General Zod

Background
General Zod was the descendant of legendary Kryptonian conqueror Admiral Dru-Zod, and ruled over Krypton's security forces. When the Kryptonian Science Council discovered that two of their most revered scientists, Jor-El and Non, had determined that in a short matter of time, Krypton would suffer geothermic upheavel that would destroy the entire planet, they branded the two as heretics and sent General Zod and his militants to Jor-El's laboratory to arrest them. The Science Council administered a stern warning to them, and set them free.

Before long, Zod and his second in command; Ursa, discovered that Jor-El and Non had been right all along. Non ignored the Council's warning and preached to the populace of Krypton; revealing everything he knew of the pending disaster. Zod and Ursa defected from the military and joined Non's cause. Soon after, Non was captured and lobotomized under orders of the Science Council.

This incident drove Zod over the edge and he and Ursa began an insurrection that made them the most wanted criminals on the planet. They were eventually captured and brought to justice. However, Jor-El argued on their behalf and swayed the Science Council from sentencing them to death. Instead, Jor-El elected for a more peaceful means of punishment - exile in the Phantom Zone. From that moment Zod harboured a deep hatred for Jor-El and swore vengeance on his house and family, a vandette that passed on to Jor-El's son; Kal-El.

Trivia

 * Zod first appeared in Adventure Comics #283 (April 1961)
 * Zod is voiced by Alexander Brandon.