Holy Gotham! Clayface Joins Tim Burton's Batman Universe in a Mind-Blowing New Novel!
Batman: Resurrection – A Sequel That Perfectly Reimagines Clayface!
Get ready, Batman fans! 2024 is a BIG year. We got that new Joker movie (love it or hate it!), HBO's The Penguin (seriously amazing!), and now, Batman: Resurrection, continuing Tim Burton's dark vision of Gotham. This book expands Michael Keaton's Batman timeline beautifully. It is almost a crime it might never become a movie! This book does an exceptional job of building upon its past.
Written by John Jackson Miller (a Star Wars and Star Trek veteran!), Resurrection picks up after Jack Nicholson's Joker (one of the greatest live-action Jokers EVER) met his demise in the original Batman film (1989). His demise was a major plotpoint, but this new book introduces a new element; that iconic DC villain, Clayface, into Burton's universe. Prepare yourself for what might just possibly become the greatest Batman story ever conceived!
Batman's New Case: Unraveling the Joker's Legacy!
Resurrection showcases Keaton's Batman investigating more crimes connected to Joker and also struggling with his inner demons; these issues directly involving those unanswered questions lingering in the initial film; this includes various cryptic clues that made Batman wonder about the fate of the iconic villain: Was he truly gone?
This story brings back familiar characters and revisits previous events that previously were left unsolved in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992): Vicki Vale’s disappearance and that huge plot hole; even using several supporting characters. New characters are introduced, too: there’s Hugh Auslander (a celebrity psychologist working on a cure for Joker's Smylex crisis), and one Karlo Babić (a struggling actor who later becomes known as Basil Karlo).
Joker's Endgame: The Birth of a Tragic New Clayface!
This novel features Karlo (a struggling actor, a total understudy for a terrible former soap opera star called Tolliver Kingston). He is totally and unwittingly infected with Smylex-tainted makeup! This completely reshapes Karlo's origin! Kingston gave this contaminated make-up and completely inadvertently created this monstrous, tragic Clayface! Gotham cruelly gives that name. Those familiar traits include mimicry and the awesome ability to morph features.
It starts as some rather low-level stuff from Bruce Wayne’s point of view. Things however immediately become very intense; creating greater escalation with that inevitable Karlo’s psychological breakdown and this new Clayface’s arrival! Resurrection delves into the post-Joker Gotham; it emphasizes the need for healing but also the incredibly deep, and unsettling nature behind collective grief and that disturbing fixation on symbolism; all those profound moments mirroring themes seen in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy.
A Reimagined Origin: Clayface’s New Story!
This version is so brilliant. Miller masterfully uses that Caliban comparison from Shakespeare's The Tempest – illustrating how truly tragic Karlo is and his transition from a victim into that terrible, unforgettable monster!
This really differentiates from Clayface's comic book origins: Those older storylines feature a vengeful actor, totally fueled by spite. Newer versions involved a Penguin-made chemical or industrial make-up addiction that changed him physically and emotionally, these plot devices are completely unused here!
This novel’s version however flawlessly integrates into Tim Burton's Batman universe. That awesome design perfectly complements Burton’s distinct aesthetic and fits well in the visual presentation. But this goes even further. Miller cleverly uses Gotham's still very strong lingering Joker obsession and makes Clayface into a perfect example. It shows a deep, disturbing commentary; regarding how mob mentality influences Gotham—and those in power.
Conclusion: A Must-Read for Tim Burton's Batman Fans!
Batman: Resurrection isn’t just another Batman story. It’s creative! This innovative storyline not only introduces Clayface (seamlessly) but also goes further into exploring the effects of that lingering trauma after Joker's reign and creating this unexpectedly credible narrative surrounding those powerful lingering social commentary. The exploration of Gotham’s psychology, the rise of Clayface as this product of tragedy and this entire commentary adds an extra layer which deserves immense praise. Even fans might need more. It’s amazing and everyone should go and read it! Fans who love Burton’s aesthetic—might even dream about this version getting a cinematic release.
