Clayface’s 5 DCU Powers Explained: Shapeshifting, Absorption and Beyond

Gotham's most unsettling villain is about to get his own movie, and it isn't a typical superhero outing. Clayface arrives in theaters on October 23 as the DCU's first body…

By Reetam Bodhak

October 11, 2026

3 min read

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Gotham’s most unsettling villain is about to get his own movie, and it isn’t a typical superhero outing. Clayface arrives in theaters on October 23 as the DCU’s first body horror film, directed by James Watkins from a script by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. The final trailer, released September 24, gave fans a good look at what Matt Hagen can do.

Who Is Matt Hagen?

In the trailer, Hagen is an actor whose face is carved up by a Gotham crime boss. Desperate to heal, he turns to scientist Dr. Caitlin Corr and an experimental drug. It goes badly. His body starts to break down, and that’s when Clayface begins to take shape. Watkins has said the full creature won’t appear in the marketing before release, so the trailer only hints at the final form.

The 5 Clayface Powers

Power	What we saw	Comic or DCU roots
Shapeshifting	Hagen morphs his face back from another man’s features	Used in Creature Commandos to impersonate a doctor
Weaponized limbs	A hand becomes a giant mace	Same fight in Creature Commandos left Rick Flag badly hurt
Absorption	A victim’s head is pulled into his body	Nearly swallowed Frankenstein in Creature Commandos
Super strength	Shatters a mirror with bare fists	Comics: hurls cars, tears down doors
Durability	Punches melt harmlessly into his face	Comics: survived heat vision and a furnace

Why Shapeshifting Steals the Show?

Shapeshifting is the headline power. Corr tells Detective John Borrelli, played by Max Minghella, that Hagen can change his face. That fits the version from Creature Commandos, where he killed a professor and took her place in the classroom. In the comics, he once impersonated Bruce Wayne to go after Wayne Industries, until Batman saw it coming.

The Scariest Move: Absorption

Absorption is the most brutal ability on show. In the comics it gets worse: Clayface can absorb people and take their powers too. He once gained flight after absorbing Wonder Woman’s abilities, and it took Donna Troy’s help to beat him.

What’s Still Missing From the Comics?

The DCU version hasn’t shown several comic powers yet:

Cloning: pieces of the Cassius Payne version split off and think for themselves.
Corrosive touch: Preston Payne’s ability to melt people with a single touch.
Touch absorption: Ultimate Clayface can absorb people with a single touch.

Any of these could make an appearance later, especially if Clayface crosses paths with the DCU’s Batman.

Why It Matters?

Clayface sets the tone for a darker, scarier corner of the DCU. If you enjoy superhero news with a bit of horror flavor, explore more on Technosports and check out our latest movie and entertainment updates. To understand the character’s long history, read Clayface on Wikipedia.