| Zor-El | |
|---|---|
.png) Zor-El as Cyborg Superman on the cover ofAction Comics (vol. 2) #23.1 (November 2013 DC Comics). Art byAaron Kuder. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Action Comics #252 (May 1959) |
| Created by | Otto Binder (writer) Al Plastino (art) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Cyborg Superman |
| Species | Kryptoniancyborg |
| Place of origin | Krypton |
| Team affiliations | Black Lantern Corps |
| Notable aliases | Zor-L |
| Abilities |
(Under a yellow sun):
|
Zor-El is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. AKryptonian, he is the younger brother ofJor-El,[1] husband ofAlura, father ofSupergirl, and paternal uncle ofSuperman.[2]
Traditional depictions of Zor-El in Golden Age and Silver Age DC Comics stories portrayed him as a benevolent scientist concerned for his daughter Kara, acting similarly to his older brother Jor-El in sending his child to safety on Earth. In the mid-2000s, DC experimented with different characterisations of Zor-El, even briefly casting him as amad scientist with a grudge against his brother. A similar depiction was used when the character was adapted for television in the seriesSmallville. In 2010s stories following DC'sThe New 52 reboot, Zor-El has been an antagonist for Supergirl and Superman, having been transformed into the villainCyborg Superman byBrainiac.[3]
Zor-El was portrayed bySimon Ward in the filmSupergirl, andDavid Krumholtz in theDC Universe filmSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2026).Christopher Heyerdahl portrayed a villainous version in the TV seriesSmallville.Robert Gant portrayed the character in theArrowverse television seriesSupergirl in the first two seasons, andJason Behr portrayed him in the sixth season.
Zor-El first appeared inAction Comics #252 (May 1959) and was created byOtto Binder andAl Plastino.
In pre-Crisis continuity, Zor-El is a climatographer and one of the only Kryptonians who believeJor-El's predictions about the impending destruction ofKrypton. When the planet explodes, Argo City is protected by a dome Zor-El creates and safely blasted into space. After meteors damage the city's protective lead sheeting, exposing its residents to deadlyKryptonite radiation, Zor-El sends his daughter Kara to Earth.
It is later revealed that Zor-El and Alura survived Argo's destruction by entering the Survival Zone. Supergirl later rescues the two, after which they move toKandor.
Zor-L, an alternate universe variant of Zor-El fromEarth-Two who did not survive Krypton's destruction, appears inShowcase #98 (March 1978).
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In post-Crisis continuity, Zor-El resides in Kandor, which is held byBrainiac. He is later killed byReactron.[4] InBlackest Night, Zor-El returns as aBlack Lantern before the scientists of New Krypton kill him.[5]
InThe New 52 continuity reboot, Brainiac rescues Zor-El from the destruction of Krypton, transforms him into a cyborg, removes his memories, and forces him into servitude. Zor-El battles Supergirl before regaining his memories, after which he is treated and his cybernetic implants removed. TheDepartment of Extranormal Operations captures Zor-El after he attacksIndigo, leading Jor-El to kill him.[6]
Zor-El has all the powers and weaknesses of a Kryptonian from exposure to Earth's yellow sunlight.[7] As a cyborg, he possesses enhanced physical abilities and can transform his right arm into various weapons.[8]
Zor-El appears inKevin J. Anderson's novelThe Last Days of Krypton.
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