History ComicBook / BaronZemo

[[redirect:Characters/MarvelComicsBaronZemo]]

1

[[redirect:Characters/CaptainAmericaCentralRoguesGallery]

[[redirect:Characters/CaptainAmericaCentralRoguesGallery]]

[[redirect:Characters/MarvelComicsBaronZemo]]

d

[[redirect:Characters/MarvelComicsBaronZemo]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/zlkogbr1.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Helmut]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/406full_baron_zemo_heinrich_zemo1.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Heinrich]]

Baron Zemo is a Creator/MarvelComics supervillain, and a LegacyCharacter that has been held by 13 different individuals of German nobility. The two most famous, and immediately relevant, holders of the title are Helmut Zemo, the current and longstanding Baron, and Heinrich Zemo, Helmut's father and the one responsible for killing Bucky Barnes ([[{{Retcon}} initially]]) and putting Captain America on ice. Helmut has been the most prominent Baron since taking on the title in 1982, and when people say "Baron Zemo", [[SequelDisplacement they're likely referring to him]].

The first Baron Zemo introduced in Marvel is Heinrich. He was a [[ThoseWackyNazis Nazi scientist]] responsible for putting ComicBook/CaptainAmerica on ice, and was created to be a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute for the ComicBook/RedSkull. He first appeared via a flashback in ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'' #4 (July 1964) by Creator/StanLee and Creator/JackKirby, and made his first full-on debut two issues later.

Heinrich was a sworn enemy of Captain America ([[RememberTheNewGuy despite having no appearances in the original Timely Comics]]), [[ClingyCostume whose hood was permanently glued to his face]] after a confrontation with Cap led to a material called Adhesive X caused the mask to fuse to him. This drove him insane and made him evil(er). Years later, Heinrich would form the Masters of Evil as the EvilCounterpart of the Avengers upon learning the Captain America has resurfaced. With him as the lead, he would recruit the Black Knight, the Melter, and Radioactive Man, before inducting ComicBook/TheEnchantress and the Executioner following their banishment from Asgard, and later ComicBook/WonderMan (who underwent a HeelFaceTurn). Heinrich, [[BadassNormal even without superpowers]], was one of the Avengers' most dangerous foes.

In the final battle with Captain America, Heinrich was killed by an avalanche from the oncoming chaos. Bucky's death ([[{{Retcon}} at the time]]) was avenged. The Masters of Evil would disband, and reform again with new membership multiple times. Though he only appeared alive in fourteen issues, [[SmallRoleBigImpact Heinrich still impacts the world of Marvel to this day]]. In particular, his actions played a major role in the stories of Captain America, Bucky Barnes (who would resurface as the BrainwashedAndCrazy assassin known as the Winter Soldier), and his son, Helmut Zemo (see below).

Helmut Zemo was first introduced in ''Captain America'' #168 (December 1973) by Roy Thomas, Tony Isabella and Sal Buscema. In his first appearance, Helmut was known as Phoenix (not to be confused with ''that'' [[ComicBook/XMen Phoenix]]), who wanted revenge on Captain America for his father's fall into madness and subsequent death. Before the incident, Heinrich loved his son, but afterwards, he [[AbusiveParents abused him]] both emotionally and physically, and Helmut believed Cap to be responsible. After going toe-to-toe with Cap, as well as his friend ComicBook/TheFalcon, Helmut's plan backfired and [[HistoryRepeats he fell into the vat of Adhesive X]], causing his face to be horribly scarred and for the Phoenix to be reborn as the [[LegacyCharacter new Baron Zemo]].

For many years afterwards, Baron Zemo would be a recurring antagonist as part of the Masters of Evil. In stark contrast to his father, who died after fourteen issues and [[KilledOffForReal remains dead to this day]], Helmut is notable in that he simply [[JokerImmunity refuses to die, ever]]. It's helped by the fact that he [[CrazyPrepared always has contingencies]] and is more of a [[PragmaticVillainy Pragmatic Villain]] than his father being insane.

One of Helmut's most famous story arcs is the original ''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}'', where he posed as Citizen V (ironic since that was a hero who his father murdered) alongside the Masters of Evil to replace the Avengers following the ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}'' event. His attempt was to take over the world by having all trust put on the Thunderbolts before executing his master plan, but the others ended up becoming [[HeelFaceTurn genuine heroes]] when they learned that BeingEvilSucks. This itself created problems. Since then, he's always been a prominent recurring foe. If the Masters of Evil are involved, Baron Zemo will likely lead them.

The two Barons [[{{Foil}} contrast greatly in terms of portrayal]]. Heinrich is [[CardCarryingVillain straight-up evil]], just as you would expect for a Nazi scientist in an American comic book. His only thing that could be considered a redeeming trait is his love for his son, and even that gets marred by how much he abused him. He's just as bad as the ComicBook/RedSkull, and did things so inhumane that even his ''Nazi subordinates'' were [[EvenEvilHasStandards disgusted by them]].

On the other hand, Helmut is a much more [[AntiVillain conflicted figure]]. He struggled with a DarkAndTroubledPast thanks to said father, had to come to terms with Heinrich being a horrible father and an even worse man, and eventually [[CharacterDevelopment disowned him, his ancestry, the Nazi ideology and all associated prejudices]] while becoming more of an EqualOpportunityEvil villain. While always remaining on the villain side, he's much more charismatic and sympathetic than Heinrich ever was.

----
!! Baron Zemo appears in the following works:

[[index]]
[[AC:Notable Comic Books]]
* ''ComicBook/TheAvengers''
** ''ComicBook/UnderSiege''
* ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica''
* ''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}''
* ''ComicBook/AvengersThunderbolts''

[[AC:Live-Action]]
* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, played by Creator/DanielBruhl
** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'' (2016)
** ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' (2021)

[[AC:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/MarvelAvengersAlliance'' (2012)
* ''VideoGame/AvengersAcademy'' (2016)
* ''VideoGame/LEGOMarvelsAvengers'' (2016) Helmut is a playable SecretCharacter in this game. Heinrich is available as a DLC character.
* ''VideoGame/LegoMarvelSuperheroes2'': Helmut is a playable character

[[AC:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'' - Heinrich appears, and is a CompositeCharacter of himself and Helmut.
* ''WesternAnimation/AvengersAssemble'' - Heinrich and Helmut both appears in this animated series.

----
!!Baron Zemo provides examples of the following tropes:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Tropes pertaining to Heinrich]]
!!Baron Heinrich Zemo
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/2815153_captain_america_reborn__4___page_16.jpg]]

!!! '''Alter Ego:''' Baron Heinrich Zemo
!!! '''Notable Aliases:''' Baron Zemo, Dr. Heinrich Zemo, "Masked Demon"
!!! '''First Appearance:''' ''The Avengers'' #4 (March 1964) [[note]]Flashback[[/note]]; ''The Avengers'' #6 (July 1964) [[note]]Actual appearance[[/note]]

----
* {{Archenemy}}: Was Captain America's during the first twenty issues of ''Avengers'', and his actions continue to inform those of Captain America, Bucky, and his son, Helmut, to this day. His team, the Masters of Evil, were, and continue to be, the archenemies of the Avengers.
* AristocratsAreEvil: The Zemo barony goes back several centuries, and most of them have been relative good folk (the second Baron Zemo was a total dickweed, but his tenure lasted all of two minutes before his son got rid of him), some were ineffectual, and one or two weak-willed. And Heinrich decided to throw in with the Nazis.
* BadassBookworm: For a guy who spent most of his life in a laboratory, Zemo's a pretty capable fighter.
* BadassNormal: Zemo possessed no superhuman abilities, yet he could not only match Captain America in a fistfight, but led a group that included The Black Knight, The Enchantress, The Executioner, The Melter, and The Radioactive Man.
* BigBad: Of the original Masters of Evil and any storyline involving them.
* ClingyCostume: Thanks to some Adhesive X, his mask was permanently stuck to his face. He could breathe and talk through it, but needed to use an IV to feed and drink.
* CoolMask: His purple mask is quite cool. Good thing too, seeing as it is glued to his face.
* EmperorScientist: Downplayed. Heinrich was the emperor all right, but of a tiny kingdom deep in the South American jungles.
* EvilGenius: To the point where even the Enchantress and the Executioner have to respect his intelligence.
* EvilGloating: Guy just did not ''shut. UP.'' Most of what Helmut remembers of his childhood was dad rambling on about how one day they'd rise up again and crush their enemies and etc, etc...
* EvilOverlord: Of a stretch of South American jungle
* EvilutionaryBiologist: Hitler might have been disdainful of experiments to increase human potential, but Zemo was not, as evidenced by his creation of Wonder Man.
* FurAndLoathing: Became part of his costume after his exile to the jungle.
* HighClassGlass: ''Zemo: Born Better'' reveals that he used to sport one before the mask got glued to his face.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Buried in a rockslide that was caused by his own gun misfiring.
* InTheBlood: Arrogance and a penchant towards treating others as the lowest forms of life are definitely in the Zemo blood. Heinrich's interest in human experimentation actually began with his father, who conducted similar experiments during WWI.
* KilledOffForReal: Died in a rockslide during a battle with Captain America.
* MadScientist: Was one of Hitler's top scientists, and had no issues with experimenting on political prisoners.
* NaziNobleman: The twelfth Baron Zemo, and a high-ranking member of the Nazi hierarchy, second only to The Red Skull. He combines his belief in his own innate superiority with Nazi MasterRace theory.
* PurpleIsPowerful: Signifies his status as king of a jungle tribe in this case.
* RememberTheNewGuy: Baron Zemo was a Nazi leader who fought against Captain America during World War II. However, his first appearance was in 1964, long after World War II ended. He was retroactively added as one of Captain America's major World War II enemies.
* {{Revenge}}: Motivated by a need to avenge himself on Captain America, who he blames for gluing his mask to his face.
* TheRival: He and The Red Skull were rivals for Hitler's favour, control over other Nazi superhumans, and the title of Captain America's archenemy.
* SecondaryColorNemesis: Wears purple in contrast to Cap's blue and red.
* SlobsVersusSnobs: The rivalry he had with the Red Skull is often given tones of this. He was a wealthy aristocrat, while the Skull grew up on the streets.
* SmallRoleBigImpact: He appeared in the sixth issue of the Avengers and was killed off in the twentieth. His actions continue to influence Cap, Bucky, and his son, Helmut, to this day.
* StableTimeLoop: He's the subject of two.
** When Helmut was sent through time, at one point he winds up in Heinrich's lab in the early days of WW2, he beats Heinrich up, and drops his hood at his feet, telling him to take it as a reminder.
** In a time-travel arc of ''Thunderbolts'', Moonstone nearly kills him, but spares him partly to preserve the timeline (but also because she's feeling lazy that day), on the condition he has a son and names him Helmut.
* StupidJetpackHitler: His death rays, Adhesive X, and other discoveries were far beyond what the real Nazi Germany was capable of.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: For the Red Skull before it was decided to bring the Skull into the present day.
* ThoseWackyNazis: He's a Nazi through and through, unlike his son.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tropes pertaining to Helmut]]
!!Baron Helmut J. Zemo

[[quoteright:281:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/baron_helmut_zemo_marvel_comics_thunderbolts_citizen_v.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:281:Baron Helmut Zemo XIII]]
[[caption-width-right:281:[[labelnote:Click here to see as Citizen V]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/baron_helmut_zemo_marvel_comics_thunderbolts_citizen_v_c.jpg[[/labelnote]]]]

!!! '''Alter Ego:''' Baron Helmut J. Zemo
!!! '''Notable Aliases:''' Baron Zemo, Citizen V, Phoenix, Iron Cross, Mark Evanier
!!! '''First Appearance:''' ''Captain America'' #168 (December 1973) [[note]]As Phoenix[[/note]]; ''Captain America'' #275 (November 1982) [[note]]As Baron Zemo[[/note]]; ''The Incredible Hulk'' #449 (January 1997) [[note]]As Citizen V[[/note]]

----
* AntiVillain: Sometimes verges on this, though it's a case of DependingOnTheWriter.
* ArchEnemy: After his father's death, he takes this role to Captain America and leads the Masters of Evil after inheriting the title.
* AristocratsAreEvil: He's a baron after all, and believes his aristocratic heritage entitles him to rule.
* AvengingTheVillain: Helmut's original motive was to kill Captain America because he killed his father. Eventually, Helmut came to the realization that actually, Heinrich was an awful father and an even worse person.
* BadassNormal: Has no powers, but regularly fights the likes of Captain America and the Avengers. He usually has a contingency that will allow him to deal with his opponent's plans anyway; it's only when these contingencies fail (as happened during his battle with Moonstone at the end of the initial run on Thunderbolts) that he's in trouble.
* TheBigBad: Of his fare share of arcs, particularly those involving the Masters of Evil.
* BrainUploading: He only survived being decapitated because Techno uploaded his consciousness to a computer.
* ButterFace: A RareMaleExample. He has the body you'd expect of somebody who can keep up with Captain America in terms of physique... but that handsome form is contrasted by a hideously malformed visage. For a while, he had a young, dashing look again after [[GrandTheftMe hijacking the body of the Helmut from another Earth]], but only two years later his face got disfigured again. When he got Carla Sofen's Moonstone, he used it to fix that, but when Melissa broke it again...
* CallingTheOldManOut: During his trip back in time, he ran into his father while the latter was gleefully doing mad science for the Nazis. Helmut had long since discarded any Nazi prejudices he had once had, and was fuming watching his father put down other races, the handicapped, etc. Finally he had enough and started beating the hell out of him while giving a ReasonYouSuckSpeech. Quite the sign of CharacterDevelopment for the guy who started out worshiping and avenging his father's memory.
* CaptainPatriotic: At the beginning of the Thunderbolts, he disguised himself as Citizen V, supposedly the son of a previous hero who'd gone by that name, whom Zemo had killed. Zemo went the whole hog, even decking himself in a cape designed after the American flag.
* TheChessmaster: Zemo has a plan for everything, and lays them out months in advance.
* CoolMask: Wears a tighter fitting version of his father's mask.
* TheCynic: Has a generally negative view of humanity.
* DaddyIssues: He loved his father, and his father loved him... until the Adhesive X incident, where he became outright abusive in every way. Originally, Helmut blamed Captain America. Now, he acknowledges that his father was just a horrible human being.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: He once shot the Grandmaster, one of the Elders of the Universe and a being ''way'' outside his normal weight class, through the head. Admittedly, there were mitigating circustances that allowed him to do this, and the Grandmaster did get better (because, hey, comics).
* DisneyVillainDeath: Many, many times (see NeverFoundTheBody below).
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Arranged the death of one of his ancestors during a time-travel jaunt, after he found out the man was a rapist and a mass-murderer who did it all ForTheEvulz. He later clashed with another ancestor when he thought he was harassing a girl (the two were actually in love, and he quickly apologised).
* EvilGenius
* EvilIsPetty:
** One of his nastiest acts of spite was destroying a box of Cap's treasured belongings, including some of his last links to the past, right in front of his eyes.
** What was his initial plan in founding the Thunderbolts? Pretend to be heroes, earn America and the world's trust, become famous and respected, and then gather knowledge on the other heroes to... sell to the criminal underworld? Eventually, Moonstone points out this is a freaking ''stupid'' plan.
* TheFaceless: He rarely ever removes his mask, due to his [[FacialHorror face being horribly scarred in a accident.]]
* FacialHorror: His head has been slashed up so badly that it's practically a skull, with ribbons of flesh draping over his eyes and sliced-off cheeks and lips. The sight of his face visibly disgusts everyone in the original Thunderbolts.
* FreudianExcuse: Raised by his father to believe in his inherent superiority. There wasn't a lot of dad hugs down in that South American jungle, mostly just rants and lectures.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Hideously disfigured beneath his mask.
* GrandTheftMe: After becoming a "ghost", his mind was transferred to the actual son of Citizen V (Techno noted it was basically him playing a joke). That is, until an energy conflict - the V-Batallion tried to teleport Citizen V as the body was being sucked into a portal - made his mind be expelled into Techno's machinery. But given he arrived at Counter-Earth, this meant Zemo could do a literal case of the trope, and took the body of his self from this world.
* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: Cannot make up his mind which side he is supposed to be on. He even once took a bullet for Cap despite being his sworn enemy.
* InTheBlood: The arrogance and the drive for control certainly are.
* JokerImmunity: Unlike his father, he can never seem to be put down for long.
* TheLeader: Of the Masters of Evil and the Thunderbolts.
* LegacyCharacter: To his father, Baron Heinrich Zemo XII.
* ManipulativeBastard: Zemo's very good at getting other people to do what he wants, playing on their emotions and desires.
* MasterSwordsman: One of the best in the Marvel Universe. Zemo's dueled the likes of Captain America and survived several decades worth of warfare on a time travel jaunt.
* NaziNobleman: Started out as one, though he's moved away from fascism in recent years. Nowadays his goals align more with DirtyCommunists.
* NeverFoundTheBody: During the run of Thunderbolts alone he was declared dead on ''four separate occasions'', all of which turned out to be false. In each instance, his body was never found. By the fourth time, most of the team just assume he'll turn up eventually [[TheFriendNobodyLikes (not that they want him to)]].
* NobleDemon: He's much more noble than his father,for sure.
* PurpleIsPowerful: Signifies his aristocratic leanings.
* SecondaryColorNemesis: Purple, to oppose Cap's blue and red.
* TakeOverTheWorld: He insists it's to save it. Some people (like Songbird) aren't convinced.
* TakingTheBullet: Once leapt in the way of an energy blast an insane Moonstone aimed at Captain America. Messed his face up bad.
* ThereAreNoTherapists: This guy is seriously messed up and would probably have turned out differently if he got professional help.
* TokenEvilTeammate: Alongside Techno, he serves as this for the first iteration of Thunderbolts. While most members of the team fall somewhere between TheHero and the AntiHero, Zemo shows no signs of having softened whilst playing-hero, and alongside Techno manages to almost conquer the world and turn it into a [[TheSocialDarwinist Darwinist nightmare]]. He also constantly mocks his teammates for wanting to be heroes, calling them "weak" and "traitors to the cause" when they show the smallest signs of heroism outside of their pubic duties.
* UnluckyThirteen: He's the thirteenth Baron Zemo.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: In his mind, at any rate, after some CharacterDevelopment, he becomes determined to take over the world for its own good. That doesn't mean that he's not an AxeCrazy terrorist who's willing to perform some truly heinous actions for the sake of the "greater good."
** Taken to the highest extreme possible. When he actually did have the power to implement whatever change he might have wanted, Songbird shut him down with the intention of killing him out of not trusting him. What were what he believed could have been his last words?
--> '''Zemo''': I would never have hurt a world I worked so hard to save.
* WesternTerrorists: More like this than a Nazi.
* WickedCultured: When being held at swordpoint by his worst ancestor, an evil aristocrat who believed only in the absolute of power, said ancestor's son (who'd struck up a friendship with Zemo) asked what was more absolute than power. Zemo's answer? "To be, or not to be."
* WorthyOpponent: Sometimes sees Captain America this way, and definitely sees Sharon Carter this way.
* XanatosSpeedChess: He's good at incorporating the gambits of others into his plans, as evidenced by his deft manipulation of [[TheStarscream Moonstone]] when they were both members of the Thunderbolts.
[[/folder]]
----

[[AC:Comics]]

[[AC: Video Games]]

** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'' (2016) - A reimagined and non-supervillain but antagonistic portrayal.
** ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' (2021) - Marks his full transition to Baron Zemo.

** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'' (2016) - Helmut, in a reimagined and non-supervillain but antagonistic portrayal.

** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'' (2016) - Helmut, in a reimagined and non-supervillain but antagonistic portrayal, played by Creator/DanielBruhl.

[[AC:Film]]
* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:

[[AC:Television]]
* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:
** ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' (2021) - Reprised by Creator/DanielBruhl, this marks his full transition to Baron Zemo.

** ''The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'' (2021) - Reprised by Creator/DanielBruhl, this marks his full transition to Baron Zemo.

** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'' (2016) - Helmut, in a reimagined and non-supervillain (but antagonistic) portrayal, played by Creator/DanielBruhl.

** ''The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'' (2020) - Reprised by Creator/DanielBruhl, this marks his full transition to Baron Zemo.

* ButterFace: A RareMaleExample. He has the body you'd expect of somebody who can keep up with Captain America in terms of physique... but that handsome form is contrasted by a hideously malformed visage. For a while, he had a young, dashing look again after [[GrandTheftMe hijacking the body of the Helmut from another Earth]], but only two years later his face got disfigured again. When he got Carla Sofen's Moonstone, he used it to fix that.

* MasterSwordsman: Zemo's dueled the likes of Captain America and survived several decades worth of warfare on a time travel jaunt.

* WellIntentionedExtremist: At this point Helmut's goal is to take over the world to make it a better place. That doesn't mean that he's not an AxeCrazy terrorist who's willing to perform some truly heinous actions for the sake of the "greater good."

* ''VideoGame/LEGOMarvelsAvengers'' (2016) Helmut is a playable SecretCharacter in this game.

* ButterFace: A RareMaleExample. He has the body you'd expect of somebody who can keep up with Captain America in terms of physique... but that handsome form is contrasted by a hideously malformed visage. For a while, he had a young, dashing look again after [[GrandTheftMe hijacking the body of the Helmut from another Earth]], but only two years later his face got disfigured again.

* EvilIsPetty: One of his nastiest acts of spite was destroying a box of Cap's treasured belongings, including some of his last links to the past, right in front of his eyes.
* FreudianExcuse: Raised by his father to believe in his inherent superiority.

* ButterFace: A RareMaleExample. He has the body you'd expect of somebody who can keep up with Captain America in terms of physique... but that handsome form is contrasted by a hideously malformed visage.

For many years afterwards, Baron Zemo would be a recurring antagonist as part of the Masters of Evil. In stark contrast to his father, who died after fourteen issues and [[KilledOffForReal remains dead to this day]], Helmut is notable in that he simply [[JokerImmunity refuses to die, ever]]. It's helped by the fact that he [[CrazyPrepared always has contingencies]] and is more of a PragmaticVillain than his father being insane.

'''Baron Zemo''' is a Creator/MarvelComics supervillain, and a LegacyCharacter that has been held by 13 different individuals of German nobility. The two most famous, and immediately relevant, holders of the title are '''Helmut Zemo''', the current and longstanding Baron, and '''Heinrich Zemo''', Helmut's father and the one responsible for killing Bucky Barnes ([[{{Retcon}} initially]]) and putting Captain America on ice. Helmut has been the most prominent Baron since taking on the title in 1982, and when people say "Baron Zemo", [[SequelDisplacement they're likely referring to him]].

* ''WesternAnimation/AvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'' - Heinrich appears, and is a CompositeCharacter of himself and Helmut.

* ''VideoGame/LEGOMarvelsAvengers'' (2016)

* ''WesternAnimation/AvengersAssemble'' - Heinrich and Helmut both appears in this series.