James Watkins\u2019 dark DC film and Alex Ficsher and Eleanor Wilson\u2019s whimsical tale have been released at a strangely similar time, so it seems appropriate to see how the two titular characters weigh up against each other in terms of their respective bodily materials. Not that there\u2019ll ever be a cinematic crossover (Clayer? Wickface? Maybe not), but still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Matt Hagen never actually titles himself as Clayface at any point in the film, but I\u2019ll be using that moniker for ease of recognition nonetheless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Physical Strength<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clayface (C) \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve gotta hand it to him, Clayface certainly finds some creative ways to dispatch his enemies. It might start off simple with a finger, but then the kills get more intense with his stomach. Like a full body suffocation take down with his abdomen. It\u2019s impressive. Then another murder suffocation via throat. Outstanding. Followed up by a next-level revenge kill via his own blood. There\u2019s serious power on display here<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wicker (W) \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This dude\u2019s certainly made of strong material, and he carries out a lot of physical building endeavours for his beloved. And he\u2019s very strong in another department, too, but I\u2019ll get onto that in the next category. Wicker\u2019s a chill dude, though, so even when he receives aggressive comments from the suspicious folk around him, he doesn\u2019t react aggressively. Nobody\u2019s violently murdered, even though Wicker potentially could. It\u2019s not that kind of film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clayface has got the edge here, partly due to sheer creativity of those killings. Damn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C \u2013 1 W \u2013 0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sexual Strength<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We only see Clayface get one attempt to show off his sexual prowess in the film, and he\u2019s not even that persona at this point. But the only scene we do see him get started is brought to a violent end. Nonetheless, in the short time Clayface has to get in on the action, he\u2019s pretty impressive, helped by the tuneful sounds of Goldfrapp\u2019s \u2018Ooh la la\u2019 (even though I can\u2019t think of the film in that context without thinking of \u2018that\u2019 scene in The Other Guys. Anyway, that\u2019s a different film).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
W \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wicker\u2019s sole purpose is to be a husband. The guy\u2019s created for that specific role. And he\u2019s only got eyes for his beloved eyes. She\u2019s the only gal he\u2019s taking to bed. And said bed gets broken multiple times with the sheer force of Wicker\u2019s sexual prowess. The bed breakings become a major topic of conversation for jealous male individuals of the town, who can barely suffer to stand in Wicker\u2019s presence after he innocently describes his loving attentions to his wife. It\u2019s fair to say that Wicker\u2019s got wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No contest here. Wicker\u2019s ahead in this department. Just facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C \u2013 1 W \u2013 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emotional Strength<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s not really much of a defence I can make for Clayface here. The guy\u2019s emotional turmoil is what directly causes him to fall apart. When he maintains composure, he\u2019s all good, but as soon as he flies off the handle, things start getting messy. Also, his feelings towards Caitlyn aren\u2019t exactly well-judged. His face changes are darn cool, but he ultimately hasn\u2019t enough strength with the feels to make a dent in this category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
W \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wicker, however? Loads of strength right here. He\u2019s earnest and honest with his wife, devoted even she starts to wrongfully distrust him. Despite getting affection from other jealous women, he doesn\u2019t take the bait. Even when he\u2019s almost killed by an accidental outburst of rage, the guy doesn\u2019t even make a sound when he runs off into a river. I guess that could be interpreted as unhealthy stoicism, but hey. Wicker\u2019s a chilled dude with a lot of emotional maturity under his belt\/branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another strong point to Wicker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C \u2013 1 W \u2013 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Practical Strength<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We don\u2019t really see Clayface get to grips with any DIY- related or even adjacent projects. His power\u2019s in his body, so there\u2019s not much opportunity for scenes showing him hurling heavy objects to best his opponents or anything similar. He\u2019s practical in the sense of being a powerful opponent in his field, particularly if he ever came up against another DC alumni like Batman. But I\u2019m thinking more of what he\u2019s able to do in terms of using external tools around him to assist in his actions. And there aren\u2019t really any clear moments of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
W \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wicker, on the other hand? This guy\u2019s practical. This guy fixes leaks, he fixes beds (multiple times), he fixes the roof too, getting right up there, sorting problems and earning further jealousy from surrounding inept men who couldn\u2019t dream of matching Wicker\u2019s top class DIY skills. He might be made of wood, but he can fix materials far more effectively than any of his skin and bone compatriots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another point to Wicker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C \u2013 1 W \u2013 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It looks like it\u2019s a resounding victory for the man in lumber. I\u2019d still like to see that crossover, though.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
James Watkins\u2019 dark DC film and Alex Ficsher and Eleanor Wilson\u2019s whimsical tale have been released at a strangely similar time, so it seems appropriate to see how the two titular characters weigh up against each other in terms of their respective bodily materials. Not that there\u2019ll ever be a cinematic crossover (Clayer? Wickface? Maybe … <\/p>\n