Comic Title: Batman:The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 4 TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2021
On Sale Date: January 19, 2021 Direct Market Date January 20, 2021
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Direct Market Date January 19, 2021
Source: DC Connect, #5

Cover Price: $29.99
Page Count: 352
Editor: Jeb Woodard

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

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 From:
Detective Comics #604 (1989)

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.