1940 CE
First Appearance (unnamed)
An unnamed Kryptonian villain resembling Zod appears in Action Comics #23, as a colonial-era criminal. #DCComics #Superman
Chronological Storyline (35 Milestones)
1941 CE
First Named as Zod
The character is formally named 'Zod' in Look magazine's 'Superman' newspaper strip. #DCComics #Superman
Jun 1, 1961 CE
Silver Age Debut as Dru-Zod
Dru-Zod first appears in Adventure Comics #283, as a Kryptonian general sentenced to the Phantom Zone. #DCComics #Superman
1961 CE
Phantom Zone Banishment
Zod is imprisoned in the Phantom Zone by Jor-El for attempting a coup on Krypton. #DCComics #PhantomZone
Jun 1, 1964 CE
First Escape from Phantom Zone
Zod escapes the Phantom Zone and battles Superman in Action Comics #309. #DCComics #Superman
1978 CE
Zod Returns with Phantom Zone Criminals
Zod leads an attack on Earth alongside Zaora and Quex-Ul in Action Comics #482. #DCComics #Superman
Jul 1, 1980 CE
First 'Kneel Before Zod'
Zod utters the iconic line 'Kneel before Zod' in Action Comics #510. #DCComics #KneelBeforeZod
1983 CE
Post-Crisis Reboot
After Crisis on Infinite Earths, Zod is reintroduced as a criminal from Krypton's past in Man of Steel #2. #DCComics #Crisis
Oct 1, 1986 CE
Superman Exile Arc
Zod is involved in the 'Exile' storyline, teaming with other villains to defeat Superman. #DCComics #Superman
1988 CE
Zod Kills Superman (Alternate Timeline)
In the 'Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?' story, Zod kills Superman. #DCComics #Elseworlds
1991 CE
Zod and the Eradicator
The Eradicator uses Zod's DNA to create a new body for Superman. #DCComics #Eradicator
1992 CE
Death of Superman Crossover
Zod is briefly resurrected during the 'Reign of the Supermen' storyline. #DCComics #DeathOfSuperman
Feb 1, 1993 CE
Zod Returns in Action Comics #668
Zod returns as a ghostly entity, manipulating the Kryptonian criminal Jax-Ur. #DCComics #Superman
1995 CE
Zod's Son Lor-Zod Appears
Lor-Zod, son of Zod, debuts in Action Comics #717. #DCComics #LorZod
1998 CE
Zod Becomes a Green Lantern
Temporarily granted a Green Lantern ring during 'Genesis' storyline. #DCComics #GreenLantern
2000 CE
Zod in JLA Villain Arc
Zod leads an attack on the JLA in JLA #35. #DCComics #JLA
Sep 1, 2001 CE
Zod's Return in Superman #156
Zod is fully resurrected and seeks revenge on Superman. #DCComics #Superman
2003 CE
Zod Kills Jonathan Kent
In the 'For Tomorrow' storyline, Zod kills Superman's adoptive father. #DCComics #ForTomorrow
May 1, 2006 CE
Infinite Crisis Reboot
Post-Infinite Crisis, Zod is reimagined as a former member of Krypton's military. #DCComics #InfiniteCrisis
2007 CE
Zod in Countdown to Final Crisis
Zod appears as a key villain in the 'Countdown' series. #DCComics #FinalCrisis
Aug 1, 2008 CE
New Krypton Saga Begins
Zod becomes ruler of New Krypton, a planet-sized Kryptonian city. #DCComics #NewKrypton
May 1, 2009 CE
New Krypton War with Earth
Zod leads a war against Earth, captured in the 'New Krypton' event. #DCComics #NewKrypton
Mar 1, 2010 CE
Death of New Krypton
Zod causes the destruction of New Krypton to protect Kryptonian culture. #DCComics #NewKrypton
Sep 1, 2011 CE
The New 52 Reboot
Zod is reintroduced in 'Action Comics' vol. 2 #0, with a new origin. #DCComics #New52
Jun 1, 2013 CE
Zod in Superman Unchained
Zod appears as a threat in the 'Superman Unchained' series. #DCComics #SupermanUnchained
2015 CE
Convergence: Zod Rules
In 'Convergence' event, Zod conquers the city of Metropolis. #DCComics #Convergence
Aug 1, 2016 CE
DC Rebirth Debut
Zod returns in 'Action Comics' #960, restored to pre-Flashpoint continuity. #DCComics #Rebirth
Mar 1, 2017 CE
Zod in 'The Oz Effect'
Zod is revealed to be working with Mr. Oz (Jor-El) in 'Action Comics' #985. #DCComics #OzEffect
Sep 1, 2018 CE
Zod Joins the Justice League
During 'Justice League: No Justice', Zod becomes a temporary member. #DCComics #JusticeLeague
Jan 1, 2019 CE
Zod vs. Rogol Zaar
Zod battles the villain Rogol Zaar in 'Superman' vol. 5 #6. #DCComics #RogolZaar
May 1, 2020 CE
Zod in 'The Warworld Saga'
Zod becomes a major antagonist in the 'Superman: Warworld' arc. #DCComics #Warworld
Mar 1, 2021 CE
Zod's Redemption Arc
Zod helps Superman restore Krypton in 'Superman' #29. #DCComics #Superman
Jul 1, 2022 CE
Zod in Dawn of DC
Zod appears in 'Action Comics' #1050 as part of the 'Dawn of DC' initiative. #DCComics #DawnOfDC
Feb 1, 2023 CE
Zod vs. Superman: One vs. All
Zod leads a Kryptonian invasion of Earth in 'Superman' #1 (2023). #DCComics #Superman
2024 CE
Zod's Role in Absolute Power
Zod joins Amanda Waller's attack on superheroes. #DCComics #AbsolutePower