Comics
DCU’s New ‘Clayface’ Was Actually First Introduced in ‘Creature Commandos’
Interconnected storytelling between tonally distinct projects has been a hallmark of the comic-book industry for nearly a century now, so it makes sense that filmmakers attempting to emulate the serialized thrills of that medium often end up using the same character in wildly different contexts.
For instance, during the wait for James Watkins’ upcoming Clayface, a standalone origin film for one of Batman’s most horrific villains, fans have put together that we’ve actually already been introduced to DCU’s incarnation of Clayface in December of 2024 – only it wasn’t in live-action.
Voiced by Alan Tudyk and appearing as a minor antagonist defeated by David Harbour’s Erik Frankenstein, the monstrous character appears to have become something of an impersonator for hire in the animated world of Creature Commandos, sometime after the events of Watkins’ movie.
That encounter was directly mentioned in season two of Peacemaker, where Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. mentions his previous back injury at the hands of the Batman villain.
Viewers were initially skeptical about the connection due to the bizarre tonal shift between projects, but Gunn has since confirmed on social media that the Clayface from the show is indeed the DCU’s version of Matt Hagen, the very same incarnation of the character that’s set to be played by Tom Rhys Harries in the film.
Gunn had already stated that the body-horror-inspired Clayface is actually the chronological first movie in his DCU, so the difference in tone between the horror flick and the more comedic antics of Creature Commandos, which was renewed for a second season, shouldn’t really be an issue when you consider that Hagen has had plenty of time to process his tragic origins and accept his freakish new self.
Either way, it remains to be seen if the movie will also incorporate the character’s classic Golem-like design like the animators did in the show!
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
You must be logged in to post a comment.