Mike Del Mundo Cover B Variant
Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #2
Writer: Jude Ellison S. Doyle
Artist: Fran Galán
Cover Artists: Dan Mora, Hayden Sherman, Mike Del Mundo
Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC Comics
A Star Begins to Fade
Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 left me cautiously optimistic about where this series was headed. It was deliberate in its setup and seemed content to take its time establishing Basil Karlo and the world around him. Unfortunately, that patience doesn't pay off nearly as well in the second issue, which feels considerably less focused and increasingly unsure of what kind of story it wants to tell.
There are still pieces here that I find compelling, but they're becoming harder to find beneath some questionable character choices and commentary that often feels more distracting than insightful.
Method Acting
Basil Karlo, now in Los Angeles, is hunting for the man impersonating him and living the life of fortune and fame that should belong to him. To blend in, he transforms into Bob Parker, an older gentleman living in an apartment complex. There, he meets Katie Park, a sweet and helpful young woman who regularly checks on Mr. Parker, brings him groceries, and teaches him how to become more technologically literate.
Without the help of a publicist, Basil is forced to do his own research. He eventually finds a number to call the media about the fake Basil by typing “most important person LA Times phone number” into a search bar. Alright, that's kinda funny. Fair play. His attempt goes nowhere, however, leading to a shouting match when they refuse to believe that someone is impersonating him.
With no luck from the inside, Basil takes matters into his own hands again, disguising himself as Chandra, a production assistant working on the Worldwide International Studios lot, where the imposter Basil happens to be shooting his next film.
No Small Parts, Just Disposable Ones
The real Basil, still disguised as Mr. Parker, is enjoying a coffee at a diner when he overhears a group of young adults gossiping about himself, or rather, the fake Basil Karlo. Among their accusations are rumors that Basil picks his girlfriends from a high school yearbook, yells expletives at children in a cancer ward, and, worst of all, collects the wrong kind of World War II memorabilia.
The first two accusations are clearly meant to establish Basil as an awful person, but the scene takes a strange turn when the suggestion that he collects Nazi memorabilia produces the strongest reaction from him. A close-up of Basil's horrified face seems to frame the revelation as a punchline, although I can't tell whether that's what writer Jude Doyle intended.
That's what makes the scene so strange to me. Basil has been portrayed as neither heroic nor outright villainous in this issue, so why is this the accusation that truly horrifies him? If anything, you'd expect the earlier accusations to elicit some kind of reaction as well. Perhaps there's a larger point being made about Hollywood culture, where certain reprehensible behaviors are tolerated if they don't threaten someone's career, while others cross an unspoken social boundary. If that's the intention, though, the scene doesn't do enough to make that idea land.
This also feeds into a broader problem with the supporting cast. Most of the side characters feel like they're here primarily to serve Basil or his imposter, whether by advancing the plot, building up their reputations, or simply providing another body for the Clayfaces to bounce off. They're either given so little characterization that there's no reason to become invested in them, or, when they finally receive enough development to become interesting, they're killed off.
Katie Park is the notable exception. Of all the supporting characters introduced so far, she feels the most developed, and I like the bond she's forming with Basil. Yes, Basil is deceiving her by taking the form of Mr. Parker, but there's something genuine about their relationship that makes me want to see where it goes.
For all my complaints about the supporting cast, I think it would be a mistake to treat Katie the same way. A story needs compelling characters outside of its protagonist to give the world some depth, and Katie is currently the best example of that. If she sticks around, she could provide some much-needed balance to the series.
Commentary Without a Script
That need for depth becomes even more apparent when the issue turns its attention toward social commentary. Unfortunately, those attempts aren't nearly as effective. The book brings up an “evil frog” reference and throws in a “soy boy” joke, both of which feel remarkably dated in 2026. There's certainly room for meaningful social and political commentary in comics; I'd argue it's one of the medium's greatest strengths.
The best stories can tackle issues that readers recognize in their own lives, giving people something they can connect with regardless of their background or social class. Some of the all-time great stories have been built around that kind of commentary. Here, though, these references feel less like a meaningful examination of anything relevant and more like the book is relying on outdated internet culture to make its point.
Pepe the Frog was already an exhausted reference years ago, so seeing it pop up here doesn't feel particularly insightful. If the book wants to say something about internet culture or the way certain symbols have been used politically, that's perfectly fair, and I would encourage any writer to do so.
There's a worthwhile conversation to be had there. But the issue doesn't really do anything with those ideas. Instead, it leans on internet culture from nearly a decade ago, making the commentary feel more dated than relevant.
That's what frustrates me most about these moments. They're not disappointing because the book attempts to say something; they're disappointing because they don't seem to have much of substance to say.
Tinseltown After Dark
Fran Galán does a solid job capturing Los Angeles, while Patricio Delpeche's colors give the book a suitably subdued atmosphere. My biggest issue with the artwork is that it rarely feels particularly distinctive. It's perfectly competent, but for a story set in Hollywood and centered around a character as visually strange as Clayface, you always hope for something with a little more glitz and glamour.
Some of the character close-ups can also look a little muddy, particularly Katie Park. That may even be intentional; considering this is a Clayface book, there's an argument to be made that a little visual messiness fits the character. Even so, I found myself wishing the artwork had a stronger identity of its own.
The issue is at its best when Galán embraces the cinematic possibilities of the setting. I especially like the scene where Basil and Katie sit outside the diner, surrounded by its neon glow. I enjoy shots like that, and I'd love to see more of them as the series continues. You're in Hollywood, after all. Why not make the most of the neon lights?
One More Take
Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #2 has taken a sharp turn for me. The debut issue initially gave me high hopes, but this follow-up has left me wondering whether the series is ultimately going to be for me. There are still pieces I want to see develop, most notably the relationship between Katie Park and Basil. Even if their bond ultimately proves superficial, there's something sweet about their dynamic that I'm holding onto because, at this point, I don't have many other reasons to remain optimistic.
The issue's biggest problem is that too few of its characters are compelling enough to carry the story. Without that supporting foundation, Basil's story has to do almost all the heavy lifting, and the result is a narrative that often feels clunky and unable to get out of its own way.
I don't think this is the end of the road for Clayface: Celebrity Dirt, but some course correction is necessary. The first issue convinced me there was something worthwhile here; the second has made that potential considerably harder to see. Give the supporting cast more depth, find a clearer purpose for the commentary, and let the strongest character relationships breathe. Do that, and this limited series may still have enough bite to sink its teeth into.