There have been many Clayfaces, all of which possess a clay like body allowing them to shape shift and all of whom have been enemies of Batman.

Basil Karlo

Basil Karlo was a B-list movie star. When Basil hears that there will be a remake of a horror film he once stared in (The Terror) he is driven mad even though he was to be involved in the making of the film.

Basil goes on a killing spree aimed at the cast and crew of the film wearing the mask of the films villain, Clayface. He is brought to justice by Batman and Robin.

Much later in his life Basil is approached by Sondra Fuller who proposes that all living Clayfaces unite to destroy batman. Basil joins the group, made up of the third Clayface Preston Payne and the fourth Clayface Sondra Fuller, calling themselves The Mud Pack.

Although the group is defeated Basil gains abilities much like Clayface three and four and in addition crystals of quartz begin to grow all over his body making him even more deadly.

In the story arc No Man's Land Clayface fights Poison Ivy. Ivy winning casts Basils body deep into the earth.

Basil would later reappear as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains. Basil would also try and absorb Wonder Woman.

Matt Hagen

Characteristics

The second Clayface was Matt Hagen, a treasure hunter. Upon finding a pool of protoplasm in a cave Hagen immerses himself in it transforming his body into a moldable substance given him the ability to change his body into nearly anything he wished although this was only a temporary effect and Hagen would have to return to the pool to sustain his abilities.

Hagen later finds a way to copy the protoplasm in a lab but only giving the clay effect for five hours.

Hagen is later killed in "Crisis on Infinite Earths"

Preston Payne

Characteristics

Suffering from hyperpituitarism Payne works at S.T.A.R. Labs trying to find a cure.

Payne comes across a sample of Matt Hagen’s blood, isolating an enzyme within the sample and injects it into himself.

He carries on normal life until out on a date he starts to melt. Reaching out for the girl across from him upon contact she begins to melt.

Payne builds himself a suit so as not to touch anyone else but soon realizes that he has to too survive. During this period Paynes mental health starts to deteriorate and he falls in love with a manikin.

Payne later falls for Sondra Fuller when he meets her in The Mud Pack and they have a child together.

Sondra Fuller

Characteristics

Sondra Fuller (also know as Lady Clay) has near identical powers as Matt Hagen although hers are permanent meaning she does not need the protoplasm to maintain the abilities.

She also has the ability to mimic powers that are being used against her. She is defeated by The Outsiders.

Sondra would later fall in love with Preston Payne and have a child.

Cassius Payne

The child of Sondra Fuller and Preston Payne, Cassius was abducted from his parents and brought to a government research facility.

Although the full extent of his powers are not known it was discovered that a separate part of Cassius can think -be it slightly dumb for itself and if comes into contact with a human can give them the ability to melt anything they wish by looking at it.

Clay Thing

When a piece of Cassius is separated from his body it forms with Dr. Malley, instantly giving him Clayface appearance and abilities, like being able to melt anything he chooses by looking at it.

Characteristics

Powers

All Clayfaces possess the ability to shapeshift and change the form of their bodies. This gives them the power to look like any person they chose as well create weapons out of their limbs to attack enemy and also melt. More recent powers added to Clayfaces mantle is the ability to melt objects by just looking at them and also being able to pass on powers to ordinary humans.

Because of Clayfaces body nearly all physical attacks are useless. Clayface can also use his body to smother victims until lifeless.

Weakness

Clayface's common weakness is water. If touched Clayface will dissolve into it. Although in some cases he has been known to survive. Ice also disables the use of Clayfaces powers as it inhibits movement.

Animated Life

In the 1970s Clayface made his first appearance as an animated character in The New Adventures of Batman. Matt Hagen was the Clayface in question. Changes in the character included that Matt had to drink a potion in order to maintain his powers he was also more accustomed to using his power to take the form of animals.

Other differences included the fact that Matt was able to survive in water even turning into a dolphin to escape Batman. Clayface would later team up with Catwoman in a plot to steal oil. Other teams included him teaming up with Catwoman (again), Penguin and Joker to destroy Batman and Robin.

Clayface also stars in several episodes in Batman: The Animated Series. This incarnation was considered more tragic and deep then his first animated counter part and gave fans an insight into the villains life. The character was accepted very well by fans (much like Mr. Freeze). In "Feat of Clay" Clayface is introduced as washed up actor Matt Hagen who suffered severe scarring in a car accident . Whilst in recovery he is approached by a corrupt business man Roland Daggett who offers him a new untested face cream that he says will restore his good looks to what they were before the accident. Of course the offer comes with a catch and Matt has to (using the cream to change his appearance) impersonate several people for Daggat. Matt of course hates working for Daggat but the cream is extremely addictive and Daggat is the only supplier . In an attempt to free himself from Daggat's vice Matt attempts to steal large amounts of the face cream, but is caught be Daggat who then makes Matt ingest a large container of it, thus creating Clayface. Clayface tries to kill Daggat but is stopped by Batman and fakes his own death.

In the episode “Mudslide” Matt’s body is beginning to deteriorate and Matt seeks the help of Dr. Stella Bates who inadvertently falls in love with Matt. She builds a laboratory to try and find a way to save Matt. Batman finds Clayface and battles him. Matt’s body absorbs to much rainwater and dissolves into the ocean.

In the Justice league series Clayface appears to have been captured by Morgan Edge. Gorilla Grodd frees him to be a part of his Secret Society . Clayface refuses to join at first but after persuasion from Grodd he joins. Clayface is later defeated by Flash and Hawkgirl.

In the series The Batman there are two Clayfaces Ethan Bennet and Basil Karlo. Ethan, a friend of Bruce Wayne’s is transformed into Clayface by the Joker and a mix of his laughing gas. Although a villain to begin with Ethan reforms and helps defeat Basil Karlo.

Basil Karlo is seen as a failing actor in this cartoon. He breaks into Got Corp and drinks a pigment of Ethan Bennet's clay matter, giving him Clayface’s abilities. Batman with the help of Ethan would defeat Basil.