Absolute Batman's Clayface Looks Like The Scariest Version Of The Villain Ever

15 hours ago 4

Published Jul 11, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT

Jason is an award-winning journalist whose writing career dates back to when he developed the ability to use a crayon. He, most notably, worked previously as a "professional fan," as he likes to call it, at CinemaBlend, for which he wrote about anything and everything under the pop culture umbrella... especially Batman. His passion for the art of cinema began even earlier, stemming from repeat viewings of The Wizard of Oz.
This initially led him to pursue a career in filmmaking -- and even work briefly in the industry as an extra in the straight-to-video family film, Alice Upside Down -- before deciding that his talents would be better served discussing and showing appreciation for the various forms of entertainment he is passionate about.

The following article contains spoilers for Absolute Batman #22.

Scott Snyder has said that the goal with Absolute Batman and DC's Absolute Universe overall has never been to go "darker" or "scarier." However, those words would perfectly describe the Dark Knight's rogues' gallery in this timeline so far.

Rarely have the likes of The Joker, Scarecrow, and Poison Ivy, among others, appeared nearly as terrifying as they have as their Absolute Universe counterparts. It looks like Clayface is receiving the same treatment.

Absolute Clayface Is Horrifying In Absolute Batman #23 Variant Covers

It was confirmed in May 2026 that Absolute Clayface would make his official debut in Absolute Batman #23. DC Comics has unveiled variant covers for the upcoming release that show the iconic shapeshifter more terrifyingly than ever before.

One cover designed by Bjorn Barends of Marvel's Ghost Rider and Alien fame sees Bruce Wayne's alter ego surrounded by a mass of clay arms with Clayface, missing a large portion of his head, towering behind him. Multiple limbs also play a major role in Image Comics' Dracula artist Martin Simmonds' variant, which sees the villain kneeling atop a tower of his arms, two of which hold up a skull wearing Batman's cowl.

Neither Barends nor Simmonds' designs may even be the creepiest Absolute Batman #23 variant cover yet. Absolute Superman artist Rafa Sandoval delivers an image depicting a miniaturized Caped Crusader trapped inside the tendriled mouth of a skeletal Clayface, calling to mind his terrifying variant cover for Absolute Batman #19, featuring Absolute Scarecrow.

Clayface's presence in the Absolute Universe has previously been hinted at, the first clue occurring in Absolute Batman #10 when Bruce catches a glimpse of agonized faces and clawed hands emerging from clay during one of his Ark M escapes. A file belonging to Jack "Absolute Joker" Grimm labeled "Basil Karlo," one of the many characters to wear the moniker, appeared in Absolute Batman: Ark M #1.

Nick Dragotta's concept art for Absolute Clayface, released in May, revealed the villain as having more human features than the amorphous blob he is typically depicted as, and his main cover for Absolute Batman #23 shows him fighting with the eponymous hero while assuming his appearance. However, some believe the series has already shown his shapeshifting abilities in action.

Clayface Has Been Subject To Absolute Batman Fan Theories

Clayface taking the shape of Batman in Absolute Batman #21

The most recent issue of Snyder and Dragotta's smash-hit comic, Absolute Batman #22, drops a bombshell more devastating than almost anything the series has delivered so far. Absolute Scarecrow informs Bruce Wayne that his father has been alive this whole time.

The vigilante is checking on Thomas Wayne's grave when he receives a video call from the villain, who then turns the camera to a naked, emaciated, and chained up man he calls "Thomas," who then begs Scarecrow to let his son continue to believe he is dead. As shocking as this reveal is, some readers are not buying it.

Since the issue dropped, many an Absolute Batman fan has shared on social media the theory that Thomas really is dead, and the man Bruce saw on the phone is Clayface posing as how the elementary school teacher would appear today. Considering the shapeshifter's debut is coming so soon after this scene, it is easy to believe that this is merely the latest phase of psychological torment that Absolute Joker, Scarecrow, and other allies have put Bruce through already.

Not to mention, some have cited Bruce's visit with his father in the afterlife in Absolute Batman #16 as evidence that this elderly prisoner could not be the real Thomas. If this fake-out proves to be true, it should at least be praised as an intriguing way to officially bring Absolute Clayface into the plot.

Absolute Batman #23 hits the shelves on Aug. 12, 2026.