Warning: contains a preview of Detective Comics #1036!
While shape-shifting villain Clayface, who just returned to Bruce Wayne in what appears to be life-threatening distress.
Though many fans forget Clayface studied as Batman's apprentice, he actually ed the Gotham Knights training program back in 2016's Detective Comics #934. There, it was revealed that Clayface's powers cause mental instability, and Batman was able to invent bracelets that helped stabilize him in human form. Tortured by guilt over his past, Clayface trained under Batman and Batwoman to become a hero, striking up a friendship with current Batgirl Cassandra Cain. But when he once again lost control, Batwoman chose to kill him rather than risk civilian casualties. Clayface secretly survived the assault, but fled the city with a doctor who he hoped might cure his condition.
Now, in a DC Comics preview of Detective Comics #1036 - from Mariko Tamaki, Clayton Henry, Dan Mora, and Jordie Bellaire, with a variant cover from Lee Bermejo - Clayface returns. Recently, Batman has been investigating the death of Sarah Worth - a wealthy heiress abducted and then murdered in Gotham's sewers. Worth was actually a neighbor of Bruce Wayne, whose immense resources were recently obliterated during the Joker War, forcing him to move out of Wayne Manor and seek more modest accommodation. Despite her death, Sarah later reappeared outside Batman's house, spurring fan speculation that the Dark Knight would be facing a zombie scourge, but this issue it's revealed that "Sarah" is actually Clayface, and he's in trouble.
Clayface appears to be badly injured, losing his form and pleading with Bruce the moment he's safely inside. Unfortunately for Batman, another neighbor notices Clayface's "Sarah" form and is already calling the police as the preview ends, adding a ticking clock to Batman's surprise reunion with the apprentice he failed. Batwoman's attempted execution of Clayface caused a rift between her and Batman at the time, so while the former villain's arrival obviously spells trouble for Bruce, it's also a chance to address past failures and perhaps try once again to turn an incredibly powerful metahuman into a force for good.
Fans were skeptical when it was first announced that Clayface would be working alongside Batman, but Detective Comics did a surprisingly effective job of turning him into a remorseful hero tortured by his inner demons. While Clayface's apparent involvement in Sarah Worth's murder spells trouble for Batman in the short term, it may also have brought a powerful ally back into his life right when Gotham needs its heroes more than ever. Find out if the Batman can save his prodigal apprentice or whether Clayface has returned to a life of crime in Detective Comics #1036 when it hits physical and digital retailers May 25.
