The Clay King, whose real name is never revealed, is the ruler of the Clay People on the planet Mars, as seen in the serial Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars. Once a proud and noble Martian, he was turned to turned to clay by the jealous Queen Azura by means of the magic power she drew from the white sapphire, and banished to the undergrounds caverns of the Valley of Desolation. Over a period of time the Clay King saw the number of his fellow Clay People grow and although they were unable to leave the caves, he oversaw moves to increase their power so that, should the opportunity arise, they would be in a better position to reclaim Mars from Azura. Secret tunnels and transportation were established which extended all the way from their dwellings to the foundations of Azura's palace, and traps we