List of Marvel Comics characters: Z

Zabu

Zadkiel

Zaladane

Zandow

Zandow the Strong Man is a fictional character in Marvel Comics. He was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Captain America Comics #5 (August 1941). His name was inspired by bodybuilder, Eugen Sandow.

Zandow was a member of the Ringmaster's Circus and fought Captain America. He kidnapped Betsy Ross when she discovered the circus' sinister plot to murder major U.S. officials. Captain America luckily arrived to save her and, despite Zandow's strength, was bested by the costumed hero. It is unknown what happened to him afterwards, but his boss Fritz Tiboldt was killed by the Nazis for his failure.

Agent Carter

Jerome Zandow appears in Agent Carter played by Rob Mars. He appears in the episode Time and Tide as a former sideshow attraction from Coney Island. He began to act as a muscle for hire for various criminals. One such criminal, Leet Brannis, hires Zandow to guard technology that was stolen from Howard Stark. The tech is found by Peggy Carter and Edwin Jarvis and Zandow engages in battle with them. Peggy manages to subdue Zandow using a device called the constrictor, which causes one's muscles to contract until their bones break. Zandow is knocked out and left for the Strategic Scientific Reserve to collect. While in custody of Agent Ray Krzeminski, Dottie Underwood assassinates both Krzeminski and Zandow, despite the latter's pleas that he would not have revealed anything.

Zaran

Maximillian Zaran

Shang-Chi villain

Zarathos

Zarek

Further reading Zarek at the Comic Book DB Zarek at the Grand Comics Database

Zarek is a member of the alien race known as the Kree in the Marvel Universe.

The character, created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan, first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (December 1967).

Within the context of the stories, Zarek is an Imperial Minister of the Kree Empire. He chooses Captain Mar-Vell to be the Kree spy on Earth.^[1] Zarek later conspires with Ronan the Accuser to overthrow the Supreme Intelligence, but is defeated by Captain Marvel.^[2] Zarek is declared a traitor to the Kree Empire and operates as a renegade, leading a band of Kree malcontents known as the Lunatic Legion. With the Lunatic Legion, he creates the deadly Nitro, and joins in a plot to use Captain Mar-Vell to destroy the Supreme Intelligence. Zarek battles and is again defeated by Captain Mar-Vell.^[3]

Zarin

Further reading Zarin at the Comic Book DB

Zarin is a member of the race known as the Eternals in the Marvel Universe.

The character, created by Jack Kirby, first appeared in Eternals #11 (May 1977). He subsequently appeared in Eternals #12-14 (June–August 1977), Avengers #246-248 (August–October 1984), and Eternals: Herod Factor (November 1991).

Within the context of the stories, Zarin was a member of the Polar Eternals and was an esteemed military leader, pilot and aid to Valkin. He was among the many Eternals that left for space as part of the Uni-Mind.

Zarrko

Zartra

Further reading Zartra at the Grand Comics Database

Zartra is the name of two Atlantean women in the Marvel Universe. The first character, created by Steve Gerber and Howard Chaykin, first appeared in Sub-Mariner #62 in February 1973. Within the context of the stories, she married King Kamuu and was murdered by an assassin during the sinking of Atlantis caused by the "Great Cataclysm."^[4] The second character was a Homo mermanus, and was the first empress of the undersea Atlantis.

Other Media

Zartra appears in the Avengers Assemble episode "Beneath the Surface", voiced by April Stewart.^[5] In this version, she is a former advisor of Attuma and leader of Atlantean rebels to overthrow Attuma.

Zawadi

Further reading Zawadi at the Comic Book DB Zawadi at the Grand Comics Database

Zawadi is a member of the Monster Hunters in the Marvel Universe. The character, created by Roger Stern and Mike Manley, first appeared in Marvel Universe #4 (September 1998). The character also appeared in Marvel Universe #5-7 (October–December 1998), Fantastic Four Annual 1998, Marvel: The Lost Generation #2 (January 2001), and Marvel Monsters: From the Files Of Ulysses Bloodstone and the Monster Hunters (2005).

Within the context of the stories, Zawadi is a Wakandan whose name means "Precious Gift." When she was young she ate of the Heart-Shaped Herbs grown in the hidden valleys of Wakanda, which granted her enhanced strength, agility, and endurance.^[6] In the late 1940s or early 1950s, Zawadi joins the Monster Hunters after helping Ulysses Bloodstone defeat a T. rex. The team goes on many adventures including stopping the Deviant Kro and his army of monsters from taking over the world and fighting a Skrull created monster.^[7]

After the team disbands, Zawadi simply disappears.^[8]

Zealot

Zeitgeist

Special Executive

Axel Cluney

Leo Zelinsky

Zenith

Further reading Zenith at the Comic Book DB

Zenith is a member of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard in the Marvel Universe.

The character, created by Terry Kavanagh and Dave Cockrum, appears in X-Men: Spotlight on...Starjammers #2 (June 1990).

Within the context of the stories, Zenith can siphon the potential energy of living beings and convert it into blasts of concussive energy and is the brother of Raza Longknife of the Starjammers. A blood feud between the two brothers exists, due to Zenith's loyalty to the Shi'ar Empire. Zenith is killed in a battle against the Starjammers and Binary. Raza performs blood rites for his dead brother.^[9]

Zephyr

Zero

Kenji Uedo

Android

Zero-G

Zeus

Ziggy Pig

Zippermouth

Zippermouth is a mutant in the Marvel Universe. The character, created by David Hine and Adi Granov, first appeared in X-Men Unlimited vol. 2, #2 (June 2004). He also appeared in District X #6 (December 2004).

Within the context of the stories, lZippermouth is a mutant gangster with the empathic ability to determine the moods of those around him. He comes into conflict with Bishop.

Other versions of Zippermouth

Zippermouth appears in the House of M alternate reality, as a security specialist working for the NYPD.^[10]

Ziran the Tester

Further reading Ziran the Tester at the Comic Book DB Ziran the Tester at the Grand Comics Database

Ziran the Tester is a Celestial in the Marvel Universe. The character, created by Jack Kirby, first appeared in The Eternals #18 (December 1977).

Within the context of the stories, Ziran is the Celestial tasked with testing the stability of the genetic material of life forms they alter. He is present during at least the First^[11] and Fourth Hosts to visit Earth.^[12][13]

Other versions of Ziran

The character has been established as a recurring element in Marvel's in-story cosmology and has appeared in various alternate reality stories and titles such as Marvel Apes and Earth X.

Zodiac

Zodiak

Further reading Zodiak at the Comic Book DB Zodiak at the Grand Comics Database

Zodiak (Norman Harrison) is a supervillain, an enemy of Ghost Rider in the Marvel Universe.

The character, created by Mark Texeira, Howard Mackie and Javier Saltares, first appeared in Ghost Rider vol. 3 #10 (February 1991). He later appears in issues #11 (March 1991), #19 (November 1991), and #20 (December 1991). He also appeared in Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #28 (April 1991).

Within the context of the stories, Norman Harrison is the owner of an occult bookstore in Greenwich Village. He makes a deal with 12 demons, each representing a sign of the zodiac to give him power beyond his wildest dreams. The demons graft themselves to Norman, granting him powers based on the zodiac, such as growing horns, shooting energy arrows, controlling water, or flying. Calling himself Zodiak, Harrison begins to gain notoriety in the criminal underworld, and comes into conflict with Ghost Rider.

Arnim Zola

Zom

Zombie

Zorba

Further reading Zorba at the Comic Book DB Zorba at the Grand Comics Database

Zorba Fortunov is a member of the Royal Family of Latveria in the Marvel Universe.

The character, created by Marv Wolfman and Keith Pollard, first appeared in Fantastic Four #198 (Sept. 1978).

Within the context of the stories, Zorba is a son of King Vladimir, Brother of Rudolfo. During Doctor Doom's reign, Zorba was the leader of the rebel Latverian Freedom Fighters.^[14] Zorba replaced Doom as king of Latveria after Fantastic Four defeated Doctor Doom; however, Zorba promised Reed Richards he would only be the interim ruler because democratic elections would be held soon.^[15] Zorba was elected ruler of Latveria, but civil unrest followed after Zorba was forced to raise taxes to maintain the standard of living that Latverians and grown accustomed to under the rule of Doctor Doom.^[16] Without Doom's authority, the civil unrest caused the country to fall into lawlessness and poverty.^[17] To control the situation, Zorba instituted martial law, enforced by a secret police of Doom's Servo-Guards that terrorized the citizens. Zorba's reign as king ended when Doom returned to Latveria and was restored to power with the help of the Fantastic Four.

Powers and abilities

A surgically implanted cybernetic eye that fires various beams of heat, light, energy. Zorba is also a skilled swordsman and martial artist in his own right.

Carlo Zota

Further reading Carlo Zota at the Comic Book DB Carlo Zota at the Grand Comics Database

Carlo Zota is a member of the subversive organization known as the Enclave in the Marvel Universe.

The character, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first appeared in Fantastic Four #66 (September 1967).

Within the context of the stories, Zota, a Spanish electronics technician, teams up with three other scientists, each with a different area of expertise, to form the Enclave. Attempting to establish a benevolent world dictatorship under the rule of scientists, the group created the being known as "Him" and came into conflict with many superheroes, including the Fantastic Four, Quasar, and Spider-Man.

Zuras

Further reading Zuras at the Comic Book DB Zuras at the Grand Comics Database

Zuras is a member of the race known as the Eternals in the Marvel Universe. The character, created by Jack Kirby, first appeared in Eternals #5 (November 1976).

Within the context of the stories, Zuras was born in Titanos, first city of the Eternals, and is the son of the Eternals Kronos and Daina, and brother of A'Lars (Mentor). With his wife Cybele, he has a daughter Thena. Zuras initially vies with his brother A'lars for leadership of the Eternals of Titanos following Kronos' death. However, Zuras is the first Eternal to form a Uni-Mind, and is therefore chosen to become leader of the Eternals of Earth.^[18]

Zuri

Zvezda Dennista

Further reading Zvezda Dennista at the Comic Book DB

Zvezda Dennista (Marya Meshkov) is a supervillain in the Marvel Universe, a member of the Bogatyri.

The character, created by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas and Dave Ross, first appeared in Avengers West Coast #87 (October 1992).

Within the context of the stories, Meshkov is a mutate who calls herself Zvezda Dennista (Russian for "Morning Star"). Marya had been a geologist who unearthed fragments of the mysterious meteor which arrived during the Tunguska event. The event destroyed much of Tunguska Siberia in 1908. The meteor fragment endows her with the ability to fly and generate focused maser beams. Along with the rest of the Bogatyri, she appears as an enemy of the West Coast Avengers.

Zzzax

ZZZXX

Further reading ZZZXX at the Comic Book DB ZZZXX at the Grand Comics Database

ZZZXX is a symbiote in the Marvel Universe.

The character, created by Christopher Yost and Dustin Weaver, first appeared in X-Men: Kingbreaker #2 (March 2009).

Within the context of the stories, ZZZXX is a symbiote similar to Venom and Carnage, except this type feeds on its target's brain. Its species was discovered by the Shi'ar Emperor D'Ken, who dies before he has a chance to study it. ZZZXX attempts and fails to attach itself to Lilandra, and ends up taking Raza Longknife, a member of the Starjammers, as its host. ZZZXX becomes a member of Emperor Vulcan's Imperial Guard. In the concluding events of the War of Kings, ZZZXX is defeated by the Nova Corps.^[19]

References