Dru-Zod

**General Dru-Zod** is a former Kryptonian military general and an enemy to Superman. Exiled to the Phantom Zone by his people for treason, he survived the destruction of Krypton and swore revenge against the son of Jor-El.

## Biography

#### Childhood

Though the House of Zod was traditionally a house of warriors, Dru-Zod was the son of a pair Kryptonian scientists. One day, his family took on a scientific expedition to Krypton's wilderness where they were attacked by dangerous animals. After his mother was killed, Zod's father urged his son to escape. He does so, killing his father in the process to distract the creatures and give himself time to flee. For over a year, Zod managed to survive on his own until being found and rescued by Jor-El and Zor-El.

### General Zod: 1920 - Present

Dru-Zod the Younger was born the son of Dru-Zod the Elder and Nira Van-Zee on the Kryptonian colony of Kandor, the seat of the Great House of Zod. As a child, young Dru-Zod attended the Kryptonian Supreme Academy. It was while there that Zod befriended the sons of House of El, Jor-El and Zor-El. When it came time to enter a Guild, Dru-Zod surprised many by choosing to go the path of War. Whatever his reasons, Dru-Zod was a good fit among the Guild of War, rising to the rank of Major before his thirtieth year and becoming known as an innovative strategist and charismatic commander. It was these very traits that led to Dru-Zod being appointed to serve as the Councillor of War on the Kryptonian High Council.

It was Dru-Zod's appointment to the Council that kept him away from Kandor during his House’s naming ceremonies one fateful day. As Dru-Zod was taking part in a civil hearing, he was given word that Kandor had been bombed by the Calatonians, a rival race that Zod had fought in the wars against before but which Krypton had been observing a cease-fire agreement with.

When Dru-Zod later learned his House’s palace had been the focus of the assault and that the Calatonians had hoped to kill Dru-Zod himself with the attack, Dru-Zod stepped down from the High Council to lead the Kryptonian Fleet into war. Since he was the last of his House, Dru-Zod was thereafter known as Zod. General Zod.

To say Zod won the war is a sever understatement. With the help of two fanatically loyal followers (Ursa-Ul and Non-Ur), a living weapon of his own creation (Doomsday), and the entire War Fleet, General Zod rid the galaxy of every Calatonian he could find. For his crimes of xenocide and high treason, the High Council banished Zod to the Phantom Zone.

After decades in the Phantom Zone, General Zod escaped to find himself on Earth: a new world which bestowed the megalomaniac with new powers; but what Zod liked best was that the child of High Councillor Lara Lor-Van, Kal-El, had also made his home on Earth. Zod swore he would find the child and so he did. Now, he aims to make Superman himself kneel before Zod.

## Powers, Skills, and Abilities (and Weaknesses)

### Powers

* Kryptonian Physiology
	+ *Superhuman Strength & Speed*
	+ *Superhuman Endurance & Nigh Invulnerability*
	+ *Personal Gravity Negation (Flight)*
	+ *Heat Vision & Superhuman Breath*
	+ *Super Senses*
	+ *X-Ray Vision*
	+ *Ultrasonic Hearing*

## Trivia and Notes

### Trivia

* During his campaign he and his loyal lieutenant Ursa Hu-Ul fell in love. The two would seal their love with a wartime wedding. Ursa became pregnant and gave birth to Lor-Zod on a military command ship, but before he could walk his Zod and Ursa would be captured shortly after their return to Krypton and charged for their war crimes.
* Non, Zod and Ursa spent about 40 years in the Phantom Zone before being released from 1975 - 2015.
* General Zod was considered a folk hero by the xenophobic Kryptonians.
* He and Ursa tried to bring their son to their side. Lor-Zod almost gave in, even refusing to listen to Superman. In the end, it was Thara Ak-Var who was able to convince Lor-Zod that it was Dru-Zod, and Kryptonians like him, were what brought about Krypton's end, even more so than Brainiac.

### Notes

* Being sentenced by Lara Lor-Van is a nod to the *Man of Steel* movie.
* Wanting Superman to kneel is a nod to the *Superman II* movie.