View source for Phantom Zone

{{short description|Fictional dimension in the DC Universe}}
{{Infobox fictional location
| name        = Phantom Zone
| image       = Phantom Zone.jpg
| image_size  = 
| caption     = Superman trapped in the Phantom Zone as seen on the cover of ''Superman'' (vol. 5) #2 (August 2018). Art by Ivan Reis.
| blank_label = [[:Category:Comics publishing companies|Publisher]]
| blank_data  = [[DC Comics]]
| first       = ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #283 (April 1961)
| creator     = [[Robert Bernstein (comics)|Robert Bernstein]] (writer)<br>[[George Papp]] (artist)
| type        = Prison<br>Dimension<br>Interdimensional realm
| people      = 
| races       = 
| locations   = 
}}
{{Cleanup|date=November 2024|reason=Trimming and several unsourced statements}}

The '''Phantom Zone''' is a prison-like parallel dimension appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. It is mainly associated with stories featuring [[Superman]]. It first appeared in ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #283 (April 1961), and was created by [[Robert Bernstein (comics)|Robert Bernstein]] and [[George Papp]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/16207/ |title=GCD :: Issue :: ''Adventure Comics'' #283 |publisher=Comics.org |access-date=2010-12-25}}</ref> It was frequently used in the ''Superman'' comics before the continuity was rebooted in the 1980s, after ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', and has appeared occasionally since.

==Fictional history==
===Pre-''Crisis''===
The Phantom Zone is a "pocket universe" used as a humane method of imprisonment due to Krypton abolishing the death penalty years prior.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fleisher |first1=Michael L. |title=The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman |date=2007 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-4012-1389-3 |pages=267–270}}</ref> The inmates of the Phantom Zone reside in a ghost-like state of existence from which they can observe, but cannot interact with, the regular universe.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |pages=309–312}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Wells |first=John |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64 |date=2015 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490458 |page=54}}</ref> Most have a particular grudge against Superman because his father [[Jor-El]] discovered the Zone and was often the prosecutor at their trials.

In the 1982 miniseries ''The Phantom Zone'', the Phantom Zone is revealed to be the home of Aethyr, a malevolent deity who presides over it and manifests as a disembodied, dog-like head.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=186}}</ref><ref name="Phantom Zone #3 March 1982">''Phantom Zone'' #3 (March 1982). DC Comics.</ref><ref name="Phantom Zone #4 Apr 1982" /><ref>''DC Comics Presents'' #97. DC Comics.</ref>

===Post-''Crisis''===
[[File:Phantom Zone Criminals.png|thumb|upright|Phantom Zone criminals pictured from left to right: [[Ursa (comics)|Ursa]], [[General Zod]], and [[Non (comics)|Non]]. Art by Gary Frank and Jonathan Sibal.]]
In post-''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths|Crisis]]'' continuity, various species have independently discovered the Phantom Zone and given it different names. It is called the "Buffer Zone" by the [[Phantom Girl|Bgztlians]], the "Still Zone" by the [[White Martians]], the "Stasis Zone" by Loophole, the "Ghost Zone" by [[Prometheus (DC Comics)|Prometheus]], and the "Honeycomb" by [[Queen Bee (comics)|Queen Bee]].<ref name="adventures460">{{cite comic |writer=[[Dan Jurgens |Jurgens, Dan]] |penciller=Jurgens, Dan |inker=[[Andy Kubert |Kubert, Andy]] |story=Be It Ever So Deadly |title=[[Superman (comic book) |The Adventures of Superman]] |issue=#460 |date=November 1989 |publisher=DC Comics |location=New York}}</ref><ref name="adventures461">{{cite comic |writer=[[Dan Jurgens |Jurgens, Dan]] |penciller=Jurgens, Dan |inker=[[George Pérez |Perez, George]] |story=Home |title=[[Superman (comic book) |The Adventures of Superman]] |issue=#461 |date=December 1989 |publisher=DC Comics |location=New York}}</ref><ref>''Action Comics'' #825. DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Action Comics'' #845. DC Comics.</ref>

''[[Supergirl (comic book)|Supergirl]]'' #16 shows a form of life native to the Phantom Zone. They are enraged over the use of their universe to house criminals and seek revenge on the one responsible.<ref>''Supergirl'' (vol. 5) #16 (June 2007)</ref>

In the "New Krypton" storyline, the Kryptonians in [[Kandor (comics)|Kandor]] capture Superman's enemies to throw them into the Phantom Zone, including [[Parasite (comics)|Parasite]], [[Silver Banshee]], and [[Toyman]].<ref name="Superman 682">''Superman'' #682. DC Comics.</ref> They are later freed by Superman.<ref>''Superman'' #684. DC Comics.</ref>

In ''[[52 (comics)|52]]'', [[Mister Mind]] consumes the Phantom Zone after transforming into the Hyperfly.<ref>''Action Comics'' #874. DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Action Comics'' #886. DC Comics.</ref> In ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' (vol. 2) #11, [[Reep Daggle|Chameleon Boy]] and Superman restore the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Adventure Comics'' (vol. 2) #11. DC Comics.</ref>

===''The New 52''===
In ''[[The New 52]]'', Jor-El uses the Phantom Zone in a failed attempt to escape Krypton's destruction.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #5. DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #13. DC Comics.</ref>

===''DC Rebirth''===
In ''[[DC Rebirth]]'', Superman theorizes that the Phantom Zone is a [[permeable membrane]] between the main universe and the Dark Multiverse.<ref>''Dark Days'' #3. DC Comics.</ref>

==Known inmates==
===Inmates in Pre-''Crisis''===
Throughout the [[Silver Age of Comic Books#DC Comics|Silver Age of Comic Books]], the following inhabitants of the Phantom Zone have been depicted. Based on this list, at least 34 [[Kryptonian]]s were projected into the Phantom Zone on [[Krypton (comics)#Krypton in the Silver Age of Comic Books|Krypton]] over a period of less than 256 Kryptonian days.<ref>''World Of Krypton'' #2 (August 1979) and #3 (September 1979). DC Comics.</ref> The entry on the [[Kryptonian#Calendar|Kryptonian Calendar]] shows the details on the relationship between Kryptonian sun-cycles and Earth years.

* '''Ak-Var''' – Ak-Var was sentenced to approximately 30 Earth years (22 Kryptonian sun-cycles){{efn|name="30 Kryptonian Sun-Cycles"|30 Kryptonian sun-cycles is impossible given Superman's time on Earth, thus 30 Earth years must be assumed to be correct; extrapolating from Quex-Ul's release date in ''Superman'' #157 (November 1962), a sentence of 19 Kryptonian sun-cycles (26 Earth years) would make more sense.}} in the Phantom Zone for plotting to steal a revered relic called a Sun-Stone. After he serves his sentence, Ak-Var is released, moves to [[Kandor (comics)|Kandor]], and becomes the superhero [[Flamebird]].<ref>''Action Comics'' #336 (April 1966). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Superman Family'' #183 (September-October 1977). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Ar-Ual''' – Ar-Val was sentenced to 50 Kryptonian sun-cycles (68.5 Earth years) in the Phantom Zone for destroying priceless knowledge and depriving Krypton of a millennium of scientific progress.<ref>''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane'' #93 (July 1969). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Az-Rel''' – Az-Rel is a petty criminal from the island of Bokos who possesses [[Pyrokinesis|pyrokinetic]] abilities. He and his partner Nadira work together to terrorize the Kryptonian city of Erkol before being captured and sentenced to 15 Kryptonian sun-cycles (20.55 Earth years) in the Phantom Zone.{{efn|If 15 sun-cycles is correct, Az-Rel should have been released into Kandor long ago.}} The two are among those freed from the Zone when Quex-Ul is manipulated into building a crude Phantom Zone Projector.<ref name="Phantom Zone #1 Jan. 1982">''Phantom Zone'' #1 (January 1982). DC Comics.</ref> Later, Nadira is killed when Jer-Em exposes her to green [[kryptonite]]. She telekinetically inflicts pain on Az-Rel, who commits suicide with his pyrokinesis.<ref name="Phantom Zone #4 Apr 1982">''Phantom Zone'' #4 (April 1982). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Bal-Gra''' – The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed. Bal-Gra once escaped from the Phantom Zone through a temporary space-warp. He battles Superman before being depowered by gold kryptonite and returned to the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Superman'' #204 (February 1968). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Blak-Du''' – The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed. Blak-Du was Jor-El's roommate at Krypton College, and was rated as scientifically brilliant.<ref>''Superboy'' #121 (June 1965). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Cha-Mel''' – A Kryptonian boy who was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone after impersonating Jor-El and attempting to rob his house.<ref>''Superboy'' #162 (January 1970). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''[[General Zod]]'''{{efn|Full name given as "Dru-Zod" in ''World of Krypton'' #3 (September 1979). DC Comics.}} – He was sentenced to 40 Kryptonian sun-cycles (54.8 Earth years) for using a duplicator ray to create a private army of imperfect clones ([[Bizarro#Pre-Crisis Bizarro|Bizarros]]) to overthrow the government.<ref name="Adventure Comics' 1961">''Adventure Comics'' #283 (April 1961). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Erndine Ze-Da (Zeda)'''{{efn|Last name given as "Ze-Da" in ''Phantom Zone'' #1 (January 1982). DC Comics.}} - The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed. One day, a South Seas volcano exploded and the concussion opened a temporary gap in the Phantom Zone, enabling both Erndine Ze-Da and Dr. Xadu to escape. They concocted a plan to trap Superboy in the Zone, but he became aware of their scheme and stranded them on the planet Exon.<ref name="Superboy #100 Oct 1962">''Superboy'' #100 (October 1962). DC Comics.</ref> Years later, Erndine and Dr. Xadu, who had since married and acquired the secret of the cosmic power-grip, escaped from Exon and returned to Earth. Superman defeated them again, and placed them in separate cells on two different worlds.<ref name="Action Comics' 1974">''Action Comics'' #434 (April 1974) and #435 (May 1974). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''[[Faora]]''' – A [[martial arts]] expert and hater of males, who was sentenced to 300 Kryptonian sun-cycles (411 Earth years) in the Phantom Zone for killing 23 men in a concentration camp. She once escaped captivity by using telepathy to manipulate an Earthman named Jackson Porter into freeing her from the Zone.<ref name="Action Comics' 1977">''Action Comics'' #471-473 (May–July 1977). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Gann Artar''' – In one [[Elseworlds#Imaginary Stories|imaginary story]], a criminal named Gann Artar was sentenced to 50 Kryptonian sun-cycles (68.5 Earth years) for using his de-evolutionary ray to create large, dangerous monsters.<ref>''Superman'' #166 (January 1964). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Gaz-Or'''{{efn|Name given as "Gaz-Or" in ''Phantom Zone'' #1 (January 1982). DC Comics.}} – After a lifetime of scientific villainy and because he was dying of old age, the Mighty Gazor attempted to use his earthquake machine to destroy Krypton. He was stopped by Jor-El, who had arrived just in time and was sentenced to the Phantom Zone for his crime. Gazor claimed that he had received the longest sentence ever given to anyone condemned to the Phantom Zone. This contradicts the fact that Jax-Ur and Orn-Zu both received life sentences, but after Mon-El was released from the Zone in the 30th Century, Gazor was indeed the only prisoner remaining in that ghostly dimension.<ref name="Adventure Comics' 1964">''Adventure Comics'' #323 (August 1964). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Gor-Nu''' – Once the greatest [[biochemist]] on Krypton, Gor-Nu's reckless experiments caused several deaths. He was sentenced to 50 Kryptonian sun-cycles (68.5 Earth years) in the Phantom Zone. When a lethal crystal-menace threatened to destroy the bottle-city of Kandor, Superman released Gor-Nu in the hope that he could figure out a way to stop it. Gor-Nu was successful, but he then tried to betray Superman. Gor-Nu's plans were foiled and he was returned to the Phantom Zone.<ref name="Superman #223 Jan 1970">''Superman'' #223 (January 1970). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Gra-Mo and two assistants''' – The criminal Gra-Mo and his two assistants (one possibly named Ni-Van{{efn|The name "Ni-Van" was mentioned in ''World of Krypton'' #2 (August 1979). DC Comics.}}) were captured, sentenced to life for attempting to take over Krypton with Gra-Mo's robot hordes, placed in suspended animation, and imprisoned in a space capsule which was placed into orbit around Krypton. They were the last criminals to receive this type of punishment. After Krypton's destruction, the capsule drifted through space, and they eventually awakened and traveled to Earth. When Superboy learned of their criminal nature, he figured out a way to defeat them and projected them into the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Superboy'' #104 (April 1963). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''The Inventor''' – The history and sentencing of this non-Kryptonian prisoner was not revealed.<ref name="Adventure Comics' 1970">''Adventure Comics'' #400 (December 1970). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Jackson Porter''' – Phantom Zone prisoner Faora used telepathy to delude Jackson Porter into believing she was the ghost of his dead wife Katie. Faora soon manipulated him into freeing her from the Phantom Zone. After she is returned to the Phantom Zone, Porter follows her there.<ref name="Action Comics' 1977"/>
* '''[[Jax-Ur]]''' – A rogue Kryptonian scientist who was sentenced to an eternity in the Phantom Zone for breaking the law forbidding anyone to experiment with an untested explosive. His rocket missed its target and destroyed Wegthor, an inhabited moon of Krypton, killing 500 colonists. He was the first prisoner projected into the Phantom Zone on Krypton. Jax-Ur also became the first prisoner to escape the Phantom Zone when a passing comet created a momentary warp through which he slipped.<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #289 (October 1961). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Jer-Em''' – A religious fanatic who was sentenced to 30 Kryptonian sun-cycles (41.1 Earth years) in the Phantom Zone for wiping out the superpowers of the people of Argo City (the birthplace of the future [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)#Silver Age|Supergirl]]) by guiding it back toward a red sun, leaving the residents stranded in their city in space.<ref>''Action Comics'' #309 (February 1964). DC Comics.</ref> Jer-Em was among those freed from the Phantom Zone when Quex-Ul was manipulated into building and activating a crude Phantom Zone Projector.<ref name="Phantom Zone #1 Jan. 1982"/> Later, Jer-Em purposely exposes himself to Green Kryptonite to enter the Kryptonian [[afterlife]].<ref name="Phantom Zone #4 Apr 1982"/>
* '''Kru-El''' – A weapons designer and cousin of Jor-El{{efn|Revealed as Jor-El's cousin in ''Superboy'' Annual #1 (Summer 1964). DC Comics.}} (the father of the future Superman). He was sentenced to 35 Kryptonian sun-cycles (47.95 Earth years) for developing an arsenal of super-powerful, forbidden weapons.<ref>''Action Comics'' #297 (February 1963). DC Comics.</ref>{{efn|name="Kru-El"|Kru-El is erroneously depicted wearing Dr. Xadu's outfit in at least five appearances.}}
* '''Kur-Dul''' – The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed. Kur-Dul served his full sentence<ref name="Quex-Ul 1962">Extrapolating from Quex-Ul's release date in ''Superman'' #157 (November 1962), a sentence of 20 Kryptonian sun-cycles (27.4 Earth years) would make sense.</ref> and was released by Superman and the Kandorian [[parole board]].<ref name="Superman #223 Jan 1970"/>
* '''[[Lar Gand]]''' – A superpowered youth arrived on Earth with [[amnesia]]. He was found by Superboy, who suspected the youth may be his older brother. Superboy named him Mon-El, because they met on a Monday. When Mon-El was later exposed to lead, he collapsed in pain. His memory returned, and he explained that he is from the planet [[Daxam]], whose natives have a lethal vulnerability to lead. To save Mon-El's life, Superboy projected him into the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Superboy'' #89 (June 1961). DC Comics.</ref> Mon-El spent 1,000 years in the Zone before he was released and cured by the [[Legion of Super-Heroes (1958 team)|Legion of Super-Heroes]].<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #305 (February 1963). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Lar-On''' – A Kryptonian who was inflicted with [[lycanthropy]] and transported to the Phantom Zone until he could be cured.<ref>''World's Finest Comics'' #256 (April–May 1979). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Lester Wallace of Earth''' – After being mentally manipulated by the Phantom Zone prisoner Zan-Em into developing a deep hatred of aliens and causing him to betray Superboy, Lester Wallace realized he had become the very thing he despised. He projected himself into the Phantom Zone as punishment.<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #457-458 (May–June to July-August 1978). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''L. Finn''' – The history and sentencing of this non-Kryptonian prisoner was not revealed.<ref name="Adventure Comics' 1970"/>
* '''[[Lois Lane]]''' – Lois Lane time-traveled back to Krypton before it exploded and was accidentally trapped in the Phantom Zone by Jor-El when he was testing his new Projector device. She spent more than two and a half decades there before she was discovered and released by Superman.<ref name="Superman 1965">''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane'' #59 (August 1965). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Marok''' – The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed.<ref name="Superman 1965"/>
* '''Murkk''' – The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed.<ref name="Action Comics #548 Oct 1983">''Action Comics'' #548 (October 1983). DC Comics.</ref> Murkk was among a group of Phantom Zone prisoners who escaped by focusing their mental energies on a piece of [[Kryptonite#Forms, colors and effects|Jewel Kryptonite]]. He was later disintegrated by the Vrangs.<ref name="Action Comics #549 Nov 1983">''Action Comics'' #549 (November 1983). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Nadira Va-Dim'''{{efn|Last name given as "Va-Dim" in ''DC Comics Presents'' #97 (September 1986). DC Comics.}} – Nadira was a petty criminal from Bokos, the Island of Thieves. She possessed [[telekinesis|psychokinetic powers]]. Her partner, Az-Rel, possessed [[pyrokinesis|pyrotic powers]]. Together they robbed helpless victims in Erkol, the oldest city of Krypton. Both were captured and sentenced to 15 Kryptonian sun-cycles (20.55 Earth years)<ref>If 15 sun-cycles is correct, Nadira should have been released into Kandor long ago.</ref> in the Phantom Zone. The two criminals were among those freed from the Zone when Quex-Ul was manipulated into building and activating a crude Phantom Zone Projector.<ref name="Phantom Zone #1 Jan. 1982"/> Later, Nadira was killed when the dying Jer-Em exposed her to green kryptonite.<ref name="Phantom Zone #4 Apr 1982"/>
* '''Nam-Ek''' – A scientist who was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone for killing Rondors to harness their healing horns and gain immortality. The serum he creates instead transforms him into a humanoid Rondor.<ref>''Superman'' #282 (December 1974). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Superman'' #311 (May 1977) through #315 (September 1977). DC Comics.</ref>{{efn|''DC Comics Presents'' #97 (September 1986) incorrectly states that Nam-Ek was projected into the Zone on Krypton for 15 sun-cycles.}}
* '''Orn-Zu''' – Believing that [[Rao (comics)|Krypton's sun]] would soon go [[supernova|nova]], Orn-Zu created Jorlan, an android designed to hypnotically lure children away. He intended to use it to save his world's youth by kidnapping them and taking them away from Krypton. Orn-Zu was sentenced to an eternity in the Phantom Zone. When Jorlan arrived on Earth, it attempted to complete its mission.<ref>''Action Comics'' #505 (March 1980). DC Comics.</ref> Orn-Zu convinced Superman to release him from the Zone, and they both confronted the android. Already dying from Pythagra Fever, Orn-Zu sacrificed himself to help stop his creation.<ref>''Action Comics'' #506 (April 1980). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Py-Ron (Evil-Man)''' – Py-Ron was sentenced to 50 Kryptonian sun-cycles (68.5 Earth years) in the Phantom Zone for using forbidden experiments to turn humans into bird-like monsters. Years later, a [[volcanic eruption]] freed Py-Ron from the Phantom Zone. He donned a costume and harassed Superman, using the name Evil-Man. Superman soon captured Py-Ron and returned him to his prison. A few years after that, when Supergirl was forced through [[hypnosis]] by the Sisterhood of Evil to test a deadly poison on a super-human, Py-Ron agreed to be her test subject. When Py-Ron appeared to die, Supergirl was then forced to give the poison to Superman and herself. Luckily, [[Comet (DC Comics)#Pre-Crisis Comet|Comet the Super-Horse]] had learned of the poison and altered it with his X-ray vision so that it only put the victims into suspended animation for a few hours. When Py-Ron woke up, he tried to earn his right to stay out of the Zone by flying to Feminax, the Sisterhood's homeworld, and killing everyone in retaliation. For his heartless action, Superman projected Py-Ron back into the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Action Comics'' #323 (March 1965). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''[[Quex-Ul]]''' – Quex-Ul was sentenced to nearly 25 Earth years (18 Kryptonian sun-cycles) in the Phantom Zone for killing Rondors to procure their horns. He was the last prisoner projected into the Phantom Zone on Krypton. When he served his full sentence, Quex-Ul notified Superman and was released. Quex-Ul intended on getting revenge on Jor-El, the man who sentenced him to the Phantom Zone, by exposing his son Superman to Gold Kryptonite. When Superman proved that Quex-Ul was innocent, having been framed by Rog-Ar, Quex-Ul attempted to stop Superman from being exposed. Quex-Ul inadvertently exposed himself and was robbed of his powers and his memory.<ref>''Superman'' #157 (Nov. 1962). DC Comics.</ref> Clark Kent set Quex-Ul up with a job at the [[Daily Planet]] using the alias Charlie Kweskill.<ref name="Phantom Zone #1 Jan. 1982"/> Quex-Ul is later killed in battle with Aethyr.<ref name="Phantom Zone #4 Apr 1982"/>
* '''Ral-En''' – A college friend and associate of Jor-El and son of the famous [[psychologist]] Mag-En. With the help of his father, Ral-En used [[Hypnosis|hyper-hypnotism]] to make everyone believe that he had gained superpowers, then attempted to become ruler of Krypton. Jor-El exposed his scheme, and Ral-En was sentenced to the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Superman'' #154 (July 1962). DC Comics.</ref> The existence of both baby Kal-El (Superman) and the city of Kandor were crucial to this story. Since Kandor was stolen by Brainiac before the birth of Kal-El and the invention of the Phantom Zone projector, this entire story is impossible.<ref>[[Kryptonian#Calendar|Kryptonian Calendar]]</ref>
* '''Ran-Zo''' – The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed.<ref name="Superman 1965"/>
* '''Ras-Krom''' – The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed. Ras-Krom was a [[superstition|superstitious]] Kryptonian criminal who escaped the Phantom Zone when an atomic blast opened a small gap between worlds. He attempted to release the other prisoners, but was outwitted and re-imprisoned by Superman and [[Jimmy Olsen#Silver Age|Jimmy Olsen]].<ref>''Superman'' #164 (October 1963). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Roz-Em''' – The criminal Roz-Em had [[plastic surgery]] to look exactly like Nim-El (Jor-El's twin brother). He attempted to steal a valuable weapon from the Armory of Forbidden Weapons, but was captured by Jor-El and the real Nim-El. He was placed in suspended animation, and imprisoned in a space capsule which was placed into orbit around Krypton.{{efn|''Phantom Zone'' #1 (Jan. 1982) incorrectly states that Roz-Em was projected into the Zone on Krypton.}} After Krypton's destruction, the capsule drifted through space, and Roz-Em eventually awakened and traveled to Earth. He planned on getting his revenge on Nim-El's nephew, Superboy, by pretending to be a Superman created from Superboy's exposure to [[Kryptonite#Forms, colors and effects|Red Kryptonite]]. Superboy discovered Roz-Em's ruse and projected him into the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #304 (January 1963). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Shyla Kor-Onn'''{{efn|Last name given as "Kor-Onn" in ''Superman Family'' #188 (March 1978). DC Comics.}} – A brilliant scientist named Shyla Kor-Onn was sentenced to one Kryptonian sun-cycle (1.37 Earth years) for the crime of manslaughter. She was trapped in the Phantom Zone well past her punishment period due to Krypton's destruction. After countless failures, Shyla predicted that she could use her mental powers to manipulate a jet pilot into flying his plane in a specific manner which would create a rip in the Zone. She escaped from her prison and battled Supergirl. When Shyla attempted to use the Phantom Zone Projector in Superman's [[Fortress of Solitude]] to free the other Phantom Zone prisoners, Supergirl was able to project her back into the Zone.<ref>''Superman Family'' #183 (May–June 1977). DC Comics.</ref> A short time later, Shyla was freed in the bottle-city of Kandor, where she attempted to get her revenge on Supergirl.<ref>''Superman Family'' #188 (March 1978). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Tal-Var''' – Jimmy Olsen accidentally released the evil Tal-Var from the Dark Dimension. He intended to loot and lay waste to the Earth, then to trap and kill Superman. Using his wits, Jimmy was able to project the alien into the Phantom Zone before he could carry out his threats.<ref>''Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen'' #97 (October 1966). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Thul-Kar''' – The last of the Wizards of Juru, Thul-Kar used magic to teleport himself into the Phantom Zone on the day of Krypton's destruction. He was the first to discover the Phantom Zone's connections to the entity called Aethyr.<ref name="Phantom Zone #3 March 1982"/>
* '''Tor-An''' – Condemned to the Phantom Zone for carrying out forbidden experiments transferring the minds of a Kryptonian family into the bodies of monsters. Years later, he instructed a group of Phantom Zone prisoners to use their combined mental powers to prompt the Mayor of Midvale to ask Supergirl to perform a feat which would open a small rift in the Zone. The handsome Tor-An escaped and tricked Supergirl into marrying him. When he began to gloat that she would now be forever disgraced, he learned to his dismay that the marriage was invalid and that he himself had been tricked by Supergirl. He was quickly captured and returned to his prison.<ref>''Action Comics'' #307 (December 1963). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''The Toyman''' – The history and sentencing of this non-Kryptonian prisoner was not revealed.<ref name="Adventure Comics' 1970"/>
* '''Tra-Gob''' – The leader of a band of Kryptonian thieves which raided the priceless Science Archives. He was betrayed by his own men, but was rescued by Jor-El before they could exterminate him. Tra-Gob was sentenced to nearly 40 Earth years (29 Kryptonian sun-cycles) for his crime, but still remained deeply grateful to Jor-El. Tra-Gob was in the Phantom Zone for nearly 30 Earth years{{efn|name="30 Kryptonian Sun-Cycles"}} before he escaped due to a freak disruption by the [[aurora|aurora borealis]]. He rescued Superman and Lois Lane from a Kryptonian monster, repaying his debt to Jor-El. As Tra-Gob was being returned to the Zone to finish out his sentence, Superman commented that he may be [[pardon]]ed in Kandor for his good behavior.<ref>''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane'' #98 (January 1970). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Tyb-Ol''' – The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed.<ref name="Action Comics #548 Oct 1983"/> Tyb-Ol was among a group of Phantom Zone prisoners who escaped by focusing their mental energies on a piece of Jewel Kryptonite. He was later disintegrated by the Vrangs.<ref name="Action Comics #549 Nov 1983"/>
* '''Professor Va-Kox (Professor Vakox)'''{{efn|Name given as "Va-Kox" in ''Phantom Zone'' #1 (January 1982); incorrectly called Varox in ''Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen'' #101 (April 1967).}} – Va-Kox is a mad [[geneticist]] who was sentenced to 50 Kryptonian sun-cycles (68.5 Earth years) for tossing a test tube full of his life force experiment into the Great Krypton Lake, creating a huge mutated monster.<ref>''Action Comics'' #284 (January 1962). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Vax-Nor''' – The history and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed. Vax-Nor served his full sentence<ref name="Quex-Ul 1962"/> and was released by Superman and the Kandorian parole board.<ref name="Superman #223 Jan 1970"/>
* '''Vorb-Un''' – Vorb-Un was sentenced to 10 Kryptonian sun-cycles (13.7 Earth years)<ref>Given Superman's time on Earth, Vorb-Un cannot have been sentenced on Krypton, thus he must have been sentenced in Argo City.</ref> in the Phantom Zone for experimenting with forbidden elements without the Science Council's permission. During a parole hearing in Kandor, Vorb-Un explained to Superman and the parole board that his sentence was almost up, and he insisted that he had repented. Due to his advanced age and his sincere remorse, he was released from his prison.<ref>''Action Comics'' #310 (March 1964). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Vor-Kil''' – The crime and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed. Vor-Kil escaped from the Phantom Zone when [[sunspot]] activity opened a temporary gap to Earth. He battled Superman using the Kryptonian martial art of Klurkor. Superman lured him back into captivity with the help of Jimmy Olsen.<ref>''Superman'' #219 (August 1969). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Dr. Xadu''' – Dr. Xadu was sentenced to 30 Kryptonian sun-cycles (41.1 Earth years)<ref>A period of 30 sun-cycles is given in multiple stories, with only ''Action Comics'' #284 (January 1962) incorrectly stating 40 sun-cycles.</ref> for breaking the law which forbids the use of suspended animation in any scientific research.<ref name="Adventure Comics' 1961"/> He later escaped the Phantom Zone with a prisoner named Erndine Ze-Da when a South Seas volcano exploded and opened a temporary gap in the Phantom Zone. They concocted a plan to trap Superboy in the Zone, but he became aware of their scheme and stranded them on the planet Exon.<ref name="Superboy #100 Oct 1962"/> Years later, Dr. Xadu and Erndine, who had since married and acquired the secret of the cosmic power-grip, escaped from Exon and returned to Earth. Superman defeated them again, and placed them in separate cells on two different worlds.<ref name="Action Comics' 1974"/> Inexplicably, Dr. Xadu appeared in the Phantom Zone in many stories set between these two tales.{{efn|Dr. Xadu is explicitly named in ''Superman'' #150 (January 1962) and ''Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen'' #62 (July 1962), and is depicted in four additional stories. This contradiction is never addressed.}}{{efn|name="Kru-El"}}
* '''Zan-Ar''' – The crime and sentencing of this prisoner was not revealed.<ref name="Superman 1965"/>
* '''Zan-Em''' – A [[psychic]] scientist who was banished to the Phantom Zone for unauthorized mind control experiments. As part of his plan to escape the Zone and trap Superboy there, Zan-Em mentally manipulated Lester Wallace into developing a hatred of aliens. When Lester projected Superboy into the Zone, Zan-Em remarked that he had been in the prison dimension for nearly two decades.<ref>Since Superboy is nearly 16 years old in this story, Zan-Em would have been sent to the Zone somewhere between 13.8 and 14.8 Earth years prior, thus he must be referring to Earth decades.</ref> Superboy escaped the Zone, leaving Zan-Em trapped in his prison.<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #458 (July-August 1978). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Zo-Mar''' – The criminal Zo-Mar was captured, sentenced to life for attempting to enslave all of Krypton, placed in suspended animation, and imprisoned in a space capsule which was placed into orbit around Krypton. After Krypton's destruction, the capsule drifted through space, and Zo-Mar eventually awakened and traveled to Earth. With the help of the [[Challengers of the Unknown]], Superman captured Zo-Mar and projected him into the Phantom Zone.<ref>''DC Comics Presents'' #84 (August 1985). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Unnamed Kandorian scientist''' – A scientist in Kandor was sentenced to 20 Kryptonian sun-cycles (27.4 Earth years) for performing experiments with the Z-Bomb, even though he was warned that it could accidentally blow up the bottle-city.<ref>''Action Comics'' #279 (August 1961). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Unnamed energy creature''' – An alien whose race evolved into pure energy followed an Earth probe back to Earth. The entity was able to possess and control other physical objects and beings, and used this ability to wreak havoc. Superman and Lois Lane tricked the creature into a Superman [[puppet]], then projected it into the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane'' #73 (April 1967). DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Two unnamed members of the Superman Revenge Squad''' – Two members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad#Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths|Superman Revenge Squad]] attempted to enslave the people of [[Kandor (comics)|New Krypton (a.k.a. Rokyn)]], but Superman foiled their plans by projecting them into the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Superman'' #414 (December 1985). DC Comics.</ref>

===Inmates in Post-''Crisis''===
The following were imprisoned in the Phantom Zone:

* '''Az-Rel''' and '''Nadira Va-Dim''' – In the Post-Crisis, Az-Rel and his lover Nadira Va-Dim are Kryptonians that Ursa had enlisted to be sleeper agents on Earth.<ref>''Action Comics'' #877. DC Comics.</ref>
* Superman foes such as '''[[Bizarro]]''', '''[[Parasite (comics)|Parasite]]''', '''[[Prankster (comics)|Prankster]]''', '''[[Silver Banshee]]''' and '''[[Toyman]]''' were thrown into the Phantom Zone by the Kandorians.<ref name="Superman 682"/>
* '''Car-Vex''' – A Kryptonian criminal who was banished to the Phantom Zone. General Zod later recruited her to be a sleeper agent on Earth where she infiltrated Project 7734 under the alias of Officer Romundi of the [[Science Police]].<ref name="Adventure Comics Vol. 2 #8">''Adventure Comics'' (vol. 2) #8. DC Comics.</ref>
* '''[[Dev-Em]]''' – A Kryptonian who was arrested and imprisoned in the Phantom Zone for murder and perversion.<ref>''Action Comics'' #851. DC Comics.</ref>
* '''[[Doomsday (comics)|Doomsday]]''' – Due to his adaptive powers, Doomsday evolved in a way where his fists tore through the Phantom Zone, allowing him to escape it.
* '''[[Faora]]''' –
* '''[[General Zod]]''' – A Kryptonian military general who was exiled to the Phantom Zone after trying to overthrow the Kryptonian Council so he could take over Krypton.
* '''[[Jax-Ur]]''' –
* '''[[Non (comics)|Non]]''' – A former friend and scientific colleague of Jor-El. After leading a separatist movement that planned to tell all of Krypton on what will happen to their planet, he is abducted and [[lobotomy|lobotomized]] by Krypton's Science Council. This leaves him a minimally-verbal and highly-aggressive brute. Some aspects of his personality survive and surface as an extreme kindness when dealing with children. Serving as General Zod's enforcer, he also becomes guardian and caregiver for Zod's son Chris Kent.
* '''[[Prometheus (DC Comics)|Prometheus]]''' –
* '''[[Quex-Ul]]''' – In the Post-Crisis, Quex-Ul is a Kryptonian criminal who was banished to the Phantom Zone and was later recruited by General Zod to be a sleeper agent on Earth.<ref name="Adventure Comics Vol. 2 #8"/>
* '''Tor-An''' – A Kryptonian who was on General Zod's side and was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone. When Ursa was charged with assigning five Krypontians as sleeper agents on Earth, Tor-An assumed the identity of a human entrepreneur named David Carter and became the CEO of the Empire Communications Network based out of Sydney Australia. He was defeated by Flamebird and Nightwing and reimprisoned in the Phantom Zone. Tor-An was later killed by Ursa.<ref>''Action Comics'' #875. DC Comics.</ref>
* '''[[Ursa (comics)|Ursa]]''' – Ursa is the lover of General Zod and mother of Chris Kent. After Non is lobotomized by the Science Council, she instigated open rebellion along with General Zod. As a result, the three were exiled to the Phantom Zone.
* '''Val-Ty''' – A Kryptonian sociopath who once fought [[Tomar-Re]] whom he eluded by destroying Xan City. He was later captured and placed in the Phantom Zone. When Zod's blanket amnesty was issued, he and the other Phantom Zone criminals were released. Unlike the group who went with Ursa, Val stayed on New Krypton, going rogue. He was the target of a manhunt by the Military Guild, and was eventually captured by Kal-El's Red Shard for which he has vowed revenge.
* '''[[White Martian]]s''' –

===Inmates in ''All-Star Superman''===
* '''Bar-El''' and '''Lilo''' – Kryptonian astronauts who survived the destruction of Krypton. They were placed in the Phantom Zone until Superman can find a cure for their Kryptonite poisoning.

===Inmates in ''The New 52''/''DC Rebirth''===
* '''[[Hank Henshaw|Cyborg Superman]]''' –
* '''General Zod''' –
* '''[[Hades (DC Comics)|Hades]]''' –
* '''Jax-Ur''' –
* '''Lar-On''' – A Kryptonian who was banished to the Phantom Zone after Red Kryptonite turned him into a werewolf.<ref>''Supergirl: Rebirth'' #1. DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Lor-Zod''' –
* '''[[Mongul]]''' –
* '''Non''' –
* '''[[Nuclear Man]]''' - An inmate of the Phantom Zone.<ref>''Superman'' Vol. 5 #2. DC Comics.</ref>
* '''Ras-Krom''' –
* '''Ursa''' –
* '''Vak-Ox''' –
* '''Xa-Du''' – Also known as the "Phantom King", Xa-Du was a Kryptonian researcher, interested in improving research into suspended animation. However, the unethical nature of his studies led to the Kryptonian Science Council suspending his research and choosing him as the first inmate of the Phantom Zone. A sociopath, Xa-Du swore revenge on the family of the Phantom Zone's discoverer, Jor-El and his son, forming the "Anti-Superman Army".<ref>''Action Comics'' Vol. 2 #5. DC Comics.</ref>

==Other versions==
===''Superman & Batman: Generations''===
In the ''[[Elseworlds]]'' tale ''[[Superman & Batman: Generations]]'', Superman is sentenced to the Phantom Zone in 1989 when he is stripped of his powers in a confrontation with the [[Ultra-Humanite]] that ends with his foe's death, after the Ultra-Humanite's actions led to the death of Superman's wife Lois Lane and his son Joel being tricked into killing Superman's daughter Kara before Joel dies himself, as well as arranging various 'accidents' for Clark Kent's other remaining loved ones. The judges reason that even if Superman feels that he may have killed his foe deliberately after the deaths of his family and friends, putting him in a conventional prison without his powers would be dangerous and solitary confinement was too extreme given his past deeds, selecting the Zone based on the suggestion of the new [[Batman]], Bruce Wayne Junior. Superman is released in 1999 by the now-rejuvenated Bruce Wayne as Bruce returns to the role of Batman - Bruce noting that he is ending the sentence a few months early but is certain that nobody would object to early release "for good behavior" - although Superman was briefly able to appear as a phantom in the real world in 1997 to distract a foe who was about to kill Knightwing (Superman's grandson, adopted by Batman's son after the deaths of Superman's children).

==In other media==
===Television===
* The Phantom Zone appears in the ''[[Super Friends]]'' franchise. This version is described as a fifth dimension that is parallel to the main universe. Furthermore, it makes anyone within it appear monochrom, and nullifies technology and superhuman abilities.
* The Phantom Zone appears in the ''[[Superman (TV series)|Superman]]'' episode "The Hunter".
* Several analogues of the Phantom Zone appear in ''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]].'' In the fourth season, an Utopian from the future Andrus creates a "time tablet" to trap the fugitive Tempus in a space-time cube. The episode "Battleground Earth" features a Kryptonian capital punishment that scatters a criminal's body across the universe.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]].'' In the pilot episode "The Last Son of Krypton", [[Jor-El]] attempts to transport the Kryptonians into the Phantom Zone to survive Krypton's destruction. However, the Kryptonian Science Council does not accept this plan, forcing Jor-El to send his son Kal-El to Earth along with the Phantom Zone projector. In the episode "Blasts from the Past", Superman frees [[Mala (Kryptonian)|Mala]] after learning that she has completed her sentence, but is forced to send her and Jax-Ur back after they attempt to conquer Earth. 
* The Phantom Zone appears in the ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' episode "The Doomsday Sanction".
* The Phantom Zone appears in the ''[[Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)|Legion of Super Heroes]]'' episode "Phantoms".<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Legion of Super Heroes'': "Phantoms" Review |url=https://www.supermanhomepage.com/tv/tv.php?topic=reviews/lsh1-ep04 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=Superman Homepage |language=en-US}}</ref>
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Smallville]]''. This version is a desert-like wasteland with a blue sun that never sets and negates Kryptonian powers.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]''. This version is a region of space where time does not pass, and is home to the maximum security prison Fort Rozz. Known inmates include Astra In-Ze, Caren Falqnerr, the Commander, Dr. Alphonse Luzano, Gabriel Phillips, Gor, a [[Hellgrammite (comics)|Hellgrammite]], [[Brainiac 8|Indigo]], [[Jemm]], [[Khunds|K'hund]], Kerfuffle, Moyer, Mur, [[Non (comics)|Non]], Tor, and [[Vartox]]. Following "[[Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse)|Crisis on Infinite Earths]]", the Phantom Zone is broken up like an archipelago and infested with Zulian Maletarians, also known as Phantoms
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Justice League Action]]'', with known inmates including General Zod, Faora, and Quex-Ul.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Krypton (TV series)|Krypton]]'', with known inmates including Seg-El and Brainiac.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Harley Quinn (TV series)|Harley Quinn]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in the fourth season of ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]''. Known inmates include General Zod, Ursa, Faora, Non, Jax-Ur, Vor-Kil, and Kru-El.

===Films===

====Live-action====
* The Empty Doom, a dimension resembling the Phantom Zone and predating its appearance in the comics, appears in ''[[Atom Man vs. Superman]]''.
* Richard Donner's ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'' film and its [[Superman II|sequel]] depict the Zone as a folded region of space that appears from outside as a tumbling two-dimensional plane. [[General Zod (1978 film series character)|General Zod]], [[Ursa (DC Comics)|Ursa]] and [[Non (comics)|Non]] are imprisoned in it until a nuclear explosion releases them.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]'', with known inmates including [[Zod (DC Extended Universe)|General Zod]], Faora, Car-Vex, Dev-Em II, Jax-Ur, Nadira, Nam-Ek, and Tor-An.

====Animation====
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Superman: Brainiac Attacks]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[All-Star Superman (film)|All-Star Superman]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[The Lego Batman Movie]]''. This version is guarded by Phyllis (voiced by [[Ellie Kemper]]), who resembles a generic Lego brick. The Phantom Zone's inmates consist of villains from various franchises including General Zod, [[King Kong]], [[Lord Voldemort|Voldemort]] from ''[[Harry Potter]]'', the Eye of [[Sauron]] from ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', the [[Dalek]]s from ''[[Doctor Who]]'', the [[Gremlins]], the [[Wicked Witch of the West]] and her [[winged monkeys|Flying Monkeys]] from ''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|The Wizard of Oz]]'', Lord Vampyre, the Evil Mummy, and the Swamp Creature from ''[[Lego Monster Fighters]]'', the [[Kraken]] from ''[[Clash of the Titans (1981 film)|Clash of the Titans]]'', [[Medusa]] from ''[[Lego Minifigures (theme)|Lego Minifigures]]'', the skeletons from ''[[Jason and the Argonauts (1963 film)|Jason and the Argonauts]]'', [[Agent Smith]] from ''[[The Matrix (franchise)|The Matrix]]'', the titular shark from ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'', and the ''[[Tyrannosaurus|Tyrannosaurus rex]]'' and ''[[Velociraptor]]s'' from ''[[Jurassic Park]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse]]''.

===Video games===
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[DC Universe Online]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'', resembling its portrayal in ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman: The Movie]]'' and ''[[Superman II]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Lego Dimensions]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Injustice 2]]''.

===Miscellaneous===
The Phantom Zone appears in [[Kevin J. Anderson]]'s novel ''The Last Days of Krypton''.<ref>DC Comics; HarperCollins and Harper, New York, New York, 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-06-134075-8}}</ref>

===Parodies and homages===
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in ''[[Family Guy]]''.
* The Phantom Zone appears in the ''[[Robot Chicken]]'' episode "Suck It".
* The Phantom Zone appears in the ''[[South Park]]'' episode "[[Krazy Kripples]]".
* The Phantom Zone appears in the ''[[American Dad!]]'' episode "[[The Most Adequate Christmas Ever]]".
* The Null Void, a dimension resembling the Phantom Zone, appears in the ''[[Ben 10 (TV series)|Ben 10]]'' franchise.
* A [[Lego]] set released in 2017, titled "Batman in the Phantom Zone" features a Batman minifigure and a machine.
* [[Lord Buckethead]]'s manifesto in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election]] included a promise to exile [[Katie Hopkins]] to the Phantom Zone.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.4153621/meet-lord-buckethead-the-u-k-election-s-intergalactic-spacelord-1.4153627 |title=Meet Lord Buckethead, the U.K. election's intergalactic spacelord}}</ref>

==Similar dimensions==
There had been similar Zones that were in comparison to the Phantom Zone:
* In the [[Captain Future]] novel ''Planets in Peril'' (1942) by [[Edmond Hamilton]], Chapter 13 "Phantom Prisoners", Captain Future is sent to the "Vault of the Unbodied", essentially an early version of the Phantom Zone. Hamilton later went on to write some of the early DC comics Superman stories, including some Phantom Zone stories.
* Additionally, in the story "Wonder Woman's Wedding Day" from ''Wonder Woman'' #70 (November 1954), [[Wonder Woman]] is sent by Professor Uxo to another dimension much like the Phantom Zone, in which she becomes a spectral observer, unable to interact with those around her. She is able to escape by telepathically overwhelming Professor Uxo with the thought she is watching his every move, forcing him to "reassemble" her in his laboratory before a barrage of bullets, which she easily deflects. Wonder Woman captures Professor Uxo and his henchmen as they are taken away by the police while his "time dimension transfer machine" is damaged beyond repair.

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111006181628/http://supermanica.superman.nu/wiki/index.php/Phantom_Zone Supermanica: Phantom Zone] Supermanica entry on the Pre-''Crisis'' Phantom Zone
* [https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Phantom_Zone Phantom Zone] at DC Comics Wiki
* [https://comicvine.gamespot.com/phantom-zone/4020-42370/ Phantom Zone] at Comic Vine

{{Superman}}
{{Justice League characters}}
{{Otto Binder}}
[[Category:DC Comics dimensions]]
[[Category:DC Comics planets]]
[[Category:DC Comics titles]]
[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Fictional dimensions]]
[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1961]]
[[Category:Fictional prisons]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes]]
[[Category:Superman spin-off titles]]