Basil Karlo
Basil Karlo is a male comic supervillain who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis
Basil Karlo was a male human who was an actor who was driven mad when he learned of a remake of his classic horror film Dread Castle, even though he was to be one of the advising staff. Donning a mask made of clay, he embarked on a murder spree among the cast of the remake. He started killing the actors playing characters he killed in the order and way they died in the film. He was foiled by Batman and Robin and was sent to prison. (Detective Comics v1 #40) He reappeared after the prison ambulance he was riding in plunged off a cliff. Once again, he donned the mask of Clayface and targeted Bruce Wayne's fiancee and upcoming actress, Julie Madison and just like before, he was stopped by the dynamic duo. (Detective Comics v1 #49)
Locked away in Arkham Asylum, Karlo was tended to by the nurses when he heard of an international horror film exposition on-board a ship called the Varania III. The exposition involved works by various actors in horror films that included Basil Karlo who became angered at not being invited to the event despite his captivity. In his rage, he released his anger on nurse Jacobs who he killed and using her keys he managed to escape his cell where he intended to break into the exposition. He managed to hitch a ride from a passing vehicle where Basil claimed he was a brain surgeon called Dr. Jacobs whose vehicle had broken down whilst he was heading out for surgery. During the journey, the driver overheard on the radio about escaped criminal Basil Karlo fleeing Arkham Asylum with Karlo murdering the man to take over the truck. At the port, he claimed he was a musician named M. Lawrence Flasher and that he had been booked for a performance on the Varania III and managed to get a boat to travel to the cruise ship. Sneaking onto the ship, he broke into one of the ready rooms where he encountered John Carlinger who was the sponsor of the exposition. Karlo planned to kill the man but was seemingly killed by Carlinger who assumed (Detective Comics v1 #496)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Basil Karlo
He was in a prison hospital when he was approached by Lady Clay and became intrigued at her powers. Karlo convinced her to free him and that they should seek out the other people that had claimed the name Clayface with these including Matt Hagen and Preston Payne. (Secret Origins v2 #44)
One day, Clayface came to incensed that the Vista Theatre was showing The Terror as part as a schlock-movie fest, and was determined to teach them not to disrespect his cinematic work. He rampaged through the theatre and met a young boy dressed as Clayface, who told him he idolized his work in The Terror, as well as the monster he hadd become. Karlo threatened the boy, who told him he did not care if he lived or died, and Clayface killing him would actually make the life he had led mean something. Clayface then realized he had found a kindred spirit, and the boy gathered the rest of his teenage friends, all of whom worshipped Clayface and were willing to sacrifice themselves to him. They lacked a sense of identity, but when they gathered and dressed as Clayface, they found one, calling themselves the Children of the Clay. Batman was on Clayface's trail after noting all the boys going missing in Gotham, and caught Clayface in the basement of the Vista absorbing the boys into his body. Clayface roared for Batman not to interfere, that he was bringing the Children salvation, and his followers that had yet to sacrifice themselves attacked Batman. Clayface knew Batman would not hurt the Children, so he disguised himself as one of them and slipped away. Although Batman stopped Clayface, the villain's actions gave him a new notoriety in Gotham that he only dreamed of in his days as an actor. (Joker's Asylum II: Clayface v1 #1)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Basil Karlo
Among his closest friends was his production assistant Glory Griffin who was a blonde haired attractive woman. (Detective Comics Annual v1 #2018)
After being hit by the cache of Renu chemicals, he was transformed into Clayface where he went on a rampage and attacked Batman. Their battle brought him to the site of a film set where Glory attempted to convince him to stop by saying he was not a monster. A mentally unstable Karlo replied by saying that there was a monster in all of them and threw the Renu chemicals on Glory in order to bring it out in her. (Detective Comics Annual v1 #2018) Glory was thus transformed into a deformed misshapen being with clay-like features who began to refer to herself as Mudface who sought revenge against Basil. (Detective Comics Annual v1 #944)
Breaking out of Arkham, he broke into a theatre where he scared the people in order to see a picture of one of his old movies as he wanted to recall his old life before being taken away. Batman and Batwoman arrived at the scene but instead of arresting him they decided to recruit Clayface as part of a new initiative that involving training vigilantes to better defend Gotham City. (Detective Comics v1 #934)
However, in reality he managed to survive and return in control of his body with Basil keeping the nature of his survival a secret as he stayed with Dr. October. (Detective Comics v1 #981)
Overview
Personality and attributes
Basil had worshipped the likes of Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney. (Joker's Asylum: Clayface v1 #1)
He chose his stage name in the hopes that he would be remembered by the world. However, after becoming a monster, Hollywood came to forget the name Basil Karlo where he never earned his name on the walk of fame. This left Karlo with an incredible amount of rage as he always thought about how his life could have been much more. As a result, he came to resent Hollywood as he saw it turning its back on those who got their hands dirty. (Joker's Asylum: Clayface v1 #1)
Powers and abilities
As Clayface, he gained a following among teenagers who were enamoured with him as a monster and admired Basil's movie roles. They came to dress as Karlo's role in The Terror where they were referred to as the Children of the Clay where they had no issue being killed by Clayface as they felt it gave their lives meaning. They were all devoted to Clayface and attacked anyone that tried to stop him killing them. (Joker's Asylum: Clayface v1 #1)
Notes
- Basil Karlo was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane where he made his first appearance in Detective Comics v1 #40 (June, 1940).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In The Batman, the Basil Karlo Clayface made his first appearance in the animated television series where he was initially voiced by actor Wallace Langham and then by actor Lex Lang.
- In Gotham, Basil Karlo appeared in the setting of the live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Brian McManamon.
- In Harley Quinn, the Basil Karlo Clayface appeared in the setting of the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Alan Tudyk.
Films
- In Batman: Hush, the Basil Karlo Clayface appeared in the setting of the animated film where he was voiced by actor Adam Gifford.
Video games
- In DC Universe Online, the Basil Karlo Clayface appeared in the MMORPG where he was voiced by actor Benjamin Jansen.
- In Injustice 2, Basil Karlo was referenced in the setting of the fighting video game.
- In DC Legends, the Basil Karlo Clayface appeared as a playable character in the mobile video game.
Appearances
- Detective Comics v1: (1940)
- Secret Origins v2:
- Joker's Asylum: Clayface v1:
External Links
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