On an all-new episode of Batman Knightcast, the Joker faces his greatest adversary… Clayface! To cover this epic tale from Batman #159, Chris Franklin and Ryan Daly team up with their arch-nemeses Michael Bailey and Andy Leyland from The Overlooked Dark Knight Podcast. How much time do the boys actually talk about this dumb Silver Age story? You’ll be shocked to find out! Then, Chris and Ryan address listener comments from episodes 51-54.
Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?
- Leave comments on our website: https://fireandwaterpodcast.com/show/batman-knightcast-2/
- Images from this episode: https://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/batman-knightcast-46-image-gallery/
Subscribe to BATMAN KNIGHTCAST:
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/batman-knightcast/id1788229385
- Don’t use Apple Podcasts? Use this link for your podcast catcher: https://feeds.feedburner.com/knightcast
Follow BATMAN KNIGHTCAST on social media:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BatmanKnightcast
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/batmanknightcast.bsky.social
This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:
- Visit the Fire & Water WEBSITE: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com
- Like our Fire & Water Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork
- Follow Fire & Water on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fwpodcasts.bsky.social
- Support The Fire & Water Podcast Network on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fwpodcasts
Music: “The Batman Theme: Epic Version (feat. Mask of the Phantasm + Imperial March” arranged by Samuel Kim. Check it out on Youtube right here: https://youtu.be/m-AnLl9Vyb8?si=H5SsJPY_L8FMdtG5
Additional music: “Pool Hall Richard” by Faces
Thanks for listening!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Oh aye, Sam Hamm, oops!
Off to listen to the rest of the podcast, I’m enjoying gee comments first.
He’s the Riddler because he riddles ’em with bullets! I’m in stitches!
I think it’s funny Matt Hagan got REALLY good superpowers by diving into strange brown goo FROM WHERE?
Great discussion. I had long been thinking it would be cool if you guys covered a Silver Age story. I haven’t read this story, but your description of Clayface’s transformational powers reminded me of the 1977 Filmation Batman cartoon in which Clayface had those powers, which surprised me when I rewatched it recently because I was thinking of the Clayface from the 1978 comics you guys covered.
But I guess it makes sense the 1977 Batman cartoon was using essentially the Silver Age version of Clayface. It’s consistent with how the Super Friends, although airing in the Bronze Age, was really more like the Silver Age in tone and content (at least until the final Galactic Guardians season in 1985).
That was an interesting point about the Silver Age Flash being more adult than the Silver Age Batman comics, with the Silver Age Superman stories perhaps falling somewhere in between. And I agree the criticisms of the Adam West series as being too far out is somewhat unfair, when you consider the wacky sci-fi stories in the comics of the late 50s and early 60s (which I find kind of charming for what they were).
It’s interesting how, in the years before the New Look era, the Batman cast of characters grew so full: Batman, Robin, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Batwoman, Bat-Girl, Bat-Mite, and Bat Hound. It would be cool to have new stories of that era, in either comic books or animation, but I know it likely won’t happen.
Well The Filmation version of ClayFace sort of looked like a grey Swamp Thing. he just wasn’t a major character yet. A version of him on Batman 66 would have been fun though.
Terrific episode, well done hosts and guests. What a fun diversion this was, these were the first Batman stories I read as a kiddie, from the neighbour’s collection (I’m not THAT old) so they never read as ‘silly’ to me. I actually prefer them to the New Look Julie Schwartz comics, which were very dull, at least until the supervillains were allowed back into the books. All those boring gangsters in stripy suits.
I don’t understand why ‘bastard’ and the like are allowed in Caped Crusader scripts, what do they add to the experience? Why limit your audience?
Great show, Andrew and Mike. Who were those other two guys?
Seriously, It was fun hearing Knightcast and the Overlooked Dark Knight crews get together like a JLA/JSA crossover. And I’m always down for an old school Batman story where everyone fights on giant props. And more Clayface powers, please.
I also first saw this version of Clayface on the Filmation cartoon, but I knew the original from “Batman 30s to the 70s,” so as usual for comics, I have to just go with it.
You know, I don’t have a problem with Clayface turning into a bird and flying, because that’s anatomy and aerodynamics, not a superpower. But when he drastically changes his size or strength, or flies as a mythical creature, now it’s a different kind of superpower than shapechanging. But hey, it’s the silver age, so everything is just “because comics” as someone on this episode would say.
For an issue that you all sounded mixed on, the episode was a great listen and you all found fun things to talk about. Thanks, guys!
I’ve heard that creator of Batman manga was given a hand full of random Batman issues to understand Batman maybe this was or the story before was one the stories he read and adapted for his version of clay face .
As for the clay face movie my family will be skipping that one we have never bin big on body horror.
I kinda wish James gun would do something more with in style of brave and bold and bring some Jack Kirby’s characters like the demon and omac in to dc universe. When comes to clay face I like the animated series version
As with many podcasts, I listen while I’m running. Sometimes I pause them when they get really interesting so I can sit at my desk later and take notes. Recently, I realized I can say, “Hey, Siri, make a note” to record some of my thoughts before I forget them. With the latest Knightcast episode, I made no fewer than a dozen notes from the discussions that were only tangentially related to your comic book headliners.
Chris, Ryan, Michael, and Andy, you all made insightful and relevant comments about the state of fandom today, in both intentional and perhaps unintentional ways. So many things you said hit home and helped me come to terms with what we read and hear from supposed comic book fans. I’m still fleshing out my conclusions, but some of the highlights include (and forgive me if I don’t credit them to the correct person; I was literally on the run):
Michael said WE are the problem, not the comics. It’s an evolution.
Andy recommended we take breaks from time to time and come back when comics feel fresh to us.
Ryan, perhaps controversially, yet truthfully, said he has nostalgia for reading comics when he was little, but doesn’t particularly like those comics now.
And more! In fact, I’m sitting at my desk now so I can actually finish the episode, where I expect to hear more fearless comments to help reconcile my feelings about something that has become troubling for me to understand. Thank you!