Zor-El

Zor-El is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. A Kryptonian, he is the younger brother of Jor-El,^[1] husband of Alura, father of Supergirl, and paternal uncle of Superman.^[2]

Zor-El
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Action Comics #252 (May 1959)
Created by	Otto Binder Al Plastino
In-story information
Alter ego	Cyborg Superman
Species	Kryptonian cyborg
Place of origin	Krypton
Team affiliations	Black Lantern Corps
Notable aliases	Zor-L
Abilities	Cybernetic implants (Under a yellow sun): Kryptonian power set

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 a mad scientist with a grudge against his brother. A similar depiction was used when the character was adapted for television in the series Smallville. In 2010s stories following DC's The New 52 reboot, Zor-El has been an antagonist for Supergirl and Superman, having been transformed into the villain Cyborg Superman by Brainiac.^[3]

Zor-El was portrayed by Simon Ward in the film Supergirl, and will be played by David Krumholtz in the upcoming DC Universe film Supergirl (2026). Christopher Heyerdahl portrayed a villainous version in the TV series Smallville. Robert Gant portrayed the character in the Arrowverse television series Supergirl in the first two seasons, and Jason Behr portrayed him in the sixth season.

Publication history

Zor-El first appeared in Action Comics #252 (May 1959) and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino.

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis

In pre-Crisis continuity, Zor-El is a climatographer and one of the only Kryptonians who believe Jor-El's predictions about the impending destruction of Krypton. 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 deadly Kryptonite 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 to Kandor.

Zor-L, an alternate universe variant of Zor-El from Earth-Two who did not survive Krypton's destruction, appears in Showcase #98 (March 1978).

Post-Crisis and Zero Hour (Birthright) and Infinite Crisis timelines

Zor-El (Birthright timeline version) as he appears in Supergirl (vol. 5) #5 (March 2006 DC Comics). Art by Ian Churchill.

In post-Crisis continuity, Zor-El resides in Kandor, which is held by Brainiac. He is later killed by Reactron.^[4] In Blackest Night, Zor-El returns as a Black Lantern before the scientists of New Krypton kill him.^[5]

The New 52

Zor-El as Cyborg Superman on the cover of Action Comics (vol. 2) #23.1 (November 2013 DC Comics). Art by Aaron Kuder.

In The 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. The Department of Extranormal Operations captures Zor-El after he attacks Indigo, leading Jor-El to kill him.^[6]

Powers and abilities

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]

In other media

Television

• Zor-El appears in the Super Friends episode "The Krypton Syndrome".
• Zor-El appears in Smallville, portrayed by Christopher Heyerdahl. This version was a rival of Jor-El who assisted Major Zod in destroying Krypton and was killed in the process. A clone of Zor-El would later be created on Earth and become an enemy of Clark Kent.
• Zor-El appears in Supergirl (2015), portrayed by Robert Gant in the first and second seasons and Jason Behr in the sixth.^[9] This version died saving Argo City from the destruction of Krypton and created the Medusa virus bioweapon. Due to changes made to the multiverse following "Crisis on Infinite Earths", Zor-El escaped Krypton by entering the Phantom Zone, which Supergirl rescues him from.
• Zor-El makes a non-speaking appearance in the Young Justice episode "Encounter Upon the Razor's Edge!".
• Zor-El makes non-speaking cameo appearances in My Adventures with Superman.

Film

• Zor-El appears in Supergirl, portrayed by Simon Ward.
• Zor-El makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in a flashback in Superman/Batman: Apocalypse.
• Zor-El appears in Superman: Unbound, voiced by Stephen Root.^[10]
• Zor-El appears in DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year, voiced by Tom Kenny.
• Zor-El is set to appear in Supergirl, portrayed by David Krumholtz.^[11][12]

Miscellaneous

Zor-El appears in Kevin J. Anderson's novel The Last Days of Krypton.