Even referenced in the title screen image, this episode is more about Clayface as a tragic villain than it is about Batman.
I've always liked Clayface as a character in this series, and the 3 appearances he makes ("Feat of Clay", "Mudslide", "Growing Pains") are all strong episodes, but this one is my favorite of the 3.
From the beginning, there is obviously something wrong with Matt Hagen aka Clayface. He is literally falling apart, he is slow, he can barely fight. He is never really a match for Batman at any point, yet he uses his shape shifting to great effect in the episode. He is after one thing: not just a cure to his condition, but a catalyst to return him to full power as Clayface. This is obviously the reason that Batman will not allow him to complete his mission.
The animation is great in this episode, and there are some great moments as well. Clayface "melting" on the subway in front of bystanders as a little girl tries to point him out to her mother is a great part, as well as when Clayface tries to suffocate Batman inside himself.
I won't spoil the whole thing, but the ending really stuck with me. Aside from Mr. Freeze, Clayface might be the most tragic Batman villain, and no episode illustrates that more clearly than this one. The musical score by Danny Elfman perfectly highlights the final moments.moreless
A female scientist helps Clayface when his body begins to disintegrate.
 Efrem Zimbalist Jr. |
Alfred Pennyworth |
Kevin Conroy |
Bruce Wayne / Batman |
Rob Clotworthy |
Billy |
Guest Star |
Pat Musick |
Stella Bates |
Guest Star |
 Ron Perlman |
Clayface |
Guest Star |
Watch Online
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
-
TRIVIA (1)
ADD TRIVIA-
When Alfred is pouring tea for Batman, steam comes out of the teacup even before Alfred pours the tea in.
-
-
QUOTES (4)
ADD QUOTES-
Batman: It seems that Clayface is losing his integrity.
Alfred: I wasn't aware that he ever had any to begin with... -
Batman: And that woman helping him...what's her stake in this?
Alfred: Hmm, perhaps she enjoys mud baths... -
Batman: No time to explain now, Alfred!
Alfred: There never is... -
Clayface: You cured more than my body, you cured my heart.
-
-
NOTES (1)
ADD NOTES-
This episode is episode 24 on the Batman: The Animated Series Volume 2 DVD.
-
-
ALLUSIONS (4)
ADD ALLUSIONS-
Warner Brothers
At the end of the Matt Hagen movie shown on TV the WB logo appears.
-
Alien
As Clayface consumes Batman, Batman tries in vain to push his head out of Clayface's chest, resembling the famous dinner-table scene from Ridley Scott's "Alien".
-
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho
Batman: Dr. Bates once owned a motel...
Among several classic movie references, this refers to the famous Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho. In the movie, several people are murdered by Norman Bates, the owner of the famously eerie Bates Motel.
-
A Streetcar Named Desire
Clayface: STELLA!
This is from A Streetcar Named Desire with Stanley yelling for Stella.
-
|
|
-
DC Comics Discussion Thread: The Return of Bruce Wayne and Brightest Day
06/06/13346
-
DC Animated Original Movies
05/25/1392
-
Arrow
05/02/1311
-
Happy 20th Birthday B:TAS!!!
04/26/138
-
The Dark Knight Rises Discussion Topic
12/27/12208
-
Judgment Day
S 4 : Ep 24
Aired 10/31/98 (20:54)
-
Beware the Creeper
S 4 : Ep 23
Aired 11/7/98 (21:10)
-
Chemistry
S 4 : Ep 22
Aired 10/24/98 (21:19)
-
Mad Love
S 4 : Ep 21
Aired 1/16/99 (21:23)
Season 2 Episodes
See AllEp 11
Harlequinade
Ep 10
Trial
Ep 9
Avatar
Ep 8
Sideshow
Ep 7
House & Garden
Ep 6
Batman: Mask of the Pha...
Ep 5
Paging the Crime Doctor
Ep 4
The Worry Men
Ep 3
Mudslide
Ep 2
Shadow of the Bat (2)
Ep 1
Shadow of the Bat (1)
-
beowulf579 USER EDITOR
User Score: 462
-
TvTome_Murdok
User Score: 1804
-
boechsner
User Score: 651
-
shatterdaymorn
User Score: 494
-
Mafeu
User Score: 148
-
SabotFox
User Score: 145
-
Beast_Wars_Fan
User Score: 134
-
maritimer00
User Score: 105
-
Antiyonder
User Score: 105
-
Symbiosis98
User Score: 76
More
Less
