View source for Jor-El

{{short description|Fictional character appearing in DC Comics}}
{{Infobox comics character<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| character_name  = Jor-El
| image           = Jor-El (circa 2001).png
| converted       = yes
| caption         = Jor-El as depicted in ''The Adventures of Superman'' #589 (February 2001).<br/>Art by Paul Rivoche.
| publisher       = [[DC Comics]]
| debut           = [[Superman (comic strip)|''Superman'' comic strip]]<br />(January 16, 1939)
| creators        = [[Jerry Siegel]] (writer)<br />[[Joe Shuster]] (artist)
| alter_ego       =
| full_name       = Jor-El
| species         = [[Kryptonian]]
| homeworld       = [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]]
| alliances       = Science Council
| aliases         = Jor-L (in the [[Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]])<br />Mister Oz (in "[[DC Rebirth]]")
| powers          =
*Genius-level intellect
*Proficient scientist, inventor, and engineer
*Utilizes technologically advanced equipment
*Skilled martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant
}}
'''Jor-El''' is a character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. Created by writer [[Jerry Siegel]] and artist [[Joe Shuster]], Jor-El first appeared in the [[Superman (comic strip)|''Superman'' newspaper comic strip]] in 1939.

Jor-El is Superman's biological father, the husband of [[Lara (character)|Lara]], and a leading scientist on the planet [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]] before its destruction. He foresees his planet's fate but is unable to convince his colleagues in time to rescue most of Krypton's inhabitants. Jor-El is able to save his infant son Kal-El (Superman) by launching him towards Earth in a homemade spaceship just moments before Krypton explodes. When Superman later constructs his headquarters, the [[Fortress of Solitude]], he honors his biological parents with the inclusion of a statue of Jor-El and Lara holding up a globe of Krypton. The fortress also holds a holographic copy of Jor-El's consciousnesses, letting Superman interact with his father for advice and knowledge.

Jor-El was portrayed by [[Marlon Brando]] in the films ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'' and ''[[Superman II]]''. Archival footage cut from the prior films was used with the permission of Brando's estate to insert the deceased Brando into 2006's ''[[Superman Returns]]'' in a reprise of the role. Terence Stamp played the voice or Jor-El in the tv series Smallville and was portrayed by Julian Sands. The character was then portrayed by [[Russell Crowe]] in the [[DC Extended Universe]] film ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]''. [[Angus Macfadyen]] portrayed the character in the first season of the television series ''[[Superman & Lois]]''.

{{TOC limit|3}}

== Fictional character biography ==
=== Precursor (''New Adventure Comics'') ===
Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, the creators of both Superman and Jor-L, first introduced a character named "Jor-L" in 1936, more than a year before the first Superman story was published.<ref name=urbanlegend>{{cite web |url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/10/16/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-177/ |title=Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #177 |last1=Cronin |first1=Brian |date=16 October 2008 |website=Comics Should Be Good |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |access-date=3 September 2013 |archive-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022213941/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/10/16/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-177/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=newadventure>{{cite comic|writer= [[Jerry Siegel]]|penciller= [[Joe Shuster]]|story= Federal Men|title= New Adventure Comics|issue= 12|date= January 1937}}</ref> The original "Jor-L" appeared in ''New Adventure Comics'' (released in 1936, [[Cover date|cover-dated]] January 1937), a re-titled issue #12 of the previous ''New Comics'', which would be re-titled again, starting with issue #32, as the 45-year-long ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' series.<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=16}}</ref>

Featured in the four-page Shuster and Siegel strip ''Federal Men'', this "Jor-L" is not an [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial]] but, instead, a far-future "ace [[detective|sleuth]]" in the service of "Interplanetary Federation Headquarters". The character battles "Nira-Q", the outer-space-faring "bandit queen", in the year [[3000 A.D.]] The 1936 "Jor-L" exists as part of a [[story within a story]], as Shuster and Siegel's strip presents the tale as a scientist's forecast of future crime-fighting told to the contemporary 1930s-era [[G-Man (slang)|G-man]] heroes of ''Federal Men''.<ref name="urbanlegend" /><ref name="newadventure" />

=== "Golden Age" and "Silver Age" versions ===
Jor-El was first referred to indirectly in ''[[Action Comics]]'' #1 in 1938, which only mentioned a scientist who sends his son to Earth. He made his first full-fledged appearance in the [[Superman (comic strip)|''Superman'' newspaper comic strip]] on January 16, 1939, where his name was spelled as "Jor-L". His name first appeared as being spelled "Jor-el" in the ''Superman'' novel ''The Adventures of Superman'' (1942) written by [[George Lowther (writer)|George Lowther]]. Later comic books capitalized the "E" in "El." Jor-El's first appearance in a comic book was in ''[[More Fun Comics]]'' #101. 

[[File:Statues of the Silver Age Jor-El and Lara.jpg|thumb|upright|Jor-El (left) and wife Lara (right), as statues in Superman's [[Silver Age of Comic Books|Silver Age]] [[Fortress of Solitude]]. From ''DC Special Series'' #26, June 1981. Art by [[Ross Andru]].]]
In the 1960s, now known as part of the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]], [[DC Comics]] introduced to its superhero stories the fictional concept of different versions of characters from real-world publication history existing [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|in separate "universes"]] that could communicate with each other.<ref>{{cite book|last=McAvennie|first= Michael|editor-last = Dolan|editor-first = Hannah|chapter= 1960s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 103 |quote = This classic Silver Age story [''[[Flash of Two Worlds]]''] resurrected the Golden Age Flash and provided a foundation for the Multiverse from which he and the Silver Age Flash would hail.}}</ref><ref>''[[Flash of Two Worlds]]'' (''The Flash'' #123)</ref> As DC developed this concept through further stories, the version of Superman's father during the previous [[Golden Age of Comic Books]] was identified as "Jor-''L''", matching the original spelling of the character's name, who lived on the Krypton of the [[Earth-Two]] "[[fictional universe|universe]]" (derived from the versions of characters and stories that appeared during the earlier "Golden Age" period of publication history). In contrast, the concept presented "Jor-''El''" as no longer another spelling of the same name but a different character entirely: the father of the then-contemporary "Silver Age" version of Superman, who lived on the Krypton of the [[Earth-One]] "universe" (used to describe the setting for then-current "Silver Age" stories and characters, some of which had been substantially changed from their "Golden Age" versions).<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=136–139}}</ref>

A retelling of Superman's [[origin story]] in 1948 first delved into detail about Jor-El. However, his formal and more familiar Silver Age aspects were firmly established starting in the late 1950s. Over the course of the next several decades, there was a definitive summarization in the miniseries ''[[World of Krypton]]'' in [[1979 in comics|1979]] (not to be confused with the similarly-named post-''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' late-[[1980s in comics|1980s]] comic miniseries).

==== His accomplishments ====
As presented in the ''World of Krypton'' miniseries and other stories from the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]], Jor-El is Krypton's leading scientist, inventing, among other devices, a self-titled [[hovercar]]. He also discovers a parallel plane of existence which he calls the [[Phantom Zone]] and invents a device that can open portals to it. This device gets him a seat on the Science Council, Krypton's ruling body. He lives in Krypton's major city of [[Kryptonopolis]].

Even before Jor-El's birth, the El family is renowned for its contributions to Kryptonian society. Ancestors of Jor-El include Val-El, an [[exploration|explorer]]; Sul-El, the inventor of Krypton's first [[telescope]]; Tala-El, the author of Krypton's first planetary [[constitution]]; Hatu-El, the inventor of Krypton's first [[electromagnet]] and electric motor; and Gam-El, the father of modern Kryptonian [[architecture]].

==== Family life ====
[[File:Superman S symbol.svg|thumb|[[Family]] [[emblem]] of the [[House of El]], the popular logo of his son, Kal-El]]
Jor-El has two brothers: [[Zor-El]], who lives in Argo City and eventually becomes the father of Kara, alias [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]], and an identical twin brother named Nim-El, who lives in [[Kandor (comics)|Kandor]]. In several stories, Jor-El's father is established as Jor-El I, and his mother as Nimda (née An-Dor).{{citation-needed|date=July 2021}} Jor-El eventually meets and marries Lara, the daughter of Lor-Van and a young astronaut in Krypton's fledgling space program, which is shut down after [[Jax-Ur]] destroys Krypton's moon Wegthor.<ref>''Superman'' #233 (January 1971). DC Comics.</ref>

==== Jor-El's warnings of Krypton's doom ====
When Krypton begins experiencing a series of [[earthquake]]s, Jor-El investigates. He soon discovers, to his horror, that Krypton's core is extremely unstable and radioactive, and will eventually reach [[critical mass]] and explode, taking the entire planet and its populace with it.<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=97–105}}</ref> Jor-El tries to convince the members of the Science Council of this impending disaster and urges re-establishing Krypton's space program so giant spacecraft can be built to carry the populace to another habitable world. However, the Council is dismissive of Jor-El's findings and refuses to comply with his plan. Some even accuse him of treachery, trying to cause chaos so he can take over. This had been a plot of [[General Zod]]'s, which having failed, caused his banishment to the Phantom Zone. Thus the Council is wary of Jor-El's motives.

Around the time he discovers Krypton's impending doom, Jor-El meets his own son Kal-El without realizing it (after Kal-El accidentally travels back in time). There are supporters of Jor-El's theory, but when a ship is constructed to evacuate them, the city of Kandor is shrunken and stolen by [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]], removing the people who believe in Jor-El's work.<ref>''Superman'' #141 (November 1960). DC Comics.</ref>

Frustrated, Jor-El continues his work on space travel on his own, hoping to build a spacecraft to save his family. This work includes launching several smaller test rockets; one of these rockets includes the family dog [[Krypto]].<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #210 (March 1955). DC Comics.</ref> However, as time runs short, Jor-El only has enough time to build a spacecraft to save his son Kal-El. He decides to send Kal-El to Earth, realizing he will gain superhuman powers under Earth's yellow sun and lower gravity. As Krypton finally goes through its final destructive stages, Jor-El and Lara place their son in the rocket and launch him toward Earth, before they themselves are killed along with almost all the rest of the planet's population. Lara could have fit inside the rocket as well, but chose to stay behind to improve Kal-El's chances of reaching Earth.

=== Post-''Crisis'' ===
After the 1985-1986 [[Limited series (comics)|miniseries]] ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' and [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]]'s 1986 miniseries ''[[The Man of Steel (comics)|The Man of Steel]]'' rewrote [[Superman]]'s origins, details about Jor-El's background and character were changed. In Byrne's version, Jor-El inhabits a cold and emotionally sterile Krypton where even bodily contact is forbidden. Indeed, Jor-El himself is considered a "throwback" for actually expressing emotions toward his mate [[Lara (character)|Lara]] and favoring the less sterilized days of past Kryptonian eras. Another change in this version is Jor-El genetically altering his son's [[fetus]] (gestating in a "birthing matrix") to allow him to leave Krypton (in this version of the mythos, Kryptonians are genetically "bonded" to the planet itself, not allowing them to leave) and merely attaching a [[warp engine]] to the matrix instead of constructing a ship wholesale. The result is that Kal-El is "born" when the birthing matrix opens on Earth.

In the 1990s series ''[[Starman (comics)|Starman]]'' Jor-El meets a time-traveling [[Starman (Jack Knight)|Jack Knight]] and [[Starman (Mikaal Tomas)|Mikaal Tomas]], two individuals who both bear at various points the name "Starman", and are accidentally sent 70 years back in time and hurled across space. Jor-El thereby first learns of Earth's existence; in return, Jor-El helps Knight and Tomas escape from his overbearing father [[Seyg-El]].

In the 2004 miniseries ''[[Superman: Birthright]]'', Jor-El, along with Krypton and Lara, was, more or less, reinstated to his Silver Age versions, though with such updated touches as Lara contributing equally to the effort of sending Kal-El, once again an infant while on Krypton, to Earth. In this version, Jor-El discovers Earth moments before launching his son's spacecraft. Also, the conclusion of the miniseries has the adult Superman, on Earth, seeing his parents through [[Lex Luthor]]'s time-space communicator, and on Krypton, seconds before its destruction, Jor-El and Lara see their son alive and well on Earth and know that their efforts are successful. As with Byrne's conflicting view of Krypton, the ''Birthright'' origins of Jor-El, Krypton, and Luthor have been [[retroactive continuity|retconned]], and, following ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', they are no longer valid in comics [[canon (fiction)|canon]].

However, a more recent storyline co-written by [[Geoff Johns]] and ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'' director [[Richard Donner]] presented yet another version of Jor-El and Krypton which reintroduced [[General Zod]] and the Phantom Zone criminals. With art by [[Adam Kubert]], Jor-El is depicted for the first time with a beard and the design of Kryptonian society is distinct yet again from ''Birthright'' and ''Man of Steel'', incorporating elements of Donner's work on the first two [[Christopher Reeve]] films, in particular the notion of Krypton's Council threatening Jor-El with harsh penalty of exile to the very Phantom Zone he himself discovered if he is to make public his predictions of their planet's imminent doom or otherwise attempt to "create a climate of panic."

Jor-El is shown here to have been mentored by friend and noted scientist [[Non (comics)|Non]], who corroborates Jor-El's findings regarding Krypton's impending destruction, when the two are arrested and brought to trial before the Council by Zod and [[Ursa (DC Comics)|Ursa]]. When Non defies the Council's dire prohibitions and elects to spread the word of the coming apocalypse, he is abducted by Council agents and apparently [[lobotomy|lobotomized]], thus explaining the character's mute simple-mindedness, brutality and destructiveness in line with [[Jack O'Halloran]]'s performance as Non in the first two Reeve films. Appalled, Zod and Ursa propose to Jor-El that they band together and overthrow the Council, but Jor-El will have none of it. When their murderous insurrection fails, the Council forces Jor-El to exile them to the Phantom Zone and never speak of his findings again, lest he face the same fate. For this perceived betrayal, Zod declares that he will escape and conquer Krypton (confident that Jor-El will discover some way to save the planet) and force the scientist and his son to kneel before him one day.

Having been re-built via a Kryptonian crystal during the ''[[One Year Later]]'' story arc, the current version of the Fortress of Solitude, which is also designed to essentially be visually identical to the Donner and [[Bryan Singer]] films, now contains an advanced interactive "recording" of Jor-El which, although visually dissimilar to [[Marlon Brando]], is otherwise identical in function to that featured in ''[[Superman Returns]]''.

''[[Superman/Batman]]'' #50 presents Jor-El sending a probe to Earth that makes contact with [[Thomas Wayne]] while he is on a drive with a pregnant [[Martha Wayne|Martha]], the probe holographically transmitting Thomas' consciousness to Krypton so that Jor-El can better learn what kind of world Earth is to help him decide which of many possible candidates he should send his son to. Thomas tells Jor-El that the people of Earth are not perfect, but are essentially a good and kind race who will raise the child right, convincing Jor-El to send Kal-El there. Thomas records his encounter in a diary, which is discovered by his son [[Bruce Wayne]] in the present day.

=== "The New 52" and "DC Rebirth" ===
{{multiple image
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 | image1            = Jor-El (The New 52).jpg
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 | caption1          = [[The New 52]] version of the character on the cover of ''Superman'' (vol. 3) #0 by [[Kenneth Rocafort]]
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 | caption2          = Jor-El on the cover of [[Action Comics]] #989 (2017) by Jay Leisten and Neil Edwards
}}
Following two line-wide revisions of DC superhero comic books, branded by DC Comics as “[[New 52]]” and “[[DC Rebirth]]”, the character Jor-El was revised to be still alive due to being rescued by [[Doctor Manhattan]]. After being nursed back to health by locals, Jor-El sees firsthand the atrocities of man, as a dictator usurps all of what the people own, causing them to starve. After witnessing these atrocities, Jor-El is forced to watch the horrors of mankind over the centuries and becomes '''Mister Oz'''.<ref>''Action Comics'' #987. DC Comics (Burbank, California).</ref> Jor-El becomes dissatisfied with humanity and attempts to force his son and his family to leave in the belief that Earth cannot be saved, but when Superman forces him to acknowledge that he is attacking his own son, he withdraws. It is later established that Jor-El is a member of the Circle, a clandestine organization composed of five powerful cosmic beings and intergalactic rulers including the [[Guardian of the Universe]] Appa Ali Apsa, [[Sardath]], and Rogol Zaar, the being who destroyed Krypton.<ref>''The Man of Steel'' (vol. 2) #1. DC Comics.</ref> Jor-El is later discovered to have created Rogol Zaar and is transported back in time to die.<ref>''Superman'' (vol. 5) #15 (November 2019)</ref>

==Other versions==
* An alternate universe variant of Jor-El appears in ''[[Superman: The Last Family of Krypton]]''. This version survived Krypton's destruction and accompanied Lara and Kal-El to Earth, where he sets up the corporation JorCorp while Lara establishes the self-help movement 'Raology'.
* An alternate universe variant of Jor-El appears in ''[[Superman Adventures]]''. This version is a resident of a Kryptonian city that survived Krypton's destruction. After the 'prime' Superman arrives in this world, Jor-El destroys the city to send him home.<ref>''Superman Adventures'' #30-31. DC Comics.</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
====Live-action====
* Jor-El appears in the ''[[Adventures of Superman (TV series)|Adventures of Superman]]'' episode "Superman on Earth", portrayed by an uncredited [[Robert Rockwell]].<ref name="50s series">{{cite episode|title=Superman on Earth|series=Adventures of Superman|series-link=Adventures of Superman (TV series)|credits=[[Robert Maxwell (producer)|Richard Fielding]] & [[Whitney Ellsworth]] (writers); [[Thomas Carr (director)|Tommy Carr]] (director)|network=[[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]]|airdate=1952-09-15|season=1|number=1}}</ref>
* Jor-El appears in ''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]'' episode "The Foundling", portrayed by [[David Warner (actor)|David Warner]].<ref name="loisandclark1">{{cite episode|title=Foundling|series=Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman|series-link=Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman|credits=Dan Levine (writer); [[Bill D'Elia]] (director)|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|airdate=1994-02-20|season=1|number=16}}</ref><ref name="loisandclark2">{{cite episode |title=Big Girls Don't Fly |series=Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman |series-link=Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman |credits=Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming (writers); [[Philip Sgriccia]] (director) |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |airdate=1996-05-12 |season=3 |number=22}}</ref>
{{multiple image
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 | width     = 200
 | image1    = SmallvilleyoungJorEl.jpg
 | caption1  = Tom Welling as young Jor-El in ''[[Smallville]]'' in the show's third season episode "Relic"
 | image2    = JulianSandsJorEL.jpg
 | caption2  = Julian Sands as Jor-El in the ninth season ''[[Smallville]]'' episode "Kandor"
}}
* Jor-El appears in ''[[Smallville]]'', portrayed by [[Julian Sands]] and voiced by [[Terence Stamp]], while [[Tom Welling]] portrays a younger version of him in the episode "Memoria".<ref>{{cite episode|title=Exodus|series=[[Smallville]]|credits=Alfred Gough, Miles Millar (writers) & Greg Beeman (director)|network=[[The WB Television Network|The WB]]|airdate=2003-05-20|season=2|number=23}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Phoenix|series=Smallville|credits=Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson (writers) & James Marshall (director)|network=The WB|airdate=2003-10-08|season=3|number=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Crusade|series=Smallville|credits=Miles Millar, Alfred Gough (writers) & Greg Beeman (director)|network=The WB|airdate=2004-09-22|season=4|number=1}}</ref><ref name="Commencement ep">{{cite episode|title=Commencement|series=Smallville|credits=Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & Greg Beeman (director)|network=The WB|airdate=2005-05-18|season=4|number=22}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Memoria|series=Smallville|credits=Alfred Gough, Miles Millar (writers) & Miles Millar (director)|network=The WB|airdate=2004-04-28|season=3|number=19}}</ref>
* Jor-El appears in the [[Pilot (Supergirl)|pilot episode]] of ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'', portrayed by an uncredited actor.
* A holographic version of Jor-El appears in ''[[Superman & Lois]]'', portrayed by [[Angus Macfadyen]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=February 10, 2021 |title=''Superman & Lois'' Casts Angus Macfadyen as Jor-El (Exclusive) |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/superman-lois-casts-angus-macfadyen-as-jor-el-exclusive-/ |website=Comicbook.com}}</ref> This version is an advisor to [[Clark Kent (Superman & Lois)|Superman]] who is ultimately destroyed by [[Tal-Rho]] following Superman's refusal to join him.

====Animation====
[[File:Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van (DC Animated Universe).jpg|thumb|200px|Jor-El and his wife Lara as they appear in ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]].'']]
* Jor-El appears in the ''[[Super Friends]]'' franchise:
** Jor-El first appears in the ''[[Super Friends (1973 TV series)|Super Friends]]'' (1973) episode "The Planet Splitter", voiced by [[Casey Kasem]].
** Jor-El appears in the ''[[Challenge of the Superfriends]]'' episode "Secret Origins of The Super Friends," voiced by [[G. Stanley Jones]].
** Jor-El appears in the ''[[Super Friends (1980 TV series)|Super Friends]]'' (1980) episode "The Krypton Syndrome", voiced by [[Philip L. Clarke]].
* Jor-El appears in series set in the [[DC Animated Universe]] (DCAU), voiced by [[Christopher McDonald]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Jor-El Voices (Superman) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Superman/Jor-El/ |access-date=July 14, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
** Jor-El first appears in ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]''. This version attempted to convince Krypton's leaders of its incoming destruction but was denounced by Brainiac, who knew of the planet's fate and, instead of finding a solution, downloaded himself into a satellite to escape and preserve Krypton's knowledge.<ref name="supermantas">{{cite episode |title=The Last Son of Krypton |series=Superman: The Animated Series |series-link=Superman: The Animated Series |network=[[The WB Television Network|The WB]] |airdate=1996-09-06 |season=1 |number=1 |credits=[[Alan Burnett]], [[Paul Dini]] & Bob Goodman (writers); Dan Riba (director)}}</ref>
** Jor-El appears in a photograph in the ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' two-part episode "Twilight".<ref name="justiceleague">{{cite episode |title=Twilight (Parts 1 and 2) |series=Justice League |series-link=Justice League (TV series) |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |airdate=2003-07-05 |season=2 |number=1 & 2 |credits=Rich Fogel & [[Bruce Timm]] (writers); Dan Riba & Butch Lukic (directors)}}</ref>
** A [[Dream world (plot device)|dream world]] incarnation of Jor-El appears in the ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' episode "[[For the Man Who Has Everything]]".
* Jor-El appears in the ''[[Pinky and the Brain]]'' episode "Two Mice and a Baby", voiced by [[Jeff Bennett]].
* Jor-El makes a cameo appearance in the ''[[Dilbert (TV series)|Dilbert]]'' episode "The Delivery".
* Jor-El makes a non-speaking appearance in a flashback in the ''[[Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)|Legion of Super Heroes]]'' episode "Message in a Bottle". This version was initially able to prevent Krypton's destruction with a device called the Messenger, which can convert anything to crystal and replace unstable matter. The Messenger was housed in a temple in Kandor, and when Brainiac shrunk and stole the city, he took the Messenger with it, dooming Krypton to destruction.
* Jor-El appears in ''[[The Looney Tunes Show]]'' episode "Best Friends", voiced by [[Jeff Bergman]].<ref name="btva2">{{cite web |title=Jor-El Voice - ''The Looney Tunes Show'' (TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/The-Looney-Tunes-Show/Jor-El/ |access-date=July 14, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
* Jor-El appears in ''Kara and the Chronicles of Krypton'', a spin-off of the television series ''[[Smallville]]''.
* A hologram of Jor-El appears in ''[[My Adventures with Superman]]'', voiced by [[Jason Marnocha]].<ref name="btva" />

===Films===
====Live-action====
* Jor-El appears in ''[[Superman (serial)|Superman]]'' (1948), portrayed by [[Nelson Leigh]].{{citation needed |date=June 2018}}

=====1978 series=====
* Jor-El appears in [[Superman (1978 film)|''Superman'']] (1978), portrayed by [[Marlon Brando]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Freiman |first=Barry |title=One-on-One Interview with Producer Ilya Salkind |url=https://www.supermanhomepage.com/ |access-date=July 14, 2024 |website=Superman Homepage |language=en-US}}</ref> The film originated the idea of Superman's iconic [[Superman logo|"S"-shield symbol]] originally being the family crest of the House of El, which resembles an Earth "S" by coincidence. Originally conceived by Brando himself and suggested on-set, this origin of the famous Superman symbol has been used in many stories since. In the current comics, however, the shield is the Kryptonian symbol for "hope," and not only is it worn by Jor-El in a similar manner to Brando of the first feature film, but it adorns all manner of Kryptonian flags, clothing, spaceships, and equipment.
* Brando filmed additional footage for ''[[Superman II]]'', before differences behind the scenes caused his footage to be cut. However, it was later restored for the 2006 revised version, ''[[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut]]''. In the ''Richard Donner Cut'', Jor-El again appears as an image, posthumously attempting to guide and inform Kal-El. Jor-El's historical crystals reveal to [[Lex Luthor (1978 film series character)|Lex Luthor]] the existence of the three Phantom Zone criminals [[General Zod]], [[Ursa (DC Comics)|Ursa]] and [[Non (comics)|Non]], which makes Luthor realize just who and what they are (and that it was Superman who caused their release). Jor-El is asked by Clark if he can live a life as a human with Lois, and he tries to persuade Clark not to wish so, but Clark is firm in his wish. Jor-El then reveals the crystal chamber with the rays of Krypton's [[Rao (comics)|red sun]] which will make Clark human forever. Later, Clark returns to find all the crystals and information regarding Krypton destroyed, but finds the original crystal and is able to bring back Jor-El. Jor-El sacrifices his remaining life-force to restore his son's powers so that Superman can save Earth from Zod. Superman later destroys the Fortress after it has been breached by Luthor and the Phantom Zone criminals, but then goes back in time, where it remains normal.
* Jor-El appears in ''[[Superman Returns]]'', portrayed again by Marlon Brando via archival footage.<ref name=":0" />

=====DC Extended Universe=====
* Jor-El appears in ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]'', portrayed by [[Russell Crowe]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Warner |first=Kara |date=June 15, 2011 |title=Superman Finds A Dad: Russell Crowe Joins ''Man Of Steel'' – MTV Movie News |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1665832/russell-crowe-man-of-steel.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616233431/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1665832/russell-crowe-man-of-steel.jhtml |archive-date=June 16, 2011 |access-date=July 14, 2011 |publisher=MTV}}</ref> Rejecting the Kryptonian tradition of eugenics and artificial birth, this version stole the Kryptonian genetic codex to preserve the Kryptonian race and provide his son with the distinction of choosing his own destiny, creating [[Superman (DC Extended Universe)|Kal-El]], who is then sent to Earth before Krypton's destruction. Following a 33-year imprisonment in stasis for an attempted coup in which he murdered Jor-El, General Zod and his lieutenants pursue the infant to Earth, where Clark Kent first encounters his father via an interactive computer hologram that simulates his father's personality and knowledge. The AI of Jor-El was later destroyed by General Zod.

====Animation====
* Jor-El makes a non-speaking appearance in ''[[All-Star Superman (film)|All-Star Superman]]''.
* An alternate universe variant of Jor-El appears in ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]''.<ref name="btva" />
* Jor-El appears in ''[[The Lego Batman Movie]]''.<ref name="btva" />
* Jor-El, based on Marlon Brando's portrayal, appears in ''[[Teen Titans Go! To the Movies]]'', voiced by [[Fred Tatasciore]].<ref name="btva" />
* Jor-El appears in ''[[Superman: Man of Tomorrow]]''.<ref name="btva" />
* Jor-El appears in ''[[Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse]]'', voiced again by Fred Tatasciore.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovell |first=Kevin |date=February 14, 2022 |title=Trailer, Artwork & Release Info For ''Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem In The Multiverse''; On Blu-ray, DVD & Digital May 24, 2022 From DC - Warner Bros |url=https://screen-connections.com/2022/02/14/teen-titans-go-and-dc-super-hero-girls-mayhem-in-the-multiverse-release-details/ |access-date=July 14, 2024 |website=Screen Connections |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Jor-El appears in ''[[Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons]]'', voiced by [[Nolan North]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luchies |first=Adam |date=July 3, 2022 |title=''Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons'' Sets 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital Release |url=https://collider.com/batman-and-superman-battle-of-super-sons-4k-blu-ray-digital-release-date/ |access-date=July 14, 2024 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva" />
* Jor-El appears in ''[[DC League of Super-Pets]]'', voiced by [[Alfred Molina]].<ref name="btva" />

===Video games===
* Jor-El appears in the ''[[Superman Returns (video game)|Superman Returns]]'' video game.
* Jor-El appears in ''[[DC Universe Online]]'', voiced by William Price.
* The Fortress of Statue's statue of Jor-El appears in ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]''.
* Jor-El appears as a character summon in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=July 14, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
* The ''Man of Steel'' incarnation of Jor-El appears in ''[[Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham]]'', voiced by [[Nolan North]].

===Novels===
====''Superman: Last Son of Krypton''====
In the [[Elliot S. Maggin]] 1978 novel ''[[Superman: Last Son of Krypton]]'', Jor-El is shown as having sent a navigation probe ahead of Kal-El's spaceship, to find a suitable foster parent on his new planet. In Kryptonian society, scientific achievement was a preeminent virtue, so Jor-El's probe was programmed to seek out the leading scientific mind on Earth, presumably to adopt Kal-El. The probe landed (in the early 1950s, although the date is non-specific) in [[Princeton, New Jersey]], where it soon appeared outside the window of [[Albert Einstein]] and communicated its mission to him through [[telepathy]], along with precise details of where Kal-El's rocket would land (near [[Smallville (comics)|Smallville]], [[Kansas]]), several days later.

====''The Last Days of Krypton''====
In the 2007 novel ''The Last Days of Krypton'' by [[Kevin J. Anderson]], Jor-El is shown as a science hero who is respected and admired by all of the people of Krypton and has a standing offer of a place on the Council. Yet his clashing with this conservative Council over new discoveries supplies much of the tension in the book. General Zod and his two minions make a bid to take over Krypton, first posing as Krypton's saviors.

==See also==
* [[Superman dynasty]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{DCdatabase|Jor-El}}
* [http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Jor-El Jor-El] at [http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Smallville_Wiki ''Smallville'' Wiki]
* [http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Jor-El_(Kryptonian) Jor-El (Kryptonian)] at [http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Smallville_Wiki ''Smallville'' Wiki]
* [http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Jor-El_(clone) Jor-El (clone)] at [http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Smallville_Wiki ''Smallville'' Wiki]
* [http://supermanica.kinlok.nu/wiki/index.php/Jor-El Supermanica bio on the pre-Crisis Jor-El] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327235541/http://supermanica.kinlok.nu/wiki/index.php/Jor-El |date=2012-03-27 }}
* [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/who/who-intro.php?topic=jor-el Superman Homepage bio on the post-Crisis Jor-El]
* {{TED speaker}}

{{Superman characters}}

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