I thought the Clayface reveal in "Hush" was terrific but, after that, any use of Clayface to explain away a shocking reveal would have felt like a retread to me. I agree with millernumber1 that the death wasn't set up but the lack of set up works for me too in the way that the sudden loss of a loved one never has a set up IRL. His death scene hit me hard and I didn't much want to see it reversed. My main feeling about Alfred's death is that it creates some very new storytelling possibilities. I only wish we'd get to see King's take on those possibilities. I've been so hooked on this run that everything that comes after it feels a little small. DC's February solicits are the first in a long, long time that seem to hold almost no interest for me at all. Can't wait for Bat/Cat and Strange Adventures.