batman enough credit. Just because it did not reach the heights of btas does not mean it was incapable of writing gripping stories. Seconds, the episode from S4, featured a character who in my opinion could rival some of the more complex rogues of BTAS so I suggest you watch it and reassess your praising of btas! I digress... The way Clayface has been depicted is very fascinating with each incarnation being very different but still faithful to the character in one way or another. Caped Crusader version of Clayface is the most cruel version of the character. And Ethan was more misguided than awful. He is definitely more sympathetic than Caped Crusader Clayface
True, they never explicitly said that Bennett didn’t retain his powers. They did later mention that he rejoined the police in the future, so I think it’s safe to assume he didn’t relapse. I think Karlo regained his powers because ingested a concentrated version of the formula, while Bennett only inhaled a small amount of gas.
The Caped Crusader version of Clayface is fantastic, love that version , it's perfect, and how they blend his original origin in with having the shape shifting power. BTAS is fantastic and The Batman is too. I think its ashame in the comics and sometimes when he shows up in animation he's often either reduced to muscle or he's another tragic character, he's kind of stereotyped due to the his appearance, I think it's alot more interesting to have him have that villainous edge and character that's in the Caped Crusader, combine that with all the Clayface powers, give him the motivation that he can be who he wants, do nearly anything, that he can play any role , much like in Arkham City, where he is very overlooked , when asked what he's doing there, he says "the role of a lifetime" he's there because he gets to "act" to perform to be Joker. I'd also give him a voice and the way he talks of the Caped Crusader version and have him look like the monstrous version. Break the monotony of powred default Clayface, that writers just seem to take at face value (heh). Matt Hagan in the comics is kind of fun, I think you could have fun with him being a theif and using the clayface formula, maybe he could be a bit of a loveable rogue even for example. Preston Payne is brilliant just yeah the Mudpack need to be a thing again.
Clayface may be the only non-series original character I didn't know about from Batman's Rogue's Gallery before BtAs. And I am quite happy that one was my first exposure. Though I give props to The Batman's for being it's own separate things.
I feel the same way about The Batman as a whole. It’s not my favourite by any stretch of the imagination, but I commend them for doing their own thing.
♟Obviously we've talked to you about it before (Oh yeah, we changed our username from JellyBeans), but Clayface from a system's perspective has always been one of "Only I'M allowed to exist!". I think part of why we became fascinated with Annie was, we've seen people just like Matt Hagen who recognized another entity connected but separate from them, and decided to BURY them under a mudslide of repression. Perhaps that's always been an element of Clayface. In some respects, the clay mask reveals who they truly are on the inside. On the other hand, it also shows how far they're willing to run away from a genuine them they could be. But like for Ethan, it's "too hard" for them to handle.
@SerumLake I highly recommend it is easily won the best Superman shows ever made and the best interpretation of the character they just wrap up that final season yesterday the entire series is on Max
The Ethan Bennett version is a really cool mixture of Clayface, the TAS Two-Face, and The Killing Joke, all wrapped up in an original character that I'd like to see a return to. The Batman could be said to have not made the most of its ideas because of its format and target audience, but I think there's greatness in there.
Shapeshifting is quite a boon of a superpower (go ask the Olympian gods and maybe even the Doctor's Regenerations; not a huge fan of Doctor Who, but that aspect of the character is one I surprisingly have a liking for), but there's something about Clayface that makes one not want to covet his shapeshifting schtick. 1:16: And the occasional uncanny CGI, though some may argue that said uncanny feel benefits the character. 1:30: Depends. Some artists and styles out there have mastered the art of pseudo-movement even in still comic panels. See The Batman Adventures and Superman Adventures tie-in comics for some examples. 1:50: Clayface infiltrating the Batcave... did that inspire Inque's own infiltration in Batman Beyond? No mention of what seems to be inconsistency with Clayface's "weakness" of water, what with his whale and dolphin forms? 4:20: Oh, dear, the inevitable Catwoman is so going to take a shade on that bad design choice for the character (16:42: Speak of the devil!) 5:43: Gory discretion shot done right, too, something people take shade against otherwise popular stuff like The Boys and Invincible nowadays when it comes to explicit onscreen depictions. Some people may take shade on Matt Hagen's Clayface being gay, as an aside. To some, it's the reasonable criticism of the fact only being announced by the creator and not explicitly shown in B:TAS. To others, it's the simple bigotry of hating the fact that they're gay. To a select number, well, it's the fact as to why a gay character had to be an evil antagonist who nearly dies a lot... such are people and our opinions. DCAU's Clayface, more like, not B:TAS' Clayface. Also, no Justice League footage? He ain't as prominent there, but he is still a rogue to be reckoned with. 7:47: Not one of Batman's best moments. He could have saved Bennett, but alas, youthful brashness to pursue and catch the Joker ruined things. 9:44: A pity, us the audience will still remember Ethan Bennett as THE Clayface of that universe, even if he's redeemed and back to normal. Such are tough acts to follow. Still, at least Ethan proved and also disproved the idea of "One Bad Day", while the DCAU's Hagen ended up increasingly unsympathetic to the point that I don't feel sorry for him anymore being fireworked in Justice League. If only Ethan still kept some of his powers. Would have made good Justice League recruitment material in the show's aftermath. 10:50: But not the camp associated with Spy Kids and Flash Gordon, thankfully enough, I guess. 10:55: No need, just as much as we know Batman's and Spider-Man's origins already. 15:33: Any Multiversal operative should excel at this, in my opportune opinion. Who knows if, say, Tad Strange of Gravity Falls, a rookie NSA agent working for Agent X of Amphibia, and a new chief librarian of Gravesfield, Connecticut (who's also good friends with Luz Noceda and that strange girl companion named Amity, who are frequent visitors and honorary library staff) are actually the same person cleverly incognito, utilizing a magical girl avatar of a body for use as glamor spells and immediate combat readiness, per their numerous assigned roles... who knows, they could even be an Illuminati secretary in Gargoyles and a Filipino immigrant neighbor of Kim and Ron Possible-Stoppable's family life. Addendum: I just realized, as an aside: I don't think there was a tale where Arthur C. Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Watson encountered an actor antagonist that could have inspired Basil Karlo or Matt Hagen, even when his tales have possible inspirations for Two-Face (see The Adventure of the Illustrious Client from "The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes") and Scarecrow (The Adventure of the Devil's Foot from "His Last Bow").
I am curious if you saw the Suicide Squad anime and that version of Clayface cause he's pretty vain and hilarious. Choosing to wear an outfit that makes him look like he cosplaying as Michael Jackson's smooth criminal.
I haven’t seen it, mostly because I don’t have much free time but also because people in my social circle said I probably wouldn’t like it. But, hey, I may check it out based on the comments on this video
I haven’t seen it, and you’re the first person to say something positive about it, at least in my social circles. Maybe I’ll watch it and revisit this topic later on
Evan's reaction to Basil's face change says something different to me. It tells me that she's just as shallow as him, and that even though he went to all this trouble to literally reshape himself for her, she still rejected him. Not just reject, but viscerally. Which is odd, given that they seemed to be on such good terms before. Do you think she would've dated him if he'd asked her out before his transformation? If he'd tried to be 'genuine'? I doubt it. I think she would've had a very similar reaction, and while the kidnapping and murder was a severe overreaction, I can't say I don't sympathize with how he must've felt.
Ethan Bennett is probably my favorite version of Clayface.
There's just something VERY real about how he wants to do good but gives into the temptation of using his powers and wanting the quickest way to getting an easier life.
"Being Ethan Bennett is hard, REALLY hard. Being Clayface… is cake."
Clayface: the embodiment of the phrase “Power doesn’t corrupt…it REVEALS!”
Funny because his whole thing is to hide who he is
Robert Caro’s next project will be a six volume analysis of Clayface
Id say power enables more than reveals
“He wanted an easier life, and that meant a life of-“
Advertisement coming in hard: FREBREEZE!!! 🎉
"Being Ethan Bennett is hard, REALLY hard! Being Clayface…is cake."
Honestly a great line
" NO! HAGAN'S GONE! MAKE HIM STOP HAUNTING ME!!!"
- Clayface
It's almost as if the different portrayals of the Clayface are different "roles", played by the same actor. Clayface, the brutish thief. Clayface, the vain closeted man. Clayface, the post-human. Clayface, the talentless hack. Clayface, the fabulous thespian. And last, but not least, Clayface the monster. With looks to match his rotten soul.
Where does the Lego Batman Clayface Fit into this?
Certainly fits somewhere, lol. Not too familiar with LEGO version, I'm afraid.
@@Mr.BrothybearClayface the lego i guess?
or one can say clayface is a role that many people take on.
@@Mr.Brothybear Clayface, the collectible.
I really liked Ethan Bennett, but because of how he was characterized _as Ethan._ His relationship to Bruce Wayne, being a not-totally-crooked-cop in Gotham that still went bad, redemption arc, etc. He didn't have to be Clayface to have that story, you could have given him any powers and villain name and it'd still be compelling He's Ethan. BTAS Matt Hagan is _Clayface._ BCC Basil Karlo is _Clayface._ They're very different portrayals but their stories only work in the context of what being Clayface means.
That final bit makes me wonder... what if we got a Clayface who chose different? Who traded selfish and awful for selfless and awesome?
A Clayface with the power to become anyone, and chooses to become somebody better.
Maybe like a clayface who uses his powers to stay anonymous like an angel
Yeah. That’d be amazing. I mean, if he’d listen to his friend, he’d still be an actor but could use his powers to catch criminals.
Makes me think of Plastic Man, who was a crook before getting powers and choosing to be a hero.
I don't read the comics but I think the current Clayface is in fact an ally to Batman.
Would be nice to see an unfortunate little girl become Clayface because Batman didn't save her... only for said little girl to stay positive and become a far more likable and good person complete with superpowers that she uses well without fail and nary a selfish motive like impersonating to create false assumptions. 'Course, she may feel like one of those usually optimistic magical girls as a result, but overall...
Anime clayface was pretty interesting since he's essentially restricted himself to looking exclusively like Michael Jackson.
I mean yea If you have Shapeshifting
@@Mr.BrothybearI’d rather look more like Bruce Wayne with some noticeable differences
At least that still gives him a few different faces to choose from.
Who’d have guessed that the villain made of clay would be so malleable?
Like most of The Batman WB cartoon, I have a soft spot for Ethan and see him as part of the more mature sides of the show that went underlooked by people. He also seemed like a neat replacement for Harvey Dent to work around the copyright limitations of the Nolan films. Nowadays I appreciate shows that can provide a fresh new angle to a long running series like Batman.
Ethan Bennett's version is really a backup replacement of Harvey Dent/Two Face due to the legalities of being unable to use villains attributed to the Nolanverse at the time (with Joker as the exception).
Pretty much, but he was a pretty good character
He was still a great tragic character
@@Zekrel No doubt; it was nice to know that Bruce had more than just Gordon (yet to debut) to rely on in the GCPD as all there was were Angel Rojas (an amalgamation of Harvey Bullock's physic, ineptness, and duty as an honest cop and Lyle Bolton's depraved Zero Tolerance Ideals) and eventually Ellen Yin (originally Zero Tolerance as her Dark Knight Returns origins to a more Hopeful version somewhat similar to Renee Montoya).
Yeah as I was asking for Serum Lake to do that once he gets to Two Face.
What I loved in Batman The Caped Crusader is it's a reference not only to universal horror movies, but also hommage to horror actors and artists (Basil Karlo's human form reminds me of Boris Karloff and Vincent Pryce, his clayface form reminds me of Lon Chaney's Fantome of the Opera and the vilain of 1930's House of Wax, the makeup artist has the appearance of Jack Pierce, one of THE legendary makeup artists of Golden Age cinema).
I wonder will he look like that if he was in the Tim Burton Batman movies especially since about that novel Batman Resurrection?
The Batman's Clayface had elements of Hush and it was amazing.
The way I saw it as a kid, before I understood the copyright restrictions put by the Nolan movies, he was that show's Two Face; being an old friend of Bruce who would have an accident that put him over the edge into villainy. My kid mind also thought Cluemaster was that show's version of Riddler, before the actual Riddler would appear.
But done well :)
When I was 3, Clayface was the first Batman villain I know before Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman. I still don't know why they couldn't use him in any movies. Hell, Tim Burton would love to use him in his movies instead of the Penguin due to his love of classic horror movies, especially the ones with Vincent Price.
I think the batman clayface was kinda like their version of two face sense they couldnt use two face in the show because of the nolan movies
HQ Clayface: *(Exists)*
Every other Clayface: "Who invited my man blud? Bro thinks he's on the team."
I forgot to mention that the Caped Crusader Clayface reminds me of the Ghost of Mr Hyde from Scooby Doo, glad that you mentioned the 2 Clayfaces in the 2004 series and when you get Two Face you should mention about Ethan Bennet as the stand in for Harvey Dent and William Shatner version as they could never do him back then especially that rumour about Clint Eastwood playing in the Adam West show.
One thing to note about Bennett is that, due to the stupid ass rule of not allowing different Batman properties to use the same character, he served as the Two-Face/Harvey Dent replacement, hence why he has such a close friendship with Bruce. While I would've adored to see what a Two-Face could've looked like, I cannot imagine the show without Bennett and his story; 10/10.
I love these Batman villain analysis vids so much, never stop making them!
It's ironic how malleable the many versions of Clayface have been throughout their history. Although admittedly, even with the reimagining of Clayface in the DCAU (which was masterful) that was later incorporated into his comic counterpart, I still consider him more of a B-list Batman villain, which I guess goes to show how interesting the more central Batman villains are.
_"...malleable...Clayface..."_
I see what you did there.
As a horror film 🎥 fan myself, I always enjoy clayface backstory tragic and horrific to say.
Harley series Clayface seems fun. I really like the idea of a Clayface that's basically always putting on some act, even when it isn't needed, even when it causes issues even.
Powerful and brilliant once again. Would definitely be interested on those other two adaptations of Clayface you referenced even if it's just a small postscript video. Last thing, I don't believe I mentioned it before, but it's worth bringing up: LOVE the background music you have playing throughout your videos. Whatever that song is, it suits the tone and subject matter so well. It's a little thing that makes a big impact.
It’s a cover of the song I Never Even Told You (from the end credits of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm) by my pal Katt Strike. You can listen to the whole track, without me talking over the top of it, here: th-cam.com/video/rkWCA_Yrv38/w-d-xo.htmlsi=hBJq9WpX5WyzTDZu
I’d love for you to write a book about Clayface!
For me, the C.C. version of Clayface is a reminder of the simpler times, when he was just a maniac in a clay mask. Honestly his origin story in the comics has become kinda confusing over the years.
First it was Basil Karlo, who looked like the C.C. version, then there was Matt Hagen, a diver who found a pool of magic clay and became Clayface 2. After him, Preston Pain, a deformed doctor who stole a DNA sample from Matt and accidentally became Clayface 3 with the ability to suck the life from people. Later, there was Lady Clay, an agent of Cobra who turned into Clay and fell in love with Preston. They both had a Clay kid who was stolen by a mad scientist and he also became a Clayface....
I prefer the golden age Basil Karlo version.
Great vid amigo! BTAS' Clayface is definitely my fav, though I do have a rather large soft spot for the theatrical fool we've been bessed with in the Harley Quinn TV series. What's been on my mind as of late however, ever since The Penguin wrapped, is how they would potentially handle the character in a universe as grounded as Matt Reeve's The Batman.
I don't believe there's any evidence from the cast or crew of the character appearing but it's a fascinating thought. I'd be dissapointed if they went with fantastical (would likely feel at odds with what we've experienced of the world and characters thus far) and relying on deformities feels like too obvious a route (and a rather rude slap in the face to those born with deformities - something that was noted when RAGE 2 released iirc).
One potential thought I did have, given Clayfaces' acting background, is whether there's a potential hook in what we're seeing currently in real-life Hollywood; the rise of AI. It still may be too farfetched for the world Matt Reeve's is crafting but I can't help but shake the feeling it's a relevant topic worth exploring. Jim Gordon could perish or be significantly injured through an indirect action from Batman which results in us being introduced to a version of Barbara/Oracle seeking "vengeance" by haunting Bruce with new footage of his parents, news segments and celebrity campaigns that frame him in a negative light etc etc.
Anyway, food for thought and ramble over! Onto the next vid!
One thing that I realised far too late about The Penguin is the fact that his girlfriend was named Eve Karlo. That had to be a deliberate reference to Basil Karlo!
I’d like Matt Reeves to cast Ron Perlman as the elderly actor who dons the mask of Clayface and goes around stabbing people. That’d be absolutely perfect!
Ah, RAGE 2... what a disappointment of a sequel that even ruined the first game.
V.I.s, you mean. True A.I.s should be the kind we see in Mass Effect, Red vs. Blue, and Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song. Either way, I think you're also referring to deepfakes, which was also done well in Superman: TAS' "Ghost in the Machine".
4:54 I find the chemical compound Renuyu interesting because it come across as Rejuvenate you or renew you as an allegory where make up/condition commercials promote how their product rejuvenates your youth and that's the internal struggles clayface or any actor has to deal with.
In the Batman (2004) i really liked Ethan bennet's portrayal of clayface because not only he was an original character but he's a tragic character and i was kind of rooting for him for the most part going after joker and maybe the A hole in charge of the GPD, i was happy that he was able to be treated and even helping Batman regardless being told to stay. He's honestly my favorite version of clayface and it sucked he faded out of the show along with Ellen Yin because they were the most interesting part of the series
3:31 Which is basically the motivation for Matt Hagan at that time in the comics. All that potential power, and the most he could think to do with it was stealing things. The comic "The Great Clayface/Joker feud" was typical for him in the Silver Age. Like Mr. Freeze, he didn't get interesting until BTAS.
I just found the Bennett storyline to be very parallel to BTAS Two-face character. It's a good storyline, but if you had watched both series then the Bennett version just seemed like a slightly new version of the same story.
They really need to adapt Preston Payne in something. He has such a unique design and origin that would really stand out.
A shame Young Justice Clayface doesn't qualify for this, since selfishness (and desperation) is what leads to his origin. Also stands out because besides his origin is closer to Matt Hagen's original backstory rather than just making him an actor again.
I really enjoyed the new take of clayface we got in caper crusader and I remember he was the rumored villain for The Batman part 2 and I didn’t know how that would work out. Then I found out about his OG verison of the character which is basically what we got in caped crusader which was so different I liked it. It would make for such scary moments and not knowing who is clayface.
i feel like after caped crusader its possible to do a live action clayface if its kept just with changing the face, but maybe it could be something more like wearing fake disguises like in those old spy movies
Clayface has always been a delight in animated shows, mainly because I have a shoft spot for shapeshifter/shapeshifter adjacent characters.
While I did enjoy both versions from The Batman, I did find one episode of Ethan Bennete's criminal tenure to feel...a bit out of place? The halloween episode where he spends most of it in the form of 'Solomon Grundy', using the myth of his eventual return and revenge to rob from the families who were 'cursed' without having any of the blame placed on him...however, this video might have made it 'click' for me. Ethan Bennete's Clayface wants all the joy, none of the sorrow of his situation. As Ethan, he'd always be the detective who couldn't catch The Bat, got himself kidnapped and went crazy for a bit. As Clayface...hey, he can be anyone. And anyone is better than being Ethan.
He does eventually rejoin the force, as hinted in the episode 'Artifacts' where the much more of a bastard Mr Freeze has his last fight with an aging Bruce, Ethan was referenced as being back on the force but isn't really seen....speaking of, cannot wait to hear your thoughts on the-imo delightfully repugnant version of Mr Freeezel Maybe 'Mr Freeze is always cold-hearted'?
Ethan really had a rollercoaster when it came to his development as clayface, from seeing it as a tragedy and seeing himself losing his sanity, to finding himself in the identity crisis, starting to enjoy the abilities of it to finally gotten the cure he wanted for so long in attempt to save his friend and prove that he still was a hero. I wish that they would have done more or even brought him in the comics at this point
I do like the BTAS the best for the reaosns ypu laid out. But I really do like the Harley version as well. Especially the Animaniacs or even classic WB quick, or sometimes not so quick, cameos he morphs into. I need more Caped Crusader before I can move that version up, but I do enjoy him as well.
I love this new villain comparison series! Very nice to think about these villains over time in animation, examining their continuities but also differences. Keep it up :)
Anime Clayface was wild, they gave him new abilities abd everything but for an isekai series
I thought it was fine but id like to see this take on him explored some more
It’s worth noting that Ethan Bennet Clayface was also playing double duty as that show’s equivalent to Harvey Dent. Two-Face couldn’t be used on the show due to his forthcoming appearance in The Dark Knight, so there’s something to be said for the writer’s efforts to make lemonade and create a hybrid character of their own. I actually really like Bennet and Yin and wish they’d been used longer instead of being swept aside for Jim Gordon, who quite frankly wasn’t all that interesting on The Batman.
Caped crusader Clayface is my personal favorite, He is different and mostly more in line with the Classic 40s Clayface and instead of him being tragic the idea of the serum altering even his own mind Twisted him into being a true monster who while The Amount of Shapeshifting we are used to seeing with Modern Clayface, Its the idea that an Actor Turned Serial Killer like karlo hiding in plan sight that makes him a Truly Terrifying Monster.
The BtAS version was my first exposure to the character so every other has the misfortune of being compared to the guy who really showed me what a Bat-villain could be capable of.
I heard somewhere that part of the reason that we got the Ethan Bennet Clayface as a friend of Bruce who went dodgy was so that the writers could use some of the ideas that they had for TwoFace once they were told they couldn't use him. Not sure how accurate that is but it certainly makes sense.
I quite liked the Young Justice version. His redemption made sense to me as it seemed like both a smart career move and a progression of how he was acting.
Nobody ever mentions that the first time clayface ever appeared on tv was in the opening credits of the 1966 Batman show
Only because there’s a slight chance it isn’t him, and that show chose to use False Face as a substitute.
0:01 I think you can tell I agree.
Well with your opening statement I would stay bane since unlike most of Batman’s foes who more so challenge him morally, Bane is biggest threat to Batman man in every way possible.
Hey, if you ever decide to do a video on Clock king I hope you include France Gray from the Batman whether or not he is meant to be can be debated, but I think he’s probably one of the best tragic characters in that show unlike the one from Batman, the animated series Francis doesn’t seem to have any mental disorders and Francis makes a point that he believes that his sentence was over blown because his only real crime was minor. Everything else was legitimately an accident, but he had no control over and he even admits when he talks about his powers that he wanted to go back in time to before his life went down the drain, but it could only go back up a certain amount of time and then the end when is power’s actually due, give him what he wanted he does make a different choice and see that his life is better for it
Clayface is one of my top 5 favorite Batman Rogues for me. He is pitiful and while he is repugnant I kind of pity how he lived through narcissism. Also love shapeshifter characters so yeah. I feel Clayface is the ugliness of who we are deep down. How we lose who we are due to ego so we shed our selves to become better. But Clayface never loves himself. He is just a man stuck through an ugly cycle of self hatred and self despicability.
But hey at least the Harley Quinn Calyface and the SS anime (while it's not good by any means) had fun Clayfaces.
I think the Btas version is my fave because he combines all the things that worked about the original comic versions.
Basil Karlo has the iconic origin of a disgraced actor who's embraced his role as a real movie monster...but he's so vile and figuratively inhuman it becomes impossible to sympathize with him.
Matt Hagen has the cool morphing powers that Clayface is known for, but he's a generic thug with little personality.
Preston payne is a tragic creature who longs to be human and didn't ask to be this way, but he's not as versatile and doesn't have that shape shifter element.
Animated Hagen is a narcissistic asshole, but one you still pity because at the end of the day, he hates what he's become.
Basil carlo maybe egotistical but not Ethan Bennet he has a heart of gold
For me, the three best versions of Clayface are the BTAS, C.C. and 2004, in that order.
I see the greatness in all 3
i don't really know what i would do with shapeshifting abilities but i know me well enough to know that i shouldn't be trusted with shapeshifting abilities, mostly because power doesn't corrupts; it simply reveals and i am not a particularly pleasant individual so i am scared of what power could reveal about me.
The thing is, I think that it wasn't just vanity that made the BTAS version take Dagget's offer. The man started as an actor, and that was how he made his living. In our modern day, we think of actors as multi-millionaires, if not billionaires, but it wasn't until the debacle caused by Connery refusing to play the role of Bond in Her Majesty's Secret Service and the new actor causing it to flop that actors began getting six figures and more for starring roles. Without his face, Clayface was out of a job.
Which can also be ironic, considering that said "new actor", George Lazenby, did end up playing King of the Royal Flush Gang in Batman Beyond. In other words, he lost some prestige being a recast of such a notable movie character, but that didn't mean he completely lost his way when it comes to acting gigs.
@@michaelandreipalon359 True, and in one episode, George Lazenby does go on a rant about the constant comparisons and whatnot. The point I was going towards, though, was that prior to Her Majesty's Secret Service, actors were considered a dime a dozen and weren't paid anything near what they were.
Acting was a job, and an actor couldn't make seven figure salaries off a single film in the quasi-time period BTAS takes place in. So, the BTAS Clayface wasn't just disfigured, he was out of a job and likely to become broke very quickly. He didn't do it just out of vanity, but to keep from becoming broke and homeless, on top of being horribly disfigured.
Now I wonder, what if a regular person would gain clayface's powers.
Would they grow rotten and selfish?
Or would their innate Talents drown the limitations one places over oneself?
5:37 If I were Dagget, I would use Hagen as a spokesperson instead of using him for crimes.
I for one would love to read a book on Serum Lake's media analysis on Clayface as seen in Batman the Animated Series.
If you do do your book about BTAS clay face I hope you put my idea that Roland when he showed up in the story, may be a metaphor for the corruption reconstructive surgery, which as I point out, clay face could have at first could’ve legitimate needed it. You know for stuff like breathing sure, he uses it to save his career. But we don’t know how the accident affected his nose ability to work and then it decides to do what most people think of when they think of reconstructive surgery give it to the vein to make themselves look more attractive. I mean, if Bruce had that chemical, he would not only remove the addictive stuff, but probably use it to help people who suffer from extreme Rynophyma or to remove massive tumors imagine the good could do for those people, but Roland just looked at the people who would pay most for it, which in this case would be the vain
Keep it up on your work and this video and channel
I love this video and channel
Thanks you for your video and channel
I love Batman all franchise
15:26: Just reminds me of the internet.
The new clayface looks like a classic horror movie villain.
I like Ethan Bennet's take since I think it worked as a means of getting a dynamic similar to Two-Face, who wasn't in the 2004 series. And also works for a light use of police corruption, showing even those who go into the system attempting to do good can still turn out worse in the long run. But hey, he sorta got his redemption in the end. And like others have said, his idea of WANTING to do good, but giving in to his worst impulses makes him a captivating character in that way as well.
Matt Hagan is dead make him stop haunting me
One of the best lines in the BTAS series
Did Clayface just puke out his guts?!
Just wait till we have a Clayface story where they just stir shit by impersonating people and getting them to say stuff to get actors they think are unworthy canceled / booted from rolls because "As an ESTEEMED acTOR these posers are not fit to be called actors" ;p
Wonder if there already is one?
What are your thoughts on how they brought DCAU Clayface back for Justice League
He was a decent addition to the Secret Society/Legion of Doom, it’s just a shame they didn’t do much with him. I wonder if Grodd really could’ve cured him…
@@SerumLake please make a video discussing the DCAU Villain character from the Static Shock series named HotStreak please
@@frankd4581I can say this, that guy's hints of redemption if not rehabilitation in the Season 4 ep "No Man's an Island" sure got wasted in the series finale "Power Outage".
Hot take but I think 2004 animated series The Batman had the best Killer Croc adaptation he wasn’t just a dumb goon he was a government experiment like deathstroke and I think that makes more sense to why he’s reptilian like than he has a skin condition and in his first episode he floods Gotham
@@ineedit1772 No he wasn't. He was really good, but he wasn't a government experiment. That was never a thing in the show.
@ when Batman asked one of the thugs who croc was he said “He’s ex military I think” “some think he’s a cross breed soldier“ if that’s not failed government experiment then he’s still a experiment
And quite a bit unrecognizable Ron Perlman role, too.
@@The_Phantasm I don’t know if my comment was deleted but a goon batman interrogated said he’s an ex soldier who’s either an lab experiment or cursed so he’s basically croc deathstroke
@@ineedit1772 I went back to rewatch the episode and you totally confused what happened. When Batman interrogated the thug, he was just talking about what the others were speculating about him because Croc never revealed his past. He said that they thought he was either an experiment or he messed with voodoo. At the end he said that his personal guess was that Croc was a circus freak which is Croc's comic origin. You just misunderstood what happened.
BCCs Clayfaces final form design is close to Darkman from the 1990s.
It's lady gaGAA!
Clayface. The man who wasn't
With the rumors I've been hearing about clayface being the main villain in the Batman part 2 as you want to see a different take on the character like Matt Reeves can find a different take on how he can do clayface detective story because Bruce Wayne can figure out and the best part about it clayface is a shapeshifter he could be anyone he wants that could be a great challenge for Batman
I honestly think Clayface would be the villain in The Batman Part ll. It would most likely be the Golden Age version.
Ive said it before . Revisit The Batman 2004...
Sorry but you do not give The Batman enough credit. Just because it did not reach the heights of btas does not mean it was incapable of writing gripping stories. Seconds, the episode from S4, featured a character who in my opinion could rival some of the more complex rogues of BTAS so I suggest you watch it and reassess your praising of btas!
I digress...
The way Clayface has been depicted is very fascinating with each incarnation being very different but still faithful to the character in one way or another.
Caped Crusader version of Clayface is the most cruel version of the character. And Ethan was more misguided than awful. He is definitely more sympathetic than Caped Crusader Clayface
I have two animated Clayfaces that I like B:TAS and Caped Crusader. I'm kind of torn between the two.
10:14 If Karlo regained his powers, who says the same didn't happen to Ethan.
True, they never explicitly said that Bennett didn’t retain his powers. They did later mention that he rejoined the police in the future, so I think it’s safe to assume he didn’t relapse.
I think Karlo regained his powers because ingested a concentrated version of the formula, while Bennett only inhaled a small amount of gas.
The Caped Crusader version of Clayface is fantastic, love that version , it's perfect, and how they blend his original origin in with having the shape shifting power. BTAS is fantastic and The Batman is too. I think its ashame in the comics and sometimes when he shows up in animation he's often either reduced to muscle or he's another tragic character, he's kind of stereotyped due to the his appearance, I think it's alot more interesting to have him have that villainous edge and character that's in the Caped Crusader, combine that with all the Clayface powers, give him the motivation that he can be who he wants, do nearly anything, that he can play any role , much like in Arkham City, where he is very overlooked , when asked what he's doing there, he says "the role of a lifetime" he's there because he gets to "act" to perform to be Joker. I'd also give him a voice and the way he talks of the Caped Crusader version and have him look like the monstrous version. Break the monotony of powred default Clayface, that writers just seem to take at face value (heh). Matt Hagan in the comics is kind of fun, I think you could have fun with him being a theif and using the clayface formula, maybe he could be a bit of a loveable rogue even for example. Preston Payne is brilliant just yeah the Mudpack need to be a thing again.
Clayface may be the only non-series original character I didn't know about from Batman's Rogue's Gallery before BtAs.
And I am quite happy that one was my first exposure.
Though I give props to The Batman's for being it's own separate things.
I feel the same way about The Batman as a whole. It’s not my favourite by any stretch of the imagination, but I commend them for doing their own thing.
♟Obviously we've talked to you about it before (Oh yeah, we changed our username from JellyBeans), but Clayface from a system's perspective has always been one of "Only I'M allowed to exist!". I think part of why we became fascinated with Annie was, we've seen people just like Matt Hagen who recognized another entity connected but separate from them, and decided to BURY them under a mudslide of repression. Perhaps that's always been an element of Clayface. In some respects, the clay mask reveals who they truly are on the inside. On the other hand, it also shows how far they're willing to run away from a genuine them they could be. But like for Ethan, it's "too hard" for them to handle.
Personally, I am a fan of the Suicide Squad Isekai verson of Clayface as well, he's kinda like the Harley Quinn version, but a bit less of a joke
I'd like to read that book about Clayface you would write.
I'm a big fan of your channel what's your thoughts on Superman and Lois TV series
I haven’t watched it 😔
@SerumLake I highly recommend it is easily won the best Superman shows ever made and the best interpretation of the character they just wrap up that final season yesterday the entire series is on Max
I would love it if you wrote a book going over the in depth motivations and feeling and plots of BTAS villains.
My personal favorite interpretation of clayface is caped crusader and Gotham 1919-1939 version.
The Ethan Bennett version is a really cool mixture of Clayface, the TAS Two-Face, and The Killing Joke, all wrapped up in an original character that I'd like to see a return to. The Batman could be said to have not made the most of its ideas because of its format and target audience, but I think there's greatness in there.
Shapeshifting is quite a boon of a superpower (go ask the Olympian gods and maybe even the Doctor's Regenerations; not a huge fan of Doctor Who, but that aspect of the character is one I surprisingly have a liking for), but there's something about Clayface that makes one not want to covet his shapeshifting schtick.
1:16: And the occasional uncanny CGI, though some may argue that said uncanny feel benefits the character.
1:30: Depends. Some artists and styles out there have mastered the art of pseudo-movement even in still comic panels. See The Batman Adventures and Superman Adventures tie-in comics for some examples.
1:50: Clayface infiltrating the Batcave... did that inspire Inque's own infiltration in Batman Beyond?
No mention of what seems to be inconsistency with Clayface's "weakness" of water, what with his whale and dolphin forms?
4:20: Oh, dear, the inevitable Catwoman is so going to take a shade on that bad design choice for the character (16:42: Speak of the devil!)
5:43: Gory discretion shot done right, too, something people take shade against otherwise popular stuff like The Boys and Invincible nowadays when it comes to explicit onscreen depictions.
Some people may take shade on Matt Hagen's Clayface being gay, as an aside. To some, it's the reasonable criticism of the fact only being announced by the creator and not explicitly shown in B:TAS. To others, it's the simple bigotry of hating the fact that they're gay. To a select number, well, it's the fact as to why a gay character had to be an evil antagonist who nearly dies a lot... such are people and our opinions.
DCAU's Clayface, more like, not B:TAS' Clayface. Also, no Justice League footage? He ain't as prominent there, but he is still a rogue to be reckoned with.
7:47: Not one of Batman's best moments. He could have saved Bennett, but alas, youthful brashness to pursue and catch the Joker ruined things.
9:44: A pity, us the audience will still remember Ethan Bennett as THE Clayface of that universe, even if he's redeemed and back to normal. Such are tough acts to follow.
Still, at least Ethan proved and also disproved the idea of "One Bad Day", while the DCAU's Hagen ended up increasingly unsympathetic to the point that I don't feel sorry for him anymore being fireworked in Justice League.
If only Ethan still kept some of his powers. Would have made good Justice League recruitment material in the show's aftermath.
10:50: But not the camp associated with Spy Kids and Flash Gordon, thankfully enough, I guess.
10:55: No need, just as much as we know Batman's and Spider-Man's origins already.
15:33: Any Multiversal operative should excel at this, in my opportune opinion. Who knows if, say, Tad Strange of Gravity Falls, a rookie NSA agent working for Agent X of Amphibia, and a new chief librarian of Gravesfield, Connecticut (who's also good friends with Luz Noceda and that strange girl companion named Amity, who are frequent visitors and honorary library staff) are actually the same person cleverly incognito, utilizing a magical girl avatar of a body for use as glamor spells and immediate combat readiness, per their numerous assigned roles... who knows, they could even be an Illuminati secretary in Gargoyles and a Filipino immigrant neighbor of Kim and Ron Possible-Stoppable's family life.
Addendum: I just realized, as an aside: I don't think there was a tale where Arthur C. Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Watson encountered an actor antagonist that could have inspired Basil Karlo or Matt Hagen, even when his tales have possible inspirations for Two-Face (see The Adventure of the Illustrious Client from "The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes") and Scarecrow (The Adventure of the Devil's Foot from "His Last Bow").
My favorite villain is Killer Croc with the Riddler a very close second.
I am curious if you saw the Suicide Squad anime and that version of Clayface cause he's pretty vain and hilarious. Choosing to wear an outfit that makes him look like he cosplaying as Michael Jackson's smooth criminal.
I haven’t seen it, mostly because I don’t have much free time but also because people in my social circle said I probably wouldn’t like it. But, hey, I may check it out based on the comments on this video
@SerumLake yeah it takes a few episodes for it to get going. And you can see where the animation dips from time to time.
But overall it's a fun ride
Serum: *Talking about writing a book about Clayface.*
Me: Shut up and take my money!
Another animated version of Clayface is in the anime Suicide Squad Isekai. I didn't think he was all that interesting, but it exists.
I think that going past the SS anime is a shame because clayface is a highlight in the show tbh
I haven’t seen it, and you’re the first person to say something positive about it, at least in my social circles. Maybe I’ll watch it and revisit this topic later on
Very fitting for clayface to easily fit into any kind of media
Tragedy, comedy, horror just have to find the rigth shape.
Ethan Bennett was basically this show's Harvey Dent. Bruce's lawful friend getting disfigured and turned to crime he feels guilty for.
What about the Suicide Squad: Isekai version of Clayface?
I haven’t seen it (by most accounts it’s fairly forgettable, but I’m open to checking it out when I have some free time)
@@SerumLake It is decent, and has some memorable moments. I will say Clayface almost moonwalks in to steal the show several times.
Since Creature Commando is coming out this month, I wonder if you're gonna give your 2 cents on their version of Clayface.^^
It depends on how they use him.
I always related to the 'i don't know who i am' part of clayfaces character, and wanting desperately to be someone else
Man, that Growing Pains episode messed me up when I first saw it as a kid.
Now do king 👑 shark 🦈
I like clayface but I like marvel sandman
Evan's reaction to Basil's face change says something different to me. It tells me that she's just as shallow as him, and that even though he went to all this trouble to literally reshape himself for her, she still rejected him. Not just reject, but viscerally. Which is odd, given that they seemed to be on such good terms before.
Do you think she would've dated him if he'd asked her out before his transformation? If he'd tried to be 'genuine'? I doubt it.
I think she would've had a very similar reaction, and while the kidnapping and murder was a severe overreaction, I can't say I don't sympathize with how he must've felt.
I like that Clayface is egotistical because he was an actor and many actors have egotistical tendencies
I like the isekai version of Clayface.
10:56 though the show runners did confirm this Clayface is Basil Karlo
Right, but we haven’t seen how he became Clayface. That’s all I was saying.
@@SerumLake fair enough
The clayface of this show kinda reminds me of tnba scarecrow