Baron Helmut Zemo tore the Avengers apart in Captain America: Civil War, and now seeks to continue his path of destruction in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. While many viewers are just getting acquainted with him, he has had quite the history in the comics. He is a skilled fighter, tactician, leader, and master manipulator on a level that surpasses even Doctor Doom himself at times.
Beyond his battles with Captain America and the Avengers, Zemo has fought monsters, aliens, demons, and even gods on more than a few occasions. He may just be one of the most formidable villains (and sometimes anti-hero) in all of comics. Those who haven't read the comics are missing out on a lot of Zemo's story.
10 He is THE Master Of Evil
Stepping into his father Baron Heinrich Zemo's shoes, Zemo revived the team know as the Masters of Evil. Making himself their leader many times of over the years, he has led more than one successful assault of the heroes of the Marvel universe.
No matter how many times he has faced death or defeat, Zemo has returned with his team to spread evil across the globe. In its many incarnations, a Zemo-led Masters of Evil is always a terrifying force to be reckoned with. No other leader has been able to bring the team victory as many times as Baron Zemo himself.
9 It's Personal With Captain America
Comic book fans know all too well the animosity between Baron Zemo and Captain America. It stems back to the 1940s and World War II, with Zemo's father being a major adversary to Allied forces. No matter how many times Captain America defeated Baron Heinrich Zemo, he always came back with another evil plan.
His greatest ploy was sabotaging an experimental drone, which led to Captain America being placed in ice and Bucky's capture by the Russians. Years later, deep in a battle with Captain America, he lost control of his own death ray and died in a massive rock slide. His son has never forgiven Captain America for his father's death, and has sought to make ruin his life ever since.
8 He Was Disfigured By Captain America
Zemo's look in the comics is iconic, with his purple mask being a large part of his signature look. There is a very good reason that he rarely removes the mask.
In Captain America # 168 Zemo, in his Phoenix guise, was close to finally being rid of his father's old enemy. Just when he thought he had the upper hand, he fell into a vat of the chemical known as Adhesive X. This chemical scarred his face and body beyond belief, taking a massive toll on his lofty pride.
7 He Exposed Bucky Cap As The Winter Solider
Following the death of Captain America, Bucky Barnes stepped up and decided to take the mantle for himself. Still in search of redemption following his decades as the Winter Solider, Bucky helped defend the Marvel Universe with honor.
Most of the public had no idea of his past, until Baron Zemo decided to strike. Zemo revealed the truth to the public, which led to an avalanche of hard times for Bucky. From incarceration in a gulag to loss of public support, Bucky fell to one of his lowest points in years. Zemo managed to escape retribution and proclaimed that Bucky was undeserving of even holding Cap's shield.
6 He Defeated The Avengers In Their Own Home
The infamous "Avengers Under Siege" storyline in Avengers #270 - 277 is one of Zemo's greatest victories. He not only managed to infiltrate Avengers Mansion, but he attacked their butler Jarvis and disrespected their home. If this was not enough, he defeated the team one by one with his Masters of Evil.
Every Avenger was pushed to the brink, and had to muster all of their strength to make a last ditch effort at a counterattack. Even though Zemo was defeated in the end, he left the Avengers with a brutal message: You are not invulnerable.
5 He Murdered Captain America's Son
During the Captain America storyline "Castaway in Dimension Z", Steven Rogers was thrust into the brutal and barbaric Dimension Z. In this world, Arnim Zola was slowly taking over with his mutants and progeny. One of his children, Leopold, was taken by Steve and raised as his own son. Following their return to their proper Dimension, Leopold aka Ian became the new Nomad. Steve lost his super solider serum, and Sam Wilson took up the mantle with Ian helping him out.
Zemo took this as the perfect chance to make a move with Hydra, and captured both heroes. Without hesitation, he cut Ian's throat and used his blood as a part of his latest scheme.
4 Made His Mark On Counter-Earth
Following the path of destruction that Onslaught caused, Franklin Richards created a pocket dimension known as Counter-Earth. Seen mostly during the "Heroes Reborn" even, this dimension was similar to the 616 universe.
Eventually, Baron Zemo and his Thunderbolts made their way to Counter-Earth in an attempt to rule this mostly hero-less world. Zemo not only killed that world's version of his father; he also assisted in saving it. On Counter-Earth, one could argue that Zemo had slowly begun to make his mark as a hero.
3 He Killed The God-Level Son Of Captain Marvel
The original Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell, had a son named Genis-Vell. Genis was immensely powerful, so much so that he became a threat to the universe. The Thunderbolts decided he was a problem they needed to handle. Zemo jumped at the chance to rid the universe of this threat, and he used the powerful Moonstone to battle Genis.
In Thunderbolts #100, Zemo tore Genis's body apart and sent each piece into a different dimension. This ensured that Genis would never return and that no adversary, not even a god, is a match for Zemo.
2 He Formed The Thunderbolts
The closest team Marvel Comics has to the Suicide Squad is the Thunderbolts. Originally presented as another super hero team, Baron Zemo decided to have his Masters of Evil masquerade as heroes and fool the world. Eventually Zemo revealed the truth, but only to keep his subordinates in line and to remind them that they are not and never will be heroes.
Throughout the years, the team has done both evil and heroic deeds. Zemo may leave the team from time to time, but he always returns.
1 He Was Born Better
One of the main sources of pride for Zemo is his family heritage. He comes from a long line of German nobility, and as such maintains an air of superiority no where he is . After attempting to "save" the world using his Liberator device, he was thrown through time.
In Thunderbolts Presents: Zemo – Born Better he embarks on a journey where fans get to meet many of his ancestors throughout the ages. He summarily shows that while he comes from "great" stock; he is the man he is because of himself. Even when confronting father, Zemo decides that he will rise above his ancestors and create his own legacy.