Detective Comics #607 (October, 1989)
"The Mud Pack, Part Four: The China Clay Syndrome"
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
Okey doke, let's put this one to bed.
Of course, if you need/want to catch up... please check out #604 #605 #606.
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It's morning in Gotham, and a winged Lady Clayface carries Preston Payne across across the sun-risen skies. Their chatter starts with thoughts of vengeance... yet, when they get a full gander at the sunrise, their thoughts change to those far more peaceful.
Below, in the La Scala... Looker has confronted a frothing-at-the-mouth Dark Knight. Feeling that the only way she'll be able to help is rescuing him from his mind, she does a little bit of Professor X-esque (say that three times fast) astral-planing.
Deep inside the mind of the Batman, Looker observes him battling his demons... or at least demonic versions of his rogues gallery heavy-hitters. As these phantasms are an induced hallucination directed at Batman, Looker knows she is safe... and does what she can to neutralize the threat to her former teammate. It's not long before Batman's head clears and he begins to stir back into consciousness.
After a brief yet thorough investigation, Batman is able to discern that Karlo took blood samples from Clayfaces III and IV... and believes he'd done so in order to become a "real Clayface" himself. This leaves the tandem with two options... S.T.A.R. Labs, or Gotham General Hospital. They decide to split up and cover the most ground quickly... with Looker going S.T.A.R.bound and Batman hitting the Hospital.
As we turn the page, we already know where Karlo got off to. He's at Gotham General and is holding a Doctor at knife-point. He's brought both the stolen blood samples and a syringe... he just needs the Doc to give 'em a swirl and pump the mixture into his veins.
Looker makes her fruitless trek out to S.T.A.R. Labs... finds out her Clayface is in another castle... and falls on her butt when she attempts to fly away. It appears as though she's taxed her powers to their absolute limit (for now).
Back at the Hospital, Doctor Lowell is reluctantly going along with Karlo's demands. He knows nothing good can come of this... however, Karlo can be a pretty persuasive fella when he's holding a blade to your throat.
Batman arrives and... checks in with the front desk. I'd probably mock that if it wasn't so charming. They call up to Lowell's office, and he tells them he's all alone... ya know, besides the guy threatening to give him a really close shave. Batman is hopeful that Looker had better luck with her lead and leaves... outside he notices two shadows in the window of Lowell's office... he knows he's in the right place after all!
Lowell injects Karlo with the bloody mixture... and the effects are almost instantaneous. Karlo immediately begins taking a more clay-like form... and decides his first victim will be the very Doctor who helped him. He grips the Doc with his newfound "lethal touch", killing him.
A day late and a Doctor short, Batman crashes through the window to face off with his transformed foe. The two engage in battle with Karlo ultimately getting the upper-hand. He attempts the lethal touch on Batman, and leave him with burns... which Batman describes as superficial at worst.
Karlo takes the form of what I can only describe as a Clay-Lamia, and proceeds to constrict his tail around the torso of Batman. Before he can inflict a killing blow, Looker enters the fray. With his attention diverted, Batman is able to wriggle free of his coily capture.
The three fight a bit more, until Karlo again comes out on top. He prepares himself to permanently take out his foes by, in the words of Batman "turning up the juice".
In desperation, Batman instructs Looker to stop trying to sap power from Karlo... and instead add to it! Overload that sucker... and so she does. Karlo begins glowing bright red, and he completely loses control.
Before he goes "pop", Batman drives Karlo out the Hospital window... and he plummets to... and through, the ground below. Karlo burns his way deep into the Earth, prompting Batman to make the joke (???) "Maybe we'd better inform the authorities in China!" Nice! Batman and Looker take their leave.
We wrap up this story arc with Clayfaces III and IV sitting on a hillside watching the sun rise. They decide not to worry about Karlo anymore... and instead focus on one another. We leave them as they engage in a passionate kiss.
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What a great story! Enjoyed this one from start to finish... just enough pages to keep this one flowing and compelling all throughout. I can't help but imagine that this story arc would take at least six issues to tell today. Here, each chapter felt necessary, and jam packed with content.
I was happy to see that this issue tied up most of the loose ends... while leaving Karlo somewhat at large. So much better than having him taken into custody... just to find his way out down the line. We also don't know whether or not Karlo sneaked a peek under the cowl while Batman was out... you'd almost figure he did, like it'd be foolish not to. Clayface III and Lady Clayface's end was a happy one... well, as happy an ending as one would imagine them having. Their future is left nebulous at best, which works at this juncture... there's nothing to say that, with this behind them, they'll pick one side of the law or another. Just really well done.
I have very little experience with Looker. Outside of a few issues of Outsiders, I couldn't tell ya a whole lot about her. That having been said, I enjoyed her presence in this story and feel she and Batman worked off of one another quite well. In fact, all of the characters in this arc played off each other wonderfully.
The dialogue was great... it's fun revisiting a time where Batman would say something like "Whew... my brain feels like it's been dunked in an acid bath!" while massaging his temples. It's almost jarring to see a Batman that isn't always stoic and serious... in a good way.
Norm Breyfogle's art was a treat the whole way through. It's amazing the amount of emotion he can evoke from Batman's eyes alone. The Clay-Karlo looked awesome as well! Just a beautiful looking comic all around... much like Breyfogle's entire run.
Definitely worth a look... check this one out should you get the opportunity! Tomorrow we'll start looking at a three-part Batman story from 1990, as we continue our (impromptu) Batman week.
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Letters Page:
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Bonus Pin-Up:
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Interesting Ads (Capcom Edition):
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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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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