Zook (character)

Zook
Zook from his first appearance in Detective Comics , Vol. 1 #311 (January 1963); pencils and inks by Joe Certa.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Detective Comics #311 (January 1963)
Created by	Jack Miller Joe Certa
In-story information
Alter ego	Zook
Species	Zo'ok
Place of origin	Mars
Partnerships	Martian Manhunter
Abilities	Metamorphosis Power replication Size alteration

Zook is a character appearing in comic books published by National Periodical Publications (now known as DC Comics) in the 1960s. He was the partner of the superhero J'onn J'onzz, the Manhunter from Mars (now known as Martian Manhunter). Zook's first published appearance was in the story, "The Invaders from the Space Warp" from Detective Comics #311 (January 1963). ^[1]

Fictional character biography

Zook is one of four beings from a planet in another dimension whose first recorded appearance on Earth was on Jade Island. The four arrive on Earth via a spacewarp that was accidentally opened by a scientist from their world. Of the four aliens, two were criminals. The third, R'ell, chooses to pursue the criminals, and the fourth was Zook, who snuck through the space warp after R'ell. ^{[1] [2]}

Upon their arrival on Jade Island, the two alien criminals rob a general store. This attracts the attention of Patrolwoman Diane Meade, who was vacationing on the island. Meade contacts Captain Harding, who in turn contacts John Jones.

Jones, as Martian Manhunter, takes down and captures the two alien criminals. At the jail, Manhunter learns that there is another alien on the island. Manhunter finds the other alien, R'ell, who explains how the aliens had travelled to Earth through a space warp. The warp is still open on the island, and R'ell is determined to find the criminals and take them through the warp back to their own world. However, the warp is set to close soon.

The criminals escape jail after causing a small earthquake, then take Diane Meade hostage. Zook sneaks up on the aliens and attacks them by heating up the ground beneath the criminals. Martian Manhunter throws the two criminals and R'ell through the warp, returning them to their home dimension. However, Martian Manhunter realizes that Zook failed to pass through the warp, leaving him stranded on Earth. Zook takes a liking to Martian Manhunter, who takes him in as a sidekick. ^[1]

Zook appears in Superman/Batman as one of several aliens living on Earth who are being mind controlled by an extraterrestrial invasion force. He takes the form of Batman and Superman's enemies and tries to kill them. ^{[3] [2]}

Powers and abilities

Zook can alter the temperature of his body to be incredibly hot (enough to instantly melt a car into slag) or incredibly cold (enough to instantly freeze a river). Zook's antennae allow him to track anyone he has previously met and see through disguises. ^[2] He can also alter the shape of his body in limited ways, allowing him to flatten his body and stretch several feet. ^[1]

In other media

Zook appears in All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold #5.

References

1. Morris, Jon (October 23, 2018). The League of Regrettable Sidekicks: Heroic Helpers from Comic Book History!. Quirk Books. p. 191. ISBN   9781683690771.
2. Cambro, Ed (November 28, 2016). "16 Things You Didn't Know About Martian Manhunter". Screen Rant . Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2026. Zook came from a parallel world in another dimension who accidentally fell through an anomaly and landed on Earth with several criminals. Unable to send Zook back home, Martian Manhunter decided to keep him as a pet and acted as an assistant on cases and adventures. This was actually helpful, as Zook had many of the tracking qualities of a dog and the radar-like senses of an insect...After a handful of appearances, Zook was neither seen nor mentioned again for about thirty-five years, until a brief cameo in Superman/Batman.
3. Superman/Batman #31 (January 2007)