Comic Title: Detective Comics #604
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: 1989
On Sale Date: July 25, 1989 Shipping Date July 27, 1989
Source: Amazing Heroes, #168

Shipping Date July 25, 1989
Source: Previews, #5

Direct Market Date July 27, 1989
Source: Comic Shop News, #106, #108

Copyright Date July 25, 1989
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1989

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $1.00
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "Men of Clay"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Batman (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Alan Grant
Penciller: Norm Breyfogle
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Reprinted In:
Legends of the Dark Knight:Norm Breyfogle Vol. 1 HC (2015)
Batman:The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 4 TPB (2021)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Manhunter #17; next appearance in Detective Comics #605)

Supporting Character(s)

• Commissioner Gordon (behind-the-scenes; last appearance in Batman #438; next appearance in Detective Comics #605)

Villain(s)

• Clayface I (Basil Karlo; last appearance in Secret Origins #44; next appearance in Detective Comics #605)
• Clayface II (Matthew Hagen; as lifeless clay; last appearance in Secret Origins #44; next appearance in Detective Comics #605)
• Clayface III (Preston Payne; last appearance in Secret Origins #44; next appearance in Detective Comics #605)
• Clayface IV (Sondra Fuller; aka Lady Clay; disguised as Looker; last appearance in Secret Origins #44; next appearance in Detective Comics #605)
• A gang of street criminals (Bix named; no further appearances)
• Cornelius Stirk (last appearance in Detective Comics #593; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Helena (last appearance in Secret Origins #44; no further appearances)
• Staff members at Arkham Asylum (Joe named; no further appearances)

Comments:
The Mud Pack Part One

This story continues in Detective Comics #605.

Lady Clay's first name is spelled Sondra in this story. In her previous appearance her name was spelled Shondra.

Synopsis:
Preston Payne, the third Clayface, has a tantrum and breaks the mannequin which keeps him docile. Enraged, Payne kills a guard and escapes from Arkham Asylum. Looker, formerly of the Outsiders, is waiting outside for him. The guards shoot Payne with tranquilizers, but Looker takes his unconscious form away.

Elsewhere Basil Karlo, the first Clayface who was recently released from prison, tries unsuccessfully to revive Matthew Hagen, the second Clayface who has killed during the Crisis. Meanwhile, Batman responds to Payne's breakout and discovers that Looker visit Payne earlier in the day.

Later, Looker brings Payne to Karlo. She reveals herself to by the fourth Clayface, also called Lady Clay. While Payne sleeps, and Hagen remains dead, Karlo and Lady Clay plot their next moves including killing Batman.