Warning: Contains spoilers for Catwoman #58!
Catwoman has been building up her own carefully curated team by transforming Gotham’s goons into highly trained burglars, and she’s gained the loyalty of one surprising villain in the process: Lady Clayface, who has perhaps earned her place in the Bat-Family. A woman named “Marquise” has been Selina’s right-hand for a while, but she was a plant from Vandal Savage since the beginning. Now, thanks to an expert impression from Lady Clayface, most of Savage’s plan is on the table.
In Catwoman #58 by Tini Howard, Nico Leon, Veronica Gandini, and Lucas Gattoni, Catwoman discovers that Marquise is really Vandal’s daughter, Scandal Savage, and her father has a job for Selina and her new crew, complete with a reward of immortality. Selina’s immediate refusal enrages Vandal enough to decapitate her — or so it seems.
After the “decapitation,” Lady Clayface (Sondra Fuller) reveals herself and makes a quick exit to inform the real Catwoman of everything that happened, simultaneously saving Catwoman’s life and operation.
Lady Clayface Gives Catwoman a Look Behind the Scenes
Since her introduction in The Outsiders #21 by Mike W. Barr, Al Vey, Curt Swan, Jim Aparo, Adrienne Roy, and Albert De Guzman, Sondra has proved to be one of the more powerful incarnations of Clayface. Her abilities are permanent, unlike other iterations, and she can even mimic abilities. She’s more than a painted face, and she’s already shown how convincing she is. Marquise constantly worked closely with Selina, and even she didn’t suspect a thing until Sondra revealed herself. Catwoman is a half-step ahead of Vandal, but that lead could expire quickly. She needs to keep an edge to protect Gotham and the people she’s taken under her wing, and Lady Clayface has shown she’s capable of providing it.
After failing to win Catwoman over to his cause, Vandal Savage turns to the rest of the rogues in Gotham and begins building his own highly-equipped army. Selina’s training turned their former henchmen into better thieves, but they’re not ready to face their former employers. Even if the whole Bat-Family reports for duty, it won’t be an easy win. Lady Clayface could secure an inside look, just as she managed to gather information about the Savage family plot. By impersonating one of the villains on Vandal’s side, she would provide an invaluable glimpse into their plans, as well as the potential for sabotage from the inside.
Lady Clayface Proves Her Loyalty to Catwoman
In the very moment Scandal Savage reveals her betrayal, Lady Clayface demonstrates her commitment to Catwoman. While Vandal’s attack stood no chance of killing Fuller, it would’ve left the real Selina Kyle down for the count. By stepping into Selina’s shoes, Sondra ensured that Catwoman lived another day and with full knowledge of Vandal’s plans. Moreover, what he’s offering is of no interest to Lady Clayface. With her particular set of abilities, immortality isn’t enough to tempt her away from Selina’s side, setting her up to be a more steadfast ally than “Marquise” ever was.
Batman and Catwoman both appear willing to work things out for the sake of Gotham, but Selina still needs friends she can trust to have her back, and the more powerful and versatile they are, the better off she’ll be. Lady Clayface checks both of those boxes. Vandal’s promised reward is enough to stir up every villain in the city, but Sondra is unmoved by it. In Lady Clayface, Catwoman found an ally who deserves a permanent place in the Bat-Family, and she may even be instrumental in thwarting Vandal Savage’s plans.
Check out Catwoman #58, available now from DC Comics!
