ML127

2017

Marvel

Baron Helmut Zemo, as portrayed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is a Sokovian intelligence officer and former commander of EKO Cobra, a Sokovian special forces unit. He first appears in Captain America: Civil War (2016). Driven by the loss of his family during the Battle of Sokovia, which he blames on the Avengers, Zemo meticulously orchestrates a plan to divide and dismantle the superhero team.

Unlike some iterations, this version of Zemo lacks superpowers. Instead, he relies on his tactical brilliance, resourcefulness, and knowledge of the Avengers' vulnerabilities to achieve his goals. He expertly manipulates events, using the Winter Soldier's past to pit Captain America and Iron Man against each other.

Following his imprisonment, Zemo reappears in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021). Bucky Barnes enlists his assistance in tracking down the Flag-Smashers, utilizing Zemo's expertise in criminal networks. While ostensibly cooperating, Zemo pursues his own agenda, believing that super-powered individuals should not exist and taking steps to eliminate them.