Clayface
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Real Identity: Ethan Bennett
Appearances: The Bat in the Belfry, Traction, Call of the Cobblepot, The Man Who Would Be Bat, The Big Chill, Topsy Turvy, The Rubber Face of Comedy, The Clay Face of Tragedy, Meltdown, Grundy's Night, and Clayfaces
Powers/Skills: Shape Shifting, Rapid Cellular Regeneration, and Law Enforcement
Voiced By: Steve Harris
Ethan Bennett was born in Gotham City and aspired to protect and serve the innocent. While in middle school, Bennett met Bruce Wayne and the two became best friends. They shared a common interest in basketball and helped their team win the championship. After high school, Bennett began working for the Gotham Police Department.
Years later, now at the rank of Detective, Bennett was partnered with Detective Ellen Yin. Together, they were assigned to capturing the elusive Batman. After seeing him in action, Bennett came to the conclusion that the Batman was doing good but on the wrong side. Six months later, with no capture in sight, Chief Rojas put more pressure on Bennett. At the same time, Bruce Wayne struggled with telling him his secret. The Joker kidnapped and tortured Bennett to the point of insanity. When the Batman saved him, Bennett accidentally inhaled Joker Putty in its gaseous form.
After the Joker was taken into custody, Bennett began showing signs of illness, fatigue, and rage. Rojas decided to suspend him for the time being. While recovering in his apartment, Bennett mutated into a monstrosity. He quickly mastered his powers and as Clayface, attempted to get revenge on Rojas. After a confrontation with the Batman and Detective Yin, Clayface escaped capture but brought the two together into a new alliance.
Some time later, when the Joker was incarcerated at Arkham Asylum, Clayface infiltrated the facility and attacked. The Batman intervened and used a freeze pellet to neutralize Clayface at the cost of the Joker escaping. After three months of testing by Wayne Industries and Arkham Asylum, Clayface was awarded early parole as long as his periodic testing came out negative for mutated cells. As long as Bennett stayed in his human form, his mutated human DNA would go into remission. Bruce Wayne then offered him a job as head of security at Wayne Industries.
When the Joker reappeared, Bennett tracked him and used his powers again. After realizing Yin was partners with the Batman, the Clayface persona dominated him. He attempted to assert his new identity and life by posing as Solomon Grundy on Halloween and robbing those associated with the legend. Clayface was captured and incarcerated in a special cell at Arkham Asylum. Bennett willingly remained in his cell. Years later, Bruce Wayne visited him with news of a cure. However, the sudden emergence of a second Clayface prompted Bennett to use his powers once again. Disguised as the Batman, Bennett circulated a false tip to lure the other Clayface out of hiding.
Bennett combined with the other Clayface and prompted the Batman to inject them with the antidote. Bennett was stripped of his powers and his mutated DNA went into complete remission. He willingly returned to Arkham to finish out his sentence. After winning back the trust of others, Bennett resumed his post at Gotham Police. In the year 2027, Bennett is currently the Chief of Police and works alongside Commissioner Yin.