The original Clayface was Basil Karlo, a once-famed movie star who's signature role in the film "Dread Castle" as the antagonist known as "the Terror" was recast. This caused the already mentally unhinged actor to adopt his new role, as a devious master of disguises. Seeking out the cast members of the new film, one-by-one Clayface attempts to take each actor's life. When millionaire Bruce Wayne's fiancée Julie Madison is threatened given her starring role, Wayne's alter ego as the Batman along with his sidekick Robin pursues Clayface. After defeating Karlo, he has to once more track down the villain a year later when Basil escapes. Together, the Dynamic Duo once more bring Clayface to justice. These same events transpired on both Earths One and Two. At a certain point, the two Karlo's lives diverge.
While the Earth-Two Karlo nevermore resurfaces, the Earth-One Karlo escapes Arkham Asylum in order to confront movie producer John Carlinger who was screening Basil's films. In the conflict, Carlinger overcomes Karlo and slays him, then adopts the role of Clayface in order to eliminate three actors who attempted to audit John's production company. Batman uncovers this new Clayface's identity and defeats him.
Back on Earth-Two, a mysterious man known only as the Face tormented businessman Billy Winslow, a friend of millionaire Wesley Dodds. When reaching out to Dodds for help after breaking in his home, Winslow reveals his pursuit of the Face. This leads to Wesley's alter ego as the Sandman confronting the Face, discovering the villain was intent on securing Winslow's Oklahoma oil well holdings. In the ensuing battle, it was thought that the Face lost his life when crashing in a river.
Other men would succeed Karlo, using the same method of operations versus the Batmen. On Earth-One, the second Clayface was treasure hunter Matt Hagen... while on Earth-Two, there next appeared Doctor No-Face also known as criminal Bart Megan. These men discovered the means to radically alter their appearance through scientific means beyond anything either Basil Karlo was able to achieve.
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