Once a member of the council and friend to Jor-El, Non’s fall from grace was caused by a rogue councilman. After days of spreading the news of Jor-El’s findings regarding the impending doom of the planet Krypton, Non was kidnapped and lobotomized. Non is mute and mentally incapable of forming much of a thought about anything – General Zod uses Non as a force of pure rage and destruction.
Origin
The origin of Non actually dates back to the story of an earlier Kryptonian scientist named Jax-Ur. Jax-Ur’s unorthodox research into interstellar space travel caused the destruction of Krypton’s moon â an act that also caused the seeming destruction of the Kryptonian lunar colony, Kandor.
As a result, the Kryptonian Science Council appointed the distinguished scientist, Non, to study atmospheric anomalies. Along with his best student, Jor-El, Non discovered that Krypton’s sun had become unstable. Analyzing the research, they discovered that Krypton had less than ninety days before the sun’s instability caused the planet’s ultimate destruction. They addressed their concerns to the Kryptonian Science Council, but they were met with scorn and derision. Citing them for the illegal act of heresy, the Science Council sent the militaristic Defense Council to arrest Non and Jor-El. Among the arresting officers was General Zod and his lieutenant, Ursa. Non and Jor-El’s punishment was light, but they were warned against causing a global panic by spreading such sensationalized findings.
Jor-El chose to obey the council’s wishes, but Non could no longer keep silent. He began speaking publicly to anyone who would listen, spreading the word that Krypton was doomed. In a short amount of time, General Zod and Ursa learned that Non was absolutely correct. They defected from the Kryptonian Defense Council and joined Non’s cause. The Kryptonian Science Council eventually caught up with Non’s followers and apprehended them. Non was lobotomized and turned into a brutish, mute savage.
General Zod was outraged. He decided to continue Non’s work, determined to take control of the planet Krypton â if only to save it from itself. He tried to enlist the aid of Jor-El, but Jor-El refused. He wanted to save Krypton as well, but he was not prepared to throw his lot in with insurrectionists.
The Science Council captured Zod and Ursa, and were prepared to sentence them to death. Jor-El argued on their behalf, and convinced the Council to adapt a more humane means of punishment. Jor-El had discovered an inter-dimensional reality known as the Phantom Zone. He exiled Non, Zod and Ursa into the zone where they existed as insubstantial ghosts that would never age and never die. Zod swore revenge against Jor-El for betraying him, and promised that he would strike back against both him, and his family.
Non and the others remained in the Phantom Zone for many years, but eventually they found a means to escape and made their way towards Earth. Following Zod’s leadership, Non found himself in conflict with Jor-El’s son, Kal-El, better known to the rest of the world as Superman.
Powers and Abilities
Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, and enhanced senses.
Other Media
DC Universe Online (Video Game)
Superman & Superman II (Movies)
Supergirl (2015)
Non appears as the lover and comrade of Astra, Kara Zor El’s aunt. Non is not (it appears) lobotomized or unintelligent. Nor is he physically imposing like the Superman movie or comic version. He is very militant, though. Non is played by Chris Vance.