Helmut Zemo
Helmut Zemo is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Roy Thomas, Tony Isabella and Sal Buscema, the character first appeared in Captain America #168 (December 1973). Helmut Zemo is the son of Baron Heinrich Zemo and the thirteenth Baron Zemo in his family lineage.[2] He is a recurring adversary of the Avengers, especially the superhero Steve Rogers / Captain America.[3] The character has also been known as Citizen V at various points in his history.[4]
This article is about the second Baron Zemo, Helmut Zemo. For his father, see Heinrich Zemo.
Helmut J. Zemo
Baron Zemo
- As Phoenix:
- Captain America #168[1]
(December 1973)
- Captain America #168[1]
- As Baron Zemo:
- Cameo appearance:
Captain America #275
(November 1982) - Full appearance:
Captain America #276
(December 1982)
- Cameo appearance:
- As Citizen V:
- The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #449
(January 1997)
- The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #449
Baron Helmut J. Zemo
Baron Zemo
Citizen V
Phoenix
Iron Cross
Mark Evanier
Daniel Brühl portrays the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,[5] appearing in the film Captain America: Civil War (2016)[6] and the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).[7]
Powers and abilities[edit]
Helmut Zemo is a gifted genius who possesses certain scientific knowledge. He is an excellent marksman, and is impressively trained in unarmed combat. He is also a highly accomplished leader and strategist.
His headband has built-in circuitry designed to disrupt psychic powers. Helmut Zemo carries various rifles and sometimes, a handheld spray gun for Adhesive X, the most powerful bonding agent ever invented. Like his father, Helmut does not grow old.[50] The Moonstones grant him a wide array of abilities, including gravity, light, or molecular manipulation, superhuman strength and durability, as well as flight.[51]
Reception[edit]
IGN ranked Helmut Zemo 40th in their Top 100 Comic Book Vilains" list.[52] David Harth of Comic Book Resources called Helmut Zemo one of the most important" and best Marvel vilains owing to his "confounding schemes."[53] Chase Magnett of ComicBook.com named Helmut Zemo one of the best Black Panther villains, calling him a "symbol of white supremacy."[54] George Marston of Newsarama ranked Helmut Zemo as the 2nd best Captain America vilains of all time.[55]
Other versions[edit]
Marvel Zombies[edit]
An alternate version of Helmut Zemo appears in the Marvel Zombies limited series. He is zombified and his Thunderbolts attack Thor before he receives aid from Nova.
MC2[edit]
An alternate version of Helmut Zemo appears in the MC2 alternate universe. Red Skull and the Nazis had successfully conquered the Earth. This version is a scientific advisor to Red Skull's successor, Victor Von Doom and Reed Richards. After Doom's demise at the hands of Crimson Curse, Richards and Zemo fight to become his successor.[56]
Ultimate Marvel[edit]
An alternate version of Helmut Zemo appears in the Ultimate Marvel universe. Loki disguises himself as Baron Zemo while leading Third Reich soldiers and Ice Giants in an attack on Asgard during World War II.[57][58] In the present, Loki's elderly second-in-command Helmutt Zemo uses the Norn Stones to summon the god of mischief to his time. After escaping The Room With No Doors, Loki murders Zemo.[59]
Marvel MAX[edit]
An alternate version of Helmut Zemo appears in the Deadpool MAX series. He is an American white supremacist who claims to have descended from German nobility despite having come from a working-class home. He fosters a hatred of minorities due to his father having had an affair with a black woman as well as the irrational belief that Jewish doctors killed his mother with poisoned water. He finds a survivalist retreat dubbed "Whiteland" and plans to use sarin gas on his followers to incite a race war across the United States. However, his plans are foiled when Deadpool infiltrates the compound and accuses Zemo of possessing Jewish ancestry, which distracts Zemo's henchmen long enough for Deadpool to kill them and Zemo.[60]
Old Man Logan[edit]
An alternate version of Helmut Zemo appears in the Old Man Logan universe. He is responsible for the deaths of most of the Avengers after turning the Thunderbolts against them. He only leaves Hawkeye alive out of spite for taking the Thunderbolts from him to begin with. Decades later, Hawkeye goes on a revenge killing spree against all the Thunderbolts for their betrayal.[61] When he confronts Zemo in the Weapon X facility, he finds the villain in a wheelchair as Zemo had developed ALS while also working on recreating the Super Soldier Serum. While Hawkeye initially planned to leave Zemo humiliated in his condition, he instead decides to shoot dozens of arrows into Zemo using the last of his sight.[62]