Pocket Universe

Zod was one of the three Kryptonian criminals who took over the Time Trapper's pocket universe after killing Superboy. Superman was forced to execute them using kryptonite, a deed that would plague his conscience for years.

False Krypton

In the duplicate Krypton created by Brainiac-13, another fascist counterpart of Zod was defeated by Superman.

Russian Zod

The son of Russian Cosmonauts, the unborn boy who would be codenamed "Zed" was affected when Kal-El's spacecraft and a chunk of Kryptonite irradiated his parents. He was born terminally weak and getting weaker, but exposure to red sun radiation made him super-powerful. Influenced by the ghost of the Zod from the Time Trapper's world, he plotted to turn the yellow sun red, but was defeated when Lex Luthor unexpectedly allied with Superman. After losing his powers, he attacked Superman with such force that he himself was killed.

Modern Zod: The Great General of Krypton

Months before the destruction of Krypton, Jor-El convinces his friend, mentor and intellectual peer Non that their planet is indeed doomed. The word of two of the most respected scholars of Krypton was not enough to sway the Council, whose only action in the matter was to forbid any further talk on the subject. While Jor-El chose to fight a sisyphean battle to convince the Kryptonian Council, Non spread the word to the people. Non's actions were considered rebellious, and the council dispatched their most fearsome commander, General Zod, to dispatch of him. Zod though is swayed by Non's words and becomes convinced of the impending destruction of Krypton. His most trusted lieutenant and loyal lover Ursa also joins his cause.

The council quickly reacted to the insurrection by kidnapping Non in his sleep and lobotomizing him. They then arrest the three defectors and sentenced them to the Phantom Zone at the request of Jor-El. Jor-El agreed to desist in his attempts to convince the Council in return for a humane punishment to death for his contemporaries. After the verdict Zod declared that the only way to save Krypton was to overthrow the stubborn Kryptonian Council, and by ruling Krypton in their place. Their brutal escape attempt was quelled, but not before members of the Council were slaughtered. The verdict still stood though, as the judgment of the Council is final, and Jor-El administered the punishment, banishing them to the Phantom Zone. For his actions, or inaction, Zod regards Jor-El as a coward. Zod vows "..one day day we will return, and when we do I, will be Krypton's ruler. And then...I will make you the slave to me that you are to the council. You will kneel before me. Both you and one day... your son!"

One Year Later

A boy crashes onto earth in a Kryptonian vessel, mirroring Superman's own origins. Superman is relieved that yet another survivor of Krypton has surfaced, but the child's origins are not so innocent. The child is the son of Ursa and General Zod, the most dangerous criminals within the Phantom Zone. The boy's appearance on earth has triggered the promised return of Zod, Ursa and Non. Zod then freed the other criminals of the Phantom Zone. Zod plans to continue with his vow, and soon he will personally make Kal-El kneel before him.

Superman: The Movie and Superman II

General Zod was responsible for Krypton's defenses, but secretly conspired to overthrow the Kryptonian council and replace it with his own. For his crimes, Zod was sentenced to the Phantom Zone with 2 of his followers, Non and Ursa, and vowed to avenge his imprisonment, assuring Jor-El that if he did not join with Zod, he or his heir would one day kneel before him.

When Zod, Non, and Ursa are freed and arrive on Earth, they battle with Kal-El as a means of settling their vendetta with Jor-El, as well as attempting to take control of Earth. Superman is able to neutralize their powers at the Fortress of Solitude.