Krypton

Before the birth of Kal-El, the boy who would grow up to become Superman, there was an attempted coup de’tat on the planet Krypton. The commander of Krypton’s military forces was a man named Dru-Zod. For centuries, the House of Zod produced the greatest warriors the planet Krypton had ever seen.

The Zods were intelligent, noble, proud, and fiercely ruthless and Dru-Zod was no exception. Although the idea of nepotism was never encouraged on Krypton, Zods always rose through the ranks. But none as quickly as Dru-Zod.

Dru-Zod’s father trained him in the ways of battle from the moment he could walk. In addition to his combat training, Dru-Zod was told to maintain his studies and build up his intelligence. As his father told him, "to defeat your opponent, you must not only beat him physically, but mentally as well." It was never simply a matter of warfare.

During his initial years in school, Dru-Zod had only one rival in intellect, and that was a child named Jor-El. Dru-Zod and Jor-El became fiercely competitive in all areas, and although Jor-El excelled in science, Dru-Zod excelled in strategy.

By the age of fourteen, Dru-Zod had been the youngest man in the history of Krypton to be admitted to its military academy. By the age of eighteen, he was a commander of an army. By the time his twenty-fifth birthday rolled around, Dru-Zod had risen in the ranks to the role of general.

For five years, Dru-Zod helped build Krypton’s military. However, he felt all his efforts were for naught. By the time he had attained the rank of general, Krypton had become a unified planet governed by the Council. But world peace was not enough for a warrior-born. The General desired conquest in any form. He wanted to expand Krypton’s influence beyond the planet’s borders and across the entire universe.

Dru-Zod drafted a plan to conquer neighboring planets, such as Daxam and Argos. And he planned to eventually extend Krypton’s influence to the far reaches of the universe, including Apokolips, whom he viewed as the greatest threat to interstellar peace.

When he submitted his plan to the Council, the General was turned away. They told him that Krypton was quite content in being an isolationist planet and a proponent for peace. The General tried to convince the Council how without Krypton’s influence, the universe would continue to stagnate and billions of innocents would be killed in the process.

There was one member on the Council Zod felt he could reach. His old friend and rival, Jor-El. One day, Zod went to Jor-El’s home and tried to speak with him about the dangers of rejecting his plan, and of the potential bloodshed that would come as a result.

"You’ve never been a stupid man, Jor-El," he said. "You know as well as I do the threats of the other universes, particularly Darkseid."

"Darkseid is confined to Apokolips," said Jor-El. "He poses no threat to us."

"So you say. But both you and I know that one day, Darkseid will acquire the Anti-Life Equation. And on that day, the entire universe will tremble. Just because Krypton has chosen an isolationist stance will not stop him from coming after us as well."

Jor-El relaxed into his chair and looked at Dru-Zod, who sat across from him. "But what of all the deaths that will come in the meantime? What of all the soldiers Krypton will sacrifice and what of all the soldiers other planets will sacrifice? What of the innocents caught in the crossfire?"

"Krypton is the most advanced planet in the known universe," said Dru-Zod. "Under our guidance, we will usher in a new golden age of peace and prosperity."

"Your goals are noble, my friend, but unrealistic," said Jor-El. "The benefits may be great, but they do not outweigh the risk."

"We’re talking about sacrificing a few million people so billions more may live. How is that not an acceptable loss?"

"Because all life is precious. You cannot change the universe by force, you must do it through leadership."

The General smiled a bit. "So you believe that if we simply do nothing and continue to live in peace, that the rest of the universe will eventually learn from our example?"

"I do."

Now the General allowed himself a slight chuckle. "Jor-El, always the idealist."

"I believe in the inherent goodness of others. I think everyone can eventually learn to live in peace."

"And how many will die in the meantime?" asked Dru-Zod. "How many will perish while Krypton continues to rest on its laurels as despots like Darkseid continue to torture and kill its own people? You can’t negotiate with those people, you must teach them by the sword, not the pen. Philosophy and science are only useful to focus on society as it currently exists. But you need war to raise those societies in the first place."

"And what if you’re wrong?" asked Jor-El. "Let’s say that the Council approves your plan and we conquer Argos and Daxam and Colu. Do you understand how difficult it is to govern a planet, let alone a confederation of planets? What if your plan fails? Then Krypton would have directly caused the deaths of millions of people for absolutely nothing."

Dru-Zod considered his friend’s words for a moment. Jor-El stood from his chair and walked towards a device and removed a glass filled with water from it. He took a sip and looked at the General.

"You have no family, do you General? No wife, no children?"

"No."

"Well, I do have a family to think of. Lara and I were recently married and we plan on eventually having children of our own. When I think of your plan, I think of my children and I think of what kind of world they will inherit. Now put yourself in my shoes, Dru-Zod. Imagine if you did have children. Would you be prepared to sacrifice your son for your vision? Or your daughter?"

"If it’s for the betterment of the universe, then yes," said Dru-Zod. "I would encourage them to fight beside me on the front lines. I would never ask any of my soldiers to fight a battle I would not fight myself."

"I think differently, General," said Jor-El. "I want to leave a world of prosperity behind for my children, not a world of strife. Violence only begets more violence. Rather than force people to change, we must inspire them to change."

Jor-El took a second glass of water and walked over to Dru-Zod, handing the glass to him. The General took a sip of his own water and thought about the scientist’s words. Jor-El was regarded as one of the leading minds on Krypton and Dru-Zod knew that with his support, he would have a better chance of swaying the Council.

"You make some very good points, my friend," said Dru-Zod. "But ask those same questions of yourself. What if you’re wrong? What if Krypton doesn’t inspire others to change? What if it takes centuries for even a single planet to come around to your line of thinking? How many people will die before then? How many will fall victim to the oppression and tyranny of selfish and evil men?"

"So to counter oppression for evil, you feel oppression for good is a reasonable plan?"

"I do," said Dru-Zod. "You do not let a child run free without discipline or boundaries. You have to show them the way, sometimes by force and they may not understand it when they are young, but when they come of age they will eventually see that you were right."

"That’s arrogance."

"No, that’s progress."

"You cannot simply assume that just because some are not the same as us that they are backwards," said Jor-El.

"For a man so devoted to science, you rely a lot on your emotions."

"And you simplify things far too much."

Dru-Zod set down his glass on the crystal table that separated the two men. "Allow me to be frank. I want you with me, Jor-El. But if you side against me, do not think that will deter me from my goals. I know what’s best for Krypton and the universe and I will pursue it by any means necessary."

"And if the Council refuses you?" asked Jor-El.

General Zod maintained a cold gaze and fixed it upon his old friend. It was a look that turned Jor-El’s blood cold. The General spoke only four words.

"By. Any. Means. Necessary."

Metropolis

Located beneath the surface of Metropolis was one of the many secret laboratories owned by LexCorp. In here were the secrets of Lex Luthor’s various experiments over the years, and it was these secrets that the so-called Superman Revenge Squad desired.

General Zod stood in a suit of black, Kryptonian armor with his seal marked across his chest. By his side stood the form of Brainiac and the man known only as Ra’s al Ghul.

"Tell me more about these creatures Luthor developed," said Zod.

"Luthor created them years ago, a means to destroy Superman," said Brainiac. "They are powerful, although intelligence is not very high for them."

"How many?" asked Zod.

"One at a time," said Brainiac.

"And to mass produce?"

"An army of them," said Ra’s al Ghul. "Impressive."

"My time in the Phantom Zone has left me weakened, which is why I still must rely on this armor," said Zod. "But from what you have told me, Earth has many of these metahumans, some as powerful as Kal-El. I cannot risk their interference and we must find a way to subjugate not only them, but the rest of this backwater planet. This Superman Revenge Squad you have assembled is formidable, but not enough to fully execute my plan. Solomon Grundy’s brute strength will not be enough, and your Floronic Man is too unstable for my liking."

"It’s difficult, but it can be done," said Brainiac.

"How long?" asked Zod.

"I could have an army assembled within the week, if I work without pause," said Brainiac.

The General smiled. "Then do it."

Krypton

Following the Council’s rejection of General Zod’s plan, the General remained true to his final words to Jor-El—by any means necessary. He converted his fiercest warriors to his cause and chose a course of action that would tear Krypton asunder for a number of years in a vicious civil war.

The coup de’tat led by General Zod resulted in many battles, of which both sides sustained massive losses. However, thanks to the leadership of Jor-El and the insight he had into Zod from their years of acquaintance, the Council eventually suppressed the rebellion and the General was brought to the Council for trial.

Jor-El presided over the hearing.

"For years, Krypton has maintained a peaceful existence not only with other planets, but also among our own people," he said. "Our military has existed for one purpose and one purpose alone—self defense. We have seen firsthand what war can do to a planet and we never wanted to see it happen once again. This man has changed all that."

He circled General Zod, who stood imprisoned by several oscillating rings. The General stood tall, but his gaze was fixed to the ground. Jor-El stood right before Zod, but his former friend would not meet his stare.

"General Dru-Zod, you have been charged with the highest form of treason ever committed on the planet Krypton. You deliberately disobeyed the ruling of the Council and your actions have resulted in the deaths of countless Kryptonians. How do you plead?"

The General remained silent.

"Very well," said Jor-El. "Let the record reflect that the General has chosen to enter no plea and has thrown himself on the mercy of the Council. This civil war had the potential to bring our society to its knees but fortunately, it was prevented before Zod could continue with his despicable plan."

The room was empty and dark, save for a single spotlight that shone down on Zod. Surrounding Zod and Jor-El were the holographic images of the other members of the Council.

"His accomplices—soldiers and lieutenants—they can be rehabilitated," said Jor-El. "But as far as General Zod goes, his supreme arrogance is matched only by his lack of morality and his desire to pursue his goals by—in his own words—any means necessary. Rehabilitation would be impossible for him. Therefore, I believe there is only one course of action for one such as him, a judgment the Council has not entertained in many years."

Jor-El looked out to the projections of the other members of the Council. "Imprisonment in the Phantom Zone is the judgment I would recommend to this court. An eternity of suffering in that void is the only way we can be assured that General Zod will never terrorize the people of Krypton—or anywhere else for that matter."

Now Jor-El looked back at General Zod. "This is your last chance to address the court before judgment is passed."

For the first time since the hearing began, the General looked directly into Jor-El’s eyes as he spoke to the Council. "What I have done," he said, "is for the good of Krypton and the universe. If it is a crime to pursue utopia, then I am guilty of such a crime. And I would gladly commit it again, given the chance."

Jor-El sighed and faced the Council. "You have heard the defense. Now comes the time for judgment."

"Guilty."

"Guilty."

"Guilty."

"Guilty."

General Zod did not look at any of the Council members as they entered their verdict. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on his old friend.

"The vote must be unanimous, Jor-El. You alone will condemn me. And you alone will be held accountable by me."

Jor-El stared back at him, but said nothing.

"I know you better than anyone, my friend. You have disagreed with the Council yourself. They are old, we are young. We are the future of Krypton. Together, we could create paradise. All you need do is stand by my side."

"If you believe that I would sacrifice everything for such foolish arrogance, then you do not know me at all," said Jor-El, keeping his back to the prisoner.

"Don’t you dare turn your back on me, you insufferable wretch!" spat Zod. "Heed my words—you will bow before me, Jor-El! Do you hear me? You, and one day, your heirs! No matter if it takes one year or a thousand years, an El will kneel before Zod!"

Metropolis

Superman lay on the ground of his cell. The bars were laced with Kryptonite and even the slightest movement towards them caused him unspeakable pain. He heard the sound of a door opening and a cane tapped on the ground. In the dim light, he could barely make out the form of Ra’s al Ghul.

"Are you comfortable?"

Superman offered no response.

"You’re a fool if you believe you can stop what’s coming, Hero," said Ra’s al Ghul.

"It’s not just me you have to worry about, Ra’s and you know that," said Superman. "Do you think the Justice League will stand by and let Zod claim Earth as his own?"

"The Justice League is not a concern," said Ra’s. "Brainiac only briefly relinquished control of the Watchtower, he still controls it. In addition to America’s nuclear arsenal."

"That won’t be enough," said Superman.

"Not yet, but soon we will have more help."

"Why?" asked Superman.

"I beg your pardon?" asked Ra’s al Ghul.

"Why would someone like you serve anyone, let alone someone like Zod?" asked Superman.

"I serve no man, Hero. The General and I have similar goals in mind," said Ra’s al Ghul. "He desires utopia, same as I."

"Zod wants domination and conquest, it’s what he lives for," said Superman.

"There is a method to his madness, Hero. He will raze the Earth and from the ashes, harmony will rise once again."

"And Luthor?" asked Superman.

"Lex Luthor was simply a means to an end, our key into the Fortress of Solitude which allowed Brainiac to release the General," said Ra’s al Ghul. "We knew from the start he would not follow Zod’s plan, so we disposed of him once he outlived his usefulness."

"So how will you do it?" asked Superman. "You can’t assemble an army of villains to follow Zod. They’re too self-serving, and eventually they’ll betray you all."

"Correct, and we’ve accounted for that," said Ra’s al Ghul. "Which is why we have another method of assembling our army."

"What?"

Ra’s al Ghul smiled. "Bizarro."