Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 hits shelves Wednesday July 8 with a Key Collector Comics key flag. The timing is significant: DC Studios has confirmed a Clayface film is part of their ongoing development slate under James Gunn and Peter Safran. Source: Key Collector Comics (keycollectorcomics.com/new-comics-this-week/, July 8 2026), The Hollywood Reporter (July 2026).
The KCC key flag
Key Collector Comics has flagged Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 as a key issue for NCBD July 8 2026. The specific key details are available on the KCC issue page for subscribers. When KCC flags a villain-centric #1 from DC in an active development window, the collector signal is clear. Source: Key Collector Comics.
The Clayface film context
DC Studios confirmed in July 2026 that a Clayface film is in active development as part of the DC Studios slate under James Gunn and Peter Safran. The announcement places Clayface among the confirmed upcoming DCU properties. A KCC-flagged Clayface #1 releasing in the same window is a meaningful secondary market signal. Source: The Hollywood Reporter (July 2026).
The character's key issue history
Clayface has appeared across multiple incarnations in DC history. The original Clayface — Basil Karlo — first appeared in Detective Comics #40 (1940), written by Bill Finger with art by Bob Kane. The most prominent modern version, Preston Payne (Clayface III), first appeared in Detective Comics #478 (1978). Matt Hagen (Clayface II), the version most familiar from animation, first appeared in Detective Comics #298 (1961). All are tracked on Key Collector Comics with established secondary market values. Source: Key Collector Comics.
In store Wednesday July 8
Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 is in store Wednesday July 8. $3.99 cover price. 2 variants. Available at superheroempire.com. In store and shipping across Canada.
Sources: Key Collector Comics (Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 issue page, July 8 2026) · The Hollywood Reporter (DC Studios slate, July 2026) · DC Comics official publication records