- I know the man behind the mask...
- — Clayface
World's Finest #140 is an issue of the series World's Finest (Volume 1) with a cover date of March, 1964. It was published on January 30, 1964.
Synopsis for Superman and Batman: "The Clayface Superman"
Matt Hagen, the criminal formally known as Clayface, has been transferred to Green Walls maximum security prison. However, this was Hagen's plan all along, as this is where he had stashed some of the formula that allowed him to transform into Clayface. Digging it out of the ground in the prison yard, Hagen consumes the formula and changes back into Clayface and transforms into a bird, flying away before the guards can grab him. Going to his secret lab, he makes a synthetic version of the formula that causes his transformations, but it only lasts for five hours at a time.
Resuming his crime spree, Clayface first attempts to rob the priceless stamp collection of millionaire K.A. King, and later crashes an award ceremony and steals the trophy that is going to be given to Batman and Robin. During his escape, Superman arrives and tries and help Batman capture Clayface. Inspired by the Man of Steel's power, Clayface assumes his form and manages to mimic all of Superman's abilities. Although they are evenly matched, the "Clayface Superman" uses his powers to smash the girder supports for the roof above some bleachers to escape leaving Superman to rescue those in danger.
Clayface uses his Superman form to commit a series of robberies. However, Batman and Robin get the idea to try and use Green Kryptonite against Clayface. In his Superman form, he is weakened, but it occurs to him to transform into a rocket to escape unharmed. In their next attempt to capture Clayface, the heroes instead use Red Kryptonite, which makes Clayface go crazy. As Superman tries to prevent collateral damage, Clayface uses his x-ray vision to learn Batman's secret identity. He is about to reveal it to the public by skywriting it in the air, but he has been kept him occupied long enough for the Clayface formula to wear off. As Hagen returns to normal, Superman saves him from a fatal fall, and much to Batman's relief has no recollection of anything after being exposed to the Red Kryptonite. With Hagen's threat over, they turn him over to the Gotham police.
Appearing in Superman and Batman: "The Clayface Superman"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Clayface (Flashback and main story)
Other Characters:
- K.A. King (Single appearance)
- Gotham City Mayor
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Green Arrow: "The Land of No Return"
When a monster emerges from a strange fog and starts terrorizing the city, Green Arrow and Speedy follow it back into its fog. They find themselves transported to a strange land to where other people throughout history have been transported via the fog. In this world, the monster known as the Gnorl lives. Also, a meteor has fallen that makes all who come near it selfish and wish to defend it.
Realizing the meteor might be a source to destroy the Gnorl, Green Arrow and Speedy take it and use it against the monster who grows so large it suddenly disappears. With the meteor gone as well, the people trapped in this realm snap out of their trance and all decide to stay and turn the land into a paradise, while Green Arrow and Speedy return to their own world.
Appearing in Green Arrow: "The Land of No Return"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- A Gnorl (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Flavius
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- "The Clayface Superman" is reprinted in Showcase Presents: World's Finest Vol. 2.
- "The Land of No Return" is reprinted in Showcase Presents: Green Arrow Vol. 1.
- This is the last Green Arrow solo story until Green Lantern (Volume 2) #87. Until then, he continues to make regular appearances in issues of Justice League, and also makes an appearance in The Brave and the Bold #71.
Trivia
- Clayface learns Batman's secret identity in this issue, but loses his memory by the end of the story.
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Green Arrow Recommended Reading
- More Fun Comics (Volume 1): More Fun Comics #73–107
- Adventure Comics (Volume 1): Adventure Comics #246–269
- World's Finest (Volume 1)
- Action Comics (Volume 1)
- Detective Comics (Volume 1): Detective Comics #521–567
- Green Lantern (Volume 2): Green Lantern (Volume 2) #76–124
- The Flash (Volume 1): The Flash #217–219
- Green Arrow (Volume 1)
- Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters (Volume 1)
- Green Arrow (Volume 2)
- Green Arrow: The Wonder Year (Volume 1)
- Green Arrow (Volume 3)
- Black Canary (Volume 3)
- Green Arrow and Black Canary (Volume 1)
- Connor Hawke: Dragon's Blood (Volume 1)
- Justice League: Rise and Fall
- Green Arrow (Volume 4)
- Green Arrow (Volume 5)
- Green Arrow (Volume 6)
- Event Leviathan
- Justice League (Volume 4) #59-75
- Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League - Green Arrow
- Green Arrow (Volume 7)
- Green Arrow: Year One (Volume 1)
- Black Canary (Volume 1)
- Black Canary (Volume 2)