DC announces Clayface: Celebrity Dirt, a new Batman‑universe noir horror comic book miniseries

April 16, 2026

2–3 minutes

DC have just announced details of Clayface: Celebrity Dirt, a new Batman‑universe noir horror comic book miniseries from Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Fran Galán, Patricio Delpeche, and Tom Napolitano about Basil Karlo’s twisted journey through fame, transformation, and self‑destruction. The six-issue series follows the classic Batman villain as he escapes Arkham Towers, ready to stage his comeback, only to discover that someone else has stolen his name, his face, and his long-lost stardom.

Here’s the official description:

When Basil Karlo breaks out of Arkham, he’s ready to reclaim the Hollywood crown he lost years ago. But the world he returns to is stranger than ever: a creeping new plague is twisting ordinary citizens into clay-warped reflections of his own nightmares, and a charismatic body double has taken over Basil’s life, becoming a bigger movie star than the real Basil ever was. As a disturbing pattern begins to emerge around this new celebrity, Basil must confront the darkest parts of his past and trace both mysteries to their source. His search leads him deep into the history of the Clayface family and face-to-face with one of its most dangerously unstable members.

“Basil Karlo is one of the most beautifully flawed and human characters in the Batman universe,” said Doyle. “He can become anybody he wants, but he can never escape himself; he looks perfect when the cameras are on him, but he’s a disintegrating mess behind the scenes.”

“By giving Basil the fame he’s always wanted—or giving SOMEONE that fame, anyway—we were able to tell a story about accountability, redemption, and how to tell the difference between somebody who’s actually trying to change for the better and someone who’s using their celebrity to get away with murder,” continued Doyle. “I loved getting to spend time with Basil, and I really hope his fans will enjoy the series.”

Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 arrives July 8, 2026, and you can feast your eyes on some unlettered preview artwork from Galán and Delpeche below:

[CLICK TO ENLARGE]