With the series writer Scott Snyder further fanning the hype for Absolute Batman‘s next major arc, he has once again shared new details regarding the title’s future, including Absolute Clayface’s imminent arrival. In a recent panel at MegaCon 2026 (via @NextIssuePodcast on YouTube), Snyder revealed that it will be issue #23 when this new Absolute Universe villain will become more prominent.
And with the recent first looks at Absolute Penguin and Absolute Two-Face, who will be entering the series in issue #21, Bruce will be overwhelmed with new foes to face. Thus, let’s take a closer look at what Absolute Batman has already hinted to us about Absolute Clayface in the comics thus far.
Absolute Clayface Already Made a Cameo in Absolute Batman #10
A panel from Absolute Batman #10 | Credits: DC Comics
While Absolute Clayface will serve as a major antagonist from issue #23, we already saw him once before in a small cameo appearance in Absolute Batman #10. This was right around the time when Bruce was being kept on Ark M after being captured by Absolute Bane and being experimented upon to make him a venom-infused super soldier to replace Bane in the future.
And as we saw in one of Bruce’s attempts to escape from his captivity, he wanders into the twisted halls of Ark M, and suddenly realises he’s standing on what feels like flowing clay. And as he looks down, he witnesses the horror of a face, completely melted with the color of mud, looking at him, hissing as it feels overwhelming pain.
The astute observers in the readers instantly figured out that this was no one else but Absolute Clayface by seeing its characteristics and being an abominable product of Ark M. This was also the readers’ first look at other major antagonists through many cameos, including Absolute Poison Ivy and Doctor Death (via SuperHeroHype).
What Absolute Batman: Ark M Revealed About Absolute Clayface
Credits: DC Comics
Credits: DC Comics
Credits: DC Comics
After the events of Absolute Batman #10, the next round of info that we received was in Absolute Batman: Ark M special, when Bruce dives into the history of Jack Grimm, a.k.a. Absolute Joker. Here, not only do we get our first look at Absolute Deathstroke, but we also come across the name of Absolute Clayface, which is Basil Karlo in the Absolute Universe.
Basil Karlo is actually one of eight different iterations of Clayface in DC Comics over the decades, where the name was first introduced in Detective Comics #40 in June 1940, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the original creators of Batman.
But apart from this, there has been no other information regarding the antagonist since then, which is set to change once the new Absolute Batman arc, starting from issue #19 in April 2026, kicks into gear, and Absolute Clayface is finally introduced in its full-fledged glory in issue #23.
Here’s an overview of Absolute Batman.
Initial ReleaseAbsolute Batman #1 (October 2024)Issues (As of March 2026)18Creative TeamWriter: Scott SnyderArtist: Nick DragottaColorist: Frank MartinPublisherDC Comics
Here are some common FAQs regarding Clayface.
What inspired the character of Clayface?
Basil Karlo was the name derived from the famous horror actors Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone, while Bob Kane also took inspiration from the famous Phantom of the Opera.
What were the origins of Clayface?
Originally, in Detective Comics #40, Clayface was introduced as a criminal who wore a clay-face mask to terrify the public and commit crimes, until he received his superpowers.
Was Clayface also an ally of Batman in the past?
Yes, Clayface has been seen several times becoming an ally of Batman in many different comic storylines.
What are your expectations for the upcoming Absolute Batman villain? Tell us in the comments below.
Absolute Batman is now available on DC Universe Infinite.
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