Detective Comics #40
May 7, 1940
(The Murders of Clayface)
Before even diving into the story, it should be noted that in recent issues of Detective Comics, the cover, when Batman centered, does not match the story within. The cover presented here should have been for Batman #1 as it depicts Joker trying to hack away on a flag pole that Robin is dangling from. This was a story element from the final story in Batman #1.
Our tale instead deals with a member of Batman's Rogues Gallery who would have a long and varied story - Clayface. We open with the return of Julie, Bruce's fiancee, who is now an actress. She introduces Bruce to the head of Argus Films which is producing a new version of Dread Castle, a film that originally starred Basil Karlo. Karlo shows up and wishes his successor in the role well.
We are quickly introduced to a series of dramas that set the stage for the events to happen further - a jilted lover of the female star, an extortionist, and the firing of the director. Bruce senses something bad is going to happen.
Sure enough, as a scene plays out where the villain of the movie "the Terror" terrorizes the lead, lights wink out and when they come back, the lead actress is found stabbed. Julie is given the role as the movie must go on.
Batman and Robin visit the studio that night and interrupt the extortionist as he tries to take advantage of the lead's murder to get some protection money. Batman boots him out and proceeds to the home of the jilted lover. He finds him dying, his last word, "Clayface".
Meanwhile, Robin investigates a light in the exterior of the studio. He is jumped and caught by Clayface who throws Robin into a castle moat. Batman arrives and saves Robin.
The next day, Clayface makes his move to kill Julie as she plays out her scene. Batman stops him and together with Robin, they capture him. Clayface is revealed to be Karlo who was upset that the famous role was being played by another.
