Superman: Every Live-Action General Zod, Ranked

For decades, General Zod has earned the reputation of one of the most notorious villains in DC Comics history. Created by Robert Bernstein and George Papp, he debuted in 1961's Adventure Comics #283. Over the years, his comic book character has changed, growing ever bigger, badder and more dangerous. And his reputation has, understandably, extended beyond the printed page as well, having been used in various cartoons, television and movies over the years.

Zod, or General Dru-Zod as he's formally known, was the counterpoint to Superman's scientist father, Jor-El, back on Krypton. He's famous for being banished to the Phantom Zone as punishment for his uprisings, and also for wanting to bring Krypton back to life in some form or another, no matter what it costs the universe. Over the years, this has painted an intriguing dynamic between him and Superman, someone he sees as a traitor no matter what media they face each other in.

With both men as polar opposites to each other, it's no surprise Zod is usually depicted as an intense dictator, hellbent on genocide in the name of his people. Now, having made his presence known in his most recent incarnation on Syfy's Krypton, we're ranking Zod's live-action appearances to see which is the best of all time.

5. Supergirl's Zod

Mark Gibbon appeared in the Season 2 finale of Supergirl as General Zod, and while his role was brief, it was suitably intimidating. When Rhea, the Daxamite queen, infected Superman (Tyler Hoechin) with silver kryptonite, he started hallucinating Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) as Zod. As both threw down in National City, we caught his visions of Zod in glimpses, but when he appeared, he bore all the traits of a madman.

"Your carcass will lie dead at my feet Kal-El, and the people of this planet will kneel before me," he warned Superman, before engaging him in a brawl which Supergirl would eventually win. Gibbon had a commanding presence, but because his role was relegated to such a short cameo, he didn't really get to put his stamp on the character, apart from having evil-looking eyes and reciting scary lines. Mon-El indicated later on Zod would fight the Legion of Superheroes in the future, so hopefully the show expands on this and brings him back sooner rather than later.

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4. Smallville's Zod

Callum Blue's Zod appeared in Smallville Season 9, resurrected on Earth by a mysterious Kryptonian Orb. However, he was a younger clone of the real Zod, who was trapped in the Phantom Zone. As a result, he was a Major, not a General. This Zod was a more conniving strategist, using his brain rather than brawn. He tricked the Kandorians into allying with him, even killing his wife Faora and their unborn child along the way, all to place the blame on humanity so his army would attack them.

This Zod was so interesting as he had to slowly regain his powers, which required him to scheme against Clark in order to attain his blood and power up. Along the way, he had a lot of tense moments with Erica Durance's Lois Lane as well, intent on playing mind games with Superman. Eventually, he was exiled to the Phantom Zone yet again, but it truly was a delight seeing him so methodical and calculating. Of course, with Smallville on The WB at the time, the network's tendency for soap opera-esque drama diluted the villain a bit.

3. Krypton's Zod

We all knew the House of El would be clashing with the House of Zod on the show, but seeing as it revolved around Superman's grandfather, Seg-El, no one expected Dru-Zod to pop up in the past. Well, Colin Salmon's Zod did just that, and in the process, we found out he's the son of Lyta-Zod and yes, Seg. That's right, he's Kal-El's uncle, someone who escaped the Phantom Zone and has worked his way through space and time to stop Brainiac from kidnapping Kandor.

This new spin on General Zod frames him in a sympathetic light, though, as he reminded audiences how unfair it would for Seg to let millions of Kryptonians die, just so his grandson could become Superman. Zod, on the other hand, wanted to preserve his people, and he didn't care if Superman's future became collateral damage. But, it's obviously something he's willing to sacrifice.

Salmon got the audience to relate and empathize with his character, especially as he made it clear he was even ready to kill his own family to save Krypton. Brainiac was foiled, for now, but this allowed Zod to take control of Kandor and adopt his more militant persona -- finally giving us the brutal villain we assumed he'd become.

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2. Man of Steel's Zod

The DC Extended Universe hasn't gotten many of its villains right, but Michael Shannon's Zod is a rare exception. In Zack Snyder's Man of Steel, he was one of the most ruthless, aggressive and unforgiving depictions we've ever seen; which is what drove Henry Cavill's Superman to kill him by breaking his neck. This summed up what kind of threat he was, leveling cities, pushing Kal-El to his limit, and never willing to stop until he killed off humanity.

What stood out was the purpose in Shannon's every word. He escaped the Phantom Zone and came to repurpose Earth for Kryptonian repopulation via terraforming and the Genesis Chamber (technology which artificially engineered Kryptonian babies with a predestined fate). In other words, he was ensuring Krypton's survival, a duty he was bred for. When Superman destroyed the chamber, you connected to his pain, knowing his last shot at a New Krypton was gone, and all at the hands of his fellow Kryptonian. "My soul, that is what you have taken from me!" sums up his conviction, just before the duo tore Metropolis down and proved this Zod was indeed a devourer of worlds.

1. Superman I and II's Zod

When it comes to iconic villains, not just in superhero films, but cinema in general, Terence Stamp's General Zod is one of the very best. He appeared in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), displaying remarkable chemistry with Christopher Reeve's Superman. This Zod, one who also escaped the Phantom Zone and tried to enslave Earth, was a suave aristocrat, sleek with words but still very cruel, as seen in how he took over the White House.

Whether it was attacking the Daily Planet or scaring Metropolis' police, he left everyone cowering with his signature "Kneel before Zod!" line. He was a smart tactician who didn't rely on his muscle all the time as well. He cleverly dispatched Ursa and Non to do his dirty work, while verbally jousting with the Man of Steel himself, and even Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor. His calm demeanor was cool but still fearsome, shaping him as a dictator who'd wipe a country without even raising his voice. Stamp's Zod leads the pack because while he was a megalomaniac, he had a very regal feel to him, which gave the impression he really could rule the world.