General Zod, full name Dur-Zod is a tyrannical Kryptonian who used to lead Krypton's army prior to it's destruction and knew Superman's father Jor-El. After the destruction of the moon Wegthor, Zod attempted to take over Krypton with an army of robotic duplicates of himself, resulting in him being banished to the Phantom Zone for 40 years. He was eventually released by Superman only to attempt to conquer Earth with his new superpowers, the same as Superman's abilities.